It started that summer

Bat Brother Coincidences

I made sure my cuffs were securely hidden in my suit jacket. "Remember Greyson, we don't want to cause any suspicions. You'll be in charge of the first floor, Officer Ryan and Peter will be on the second floor. I trust your natural charm with the public to help you get the information we need.'' The captain pulled out a map. He pointed to sector A, "Cathrine De Bourgh went missing two weeks ago. We have reason to believe she was killed and her child was abducted. Her captors are on the guest list. All our case points have led us here. Her name is Sasha, they're most likely going to sell her for a high ransom and trade her." He handed me a picture of her. "Bring her back."

"You can count on me, sir." The driver tilted his hat signaling for me to head inside. I adjusted my masquerade mask and opened the door. A cold wind rushed in and I looked at the extravagant building. A man approached me offering to take my jacket and another to check me in. "Good evening Sir, I'm here with the Jacksons. Darell Jackson," I noted.

"Do you have an ID with you?" He questioned.

"Yes sir I do," I slipped it out of my pocket, he nodded and moved past me, "Thank you, sir." Another person handed me a glass of champagne. I thanked him and walked inside, setting the glass down. I swiftly moved in and out of the crowd, trying not to interact with too many people and draw attention. Suddenly, a woman stumbled back, and I instinctively grabbed her before she could fall. My hands wrapped around her gloved arms. "Excuse me miss, I couldn't bear to see a beautiful woman like yourself getting your dress dirty." I smiled.

She turned around wearing a white masquerade mask and a yellow ball gown. Her auburn hair was elegantly done up, and her face flushed, "T-Thank you sir,"

"Of course, now I must be on my way-" She grabbed my hand.

"Wait, you're going to go already? Let me offer you a dance for your kindness." She bargained.

"I'd love to," I took her hand and led her towards the ballroom. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, not much younger than I. But not who I was looking for. "What is your name miss?"

"Charlotte Anderson," she bowed, lifting her dress.

"Darell Jackson, it's nice to meet you, Miss Anderson."

"Have you come with anyone else?"

"No, I'm here on behalf of my family. Unfortunately, my father had a work trip to go on." I'm starting to sound like Damian with his formalities. "Might I ask you a question?"

"Of course sir Jackson," I twirled her around, her dress elegantly flowing like a blooming flower.

I noticed a ring popping up from the glove the second I saw her, she was taken but these people tend to still be flirting. She's young and at this party so it's probably a family arrangement aka something she's not going to get out of. "Your beauty proceeds you, surely you have a spouse?"

She giggled happily, "I do," At least she is happy about it. She pointed and led me off the floor, "John!" She called. A man in a fitted gray suit joined our company, he grabbed her hand.

"Who is this love?"

"This is Darell Jackson, he caught me, I tripped on my dress again," she nervously admitted.

The man reached out his hand, "John Anderson, thank you for helping my clumsy wife." He said sincerely.

"Of course, I understand the shame something like that could bring at these parties." I tested the water seeing if they'd let down their guard. At least his wife seems to know about all this.

"Certainly, say mister, could I buy you a drink?"

"I'm alright thank you. But you know, I am looking for a friend. He came with his younger sister, you haven't seen them have you?"