ARKHAM FILES: ORACLE

CHAPTER SEVEN: LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA

As Barbara sat on her deck, the warm summer air enveloping her, she felt a sense of relief wash over her as Grayson pulled up behind her, a cooler full of drinks in hand. He handed her a cold one and they sat down together, the sound of the city distant but not intrusive.

Grayson filled her in on their latest adventure, trying to uncover what Crane and Hugo wanted from Amadeus, but it seemed like they'd hit a dead end. Barbara hesitated, tempted to spill the truth about Mayor Quincy's involvement, but she bit her tongue, not wanting to give away the crucial information that could lead to the Joker getting his hands on the missing puzzle piece.

She shook her head, feigning ignorance, and instead suggested they try a different angle, hoping to keep the truth from Grayson's prying eyes.

Barbara's eyes locked onto Grayson's, her voice low and urgent as she spoke. "Grayson. I know you think I'm crazy. But I believe Amadeus and Quincy are working together. They're helping out Crane and Hugo." She paused, her gaze piercing as she searched for any sign of doubt or skepticism on Grayson's face. When she saw none, she continued, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"I've seen them together, Grayson. Amadeus and Quincy, talking in hushed tones, their eyes darting around the room like they're worried about being overheard. And Crane and Hugo, they're always lurking around the edges, like they're waiting for something to go down."

She took a deep breath, her voice growing more intense. "I know it sounds far-fetched, but I'm telling you, Grayson, I've seen it with my own eyes. They're working together, and I think we need to do something about it."

Grayson's expression turned skeptical as he took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving Barbara's face. He chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "With what evidence, Babs? We only saw Crane and Hugo. The outline of the third person doesn't match Amadeus and Quincy." Barbara's face fell, her eyes welling up with tears as she sat back in her chair, wrapping her arms around herself. She felt like she wasn't being heard, like Grayson wasn't taking her concerns seriously.

"Unless that's Joker trying to give me clues," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Grayson's eyebrows shot up, and he set his drink down, his expression turning serious. "What do you mean?" Barbara sighed, her frustration growing. "Quincy was doing an event at the local shelter that night, so therefore he wasn't there. And Amadeus was working at Arkham in the time being. I know it sounds crazy, but I saw them sitting down at a table, talking in hushed tones." Her fingers curled into fists as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Grayson leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers.

"Babs, we need to talk about this rationally. We can't just jump to conclusions based on your suspicions." But Barbara knew what she had seen, and she was convinced that Grayson was missing the truth.

Grayson and Barbara were on the phone with Batman, discussing the situation in the streets of Gotham. "We need you to come down here now!" Batman's voice was urgent. "Some of Joker's gang is running wild, and I need your help to take them down."

Grayson and Barbara exchanged a look, then nodded at each other. Grayson turned to Barbara, his eyes serious. "Listen, Babs. I know you don't want to leave, but we need to go. We can't let Joker's gang run amok in Gotham."

Barbara looked up at him, her eyes filled with sadness. "I know you're right, Dick. But it's hard for me to leave... I feel like I'm letting everyone down."

Grayson's grip on her cheeks tightened. "You're not letting anyone down, Babs. You're helping people. You're making a difference. And I'm here with you, every step of the way." Barbara's eyes welled up with tears as she grabbed onto his wrist and pulled them down. "I know you do, Dick. I love you."