The Shootist.

Cobblepot Has A Run In With The Shootist.

After putting in about four hours worth of work of setting the molds and pouring the platinum which I reserved for only the most intricate revolvers or orders. Not to mention my special orders. But when I heard the girl say her name and who she belonged to. I knew this revolver had to have the best of everything. After I had grinded or hollowed out the barrel, the drum and hammered the two halves together. After pouring hot iron in between the butt pieces. Taking great care not to leave any tear drops or globs on the first day form of the Guardian Angel. I got changed into my getup for the Shootist and made my rounds around the city.

I then noticed a truck in ship in Gotham Harbor being unloaded by a group of Cobblepots men. The one known as The Penguin. I had heard rumors that he was trying to go back into the criminal lifestyle. Batman only uses him for information. Never does anything. He still thinks that Cobblepot is clean and legit. Well, unfortunately for Cobblepot. He'll be meeting me, not the Bat.
I followed the truck to his club The Iceberg Lounge. I looked around and found three guards, four henchmen unloading the truck and seven armed guards. After the truck was unloaded and the guests of the Lounge left I started my insurgence of the Iceberg Lounge. First up was to take out the seven armed guards quietlly and coldly. Once they were down, I shot the three guards center mass one shot each. I did the same thing with the henchmen that I did with the armed guards. Leaving only one person left. Cobblepot. Of course he had one armed guard close to him.
"Go see what's taking them so long to get the inventory of the shipment to me." Cobblepot told his guard.
"That won't be necessary." I said coming into view.
"Who are you?" His guard asked.
"I'm a man who is to be feared."
"Oh, christ. The Shootist." Cobblepot said gruffly. "What do you want?"
"First off. I'm here as a courtesy warning. Not from the Bat. Who for some reason seems to be turning a blind eye to your operation behind the scenes." I pulled my right holstered revolver and aimed it at his guard without looking. "Don't even flinch." I continued talking to Cobblepot. "Now then, you will stop your criminal operations, get rid of any and all contraband, every piece of your criminal empire goes up in flames." I shot his guard in the head as he was going for his pistol. Cobblepot looked at the body then to me with gods honest fear in his eyes. "I did warn him." I walked up to Cobblepot. "You have twelve hours to dismantle your criminal operations. Because if you don't." I put both revolvers to his head and cocked the hammers back. "I'll come back here and give you a Saints Farewell."
"Okay, okay. I'll do it. What do I get if I do it?"
"Aside from staying alive and breathing." Cobblepot noticed my fingers twitching.
"Okay. What else do you want?"
"You will work for me. When I come for information. You will give me what I need and if I smell you lying for any reason Cobblepot. Your family line dies with you."
"Okay. You got it."
"I promise you Cobblepot. You swerve me or lie to me. Then it's a permanent lights out for you." I shot his legs causing him to close his eyes long enough for me to vanish. I said, "Remember Cobblepot. Twelve hours." The emptiness of the Lounge repeated and reverberated my statement.

Once I got home, I activated my automated security protocols on my shop and home. I may be old fashioned when it comes to my anti-hero and daily job. But there are some things that require improved tech.
Over the next couple days, Cobblepot dismantled his empire and operations. And has given me some major leads and information that have led to the deaths and the arrests to some major criminals.
While I put the finishing touches of Barbara's new and special revolver. I heard a knock on my door shops door. I put the etching and engraving tools away and and covered the revolver. "Just a minute." I approached the door pulling up the safety lenses and wiped my hands off with my work gloves and tossed them on a second work table and answered the door. When I opened the door I saw, "Barbara." I said a little surprised to see her.
"I know it's late and I know that your closed. Can I come in for a moment?"
"Yes, of course." I opened the door and let her in. "Please come in." She walked in and looked around.
"Nice shop."
"Thank you. Now, what's going on?"
"Well, I had a date but he bailed on me. So I thought I'd come and see the new guy in town."
"As flattered as I am. I'm very unsure as to why a beautiful young woman such as you would come and see me."
"Well, what else am I supposed to do. I rarely get some time away from work and my dad. You have no idea what it's like to be a police comissioners daughter."
"Wait here." I left her alone and came back and tossed a framed photo with a picture from 1862. "I know exactly what it's like. That man." I pointed to a tall man in the center wearing a union uniform. "That's my great great grandfather. Once he left the union he came to what in a matter of twenty or so years would become Jefferson County, Idaho. And became the Marshal of that specific territory." Barbara looked up at me. "And every generation since. Has been measured by that tired old measuring stick. When I became a cop my family was so proud and compared me to him." I pointed to my grandpa. "And after a while. I saw a very corrupt system. Me and five other fellow officers tried to fight it. But four of them were killed in supposed accidents. I left the force and opened a blacksmith shop and never looked back." I turned away and walked over to the covered revolver.
"By the way, speaking of blacksmith." She approached me. "I know my dad asked you for a very special sample revolver as a way to see if your as good as the people who suggested he gets his guns repaired, upgraded and made by you, say you are." She picked up a completed revolver off my cooler table. "Nice." She held it and twirled it like a pro. Then put it back on the table but not before holding it out.
"How does she feel?"
"Like a dream." Barbara said.
"Good."
"Well, thank you. But I do have one question?"
"Shoot."
"DId you say I was beautiful?"
"That's a loaded question. But yes I did." She smiled.
"Okay." She smiled widely and after a good hug and handshake. "Thank you for listening Daniel. Maybe we can do it again sometime."
"Believe it or not. I'd like that." She kissed my cheek and left my shop. After I made sure that she was gone I put my gloves back on, the safety goggles, sat at the work table, uncovered the revolver I was finishing for Barbara, picked up the engraving tool and continued putting the quote on the bottom. And after an hour. It was ready. But I had another project I had been doing on the side. But I didn't want that to be brought out unless I felt the time was right. I picked up the revolver and checked every inch of it and when I felt that it was perfect. I put it in a specialized case and put it in my safe. Then went to bed.