Dangers in the Dark

Riddle-Mania 2.3

Third Person POV

Like a mosquito to an open flame, the press swallowed up Barbara's anonymous lead and by the next morning, the story was printed on every newspaper in Gotham. And seeing as Holly was a witness to one of the snatchings, Jim was taking no chances and had taken her out of school for a couple of days so that he could keep an eye on her.

It took some persuading, but Captain Essen eventually came round and agreed to let Holly sit at Jim's desk. On one condition, though. Everything she heard, she forgot as she left the precinct.

So that it what was currently happening; Holly was sat in between Harvey's and Jim's desks flicking through her chemistry work.

Holly POV

"You know that booklet isn't going to read itself," Dad said, raising an eyebrow at me, as I flicked through the same booklet for the third time.

"I'm testing a theory. If I am in contact with it for long enough, will the information absorb into my brain?" I remarked.

"Oh, yeah? How's it going?" Dad asked.

"Well, I need to make sure it is a fair test. Hence the three times," I replied, putting down the booklet.

"You know, if you're bored, you can always do my paperwork," Harvey suggested, making me stare at him.

"I'd rather not, but thanks for the offer," I said, giving him a sarcastic sweet smile.

Captain Essen then came over holding the newspaper with the child-snatchers story on it.

"Gotham spirals ever downward. Mayor James under attack," Essen read, as she chucked the paper down onto Harvey's desk. "Vows swift action. Points finger at police department's sluggish response. Etcetera."

"It's just ink," Harvey told her.

"Did you give them this?" Essen asked sternly.

"Me?" Harvey replied, looking offended.

"You've done it before," Essen reminded him.

"On my own case? Never. It'd be a very stupid thing to do," Harvey said, looking over at Dad.

"Jim?" Essen turned to dad.

"I didn't call it in. I swear," Dad replied.

"Holly?" Harvey asked, so I turned to him in confusion.

"Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't even know where to begin," I admitted.

"Another mystery," Essen exclaimed.

"We have a thin lead on the case, if you'd like to hear it, ma'am," dad announced. "There's only three companies in Gotham that stock this ATP stuff—"

"Wait, isn't that that tennis organisation?" I asked.

"What? No, it's a drug," Harvey corrected me.

"Oh... Adenosine triphosphate," I muttered to myself.

"What?" Harvey asked.

"Nothing. Please, proceed," I encouraged dad.

"Ok. You need a special license to buy it. Chances are, one of the three is crooked," Dad finished.

"We're looking to lean hard on all three like they are crooked. See which one pops," Harvey added.

Essen nodded at them before picking up the paper and walking away. Dad sat on his desk and started to dial a number on his phone.

"That was sneaky good. Almost couldn't tell you were lying," Harvey commented.