Gotham: After Dark - The King Slayer (3 page)

Tony had been at work most of the day after returning to the office from the crime scene. Never before had he been forced to face such brutality. Dent was right to carry him out to the scene that morning. He had a fire in his gut, one that burning with the intensity of the sun. Never in his life had Tony wanted to put someone behind bars than he did that day. Images of those dead people would haunt him for the rest of his life. Those people didn’t deserve to put down like animals and he was eager to make sure someone was brought to justice. Tony had drunk two coffees before lunch and still his hands were shaking. He was sitting at his desk and trying to do some paper work when there was a knock at the door. He looked up and was surprised to see who it was.

“Samantha?” Tony said as he leaped out of his seat once he saw his wife. “How did you get out here?”

“I took the bus.” She said as she waddled into the room like a penguin. She was seven months pregnant with their first child, so it was difficult for her to walk sometimes. This was even more so when the baby was sitting low. There were days Mrs. Gordon thought she was going to burst like a dam.

“We can’t afford to go out for lunch.” Tony said. He was right because they were saving everything they had to get stuff for the nursery.

Samantha held up a small basket. “I know. There’s nothing too fanny; some sandwiches, cheese, fruit and some juice to go with it.

“It’s perfect.” Tony said as he took the basket and helped her to the couch on the side of his office. “You should have stayed home and rested.”

“I was feeling caged.” His wife replied, “I wanted to get out and get some fresh air. I also wanted to see you.”

“I’m happy to see you too.” Tony said as he took the basket and placed it onto the ground. “I just wish you let me know so I could help you come in.”

“That would spoil the surprise.” Samantha said as she caressed his cheek. “The look on your face was worth the effort.”

“I’m sorry.” Tony said, “I don’t mean to be strict. I’m just a little rattled over what happened this morning.”

“What are you talking about?” his wife asked.

“The Grisham Mansion.” Tony answered, “Dent took me there to see the scene for myself. He wanted to light a fire inside me that would make me a better prosecutor or something like that.”

“That’s been all over the news.” Samantha said as she covered her mouth to hide her shock. “That must have been horrible.”

“Yeah, but it worked.” Tony said as he took a sandwich from the box and split it with her. “All I could think about when I was there was you and the baby. How angry I’d be if someone tried to hurt you like that.”

“We’re all right.” Samantha said after taking a bite. “You don’t have to worry about us. Do what’s good for this city and I’ll take care of our end.”

“I know.” Tony said as he sighed. “I just worry and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. I’ve felt this way for a while now. I feel like fatherhood is going to crush me with an avalanche of responsibility.”

“You don’t have to do this alone.” Samantha said as she kissed her husband on the cheek. “I’ll be there every step of the way. Our children will be fine and so will I.”

“I want our son to grow up in a better city.” Tony said to her. “Live in a city where senseless crimes like this will never happen.”

“Our son?” his wife said with a grin. “You mean our daughter, right?”

“Well, I’d prefer a son first.” Tony admitted. “So our daughters will have a big brother to turn to if someone isn’t being nice to them.”

“That would be your job.” His wife corrected.

“In case I’m not around.” Tony replied, “I wouldn’t mind having a little backup too.”

“Enough of this depressing chatter,” His wife said as she took more food out of the basket. “Let’s eat, because the baby and I are starving.”

“All right,” Tony said as he helped her sort it all out. “Thanks.”

She stuck around for the better part of an hour but it saved Tony having to leave the office for lunch. She left the basket and took a cab home after he gave her a twenty, just for his sanity. He nibbled on the leftovers while going over oodles of paper work and prepping notes for Dent and future cases that would be in court soon. While he was doing the work, he couldn’t stop thinking about the Grisham family and what had happened to them. He cringed at the thought of something like that happening to other families, other kids. Dent was right though; the killer was going to strike again. It was just a matter of time. He was also right about the scene influencing how he worked. He was more determined than ever to fight for the people and prosecute the bad men. He wanted to lock up ever thug in town and toss away the key. He felt like a white knight, charging off to slay the dragon for his wife, his kids and the people of Gotham.

It was half past midnight when he checked the clock on the wall. No one was going to be around for at least another several hours. He had the entire store to himself. He wasn’t actually interested in jewelry, at least that’s what he told himself. Yet when he was actually there in the middle of the store surrounded by the glittering jewels, the man actually began to understand why everyone was killing each other for them. Even with only a small flashlight looping around, all the stones did their best to shine and stand out. Some of them were remarkable, a true sign of power. It was something the man didn’t want to tempt himself with, as it was that power and his fight against it that was his sole purpose for being there. He had to resist the temptation to become one of them, one of those spineless and greedy bastards. Even if he wanted to take something, he knew it was risky. Chances are every diamond in the entire store was cataloged and there was no easier way for a criminal like him to get caught. It would be a rookie mistake and he was no rookie. He was the Kingslayer.

Soon everyone would know his name and why he was killing people. They would soon know the reason why he sought to purge Gotham of their most corrupt citizens. He stood there and took pictures of the new scene and the bodies he would leave behind. Like the Grisham’s, the old man and his wife who owned this jewelry shop were butchered like cattle. They had been profiting for decades from what the Kingslayer believed was the blood diamonds of Africa. Mr. Lowe had been collecting their wealth off of the suffering and exploitation of the innocent; making this greedy diamond merchant just as evil as Hitler or Satan, which made this killing in the Kingslayer’s eyes justified. He deserve to be punished for his sins.

The Kingslayer stood there, admiring his work as he pulled the card out from his pocket; the King of Diamonds. Quite fitting, he thought to himself, for a man who valued shiny stones more than he did actual human lives. He would die around his precious stones even though Mr. Lowe would not be able to take his wealth to the afterlife. He didn’t have any kids, which made this killing a lot easier than the Grishams. He didn’t care how easy or hard it was going to be. Everyone on his list deserved to die for the sins they had committed and he wasn’t going to quit until every king in Gotham were served for exploiting the city and the people to fulfill their own greed.

The man left the jewelry store shorting after the old man and his wife stopped breathing. He didn’t take a single jewel from the store, a fact that surprised even himself as the temptation was overwhelming. He quietly walked back to his car and rolled away from the store without a single person on the street to witness his escape. He drove around for what seemed like hours but was only a half of one. Eventually he stopped the car and parked right outside his next stop; the Gotham Globe, the biggest newspaper in the city. The Kingslayer wasted no time walking over to the door and walking into the building. There was a security guard at the desk as he strolled up paused in front of the guard.

“What do you want?” The guard asked.

“I need to drop this off with one of your reporters.” He replied.

“Not right now, it’s closed up there.” the guard asked.

“Will you take this up to him?” The Kingslayer asked, “His name is written on it for you.”

“No.” The guard replied, apparently not being told what to do by complete strangers. “You can leave it here and I’ll have someone else take it to the mail room to be processed with the rest of the stuff that comes in tomorrow.”

“I don’t remember offering you a choice in the matter, David.” The Kingslayer replied.

The guard froze. “How did you know my name?”

“I know a lot more than your name, David.” The Kingslayer said as he pulled a gun out from his jacket. “I also know all your sins.”

The guard tried to reach for his own gun but it was too late. He fired several shots into the man’s chest and then one more into his head at point blank range. He then pulled a new card out of his deck; the jack of diamonds. Fitting considering the crime he also committed this very night. The streets were empty and the sound was likely muffled by the walls, so the Kingslayer took the keys from the guard’s belt and slowly walked over to the elevator and used the guard’s key to activate it.

When Falcone showed up for work the next day, he was feeling pretty good as he strolled into the restaurant and made his way to the back room where he was interviewed just the day before. He was dressed a little more casual than he was the day before. Wearing a jacket but had a black turtle neck underneath it this time. It actually made him look more thuggish, but he didn’t really care. He wasn’t ashamed of what he did for a living and he was dead set to bring a little honor and respect back to his new profession. Mr. Woo was just the beginning as he was intent to change the way things were done from the bottom up. He was eager to do more work for Mr. Sabatino, but the old man called him in to the restaurant to speak with him about something important. Confident in his work from the previous day, Falcone walked in there feeling a little too confident, something he soon realized when he realized that Joe was already there, sporting a broken nose and looking very hostile. Falcone chose to ignore Joe because his opinion didn’t matter to him at that particular moment. Only what Uncle Joe said held weight to him.

“Falcone.” Mr. Sabatino said as he gestured to Joe and his nose. “Did you do this to one of my men yesterday?”

“Yes, Sir.” Falcone said without hesitation. “I did.”

“You see!” Joe called out, “He admits it!”

“Shut your cake hole!” Sabatino called out. “I’m talking to Falcone. We already heard your side, now it’s his turn.”

“To be honest, Mr. Sabatino.” Falcone started, “I let my emotions get the best of me and I overreacted. I should have talked it out with him and treated your man with a little more respect. I’m very sorry.”

‘But why did you do it?” Mr. Sabatino asked, eager to hear his side.

“He was stealing.” Falcone answered. “He took something from Mr. Woo’s store and never paid for it.”

“And why would you care about Mr. Woo’s business?” the old man asked.

“Because it’s your business too.” Falcone answered. “Ten percent of that can belonged to you. Ten percent of everything in that store belongs to you. No one is going to steal from you if I have anything to say about it.”

“That’s exactly what Mr. Woo said when I spoke to him this morning.” Mr. Sabatino said as he stood up and walked over to Falcone. “You are impressing me more and more every damn day.” He playfully slapped Falcone on the cheek with tenderness. It was the best compliment the old man could have given him considering what he had done to Joe’s nose.

“As for you.” Sabatino said as he turned to Joe. “I’m not sure what to do with this little turd.”

“I actually have a suggestion, Sir.” Falcone suddenly said.

“I’m listening.” The old man replied.

“Mr. Woo said he’s going to have to close show for two or three weeks next month because his father is sick.” Falcone started, “If that shop is closed, it’s not making money and that’s not in our best interests.”

“No, it’s not.” The Don confirmed.

“I think we should make Joe tend the shop in his absence.” Falcone suggested, “Make him spend a few weeks in Mr. Woo’s shoes and gain a little respect for the old man and the honest work he puts in everyday.”

The old man smiled at the thought. Teach Joe a lesson he’d never forget and keep the store open to keep the money flowing. He loved it. “I agree. Joe, you’ll be working at the store during Mr. Woo’s absence. Do it right because I’m going to have someone there watching you 24/7 to make sure you don’t palm anything else from that place. One more item disappears on your watch and you’ll be swimming with the fishes. Understood?”

Joe didn’t look impressed with his demotion, but even he knew better than to say anything against Mr. Sabatino’s wishes. “Yes, Mr. Sabatino.”

“Good, now get down to the store.” Mr. Sabatino said as he also playfully slapped Joe on the cheek. “You have training to do before Mr. Woo leaves town. Make sure he’s there all day to learn his new job.”

“Yes, Sir.” One of the big guards said as he grabbed Joe by the collar and dragged him out of the room.

“Falcone.” The old man said as he gestured to the next room. “We need a moment to speak about something important.”

Falcone didn’t say a word and followed the old man into his private study that was located even deeper back into the restaurant. It was a nice room, office table, chairs and even a record player to belt out a few tunes when days got slow. The old man gestured to Falcone to take a seat and the young man did almost immediately, eager to be the good foot soldier.

“I like you.” The old man admitted, “So much I am going to trust you with a new assignment that is of the upmost importance.”

“Thank you,” Falcone said but he was confused. “Why am I being chosen for this task.”

“You’re new.” The old man confessed. “There will be police where you’re going and they don’t know you yet. It will give you the ability to look around where I’m sending you unnoticed.”

“Where am I going?” Falcone asked.

“A crime scene.” Sabatino said as he pulled out a small card from the desk. “You’ll be posing as a reporter. I want you to speak to other reporters and to police and get as much information as you can about the crime.”

“What kind of crime was committed?” Falcone asked.

“Murder.” The old man replied, “Someone we do business with was found dead this morning with his wife. They were both cut up pretty bad and bled out like stuck pigs.”

“Jesus.” Falcone said as he paused. “What business does he do with us?”

“Well,” the old man started, “He was one of our fronts. Not only did we get a twenty percent cut from his jewelry store, but we also used him to launder money into the city and clean it up. I can’t begin to tell you how bad this man’s death is for our business.”

“No, Sir.” Falcone said, “Was this done by a rival, to cut off our money?”

“That’s what I was thinking.” Sabatino confessed, “That’s why I’m sending you down there. Get as much information as you can and see if this was done to us or just some random killing. I need every detail you can give me.”

“Don’t we have police contacts for that?” Falcone asked.

“We do.” The old man confirmed, “But I want as much information as possible before I approach my contacts so I’ll know what questions to ask.”

“That makes sense.” Falcone said as he took the card from the table and stood up. “I’ll get right on it.”

“Good man.” I want you back here by lunch with an update.

“I’m on it.” Falcone said as he walked out and closed the door behind him.

“Good kid.” The old man said to himself as he lit a cigar. “I’ve got a good feeling about him.”