Chapter 16
Harry didn’t hesitate. At the sight of Amelia’s blood, he slammed his panic button and thrust his other hand out. His magic, already fired up with adrenaline burst from him sending Black Mask backwards into the far wall. Instead of crumbling into a heap, Black Mask steadied himself against the wall and laughed.
“And here was me thinking you would need the right incentive,” Black Mask strode over the camera, smoothing the wrinkles in his white, three piece suit. “You are here early.”
Harry raised his hands in front of him, turning them in the artificial blue light. Black Mask’s eyes behind his mask were sweeping the room, looking just over Harry, Tim and Damian but under his gaze Harry felt far too visible. He tried to summon his magic back into him but was distracted when ten men exploded through the still open door, their white masks and black suits the inverse of the man looming over them.
Tim tugged Harry and Damian away from the men, ducking away into the furthest corner of the room.
“Neat little trick you have,” Black Mask was still looking at the spot they had just been standing. “I almost didn’t believe my little scout when he said Batman’s little sidekicks stopped a bullet in midair.” He snapped his fingers and the masked men spread out, blocking the only exit. Black Mask’s voice was smooth, business-like. It reminded Harry of how the older men at Damian’s gala spoke to him, nothing like he had imagined from a crime lord that ruled over the alley.
Amelia groaned on the concrete floor. She tried to sit up but Black Mask put his polished loafer on her chest, forcing her down. He reached down to his belt and pulled out a sleek, white pistol, pointing it at Amelia’s bruised knees. “Show yourself,” Black Mask’s voice dropped into something sinister. “Or I’ll shoot the slut.” The sound of the safety flickering off reverberating around the warehouse. “One…two…”
“No!” Harry ran forwards and put himself between Amelia and the gun. Tim didn’t even try to hold him back. The two brothers stood side by side, forming a shield over Amelia. Black Mask’s eyes locked on Harry and Tim, his smile widening.
“Gentlemen,” Black Mask said, adjusting the gun his grip. Tim raised his hand but Black Mask tittered, pushing it back down with his gun. “Try it and my men will shoot your brother until he’s more lead than bone.”
Tim gripped Harry’s arm, whether as a warning or for comfort Harry did not know.
“Shadow report.” Harry comm crackled to life, except it wasn’t Batman on the other side. It was Bruce. His voice was frantic, lacking the gravelly surety that put the fear into Gotham’s rogues. “Where are you? I’m coming, just tell me where you are.”
Black Mask grasped Harry’s hair roughly, pulling the comm out of his ear. He threw it onto the ground and crushed it beneath his heel. Tim wrestled Harry out of Black Mask’s grasp and was met by ten guns pointing at him from every direction.
“I’m afraid your dad won’t be joining us.”
“What do you want?” Tim spat out.
“CC? Shadow?” Amelia moaned from below them. “What…?”
“What do I want?” Black Mask stood another step towards them, his pistol inches from Tim’s head. “I have money, power, a shower with dual shower heads…” he closed his eyes, seeming to savour the idea, “what else is there?”
“Drake Industries,” Tim straightened, his eyes suddenly blazing. “That’s where you get your funding, isn’t it. Without it you won’t have money or power or a fucking expensive shower.” Harry turned to Tim, eyes wide.
“Ah, yes,” Black Mask smiled like a predator, “But you see Drake Industries is nothing without me. I saved the company from ruin while the Drakes paraded around their little dig sights. Turns out they didn’t care where the money from coming from as long as it didn’t stop they travels.”
Harry felt Tim shake beside him.
“I’ll destroy it,” Tim said, his grip on Harry’s arm tightening. “Let Amy go or I’ll burn Drake Industries to the ground and you with it.”
“And how are you going to do that?” Black Mask smile only widened, looking almost inhumane like another man that had once towered over them, red lips stretched over bleached skin.
Tim faltered. Harry knew he couldn’t tell Black Mask about his connection to the Drakes without revealing CC’s identity.
“You must want something.” Harry cut through the silence. “Just let Amy go. We’ll destroy the pictures or..."
"I couldn’t care less about the pictures,” Black Mask shook his gun dismissively, “Rest assure Kinsey has been dealt with but maybe I should have thanked him. It seems his work has led you here.”
“Then what?” Harry knew he sounded desperate.
“Little,” Amelia spluttered, coughing up blood, “don’t…”
Black Mask pressed his gun directly against Harry’s lightening scar. “I want you both to leave Gotham,” he said, “I want you to forfeit your name and your legacy.” He tilted his head to the side, his expression impossible to read behind his mask. “It is a shame really. I’ve heard such good things about you two. With your powers and your brain, we could have made Drake Industries something great together but,” he looked from Tim to Harry, “I know you would find a way to destroy it.” He pat Harry’s cheek and he recoiled away from the man’s surprisingly smooth and uncalloused hand.
“I’m really being generous here. I could just kill you but I’m in a good mood today.” Blask Mask lowered his gun. “Leave Gotham, little Drakes,” he said silkily, “and never come back.”