Questionable tactics - Part 5

Read Part 1 - here

Read Part 2 - here

Read Part 3 - here

Read Part 4 - here

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It was bleak in that cheery autumnal way next morning. 

The lush manor gardens were thickly carpeted with browning golden leaves that were still a few days away from crunching beneath feet. There was a briskness to the air which though chilling wasn’t bone rattling. That of course would change in a few weeks, like all good things that come to an end, this must too, just as a momentary juncture of unrest too passes, which I fervently hoped it would. 

Master Bruce had not yet awakened and Master Dick assumed the duty of dropping Master Jean.

‘Are you excited to go back to school kid?’ 

‘Y, Yes’ Jean replied, still scared of Master Dick.

‘Good, Good. So how about you tell me what you were thinking trying to sneak out of that room last night? Weren't you expressly forbidden to leave your room?’ Master Dick brought forth the same steeliness in his voice.

‘I’m sorry’ Master Jean was almost on the verge of tears again.

‘I just wanted to see that cat’

‘We’re reaching your school in another fifteen minutes, and if in those fifteen minutes you don’t tell me exactly what’s going on, I’m driving you straight to your parents and telling them of your little drink and passing out in our house last night’ 

‘Nooo, no, please don't do that’ begged Master Jean

‘I’m honest to god, I..I wanted to see that cat again. I was lonely in that room. I’d been cooped up for an entire day’ he sobbed.

‘I have no friends, and I just wanted to play with someone and that cat seemed to be the only living thing in that house that didn't want to scare me’ 

‘Alright stop wailing. Jeez, no wonder you have no friends. I'l buy your story for now kid, but I if have any questions, I know where you live’

‘Sir, yes sir.’ Master Jean didn’t look entirely pleased with that truth.

I was down at the batcave again researching on the toxin compounds found in the glass and after what Nightwing had mentioned about the possibility of Poison Ivy’s involvement matters seem to get cloudier by the moment.

After all she wasn’t, unlike catwoman privy to Batman’s real identity and what motive did she have to harm Bruce Wayne?

Still, we couldn’t go on a wild chase, for we’d already committed that blunder with going after Selina Kyle. This matter didn't seem to be as forthcoming in its unraveling as we’d earlier envisioned.

No matter, this toxin came to us, now we will go after the toxin. Bufotenin!  Though uncommon here in Gotham it was known to be a street drug in places it could be easily synthesized. Often from toads, and their presence in this city was a rarity. There must have been some way to bring in this drug, just as there is some way to bring in any drug.

I do not have a suit, but I do know my way around the city and that is precisely what I did that afternoon.

Gervis was an old comrade of mine, from the time of British Intelligence, and of that time it’s best I do not talk. He is a man of rare intelligence, an ex-spy and one of his operative identities in Gotham is that of a rare antiques dealer, which serves as an excellent facade for his more nefarious profession as that of a provider.

Of what he provides the list is endless. From protection to information to rare arms and niche technological know how. 

Payments made are not always monetary. He’s known to accept islands, knighthood, items of rarity, political positions, even an animal or two on some occasions. Largely up to him if he wishes to make provisions or not.. and this was a man I’d known for better part of my youth.

‘Gervis’ I spoke after finishing coffee, there is a favour I seek. 

‘Ask and ye shall receive’ Gervis answered with a smile.

 A man of slight build, indistinctly low-key in appearance. Nothing about him would make anyone pick him out of a crowd. Emotions always camouflaged under a pair of hooded sleepy eyes, hair worn in fashion most common, dressed in a clean suit and passable shoes. Gervis was as unassuming as an elderly neighbor whom one rarely noticed.

‘Bufotenin’ I spoke without further delay.

‘has it been making rounds on the Gotham street drug circuit off late?’

He looked straight at me in that quiet way that was him with his ordinary eyes and said nothing for a while, which was his way of processing all the information hidden in his mind vault before finally answering ‘No’.

‘It is not found here, because it’s difficult to synthesize by common thugs as well as so called drug lords. You remember all the difficulties we faced even after all the technologies, Alfred’ he spoke softly in his modest voice

‘Moreover those toads would have a difficult time thriving here. This weather-’ he held his hand outside the window ‘is all wrong’ he continued. ‘One would have to have a seriously advanced lab with perfect weather conditions for both the synthesis as well as their growth. Like one those Wayne laboratories’ 

I was nodding on the inside, knowing fully well what he meant, but I wasn't to be disheartened as easily.

‘Gervis, would you let me know if you found out if anyone had had been delivered those toads recently?’

‘Toads specifically? Bufotenin is sometimes synthesized from plants too, but that would be an impossibility as well, or else the streets would be flooded with that drug’ 

‘I’m sure the one I’m specifically looking for comes from toads’

‘Alright’ an impassive reply from Gervis was assurance enough.

‘Your phone number still the same Alfred?’

‘Indeed.’ I smiled and knew that before the day made its end I’d have some more information.