DC Comics novels--Batman by Greg Cox

Author:Greg Cox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

Show no fear, Vincent thought.

Since the invasion at their last conclave, the Court had taken care to choose an even more secure venue for tonight’s emergency meeting. Eschewing public venues entirely, they had gathered in a corporate boardroom in a skyscraper in midtown. Neither the corporation nor the building were officially owned by a member of the Court, but there were very few boardrooms in Gotham to which the Court did not have access.

Vincent had taken pains to travel to the site as covertly as possible, to avoid being tailed by the Dark Knight or his allies. The Talon, taking time out from the search for Joanna Lee, had personally shadowed Vincent’s anonymous limo on the way here. Upon their arrival, the assassin remained outside, guarding the premises. Vincent had no intention of letting Batman spy on them again.

I’m already on thin ice.

“Thank you all for convening again so soon,” the Grandmaster said to the group, “and for being courageous enough to do so after our last conclave was disrupted by the Batman. Rest assured we have taken every precaution to ensure that no such violation will happen again.” Her gold-trimmed mask turned toward Vincent, who was once again seated at the opposite end of the table. “Assuming there is no further carelessness on the part of any members of this Court.”

Bitch, Vincent thought. He bristled at her tone, even as his own mask concealed his vexation. The Grandmaster hadn’t called him out by name, but she and others blamed him for Batman’s unwanted presence at their last gathering. Vincent suspected they were right.

“Let me be blunt,” the Grandmaster continued. “The matter of Joanna Lee grows ever more worrisome. We now have several dead police officers inviting attention, while we are no closer to finding the Lee girl or even her roommate. Thankfully, our informants within the police department have not been compromised, but there are still more risks than reward in this campaign. We should ask ourselves if it might have been ill-considered to begin with.”

Her sycophantic supporters muttered in agreement, much to Vincent’s annoyance. The Grandmaster represented the old guard, although not every Owl approved of her overly cautious approach. Among the younger generation, many favored a bolder, more aggressive strategy—as represented by Vincent and his faction.

They dared not openly defy the Grandmaster just yet, however. She was still shrewd, and possessed enough connections to wield considerable power in the Court. He knew better than to underestimate her.

“There have been delays,” he conceded, “but our Talon remains on the case, as relentless and unstoppable as ever. Both Batman and Nightwing have tried to defeat him, and failed repeatedly. Despite their best efforts, they are fighting a losing battle. In the end, the Court of Owls always gets what it wants… including my great-grandfather’s elixir.”

His backers showed their support by nodding and hooting under their breaths. They had their own varied reasons for siding with him. Some truly shared his vision, while others had been bought with favors, bribes, and blackmail.

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