"Hello, Ms. Rose. I'm Schiller Rodriguez. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Schiller sat by the restaurant window and studied the Black woman across from him. She wore a trench coat, was somewhat heavyset, and looked like a larger version of Amanda.
"No need for pleasantries, Mr. Schiller. What did you want to see me about?"
"I wanted to ask about the Natural Disaster Fund. I heard you've been managing the money."
"That's right. Does the new mayor have any opinions on it?"
"No, none. I just received some information." Schiller leaned back in his chair and looked Rose in the eyes. "Batman intends to take GTO. Did you know?"
Rose furrowed her brow deeply, but quickly shook her head. "Impossible. Batman has always opposed the formation of that squad. He even fell out with his assistant over it."
"You and your masters also opposed the formation of that squad, but only because the knife wasn't in your hands. How do you know Batman doesn't think the same way?"
"What does that have to do with the Natural Disaster Fund?"
"There's another piece of bad news." Schiller changed the subject again. "I spoke with the Joker. He claimed he had no interest in working for you and rejected my offer of cooperation."
Rose stared intently at Schiller's face, seemingly trying to find some clue in his expression, because she truly could not see what this man was trying to say.
Schiller held out his hands and slowly spread them apart. "You built a stage and let the righteous and wicked fight on it. No matter which side beat the other half to death, you could claim they damaged the stage and demand compensation."
"But that only works if they fight barehanded. What if one side gets a gun?"
Rose tightened