The Court of Owls

"I have to say, Jim's a pretty good cook." Roland rubbed his stomach and lay back on the sofa.

"Part of the reason he won me over was that he won over my stomach first," Barbara said.

"I'm full too." Cassandra wiped her mouth, then called Little Barbara aside for a chat.

After the meal, they were chatting when Gordon's phone suddenly rang.

"Hello? What?" Gordon's expression changed the moment he answered.

Seeing her husband's face, Barbara's expression changed too. She put a pack of bubble gum back in the cupboard.

"What happened?" Roland asked.

"It's—is it the Mad Hatter?" Gordon looked baffled. "The Mad Hatter has taken control of a number of people in Gotham City."

"Huh?" Roland frowned in confusion. "How is that possible? Didn't the Mad Hatter die ages ago?"

The Mad Hatter wasn't the Joker or Clayface. Since when did he get to make a comeback from the dead?

"But that's what the report says." Gordon took a deep breath and stood. "I need to go see for myself."

"Take it easy. Let me go." Roland pushed him back onto the sofa. "I'll bring Captain Harvey Bullock. The two of us can handle him. You're the commissioner now. Do you really have to go out for everything?"

"Sorry for the trouble," Gordon said.

"He's probably just an impostor. Don't get so worked up." Roland waved a hand, then told Bronze Tiger, "Oh, and I'm leaving Cassandra with you."

"Okay. I'll drive her back in a bit."

"Roland, I'm coming with you," Bruce said. "You can ride with me."

"Sure."

Roland got into Bruce's limited-edition Lamborghini, picked up a box of cigars from the driver's seat, cut and lit one, and tucked the rest into his pocket.

"You certainly make yourself at home."

"Why stand on ceremony