Remembering the king of Cocaine. [Selina Kyle]

[Deleted]

In a rather luxurious in North Gotham city sat the CEO of O'Neill's pharmaceuticals in fairly expensive leather recliner. He was watching the news. Tonight they were featuring a breaking story about a set of artifacts stolen from a museum in  Medellín Columbia. The city that was infamous to the entire world for a very simple reason. Its connections to the Colombian Drug Lord Pablo Escobar. Don Pablo himself was born in the slums of Medllin. He rose up from nothing and was seen as a hero to the locals. Finbar O'Neill could relate to Pablo Escobar in a sense. They had a very similar trade and they came from very similar backgrounds. The news story was world news, since Pablo Escobar and the cocaine drug trade caused so much ruckus in the 1980's. Finbar remembered it well actually, in fact he met Pablo himself once. He even had a brick of cocain from one of the labs in Columbia that was under Pablo and ran by Carlos Lehder. Such a thing was a artifact now.

"An entire collection of Pablo Escobar artifacts had been stolen. The sat phone used by Pablo himself as well as a number of personal guns and even a harley davidson motorcycle. Our story now is that a group in Medellin raided the museum. They call themselves the 'Revived Medellin Cartel' Extremists that are somehow fascinated by the fact of what Don Pablo did there in the nineteen-eighties." The reporter spoke, with pictures of the artifacts in the museum. Now Finbar was fine with them being in a museum prior to them being stolen. Now though there was the fact that common thugs stole such great items. Items that should be looked after with care. He couldn't let this slide, he had to have them for himself.


Now he knew a few people who could get this done of course. Perhaps when he was done he would be able to turn them into a museum. Or better yet, he could use them to start his own museum. He would take much better care of them than others. Not to mention they wouldn't be in danger of being stolen. He had an idea of who to contact. The professional he had in mind could steal most of the smaller items with ease. The challenge however would be the Harley-Davidson motor-cycle that Pablo owned himself.

That would be a might fine centerpiece.


So the man looked through a group of contacts that was in his 'Business' phone and dialed the number that was labeled under the initials CW.

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

This was a night she had said no to the paperwork, the sitting in front of her computer, and going over blueprints. She'd had another influx of requests for security upgrades, and some of them were rather tedious. She was seeming to win bid after bid over Wayne Tech, and she was mildly shocked. The luxurious time she'd spent in the tub, unplugged from any sort of electronic save for the softly wafting classical and jazz music had been lovely. She'd lit candles, made sure the water was a few shades shy of too hot, poured in two of her favorite fragrant bath oils, and just unwound. There was honestly only so much time you could spend sitting before a computer screen analyzing things.

Now she was curled on her sofa in the living room, idling watching some sort of reality show on tv, swaddled in a thick, plush robe and silk beneath. Even Jasper had taken to this change in pace as he sat beside her, stretched out only like a cat could do, his purr beating an incessant pace beside her.

Sipping her tea, she narrowed her eyes. She heard something, but it wasn't from the television. Muting the show, she heard it again, and sighed, almost wishing she hadn't decided to keep her headpiece out for the evening. Padding to her desk in the bedroom, it was the first thing she went for; even as her phone continued to gently ring. And it wasn't Cheryl or Susie from wherever. It was her other line. Catwoman's line.

Someone had business to attend to.

Hearing the staccato click that alerted her the headset was online, she sat in her chair, making sure she had her computer awakened and a pen at hand before she answered, her voice tipped into that sultry tone associated with black leather and darkly rimmed green eyes.

"Hello?" She purred, curious just who was calling now. Her number got into odd hands at times, but mostly was given by those who had the money and know-how to have it. Word of mouth went farther when there was money to back up the bravado.

[Deleted]

"Hello, How are you doing? Why don't you come over for the get together my wife and I are having tomorrow?" Finbar said in a rather happy tone. Even if the United States haven't caught on to him quite yet he figured it was good to adopt a code. He had done so when he first started dealing in goods that might be considered 'Questionable' by those in law enforcement. "My address will be emailed to you. I hope to see you there!" Finbar then ended the call, already composing an email to the Catwoman. Finbar wasn't exactly paranoid but he didn't like airing his business out to the entire world. Phonecalls could easily be compromised. Email accounts and other ways of online communication could be compromised even easier than phone calls. He had to be careful. Even more so since what he was about to do was to rob one of the most dangerous cartels in Latin America.

The email consisted of. "I know you are traveling a long way. I will help with your expenses getting here. The address is 632 Forester lane. You don't have to bring anything." The email was short but below there was a digital stamp. Finbar O'Neill, CEO and president of O'Neill's pharmaceuticals. He hoped that the catwoman was smart enough to connect the dots. He felt that talking to her about the job he wanted to her to do in person would be much better than going over details on the phone. His code should have been simple enough to understand. Stating that she would be paid in full. Finbar had to stay seen as a public figure. As someone who really cared about the public. Even if he wasn't actually having a dinner party or even a get together it was definitely a believable occurrence.

Finbar would most likely see the Catwoman tomorrow, or Selina Kyle for that matter. He looked forward to it. He hoped that he was right in thinking that she would show. He would be paying her fairly well after all.

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

There were reasons she chose evenings not to work. Even as she heard the happy voice on the other end, she had to roll her eyes. Someone had given her number out. And there was a total 'newb,' blathering on about a dinner date. "Oh, of course! Thank you so much for the invite!" She'd respond just as cordially. There was one more response, and the line went dead. At this point, she was sure to be getting an email, and quickly, if it already wasn't on it's way.

Sighing, she went back to the living room, earpiece still in place as she glanced at the tv, then went to pat Jasper as he lay sprawled on the couch, belly up. "Mama has some work to do." She would murmur, grabbing her tea and heading back to her desk. The sky was bright, the night already setting in as the twinkling lights of Gotham were greeting her. Slipping off her robe, as it was a bit too cumbersome while she worked at her desk, she went to her chair, and sat, crossing her legs. Time to get to work.

Computer was started, email was pulled up, as well as a reference of many of her 'clients.' The number she plugged in from the phone call did not match any of her prior contacts, but when inserted into a different field, did pull up a man of interest. Very, very interesting. Blinking, she sat back as she looked at the name and credentials before her. O'Neill. Another CEO of ....pharmaceuticals. Interesting. She wondered if Jon had done work with him. She would need to send him a little card. Always good to keep in contact with Dr. Crane and his newest creations.

Tapping a finger against her keyboard, she smiled when the email finally came through. Bingo. It was Finbar. And considering everything he was sending her was pretty much gibberish, she didn't want to walk into anything as blindly as he was providing. And considering this could be dealt with face to face.

Pulling up another program on her computer, she quickly put in her alternate Catwoman cellphone, and routed it through a program that would be placing the physical trace from somewhere not in Gotham. Typing in Mr. O'Niell's number, she waited for the ring. Once, twice, and there was the response.

"Finbar! So nice of you to invite me over for dinner. Would you say this is a more casual setting, or more formal? It certainly helps a great deal in selecting a decent wine." She'd purr, again. If the call set him on edge, so be it. He'd already made a stupid move, or two, in how he'd approached her.

[Deleted]

"No doubt you've done your research. Someone that does what you do wouldn't call back if they hadn't" Finbar spoke. His tone was different than before. It wasn't very joyful like it was during his first call. It was a more stern and serious tone. Finbar O'Neill was nearly seventy years old. During those years in illegal trade he learned how to treat things, how to go about his business. What he did before was somewhat of an act. He had heard of this 'Catwoman' but he wasn't sure if he could trust her. The fact that she called back and played along proved that she could be trusted, at least to a degree. If that didn't prove true, then no one would believe a thief anyway. Finbar O'Neill was a man of business, a man of vision. He saw similarities in himself to Pablo Escobar, both men came from nothing. They both were a man of the people. They had a legitimate business that acted as a front to their illegal one. Although Finbar was very different from Pablo. Pablo was careful but not nearly as careful as Finbar. No one would ever be listening into the conversations of an aging Pharmaceutical company CEO. Even if they did they'd never be able to make connections.

He hid in plain sight extremely well. "What I want from you is very simple. I need you to do a task for me. A task that would use your special skill-set. You will be compensated for doing these tasks. I really do implore you to come visit me tomorrow. I've never been a fan of phone conversations." He didn't exactly want to explain himself on the phone. Talking about robbing one of the most dangerous up and coming drug cartels. That wasn't an action to be taken lightly. If things went wrong the worst could spell an international incident. If those that said Catwoman was the best were right, then that wouldn't be a problem. She'd be able to get the items. Not only would Finbar have items that belonged to the late King of Cocaine he would have a new business partner. Finbar always enjoyed historical artifacts. When he was going through school history was an escape for him. Now he had the means to acquire some of the items from lessons he enjoyed the most.

"I assume this won't be a problem. You obviously know who I am now. You really have nothing to lose. We both have something to gain. As for wine, bring something French. Something French and vintage."

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

Selina laughed. She had to, considering the whole route he'd gone about getting ahold of her. She really needed to not make a habit of just outing herself as she had been. First Oracle, but did that really, really count if she'd never met the face behind the emblem? Picking away at her keyboard with a finger she ceased laughing as they got down to business. He was not a stupid man. And she was not a stupid woman.

Listening as he continued, she didn't need to interrupt him for what he needed. They could talk in person, where they could play the ever fabled game of chess, moving and betting and all those other things people did during the boardgame. It had never been one of her better suits, chess. But she could read and play a man better than most, based on a five second meeting of them. Their wishes, wants, desires, and failures were easy to spot in the first breath taken, the eye contact, the lack of it. She'd not been doing this since her mid-teens to fail now.

"Mmm. I am rather good at tasks, as you have heard. I do wish your contact would not make a fool of those they decide to pass my number along to. It almost marks you as...something you'd rather not be."

A fool, but she wasn't going to say that to Dr. Finbar O'Neill, who was a name in ...pharmaceuticals, it seemed. Well, drugs were certainly a full circle. But at least it wasn't cigarettes and pot this time.

"I would have to join you on that front, Doctor. I'm much more of a face-to-face person myself, even though I'm not one for lingering conversations. What time were you thinking? And of course, this is no problem. You're an asset to Gotham. My stopping by shouldn't be an issue at all. What time did you want me to stop by again? And no worries, I won't forget a good, French vintage."

And of course she was polite, demure. And the fact of Selina Kyle stopping by the address wouldn't bring about any shock. She was seen many places, with many people, both men, and women of many, many classes. Security was a bandaid that covered many, many transgressions.

[Deleted]

Finbar listened very closely. It seemed that this call was going fairly well. At the end of the week Finbar would have his collectibles. Pieces that belonged to one of the most influential drug dealers of all time. One of the most influential men of all time. At least in Finbar’s eyes. He knew that the life of a drug king pin wasn’t an easy one. Or was it? Finbar has been at it for longer than Pablo was. Pablo was known for being in the drug trade. No one could tie Finbar O’neill to hardcore drugs even if they tried. The difference between Finbar O’Neill and Pablo Escobar was that Finbar wasn’t known for being in the illegal drug trade. If he his true business intentions were known, then he wouldn’t have got nearly as far as he did. Perhaps it was luck, or it was true instinct.

After being able to avoid detection for so long, Finbar might have developed a sort of arrogance. Like many crime lords that avoided capture and justice for so long. O’Neill didn’t think so, though. He felt his actions were justifiable. His cause, everything he has done could be considered a good cause by him. In the end that was all that mattered. These relics, these pieces of history. They were in the hands of brutes. Those that wouldn’t truly appreciate them. Finbar knew that he could employ a soft touch. A hand that wouldn’t blunder, or mess up. He could ensure the safety of these artifacts. To make sure they are in capable hands. Belonging to someone that will appreciate them for what they truly are. Such magnificent items don’t belong in the hands of those who are desperately trying to stay in a time long past.

The man laughed for a moment. “Drop by in the evening. That’s usually when I’m at my residence. Should I have my chef prepare something special for your visit? He’s very skilled in his field. You’ll know that I’ll spare no expense for your comfort. I must ensure a good beginning to a relationship that can be long lasting. I’m looking forward to your visit, as well as the wine you’ll be bringing. It has been some time since I’ve had a good French vintage.” He paused for a moment, taking a breath. “Now if we have everything squared away. I’m quite the busy man, and I’m sure you’re quite the busy woman.”

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

He was so charming. She had forgotten what it was like to contract for respectful, eloquent clients. Of course she dealt with them at her own firm during the day, but even those rich types liked to assume and squawk and complain about petty things. Those that were able to couch their words in some semblance of literacy certainly caught her eye. And the feeling he was wanting her to seek out something unique and worthy made all the difference. This time it didn't matter if she showed her true face. If he chose to expose her, he would be in turn exposing himself. And her side? She didn't rat out clients. It was bad for her professional image; in both venues.

So when he proposed many, many luxurious options, she had to smile, glancing out the window as her mind ran through options. She could bring a red wine. He was allowing her to dictate the menu, even. Which meant from all of his polite requests, he really did want her to find something for him. Tapping her lower lip with a finger, she finally knew how to respond.

"I will bring a red, how about you surprise me on cuisine? I appreciate the hospitality of yourself, and your chef. I do trust you. I'll be around your residence around 8? If that's not too late, of course." Nodding to his comment, despite the fact he would be unable to see her reaction, she had to laugh.

"Well, you would be correct, Mr. O'Neill. We are both rather busy, with our respectful businesses. Until dinner, I hope the day treats you well."

After his last salutation, she would hang up, slipping her cellphone into her robe pocket. She had a bit of work to do, looking up more that was not surface knowledge on Finbar O'Neill. There was something he was desperate to get his hands on, price be damned, and she would need a jolt of caffeine to keep her on track.