Chapter Text
To the Red Hare, it was only a matter of time.
The Tears of Hercules was just unveiled at the Sternbild Natural History museum, and even in a glass case in a dark hall with no one to stare in awe, the large diamond eyes still sparkled and the gold shined like it wasn’t thousands of years old. It was worth a little over 250 million dollars, so of course the Red Hare counted on a black figure sneaking in at night.
The Hare watched from a balcony above, waiting…and then it happened.
Sharp but quiet popping sounds filled the silence, the Hare using the night vision in his mask trying to locate the source only to notice cameras starting to spark and nod down. A sleek silhouette with short pointed ears finally appeared, a man with long legs in black suit, collar popped, hair held in place by a pair of amber goggles when he looked over his shoulder. They covered just enough for his cowl optics to not be able to identify him.
His footsteps were careful and muffled, the acoustics not picking up much. He lifted a hand to the glass, the Hare thinking he’d break it open and run, but instead, claws popped out from his gloved hands. He stuck a sharp pointer finger into the case, carving a near perfect circle. With a light tap, it pushed through and the piece of glass landed on the soft velvet cushioning inside.
The thief reached inside, pulling the necklace out by the chain through the hole. He then lifted it into the air, seemingly admiring it in the little moonlight that poked through the museum windows.
“No alarm, barely any security…” He mumbled before huffing out a laugh with a shake of his head. “Too easy.”
“Really? The same day it was unveiled?” The Hare’s voice echoed in the empty museum, making the thief jump and turn around.
Red armoured boots landed onto the first floor with heavy, intimidating footsteps that carried up to the ceiling as he came closer. “Put it back.” He commanded, but sounded more bored, like he had better things to do so they might as well just wrap this up.
“Haven’t you ever heard the saying: ‘early bird gets the worm’?” The cat burglar had the audacity to reply, completely unserious and with a touch of familiarity. It was like he didn’t know that the Red Hare had a reputation for striking fear into every criminal he crossed paths with.
The vigilante didn’t enjoy getting made fun of, especially from just another lowlife he could fold like a piece of paper. “You have one more chance to put it back. Then I get mad.”
“But I can put it to better use than it just sitting here!” The stranger reasoned, slipping the chain over his head, the pendent resting on his broad chest. “Besides, who the hell would wear this thing? Even on me it looks ridiculous!”
The Red Hare’s head tilted. “Do you think I’m joking?”
“I sure hope you are because you’re really gonna waste your time trying to stop me from taking this shit than ta, ya know, help someone who actually needs it?” The thief placed his hands on his hips. “With the crime in this city? There’s definitely someone who could use you right now but instead you’re here to save a necklace! With your reputation, I’m surprised at you-”
“Save your sermon for someone who wants to hear it. I stop anyone who breaks the law.” He came closer, ready to put this thief in a hold to yank the necklace off-
As soon as he went to grab him, the other man ducked, a palm slammed into his middle so hard it made the vigilante double over. Then his head was shoved into the glass casing, shattering it all over the floor.
That set off the blaring alarms that would no doubt have security and police crowding around in minutes. “Ah, shit!” The thief hissed, immediately taking off.
When Barnaby looked up and rebalanced himself, he saw him run further into the museum, rounding a sharp corner into the large Ancient Egyptian exhibit.
He was too far away to hear the thief mumble, “Can’t believe I just knocked over The Red Hare and…” He looked over his shoulder. “Oh shit! Here he comes!”
It didn’t take long for the Red Hare to catch up, the cat burglar thankful he had turned around in time to duck the kick shot towards his head. He blocked and countered the flurry of fists that came this way as he walked backwards. He stopped when he spotted a shield, jabbing a quick elbow to break open the glass to grab it and throw it at him.
From it being thousands of years old, it collapsed into pieces once it hit the vigilante in the face but it was heavy enough to make him pause. By the time he shook it off, the crook was making a run for it again, knocking over a small sarcophagus in his wake as he ran even further into the exhibit.
The Hare stepped over the debris, vaulted over the heavy golden coffin, and was now looking every which way for a figure in black. All he got were eyefulls of info and items that colorfully showed how ancient Egyptians lived their daily life-
His ears picked up a metallic cling from above coming from inside the replica of a mastaba. He rushed in, scanning the shadows until his eyes fell upon the metal spiral stairs. Rushing back out, his boots began to glow, the red glowing brighter as he bent his knees. He jumped high into the air, landing solidly on top of the flat steel roof of the tomb.
The cat burglar was on the opposite side, having climbed up the other way, the two now on the second floor of the museum where Egypt continued. They were surrounded by statues and hieroglyphs of ancient Egyptian mythos, beautiful golden and animal-headed gods.
“C’mon, man! You really think this thing is worth fighting for?”
More insulted that he thought he could win against him, The Hare rushed forward to grab him.
The thief countered and threw him over his shoulder, not realizing he would be crashing the hero into the colourful statue of Ra, knocking it to the ground. The god’s beak and one of his arms broke off upon impact.
What pissed off the hero even more was the genuine “Whoops!” he heard and the grimace he saw on the other man’s face that read ‘did I do that?’. He pushed himself back to his feet with a growl, ignoring the pain of Ra’s scepter digging into his back, shooting his fist to the robber's head.
It was dodged, the kick he threw blocked with a black forearm before Kotetsu dropped down, sweeping his leg into Barnaby’s, knocking him onto the ground. He turned, pressing his hands against the floor to launch himself back up to make a run for it until the back of his calf was grabbed. His front got slammed to the floor by almost two hundred pounds of muscle and armour.
Even though he was winded, he managed to flip over and blindly swiped his claws that dug four scratches into the chest of the vigilante’s armour, and one shallow red line in a pale jaw before both of his wrists were pinned down.
Still, he smirked and teased, “You think I dunno how to get outta this? That’s so cute! Just like those big ol’ bunny ears!”
“Who do you work for!?” The Red Hare interrogated, pulling him up by the front of his suit and slamming him back down.
The fight was too fair, to steal the Tears of Hercules was a daunting mission that must have required a lot of planning for it to go this well, it sounded like he’s not keeping it for himself, and although the gear he had was more modest, he knew how to use it.
The next thing the hero knew, his perp shifted under him and an almost paralyzing pain spread across his right side from his ribs and he was easily shoved off. “Me, myself, and I, lil Bunny.” The burglar teased after springing onto his feet.
Flashlights and shouts from the museum’s security came from below, footsteps already climbing up the spiral stairs. “Well, this was fun and all, and it was an honor to meet you, truly.” He said in earnest. “But I’ve gotta score to cash in so see ya never!”
The vigilante grunted, fighting through the pain to get up. Teeth clenching as he gave chase again, his new challenge leading him through the hall about ancient Egyptian death rituals that was a straight shot to a door that read, ‘ROOF ACCESS - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY’.
The burglar threw open the door into the stairwell, claws digging into the wall to scramble up and jump to the top railing. He grabbed it and swung his legs over, barreling through the door into the city’s crisp, breezy evening air.
He looked over his shoulder as he ran to the edge of the museum roof, the Red Hare catching up and frustratingly not knowing when to just quit. The guy doesn’t even know he had already lost in the museum! He leapt off the edge backwards, throwing up a peace sign as he fell by the time the vigilante got to the ledge.
Barnaby threw himself at the ledge, ribs slamming into it so he could look over, but no one was there.
He slammed his fist into the concrete, yelling, “I lost him!” in more disbelief than anything else. “Dammit!”
“Checking CCTV footage in the area now, Master Barnaby.” His butler replied through his comms unit. “It’s…not looking good.”
“Master Barnaby, you should eat before you head up tonight.” Samantha said sternly as she wrapped gauze around a gash on his arm, an injury he got from settling a gang riot before his newest challenge.
“I don’t understand.” Barnaby thought aloud, careful not to touch his chin the way he usually did. Samantha spent way too long patching up the scratch on his chin and covering it with makeup.
“I’ll make it simple then: fainting in front of all your guests from low blood sugar would be mortifying compared to being fashionably late.”
“Who trained him!?” Barnaby continued. “No one in this city has ever come close to me in hand-to-hand combat or strength. I trained under ex-star boxers and shaolin monks- I beat my muay thai instructor just to get knocked around and then lose him!?” He was so upset, he didn’t even feel the sting of antiseptic when Samantha moved onto another scratch. “The suit’s AI doesn’t have enough information from tonight! I barely have any combat analytics to review- I couldn’t get a proper face scan either to at least ID him! I’ve got nothing!” He had never been so in the dark. He was a dedicated researcher, his tech allowed him to find answers that took the police force ages to, and he had a reputation for never letting anyone get away…until now.
“He could be trained too, especially if he wants to make it with you protecting the city.” She caught a glare from him, a look asking whose side she’s even on here. “But, is this not the challenge you’ve been wanting?” Samantha asked. “As I recall, the city was starting to bore you. All of your foes as of late became a mild inconvenience at best and you stated that you began to lose your feel for ‘real battle.’” With the last piece of gauze taped down, “All done, sir.”
With that, Barnaby hopped down from the cold examination table, and although he seemed fine and his injuries were patched up, Samantha still worried, “I still think you should cancel the party tonight. Get some much needed rest, dear.” Her voice echoed against the high walls and ceiling of the dark underground burrow.
As Barnaby was pulling on his white dress shirt over patches of gauze, medical tape, and bruises. “I appreciate the concern, but this isn’t just any party. It’s a charity benefit.” After buttoning up and tucking it into dark red dress slacks, “I’ll be fine, Samantha.” He promises, pulling his matching blazer off the table and carefully pulling it on. “Wouldn’t want your hard work with organizing it to go to waste.”
“Oh to hell with that!” Samantha grumbled, tugging on the collar of his shirt so it wasn’t buried under the jacket, then brushing a stray hair off the right lapel. “You look nice.”
“Thank you, as do you.” His butler waved that away; she looked about the same, wearing her pearls except she was in a more formal dress. “Now, I think I’ve let my guests wait long enough.” He decided, fishing his obsidian ring out of his pocket and sliding it over his pointer finger.
“Just make sure you’re not standing too much. At least sit when you’re talking to people, you need the rest.”
“I’ll try.” Barnaby smiled reassuringly.
He offered his elbow to her which made her hum a laugh as she accepted it, hand curling in the crook as they walked out of the mini-infirmary, past a large high-tech computer with a monitor as large as a jumbotron, the training area fit with dummies and sensors, cases of different red suits with pointy ears, and three stages holding a red motorcycle, a mini jet, and a large tank-like car.
Barnaby led them to the elevator, pressing the call button to make the doors swipe open so they could be shot up to the mansion above. It only takes a few seconds to arrive in an empty hallway, a bookcase sliding out of the way as the doors swiped back open. They both step out into the large study that used to be Barnaby Sr.’s pride and joy but was now his son’s.
Over the sound of the bookcase shifting back over the elevator, there was the lively symphony of chattering guests, dishes and cups clinking, heels clicking, and a quintet playing something lively. He set the sparkling grin he was known for on his face, the only thing to match his impossibly charming bachelor reputation, then Samantha opened the doors of the study. Warm light fell upon them from the main floor of the manor and they both walked into it.
It wasn’t long before Barnaby was seen and swarmed by guests, most other rich acquaintances like, “Mattia! How are you?” Barnaby greeted warmly, offering his hand as the redhead rushed over as soon as blue eyes lay on him. “How’s the research going?”
Mattia, his childhood friend who was also a child of successful scientists, firmly shook his hand before leaning in for a brief hug and pat on the back. When he pulled away, they walked further into the dining room. “It’s…going, but I’m close to a breakthrough, I can feel it! We just tested the regenerative properties we extracted from reptiles and tried them on degus who shed their tails in the wild. Now, their tails grow back but of course we’re still monitoring them for any other changes before we move onto animals closer to human DNA.”
“That’s incredible! Have you presented these findings yet? I’d love to-”
“Handsome!” Nathan Seymour, owner of Helios Energy that sustainably powers the whole city including Brooks Robotics, came strutting over in a tight pink evening gown and heels so high they were halfway to being seven feet tall.
“Nathan! I’m so glad you could make it!” Barnaby said right before they hugged and Nathan kissed near both sides of his face, trying not to wince when they unknowingly squeezed a sensitive spot on his arm. “I’ll join you both for a chat in a minute, I should get a drink and make my rounds, thank everyone for coming.”
“Well, don’t keep us waiting long! There’s someone I want you to meet!” Nathan said with a faux pout.
Barnaby hummed a laugh with a ‘promise!’ and turned away, walking into the large living room-turned-event-hall with ‘hello, how are you’s going to everyone he passed by until he reached the small bar. He took his glass and made his way to the open front doors, shaking hands with familiar faces of different organizations that he donated to before.
Then, he saw a new face walk inside, coat check helping him shrug out of his jacket to reveal a dark green suit that seemed to make him look broad shouldered and his legs go on for miles. Pin straight dark brown hair was swept back. He was grinning a ‘thanks!’ at the guy before looking down at his name tag to say his name, and that brilliant smile was turned toward Barnaby with striking yellow eyes like a cat and the most…interesting facial hair the rich bachelor had ever seen.
The stranger was walking over, breathing in to introduce himself until Nathan exclaimed, “There you are!” They quickly walked over to scold, “Almost had me thinking you were gonna stay in again!”
“Gimme a break! I was stuck in traffic!” The man replied with a subdued irritation because that was just the city’s charm no one could really do anything about.
“Oh like you haven’t flaked on me before.” Nathan waved him off before putting an arm around him and pushing him towards Barnaby. “Anyway, Handsome, this is who I wanted to introduce to you! Wild feline conservator and a Sternbild fire and rescue captain-”
“Kotetsu Kaburagi.” He finished, extending a hand. “It’s nice to meetcha finally!”
Barnaby smiled his usual celebrity way and clasped his hand, feeling rough calluses against his palm before it got jostled up and down. “The pleasure is all mine.”
“I know ya probably get this a lot but you’ve really got a beautiful home here. I’m wearin’ a suit and I almost feel underdressed!” He laughed awkwardly.
Although he couldn’t wait to pull his hand away from a shake too fast and went up and down too far, there was something he found to be a bit…endearing about him. Something so clumsily genuine that was refreshing from the constant prim and proper he was surrounded by. “Thank you. I put a lot of thought into my decorating.”
Nathan’s eyes darted between the both of them with this knowing smile that they knew Kotetsu would absolutely resent. Then, like an excited wingman, “Oh! I should see if another colleague of mine is here!”
Kotetsu’s face fell, a quick “Hey! No, ya don-” quickly dying as he was ignored, the brightly coloured dress disappearing through a corridor and in a crowd of guests.
“And here I was, going to ask if you wanted to get a drink with me.”
The older man’s gracious smile returned with a, “Sorry, I just didn’t think we’d have much in common. Besides, look at all these guests!” He explained quickly, worried about the possible offense. “Figured I’d bore ya.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “I’m supposed to schmoo- I mean, meet some other wildlife conservation people here. Meet Goldsmith about fire and rescue funding too.” He said, a bit nervous and frustrated, like he wished this could have been a phone call or an email.
The blond looked at him like that was too easy to do and said, “I’ll introduce you.”
Kotetsu shook his head. “Oh, no, that’s okay. I’m sure you’ve got other people to-”
“Come on.” Barnaby decided, turning to go back to the main event hall. “Besides, I think we have one thing in common already: we like to help others.”
“I guess that’s true.” Kotetsu replied as he followed.
It wasn’t so much that he was introverted or shy, well…he didn’t really like being in crowds or at parties but it was so he could find a place to sit and relax for a while. Earlier this evening had been…rough.
A fight with the Red Hare left him sore all over, but it was worth it. He made off with the Tears of Hercules scot free!
You know, scot free was starting to become his favorite phrase.
He used to hate it because that rich nepo baby who broke the law? Dad plays golf with the judge so he gets off scot free. The CEO helping to poison the very Earth their factory sits on? Pay off enough people and they get off scot free. If The Red Hare caught someone with enough connections or money (or both), the city thought only a slap on the wrist was necessary, and that’s only on the rare occasion they didn’t get off scot free!
It wasn’t until he started stealing from these people that he started to like it. Scot free meant he could do what he does and not face one single consequence, just like the rich elites do. On top of that, giving those assholes a taste of their own medicine was so satisfying, it was almost addicting.
And now, he’s done it to the Red Hare. Sure, his identity was unknown and has been for years, but with a suit and car like that? The guy had to have money and if he was willing to ignore the rest of the city for some minerals. Who knows? He might be just as bad. The thief just didn’t want to believe it with all the good he’s done but…it wouldn’t be the first time he was disappointed by the people of Sternbild that way.
Kotetsu had swung around the other side of the museum and took off into the shadows of alleys, his black catsuit blending into the darkness and the night as he snuck towards the docks. He felt light as air and his mind swam with all the ways that his take from this job was going to change his family’s life. He couldn’t be prouder of himself.
“Don’t worry, baby.” Kotetsu mumbles, pulling off the Tears of Hercules and holding it up before the shine of the streetlamp just before the steps down to rows of boats. “Daddy’s made sure you’ll have the life you deserve.”
He walked down the steps, passing by the waves and rocking yachts to an empty space at the very end. He pulled his watch out of his pocket, glaring down at it to find that he was on time so that meant his contact should be here any minute now-
The sound of a buzzing motor breaking through the water brought his gaze up. A speedboat came straight towards him, two men in black suits standing at the helm. They only moved to dock the boat and set out a ramp to allow their blond boss to safely stomp onto the docks.
“Evenin’, Pauly.” Kotetsu greeted. “Got my money?”
“Show it to me first! I wanna see it!” Pauly replied like an impatient, spoiled child.
Amber eyes rolled as he held up the necklace.
Pauly’s blue eyes sparkled, hands reaching towards it like he was mesmerized by its beauty only to be snapped out of his trance by Kotetsu pulling it out of reach.
“Ah, ah, ah! Not so fast!” He warned with an annoying wag of his finger. “You saw it. Now pay up.”
“Hand it over.” One of his bodyguards demanded.
Kotetsu snorted, “I just kicked the Red Hare’s ass to get here. What makes you think I couldn’t kick yours too?”
Pauly’s pudgy face broke into a grin, and with a snap of his fingers, both of his guards reached under their blazers and pulled out their glocks.
“Whoa, whoa!” Kotetsu exclaimed. “Let’s calm down! I just want my money and you can have this shit! I don’t even want it! I mean- what the hell would I do with this anyway-”
“Shut it and hand it over!” Pauly growled in frustration.
Realization bloomed across the cat burglar’s face. “You’re stiffin’ me!?” He bellowed, eyes widened. “We had a deal!”
“If that’s how you want to see it…” He said, and with another snap of his fingers, one of the gunmen came forward and snatched it from his grasp.
Barrels were aimed at him, even as they boarded the speedboat and zoomed away from the docks. Once they were far enough, Kotetsu shouted a curse at the evening sky, kicking a nearby bucket into the bobbing water.
“I’m gonna make him sorry he ever fucked with me! When I find him-” He growled until his watch beeped. The charity benefit had just begun, and his friend was probably wondering where he was.
He calmed with an annoyed sigh and retreated into the shadows of the city to make his way home. He couldn’t ignore the call of his other life– a fire and rescue captain, a doting father to a sick child, and a passion to help big cats in the wild. Tonight was his opportunity to get some rich people to care about the first and the last thing enough to write some checks, all thanks to Nathan making him their plus one so…the hunt for that spoiled, two-timing asshole would have to wait.
That didn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to sulk into a glass of wine at the event. Once he shook so many hands and fake laughed so much his cheeks hurt, he found a quiet spot in the living room. Just a few guests were scattered around, talking more hush and so absorbed in their conversations that they didn’t even notice him come in.
Perfect. He’d take a load off on the couch with his glass for a moment, then say a few quick goodbyes.
But his eyes fell on a giant painting above the fireplace- a tall, lanky brunet man with rosy cheeks standing proudly, a dainty blond woman with glasses and red lips sitting in a rococo-esque chair, and then down to a little blond boy with shiny curls and fat cheeks like a cherub standing next to her.
Then something sparkling drew his gaze away and over to display cases by large, gothic windows. As he walked over to see what was up close, for a split second, he thought that maybe tonight wasn’t a complete bust. He looked through a glass box to see blood diamond cufflinks nestled in a small pillow. The other display cases had a string of saltwater pearls and a blue toy robot.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood– someone’s eyes were on him.
“They’re all from my parents.” Barnaby says when he steps next to him.
Kotetsu glanced at him and said, “Those cufflinks are beautiful. Blood diamonds– wow! Can’t imagine how much they’re worth or why you’d put them on display instead of wearing ‘em.”
Barnaby didn’t see them for their beauty or their price, only remembering the way they shined when string lights hit them as his father lay bleeding on the floor under the Christmas tree. “They were on my father when he was killed, and the pearls were on my mother, the robot was their gift to me that night.”
“Oh…” Kotetsu said sadly before looking away for a second so Barnaby couldn’t see the frustrated glare on his face. God, he wanted to come back later and take the cufflinks at least but…with that story? He’d never be able to live with himself if he did. Then he looked back solemnly with, “I remembered when it happened. I was a teenager and-”
Putting up a hand to stop him, “It’s okay.” He didn’t want any more apologies, especially when it’s been twenty-one years of them since their death. He’s sure a lot of them came with good intentions, but it’s gotten old.
“No, I was gonna say I bet they’re so proud of the man you became. I remember when they were still runnin’ Brooks Robotics, how all they wanted was to make this world a better, more handy place. It’s awesome that you’re followin’ that too.”
“Well…you’re too kind.” Green eyes blinked in surprise. The only other person who had said something like that was Samantha. Everyone else had condolences upon condolences, seeing him as nothing but the poor orphan all alone in a big house. Others were the complete opposite; he’s lost count the amount of times it was assumed he’d be just fine and completely not traumatized after losing his parents just because they were rich.
“I’m sure you’ve gotten enough sorry looks, huh?”
Suddenly his charming bachelor act had fallen away, a real and unbecoming, “Tell me about it.” Leaving him before he could realize.
“Junior! How the hell are ya!?” Ryan Goldsmith, son of affluent Italian politicians who was running for mayor and Barnaby’s childhood friend he met in school, exclaimed from across the room. “Got a minute!?”
Kotetsu’s bashful grin returned. “Sorry, didn’t mean to yap. It’s a bad habit o’ mine.” He looked at his watch. “I should probably be headin’on home anyway. It was nice to meetcha and thanks again for introducing me. I met some really great people.” He held out his hand again for a final shake.
It was a bit slower, almost as unpleasant as the first, Barnaby barely noticing the way yellow eyes flicked down to eye his obsidian ring like a jeweler then back up when they let go. Too focused on the sincerity in his voice earlier, that contagious smile, and those legs went on for miles…so when Kotetsu let go and turned away, “Wait.” Barnaby said.
The older man looked at him all surprised, even more so when the rich bachelor said, “I wanted to learn more about your feline conservation and donate myself. Do you think we could get lunch sometime to discuss?”
Kotetsu looked at him like he was waiting for the joke to land because he couldn’t think of a reason why he wouldn’t just look up the conservatorship and donate that way. What would they even need to talk about?
But when the punchline didn’t come, he was more surprised that a multibillionaire with a reputation for being a playboy (other than his philanthropy) was seriously wanting to spend his time talking about big cats… “Uh, sure. Yeah.”
As soon as he sat down in the driver’s seat of his green van, Kotetsu released a big sigh. Who he thought was just a spoiled bachelor was actually a nice guy and, “That’s our weakness right there. Could’ve made off with some good stuff and laughed all the way to the bank if the guilt wouldn’t eat us alive…” He mumbled as he started the car and pulled off toward the city. “Already feel bad enough about the Hare as is…”
If he was being honest, he had a bit of a crush. But if he was completely honest, he wasn’t really interested in anyone but him. A guy deciding to be a superhero just for the sake of making this city safer? Saving people without being told or paid to? That just made everyone else pale in comparison.
Besides, it wasn’t how he imagined meeting him at all. He had hoped it would be them saving people at the same disaster and he would get to see the Hare working up close, then be starstruck about it when he went to bed that night. But not like this…not as a wanted poster wherever that guy was hiding out.
But there was more than a wanted poster in The Burrow.
It was actually a lot of screenshots of footage captured from his suit’s optics of every time the Red Hare got a good look at his new challenge’s face. For the next three days, he ran them through his face recognition software, using the clearest screenshot to match with anybody in the country’s criminal database but…
“Those stupid goggles are in the way…” Barnaby grumbled. They were large, in the shape of a mask with sharp corners in black. The lenses were a golden yellow, and they obscured his cat burglar’s face just enough to be unrecognizable to every camera.
His monitor was interrupted by a red window announcing, “SCPD SIGNAL ONLINE”.
Barnaby immediately got up, pushing his desk chair out of the way to march to his suit.
A spotlight shone against the dark sky with three hares in the middle. Injuries still healing and against Samantha’s judgement, Barnaby wasted no time in putting on his red armoured suit and cowl. He hopped into his car, tricked out with all sorts of tech and weapons, the back exhaust pipes shooting out a burst of white hot flames as he took off out a narrow tunnel of The Burrow.
He sped all the way down to the Sternbild City Police Department where Commissioner Agnes Joubert stood tall. Her arms were crossed over her trench coat, exposed calves below her pencil skirt covered in goosebumps from the cool night breeze, and one of her high heel’ed feet tapping impatiently like most nights. She watched the skies until boots landed heavily behind her, turning around to face her partner in justice.
“What’s the situation?” He greeted as always; straight to the point just how she likes it.
“A cat burglar is wreaking havoc in the Gold district.”
“I told you I don’t deal with petty, low-level criminals. I take serious cases because I can’t be everywhere at once-”
“What do you think I’m telling you this for!? We can’t handle it!” Agnes snapped back. “This one’s a serious problem that our detectives can’t find any leads on. Officer Cain and Rose were also sent to the hospital over the recent run-in they had with them.”
The Hare was quiet for a moment before, “Tell me more.” Was it him again?
“The only connection we have is that all the victims are high profile. CEOs, local celebrities, landlords, art gallerists, politicians- Their businesses and homes all have a large circle cut out from the windows and the only other evidence our burglar leaves behind is whatever’s missing. But it’s not just stuff; there are reports that computers have been hacked to steal intel too. One night, we thought we had ‘em…”
It was at one in the morning. While the skyscrapers helped light the city all night, a lot of offices were empty until janitors came in the morning. The president of Helios Energy was tucked into bed in her million dollar condo that overlooked the shore. She knew that a black cat had slipped into her building, dodged nightguards and those on late shifts so well he got to her office door in no time at all.
He picked the lock with a practiced ease and stepped inside, making sure to close and secure the door behind him.
Her office was nice, he noticed; he admired how big it was, the swanky furniture, and neat art pieces with a mumbled, “Got taste at least.”
He immediately went to her computer, just like the police said he would, hacking in to find documents of info that would prove to be useful for a rival energy corporation. They wanted dirt on Helios to exploit, like proving rumours that the company put money into Republican, right-wing pockets or off-shore accounts. Maybe some things about how staff was treated poorly or even dig into the president’s private life.
But as soon as he broke into the president’s account, ready to dig for some juicy files that his anonymous client would pay handsomely for, his sensitive ears picked up quick footsteps coming down the hallway. His orange lens’d goggles began to glow as he switched the view to heat signature, seeing two bulky figures crouched on either side of the door.
“Aw, c’mon! Another sting!?” He hissed, quickly looking around for an idea on how to get out of this fast until he looked up.
Officer Cain and Mary Rose kicked through the door after a quiet count to three, bellowing, “SCPD! Freeze!” with their pistols pointed at the desk.
“Huh?” Mary Rose said, lowering her weapon as she walked into the dark room. “They should be here, shouldn’t they!?”
“Yeah. The computer definitely was logged into. We got the alert and everything!” Cain replied.
Mary held her gun in a low but tight grasp as she carefully walked forward and stepped up to the side of the desk. She then quickly pivoted behind it, pointing the barrel at…a small trash can underneath. “This doesn’t make any sense! They have to be here! There’s only one way out and there’s no way they could do this remotely!” She shook her head and with a big disappointed sigh, “Tell Agnes we’ve got nothing…again.” She turned to face him, “And then I’ll-”
Her eyes widened when she saw her partner face down on the floor, eyes closed. She didn’t even hear him collapse! “Cain!”
In the middle of her rushing over and just about to report ‘man down!’ into her radio, pain slammed into her skull and everything went black.
“By the time I got there, there were scratches in the ceiling and a big circle cut out of the window. No fingerprints, no DNA- nothing.”
The Red Hare hummed in thought. He couldn’t say he had a run-in with him too only to admit he didn’t have a clear ID on him either.
“I’m 100% sure they stole The Tears of Hercules not too long ago.” Agnes carried on. “You see how frustrating this is.” She grumbled, glaring down at the roof. “Whoever they are, they’re good.” Putting her hands in pockets and moving to turn off the call-light. “Right now, we’ve got a crime scene in a condo on Oceanview. A fresh pair of eyes could be just what we nee-”
When she turned back around, he was gone.
“Who would do this!?”A woman cried, voice carrying down the apartment complex hallway. “Some of that jewelry was one of a kind! Passed down to me! I can’t just replace it!”
Barnaby heard through the ajar front door before heading inside the luxury condo, the cop standing outside the door giving him a nod of permission. When he first began The Red Hare, the police would give him trouble for coming to crime scenes but now, they expected him to show. It was like he was one of their crew who was just running a little late.
“What happened?” He asked.
“Someone broke into the bedroom and took all the broad’s jewelry while she was gettin’ ready for a party tonight. We’re thinking it’s that cat burglar but…hole’s too small.”
The vigilante hummed in thought and entered into a professionally decorated living room that faced floor to ceiling length windows with the perfect view of the ocean and night sky. An older woman with her hair in rollers and a frilly robe on had tears making her mint green face mask run as she talked to the bored officer writing down her statement.
Barnaby ignored her in favour of the bedroom where another cop was taking pictures of the window and he found that the guy was right- the perfect circle cut out of the glass was too small for anyone to fit through. He could barely get his forearm through it.
He scanned the glass with his suit’s optics to find any finger prints but just like Agnes said, nothing identifying was left behind until the wind blew through the hole and something small waving at him caught his eye.
He looked closer to find a couple hairs stuck to the edge of the hole. Pulling out a pair of tweezers and a small resealable bag from his belt, he carefully saved both strands.
When he got back to The Burrow, he placed the hairs on a tray and slid it into a slot in his computer. He stared up at the monitor, a loading bar filling with the word ‘Scanning DNA…’. Once the bar was full-
“Cat hair…?” Barnaby mumbled as his screen read ‘DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR FELINE’.
Sternbild was full of cats, stray and pets so, “Either he owns a cat and it stuck to his costume or it’s his little accomplice.” Samantha thought aloud, laughing quietly as she thought of an adorable kitten in a stereotypical burglar costume like in the cartoons Barnaby watched as a child.
But she might’ve been on to something…
The Red Hare had just finished questioning an accomplice he caught from another museum robbery, this time for the large blood diamond in the Kruger Hall of Gems. He barely got anything out of the guy, and as his pummeled body was being dragged away by the police, an orange cat ran ahead, seemingly coming from the museum with something in its mouth.
Barnaby gave chase, spooking the striped tabby to dash across the street into oncoming traffic. The Red Hare dashed in front of an oncoming truck, scooping it up and rolling to safety on the other side. He thought this might be his chance to snatch what looked to be a cellphone out of its mouth until the sound of a high pitched whistle from above broke through the city’s general bustling symphony.
The cat wiggled free, climbing up a gutter and a couple window sills with a sense of urgency, like it was late for something. Intrigued, Barnaby charged up his boots to super jump to the roof where he found his one-who-got-away.
The thief was crouched, smiling down affectionately at his pet with his clawed, gloved hand out. The cat dropped the phone into his palm, waiting patiently for his owner to put it in his utility belt to receive his reward of a loving scratch under his chin. “Good boy.”
“Hand it over.” Barnaby commanded.
The thief had the audacity to snort at that as he rose to his feet, cat curling around his neck. “You can have it when I don’t need it anymore.” He decided nonchalantly, turning to leave.
In a flash, the vigilante made up the distance between them and roughly grabbed him by his suit collar. “No. Now.”
“What? You don’t trust me?” The thief teased, not a speck of fear in his eyes. Usually grabbing a Sternbild thug like this would have them trembling, but all he got was a sigh and, “I know I’ve been bad but I can make it up to you if you let me…? Especially after you saved my cat.”
“Oh, sure. Of course I’ll trust the petty thief.”
Goggled eyes looked off to the side for a moment, flirty smile gone and then, “I know we can help each other.”