1st POV
Blüdhaven, New Jersey
The city is shrouded in darkness as night goes on. It wraps around each building only allowing street lights and the occasional car headlights to pierce the darkness. While not overrun by crime, Blüdhaven is saturated with corruption. Normally it would be the perfect place to search for clues and connections, but not tonight.
Tonight I am here in this city at the request of another. A detective with a reputation and presence as mysterious as my own.
Days ago he sent me a packet with information regarding a string of robberies and revelations that raises... questions. Tonight we meet in hopes of getting answers, but I have a feeling that all we will get is more... questions.
3rd POV
A man in a blue trench coat and fedora enters the dark pool hall. Once a local hangout the pool hall was abandon and left to rot. If it was open, its customers would be shocked to see a man with no face, but then, that was always the Question's plan.
Pulling a lighter out of his pocket Question lights several candles left on the bar counter. Pulling out a handkerchief he takes a seat of a bar stool and waits for the bat to arrive. He does not have to wait long.
Without turning around Question addresses a dark figure in the corner of the room.
"Good evening Batman, I received your information."
"Question... what did you find"
"An interesting string of events that appear independent from one another, but when examined closer a connection is revealed."
"A person in red"
"So you did notice that they appear at every scene, but what you may have not noticed was that they are a young girl"
"Explain"
"Of course, of several crimes you suspect she has committed these were the ones that caught my attention. While nothing can be gained from the theft of airplane sections and parts from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona or from the theft of paintings from three art studios in Mexico, with suspected connections to the Tijuana cartel. The cargo ship attack-"
"owned by a company in Tuvalu actually owned by North Korean smugglers found adrift off the coast of North Carolina by the Coast Guard" Batman interrupts
"That is right, the captain claims that a mutiny occurred among the crew, but the story several crew members tell is quite different... A girl dressed in a red trench coat and fedora appeared out of nowhere and attacked them."
"Except nothing was taken, several pounds of meth and numerous firearms were seized"
"On the contrary, the captain's attitude of being guilty raised suspicions. So, after calling in a favor I was able to have a one-to-one with the captain and he revealed that a metal container was in his procession, given to him in North Korea by a high ranking party member with instructions for an exchange in New York. What was in the box, he dare not check, but I have an idea as to what"
Question pulls out a couple of news clippings and images from his coat spreading out on the bar counter for Batman to see. Batman picks one up that shows a news headline.
SACRED CHINESE ARTIFACT DISCOVERED AND TO BE RETURNED TO CHINA.
"Interesting"
"Indeed what the thief is thinking by returning the object that is the question, but I believe she is building herself a career and reputation"
"Career?"
"Yes, while several heists and thefts have been about building a reputation, some don't fit the pattern and they are not about money making either. In fact, she would have remained a problem for the authorities only if she hadn't-"
"stolen seized property from Cybertron Industries in Gotham"
"Right, that move has made the super community curious, both the good and the bad. Several individuals have put out feelers to gather information about her"
"I need a name"
Question stops talking and turns his head to batman who simply stares at his face.
Sigh "sorry, but a name is something I don't have yet. However, I don't think this is the last we have seen of her. Not by a long shot"
"...Very well I keep my ears open in Gotham if she tries to make another move in my city I will know... For now keep working on it"
The Question nods, turns his head around and starts to gather the clips together. When he finishes he turns his head again and sees that he is all alone inside the hall. He reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a photo that he had not shown to Batman.
It is a clear image of a girl in a red trench coat and hat boarding a train, taken in Paris.
"Where in the world are you now?"