Sarah Hines Stephens - Catwomans Purrfect Plot

And if you will follow me into the next room The Gotham City Art Museum guide held her hand over her head. She led a group of Brentwood Academy students further into the Egyptian exhibit.

Tim Drake lingered at the back of the pack. He was hoping to get a closer look at some of the ancient up close! And one item in particular had caught Tims attention.

When the crowd cleared, Tim moved closer to a large glass case and bent down to peer inside the locked display. Inside was an ancient Egyptian necklace honoring the Egyptian god, Atum-Ra. The wide collar was made of layered gold beads. It was large enough to cover most of a persons chest, from shoulder to shoulder. And it had been embellished with precious gems that enhanced the necklaces golden glow. In the center a large cat pendant gleamed.

Something about the cat ornament in the middle of the glittering choker made the hair on the back of Tims neck stand on end. He read the sign beside the necklace, letting the words sink in. Then the high school student sucked in his breath! If what the sign said was true

Careful. Dont fog up the glass, a womans voice behind him teased.

Tim whirled around. But before he could see who had spoken he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Tim took out his phone and checked the screen. A call was coming in from his mentor, Bruce Wayne.

Tim wasnt allowed to take calls during school, even if he was out of class on a field trip. But he always found a way to take Bruces calls. After all, Bruce Wayne was not just anybody. He was the head of Wayne Enterprises and one of Gotham Citys richest, smartest, and most generous citizens.

And Bruce Wayne had a secret: he was Batman! Just the person Tim wanted to talk to.

Bruce! You wont believe what I just saw. Theres a new exhibit at Tim was so excited he began talking at once, forgetting that Bruce had called him.

Tim. Listen to me, Bruce cut him off. I need you to meet Commissioner Gordon and me by the Bat-Signal on the roof of the police station. Come as quickly as you can!

Bruce hung up before Tim could get another word out. This had to be urgent! Quickly, the boy stashed his phone and looked around. His class had moved to another room with the tour guide.

Nobody noticed when Tim made a dash for the exit.

* * *

On the roof of the police station, Batman and the commissioner were waiting. Tim arrived out of breath. Hed taken a moment to change into his alter ego: Robin, the Boy Wonder. Bruce Wayne wasnt the only guy in Gotham City with a secret identity!

Batman, you wont believe the

Robin stopped himself mid-sentence when he noticed the look in Batmans eyes. He could read the expression clearly, even behind a mask. Now was not the time.

Robin clamped his mouth shut. He turned to face the man wearing an overcoat beside the Dark Knight, giving the commissioner his full attention.

Commissioner Gordon, how can we help? Robin asked.

Batman answered for him. The police commissioner was just telling me that Catwoman has been spotted prowling around the city at night.

Robin nodded, waiting to hear more about Catwomans whereabouts. There was nothing unusual about that.

I know what youre thinking, Robin, Batman continued. Cats are .

And Catwoman has always been more active at night, Robin agreed.

Yes, but this is something different, Batman continued. The commissioner thinks shes cooking up a plan. Shes been seen frequently at Gotham Arena, where theyre getting ready for a cat show.

Thats right. Commissioner Gordon nodded. Gotham City is hosting the International Cat show. The cat competition begins tomorrow, but the cats and their handlers have already arrived.

Robin furrowed his brow. He was still confused. Sure, Catwoman loved cats, but why would the notorious cat burglar care about a pet show? There was hardly anything to be gained by nabbing pets.

The reigning cat champion, Persian Purrfection, will be among the competing cats, Gordon continued. Purrfection is considered to be a near flawless specimen of her breed. She is worth a lot of money.

But Catwoman would never sell a cat, Robin said. She thinks cats should be free!

The way Robin figured it, if Catwoman had her way the whole world would be overrun by cats. Or maybe cats would simply run it!

The prize cat is just part of it, Robin, Batman continued. Persian Purrfection wears the I.C.E. crown.

The I.C.E. crown?

Its a collar created by the International Cat Enthusiasts and given to the Best in Show, said Commissioner Gordon.

The winner wears it for one year, Batman explained. Then brings it back to either win it again or pass it to the next Best in Show.

How great could a cat collar be? Robin asked, raising one eyebrow.

Its not just any collar, Robin, Batman replied. Its encrusted with nine rare feline-cut diamonds. Each gem looks like a sparkling cats eye. The prize is worth millions of dollars.

Batman pulled up an image of the collar on his mini-computer. He turned it to show the Boy Wonder.

Robin let out a low whistle. THWOOOO!

The collar did look pretty spectacular. He could hardly believe someone would put something that incredible on a cat!

Commissioner Gordon ran his hand through his white hair. He gritted his teeth.

If something happens to that cat or that collar, it will be an international embarrassment for our city, Gordon said. Its crucial that we keep them both safe while they are in Gotham City.

Youre absolutely right, Commissioner, Batman said with a nod. The combination of precious cats and precious jewels will be like catnip for Catwoman too much for her to resist.

Precious cats and precious jewels. Hearing his mentors words reminded Robin of what hed been trying to say earlier. His eyes grew wider behind his mask.

Exactly! Robin exclaimed. Thats what Ive been

He started to tell the Dark Knight and Commissioner Gordon what hed been thinking earlier, but he was interrupted.

Thats why I need you two to help guard the Gotham Arena tonight! Gordon said. We have to make sure nothing goes wrong before the competition tomorrow.

CRRRRCHT!

Suddenly Commissioner Gordons police radio crackled to life. He reached for it.

Ive already pulled half of the force and most of the citys armed guards to help. The police commissioner put the radio to his ear. But Catwoman is tricky. You never know when shes going to pounce! he added.

Batman gave a slight nod. Nobody knew better than he did how sneaky Catwoman could be.

But there was something else troubling the Dark Knight. He was picking up distressing noises coming from the other side of the city. With the help of the audio processor and high-gain antenna housed in the pointed ears of his cowl, he could detect the sound of a distant alarm a large one.