Blackbirds

PART 19

Robin stepped carefully across the debris of the youth center's pool room to take his place near the ruined children's mural. When he reached the spot where Melvin Sloder, Jr. had been standing, he stopped. Green Archer, taking Lian's position, stood within arm's reach to his left. Black Canary and Nightwing--Sloder, Sr. and Donna, respectively--were to his right facing each other. Ollie, after some convincing, reluctantly stepped in behind Nightwing, filling the spot where Mia had stood behind Donna.

Batman watched from the shadows. "Proceed."

"Slimy fights with Lian--" Robin shoved Green Archer.

"--who passively resists." Green Archer lithely sidestepped Robin's second assault. "Just like Uncle Connor taught her."

Robin swept his feet, knocking the archer on his butt. "The fight gets out of hand."

Green Archer threw a solid punch, pulling it at the last second before he connected with Robin. "Lian gives him a black eye."

Ollie smirked. "Just like Grandpa taught her."

"Extraneous commentary is counterproductive." Batman's no-nonsense glare reinforced his admonishment. "Resume reenactment."

Black Canary moved forward. "Sloder starts to break up the fight."

"But Donna's closer--" Nightwing pulled Green Archer away from Robin "e see separates the kids." Nightwing moved Green Archer protectively between himself and Ollie.

Black Canary clamped a hand onto Nightwing's shoulder. "Sloder confronts her but she turns away."

"Why?" interrupted Ollie.

Robin explained. "Because Slimy throws paint at Lian."

Nightwing nodded, considering the scenario. "So Donna turns to protect Lian from the paint and it covers her left side."

"A click."

"Sloder striking his lighter."

"According to Mia."

"Or Donna striking her bracelets together to threaten him."

"According to Sloder."

"A flash."

"Sloder's lighter starts the fire."

"Or the spark from Donna's bracelets."

"Or--" Batman reminded them "--an element yet to be determined."

Nightwing fingered Donna's necklace experimentally. "Donna activates her communicator." He pressed the eagle necklace. There was an audible click. Metal on metal. Easily mistaken for the sound of a lighter strike. He walked back to his position, talking through the new scenario. "The transporter kicks in. There's the flash." He glanced at the others. "Frankly, that makes more sense to me."

Robin shook his head. "Doesn't match Slimy's story. He saw the flash first then heard the click."

"Let's finish the basic scenario before we get into details." suggested Black Canary.

"Agreed."

"Lian's transported out." Green Archer took several steps to the other side of the room, away from the main action.

Nightwing shoved lightly against Ollie's chest. "Mia's shoved to safety." Ollie stepped back through the shattered window and outside.

Black Canary led Robin out of the main area. "Sloder runs out with his son."

"Donna--left side covered in paint--takes the brunt of the fire." Nightwing moved to the chalk outline on the floor. "And succumbs here."

"So now what?"

"Now--" Black Canary answered "--we play detective."