Electra's Web

CHAPTER NINE: THE STARTLED manservant was almost flung against the door as Batman dispensed with the formalities and barged past him into Electra's ornate entrance hall. "I'll find my own way," he barked heading for the sitting room. He stormed in to find Electra lounging on the sofa casually sipping a cooling drink. She was dressed in a pair of extremely short, black exercise shorts and a cropped sports top. Sleeveless gloves adorned her hands and her legs were stretched out in front of her with her boot-clad feet resting on a small Stool in front of her. She casually ran her fingers through her long hair as the Caped Crusader barged in. "I don't recall requesting your presence Batman," she said. The Dark Knight ignored the comment and strode over to stand in front of her a determined look on his face. "It's time you and I had a long, straight talk lady," he said firmly. "Talk away Batman," she drawled dismissively. "I'm sure whatever you'vre got to tell me is absolutely fascinating." She took another sip of her drink her eyes twinkling with mischief. She saw his gaze drift over her exquisite body and purposely stretched her legs so he could take in all their glory. "Excuse my attire," she said. "I've just finished working out. A girl does need to keep in shape." She paused for a second and then added: "You should try it sometime Batman. It might stop you ending up comatose in the gutter like a drunken tramp. "Cheers." She drained her glass and then languidly rose from her seat and sashayed over to the drinks cabinet while Batman struggled to keep his temper in check. He wanted nothing more than to smash her mocking words back down her grinning mouth and then haul her down the police cells to have her charged. But without any concrete evidence he knew that at the moment it would only be playing into her eager hands. Electra poured herself a long refill before turning to her visitor with a serene smile on her face. "So Batman. What can I do for you? And please make it brief. I'm a very busy woman." "Where are the diamonds?" "Diamonds Batman?" replied Electra feigning bemusement. "From last night's raid. The ones your goons stole." "Now how would I know," said Electra calmly. "Then perhaps I should just search the house," said Batman coldly. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind." Electra smiled at him. "Be my guest Batman. You won't mind if I invite some of my newspaper friends round to witness the event will you? "I'm sure Batman's persecution of their star columnist for having the temerity to criticise his rapidly-waning abilities will make a fabulous story. "By the way - did you enjoy my column? I'm told it's been very well received. "Apparently a great many people share my opinion of your rather negligible worth." Electra tilted her head upwards a look of arrogant superiority fixed on her face. "You want get away with this," he snarled clenching his fists in anger. "I'll see to that." "Get away with what exactly Batman?" Her tone of affected innocence only served to enrage the Caped Crusader even more - exactly as she had intended. "If I were you," she said very slowly and deliberately. "I'd start worrying less about me and more about yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if all the beatings you're suffering are starting to seriously take their toll on what little mental faculties you had in the first place." She gave him an infuriatingly superior grin. "Now if you'd care to leave me alone," she said dismissively. "I have better things to do then spend half my day with a muscle-bound meathead." The Caped Crusader took a step angrily towards her but Electra didn't flinch - instead simply standing her grounbd and arching her eyebrows defiantly as though daring him to strike her. "You're going to regret this," he snarled through gritted teeth before turning on his heel. Electra let out a disimissive laugh and then called out: "Oh Batman." She he looked back over his shoulder she pouted sexily and blew him a kiss. Her mocking laughter followed him out of the room as he headed back through the hall to the front door.