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Riddle 017: The Dominoes Fall

[First, a public call, filtered from drones and the like.]

First we're told not to drink the milk. It's poison, they say. Now, apparently, we aren't to be drinking the water, either? Believe me when I say that my childhood isn't something I was particularly happy to return to. Not at all.

[He lets out a low sigh before filtering the call to Pokey Minch.]

Were you able to discover anything about the Smiths that could come in handy?

[And another filter, to Ema and Scout:]

Well, my partners-in-crime? Clear your schedules for the weekend. It's time to put our plan into action.

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[He much appreciates that. Dead parents or abusive parents, neither outcome is one he really feels like elaborating on. Anyways:]

Very well. Where shall we convene, then?

Someone's home. Not mine.

[Schuldig would totally ruin their plans just for fun. :| ]

Fine. My place, then. One hour.

I'll inform Scout, as well.

I'll be there.

[Almost an hour on the dot, Ema's knocking on Eddie's door.]

((How would you like to work this action part out?))

((Edward can explain things now. Assuming Scout shows up a little bit after Ema, we can just handwave the re-explanations to him, like how a TV show cuts away to "...and that's our plan."))

[Edward opens the door for her, beaming.]

Please, Ms. Skye. Come in.

((Works for me!))

[Ema smiles back, stepping into the house.] Thanks.

I can't believe we're finally getting this mobilized.

Rome was not built in a day, Ms. Skye. Even the greatest architects need time before their magnum opus comes to pass. That said, I'm quite exhilarated, myself.

[He closes the door behind her.]

May I offer you something to drink?

I know that. I'm just glad that we're finally getting to the actual day, though.

[She shrugs off her coat (but not her lab coat).]

Water?

[And he'll take that coat for her and place it up on the hanger.]

Water, I can provide.

[He guides her into the kitchen, pours her a big, tall glass, and hands it to her.]

[So polite, Eddie! This is why Ema likes you so damn much.]

Thanks.

Did you want to wait for Scout, or get down to business?

Time is of the essence, Ms. Skye, so I'd prefer to begin our preparations now. We can fill him in once he arrives.

All right, then.

[She has a seat at the kitchen table and waits for him to get settled in so they can begin.]

[He pulls up a chair opposite her and begins.]

Now, the first order of business is to create some kind of a distraction, and to isolate the family in one specific area. Scout and I will show up at the Smiths' doorstep in our police uniforms, telling them that we're on the lookout for some strange criminal activity in the neighborhood and that we'd like to come in and ask them some questions. When Scout ushers them into their living room, I'll see to it that you can sneak in through the front door and upstairs.

So, I won't be seen by the family at all. I'm purely stealth investigation?

[Ema has to admit, it's a good plan, from what she's heard so far--better than she'd come up with. He's using their resources to the best advantage.]

How much time do you think I'll have?

Exactly. Much like during the Smith Family Party back in the fall, you'll be investigating the second floor once again. This time, however, you can be sure that the entire family will be in one specific room.

[He twiddles his thumbs, in silent contemplation for several seconds before responding.]

As a rough estimate, I'd give you ten to fifteen minutes at most. The drones here are busybodies. And with a child like Lucy Smith, I highly doubt they'd remain stationary for too long.

[Ema takes out a pad and paper from her purse and starts taking notes.] Understood. So basically, I need to move quickly or risk getting caught by Lucy; I'm sure she'll be eager to go back upstairs, moreso than the rest of them. Considering she's the most dangerous, that's something we want to avoid.

I'll concentrate on her room.

[She pauses to write some things down.]

What will you and Scout do, once I'm in the house?

Our main focus will be to keep the Smith family occupied in the living room. We'll be asking them questions about this quote-unquote "criminal activity" that we suspect may be happening in this area. And perhaps along the way, we might be able to get some insight as to what Mr. and Mrs. Smith think about Mayfield's current state of affairs. Who knows? Perhaps we'd even be able to try our luck and see what Lucy herself has to offer?

In any case, should it appear as though our operation is compromised, or if you run the risk of discovery, I'll take action into my own hands and make sure they don't lay a finger on you.

I don't know what kind of answer you'll get from the drones. I'd be careful about pushing too hard; there's a documented case of Grady committing arson when someone tried to get through to Jane. Grady is the last person we want to show up.

[Ema pauses in her note-taking to give him a smile.] I know. And thank you.

Hopefully, it won't come to that. I'll do my best not to get caught.

Don't worry. I'll be sure not to bite off more than I can chew. If Grady were to show up, it would certainly throw a wrench in your investigation.

[He smiles right back at her. But there's something a little bit... off about it. In any case, on he goes:]

Just move quietly, move quickly, and keep your ears low to the ground, and you should be fine. You're a powerful investigator, and I've nothing but the utmost confidence in your ability.

[Ema doesn't quite catch that there's something off about his smile; he moves on too quickly and her opinion of him is too high for her to realize that something could be afoot here. Instead, she listens to his instructions and his vote of confidence and takes both to heart.]

I will. Thank you.

[She goes over her notes again, then starts sketching out a floor plan of the upstairs of the Smith household based on what she remembers. She wants to plan this out so there are no mistakes on Sunday.]

[As she continues her sketching, Edward watches in silence, lost in thought. As brilliant an investigator as she was, she was so oblivious to his ulterior motive. As far as he was concerned, he was finding a way back to Gotham, and he was finding it at the Smith residence. He almost felt sorry for his allies, but for the chance to escape, he'd leave anyone behind, if it came down to it. Even Harley, Lex, or the Joker. Especially the Joker.]

[Ema's problem is that she's great at the science and the observation aspects of investigation; it's the drawing conclusions part of the job that she occasionally falls short in. And, honestly, he's given her no reason not to trust him; he's been a great ally and occasionally a friend. He's a little full of himself and the riddles frustrate her to no end, but no one's perfect. And really, there's no denying his brilliance.

In other words, she doesn't see what's coming at all.

After the map's drawn, she circles a room.] This is Lucy's room. I'll start here. If I have time... [She draws an arrow from Lucy's room to the master bedroom.] I'll move to here. Investigating Billy and Jane would be worthless; as far as I know, they're just regular drones. The father, I'm not so sure... especially since he changed, recently. So I'll look into him if I have time.

I'm going to wear gloves--I took some from the hospital where I work.

[Mostly, she's just thinking out loud, going over everything. If Eddie has feedback, he's free to interject.]

[Considering that a good deal of the other Mayfielders that Edward usually interacted with hated him, harassed him, or threatened him on a regular basis, he'd be a fool not to admit how invaluable Ema and Scout were. They admired him. Respected him. Trusted his insight.

But in the end, Mayfield was a game of survival. And if there was one thing Edward excelled in, it was survival. Always have a good escape. He'd escaped Arkham enough times that it was second nature. He'd escaped Batman after their last encounter, making off with a fortune. He'd even escaped the threat of death, ridding himself of cancer in the Lazarus Pits.

He'd escaped Mayfield once. And he'd do it again.

Even if he planned to leave them in the dust, there was still some degree of honesty to Edward's scheme. He'd see to it that no matter what, she and Scout wouldn't be harmed. The Riddler was nonviolent by nature, and he didn't intend to leave this place with blood on his hands.]

Are you sure you're up for something this big?

[The question takes Ema by surprise. Of all the responses she expected from Mr. Nigma, concern for her was not among them.

She looks up from her notepad and gives him a long, serious look.]

Whether or not I'm sure doesn't make a bit of difference. I have to be.

We're not getting out of here unless we're armed with more--better--information. Gathering and analyzing evidence is what I know. I can't be one of the people on the front lines when things come to violence. But I can do this.

[This investigation really means a lot to her. Ema would agree that Mayfield is a game of survival... but how she knows to survive depends on information and cooperation. She honestly isn't capable of putting herself before everyone else in that regard.]

[Scout has arrived! And he's brought booze cuz that's obviously what's needed.]

Yo! What's been goin' on? Fill me in.

Riddle 017: The Dominoes Fall

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