C 47

As Anton approached the Continental Hotel, he noticed a familiar figure at the front desk: the hotel manager, a tall Black man instructing decorators to repair the hotel. 

Not long ago, when Anton had swept through as Batman, the Continental had taken a beating. Many killers had been arrested, and only a few had managed to avoid capture, with this manager among the fortunate ones.

When the manager spotted Anton, he stiffened, evidently recalling the terror of their last encounter. His face tightened momentarily, but he quickly composed himself. 

"Mr. Anton," he said respectfully, "Mr. Winston is in his office on the top floor. I'm sure he'll be pleased to see you."

"Good," Anton replied, tossing the car keys to him. "And the Adjudicator?"

"She's in room 213. I can have her meet you in Winston's office."

"Tell her to do just that," Anton replied with a nod.

As Anton climbed the stairs, he heard the manager breathe a sigh of relief behind him, clearly grateful to be left alone. Arriving on the top floor, he found Winston already waiting at his office door, smiling as he extended a hand.

"Mr. Anton, welcome back to the Continental Hotel," Winston greeted him with a more composed demeanor than the last time they'd met.

Anton could tell Winston was far more at ease now that they were on the same side. The High Table had accepted a deal with Batman, turning Anton from an adversary into a valuable "friend." 

The destruction wrought upon the Continental had already been offset by Winston's instrumental role in dismantling the Fraternity—a move that had benefited the High Table significantly.

As they settled into Winston's office, Winston remarked, "The Adjudicator will join us shortly." He paused, seeming slightly wary of Anton's next words.

Anton leaned back, fixing his gaze on Winston. "Before she arrives, I have a question. What's your take on Hell's Kitchen?"

Winston's eyes glimmered with a hint of intrigue. "Hell's Kitchen? It's a troublesome neighborhood—a group of neighbors who enjoy causing a ruckus."

"Just neighbors?" Anton asked, his tone skeptical. "They're more than just a noisy bunch, aren't they? And you must find them... inconvenient."

Winston squinted, perhaps evaluating how much Anton already knew. "What are you implying?"

"Don't play coy, Winston," Anton replied bluntly. "You're well aware of what I'm hinting at. How else would I have managed to march both Sloan and Bullseye into police custody?"

Winston's smile wavered as Anton pressed on. "I'm planning to deal with Kingpin, and I'll need the Continental's cooperation to make it happen."

At that moment, the door opened, and Aisha, the High Table's Adjudicator, strode in. Her cold expression revealed nothing, though she was clearly sizing up the situation. "What's going on here?"

Without hesitation, Anton explain and continued, "You'll both need to support me on this—along with the entire High Table." He directed his gaze at Aisha, emphasizing, "Full cooperation."

Aisha regarded Anton for a long moment, then glanced at Winston, who nodded in tacit agreement. "The High Table agrees to collaborate," she finally said. "When needed, we'll send enforcers, and the Continental will handle intelligence."

"Glad to hear it," Anton replied calmly. He had anticipated this response, knowing the High Table's ambition to expand in New York would make them eager to eliminate Kingpin. 

Hell's Kitchen was too tempting a prize.

However, Aisha raised a finger as if to clarify. "One condition: once Kingpin falls, his territory belongs to the High Table."

Anton shrugged. "I have no interest in Hell's Kitchen. My only goal is to see Kingpin locked up."

Aisha raised an eyebrow, understanding this was likely Batman's principle at play—keeping criminals alive but taking them off the streets. 

Still, she had little faith in the idea, as the High Table's plans for those criminals would be far from lenient. Sloan and his associates, for instance, wouldn't survive long in prison; the High Table was already ensuring their untimely demise behind bars.

At this point, Winston interjected thoughtfully. "If you're targeting Kingpin, you might consider an ally of sorts... Daredevil. Have you heard of him?"

"Daredevil?" Aisha echoed, her expression shifting to one of interest. "That vigilante from Hell's Kitchen?"

Winston nodded. "Yes. He's a lone operator but relentless, particularly when it comes to Kingpin's activities. He would likely be willing to join forces—especially with Batman."

Anton mulled this over, nodding in agreement. "I'll handle it. Daredevil could be a valuable ally."

Daredevil—Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer and a relentless defender of Hell's Kitchen—was no stranger to Anton. Winston's suggestion was sound. 

Murdock's moral compass and knowledge of Kingpin's operations would complement Anton's plans well. And with the High Table's backing, they'd have a formidable alliance against one of New York's most powerful crime lords.

Elsewhere in Manhattan, within the headquarters of Fisk Corporation, the tension was palpable. Wesley, one of Kingpin's right-hand men, was furious, venting his frustration by smashing objects around the office. 

He had just received word that an attempt to capture Anton had failed miserably, leaving several of their men severely injured.

"What do you mean he got away?" Wesley's voice quivered with anger as he stared down the unfortunate thug standing before him.

The thug's hands shook. "W-we underestimated him, Mr. Wesley. Please, give us another chance!"

Wesley's glare could have melted steel. He desperately wanted to avoid telling Kingpin about this colossal failure, knowing full well how Kingpin would react.

"Get more men. Find him, and this time, bring him to me alive," Wesley ordered through gritted teeth. "I need to know if he's Batman."

The thug nodded, eager to escape before Wesley's wrath turned violent.

After the thug left, Wesley sank into his chair, exhausted and anxious. Even if he managed to capture Anton, he still had to worry about Bullseye, who'd been caught by the police. 

Despite Bullseye's known criminal background, his lack of prior convictions made it difficult for authorities to hold him, and Wesley was working tirelessly to secure his release.

As Wesley gathered his composure, he wondered how he'd pacify Kingpin if things spiraled out of control. For now, all he could do was hope that Bullseye's freedom and a renewed effort to capture Anton would soothe his boss's temper.

….

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