Sell you a Bridge chapter 20 (Patreon)

I had not, in fact, heard of Gentleman Ghost, but that wasn't really  surprising because that was sort of what he did. Gentleman Ghost was a  high level magical thief. The League ran him off when they could, but by  his very nature he tended to accomplish more thefts than most people  even knew he attempted. He went out of his way to run afoul of the  League once in a while and curse and rage as he was driven away from his  supposed target, barely managing to escape. I kept them from noticing  his real MO.

Dad  mentioned having hired him a few times to steal corporate secrets or  lift something he needed and had used that working relationship to make a  call, which was why we were standing in a park in Gotham in the middle  of the night. Being in a park in Gotham beyond the light of day is...not  safe behavior. Artemis and I as born Gothamites knew this, and were as  such, pretty nervous. We stood with our backs to a tree, waiting for  Gentleman Ghost. Amateurs would have stood under a street light, but  that would have just drawn attention.

Artemis  was tense beside me, I could feel it, and I couldn't blame her. I spoke  to her softly, not a whisper, just a low tone that would be easy to  miss "You good? I know this is against pretty much all your instincts  because mine are screaming at me too. But according to dad our chances  of robbing this Shadowcrest place without the Ghost are slim to none.  The owner is a legit wizard and we need someone with magical skills in  infiltration to bypass them. Ghost is the only one who might be able to  help except maybe The Shade, and he doesn't live in town."

She  nodded begrudgingly matching my tone of voice as she responded,  whispering drew more attention if someone noticed us that just talking a  bit less loud. "I know, and I get it, which is why I let you come here  at all, but this is like Olympic level stupid. We're going to get eaten  by living plants courtesy of Poison Ivy or dragged off into the sewers  by Killer Croc. Everyone knows you don't go to the park at night in  Gotham. It's like feeding gremlins after midnight, it just never ends  well." Her shoulders were tense as she scanned the area carefully.

We  were both wearing black, nothing eye catching or stupid like a ski mask  or anything just normal black pants and shirts. Artemis was wearing a  black sweater and black jeans and I was wearing a black button up and  black slacks. I checked my watch "I know, but it's almost midnight. I'm  trying to decide if he's testing us or just likes the mysterious and  mystical connotations of meeting at the stroke of midnight. Either way  it won't be long, and once he's here I doubt we'll be noticed." You  don't get a rep like his collecting bottle caps.

A  sardonic british voice cut the night "An astute observation, young  master O'Malley." Fun fact, ghosts are better at sneaking than ninjas.  Or trained mercenary child soldiers. Artemis and I both jumped out of  our skins at the sound, though we managed to avoid yelping. We whirled  on the source of the voice at the sound of a chuckle to find...a suit.  An empty white suit with a top hat and monocle. "A shame, I was hoping I  had some decent material to work with. Neither of you has much  situational awareness. Still, young master O'malley, you use the shadows  to cloak yourself admirably, even without making an effort. Perhaps you  aren't a lost cause."

I  glanced at Artemis, who returned the expression with a wary gaze of her  own, before we turned to Gentleman Ghost together "Ahem. Thank you? And  thanks for meeting with us. I'm guessing since you heard all that and  already talked to my old man you know what we have to do, can you help  us? Dad mentioned knowing you but I realize this is a lot to ask. This  place has been on everyone in Gotham's criminal wish list for years,  even you haven't hit it yet." I was worried about whether he would  actually do it honestly, but he did show up so all hope wasn't lost. I  wondered what the old man offered him.

The  top hat bobbed in a graceful nod of acknowledgement "An understandable  concern young man. My association with your father is far from close  enough to engender enough loyalty to undertake such a mission. However I  am interested in testing my skills against Zatara and his defenses. I  am also in the market for an apprentice. I've reached great heights in  field, the opportunity to attempt a new challenge and to interview a  potential successor at once is one that's too tempting to pass up. The  question is my dear boy, are you willing to immerse yourself further in  the world of shadows that I can instruct you in?"

That  was not what I had expected. Gentleman Ghost was a brilliant thief from  what my dad had said, like among the elite of the Gotham criminal  class. But he was still a part of the Gotham criminal class. I'd avoided  the Falcone name because I would have to leave my mom, I honestly had  nothing against crime. Gotham politics was so corrupt the police were  basically just a slightly larger crime family so I had no moral qualms,  but I knew my mom didn't want that for me. I thought of how happy she  had been when I'd gotten to go to the academy.

Still,  she also knew I was doing something shady and didn't care too much. She  wanted me to be happy as long as I didn't completely abandon the morals  she raised me with. Being a thief wasn't that bad but criminals did  other things too...I turned to give Gentleman Ghost a hard look "Would I  have to hurt anyone? Because I won't mess with innocent people.  Stealing from rich guys and companies doesn't bother me, but if you  expect me to kill guards or something then I'll take my chances with  Zatara." That was my bottom line, I absolutely would not hurt innocent  people for him.

The  suit bobbed as Gentleman Ghost chuckled "Good heavens dear boy, no  nothing like that. One of the reasons you've most likely never heard of  me is that I am a professional. A proper thief is...well, invisible." He  gestured down to his suspiciously translucent white suit and lack of  body. "Murder and violence is so gauche. A proper thief doesn't bull  rush his way into a place and make off with the goods, alarms wailing. A  proper thief is so silent and meticulous the target does not even know  they've been robbed until the goods are already sold."

That  didn't sound so bad. "Why me though? You just met me. I somehow doubt  you were sitting by the phone contemplating who your successor would be  before my dad even called. It seems kind of random to just ask me to be  your mentee two minutes after meeting me." I was dragging my feet  answering but this was a weird thing, I hadn't been expecting a job  offer, especially not one he was implying I needed to take if I wanted  his help. As a Falcone scion, even one with a different name, I was  somewhat wary of offers I couldn't refuse.

Another  bob of his hat "Good. If you hadn't asked I would have been  disappointed. The fact is I was not planning to make this offer to you. I  came to hear you out because Zatara's home is the last true challenge  in Gotham. However I made a startling discovery when I arrived. You  noticed me." He must have seen the confusion on my face when he said  that because he burst into a hearty chuckle. "Not consciously, I saw you  jump. But you reacted to my presence. You shifted your body slightly to  put yourself between me and your companion. You sensed my presence.  That's no small thing. It shows potential."

I...had  no response to that. I should have been more reluctant to accept. I  should have been waffling or afraid or worried but...this was exactly  what I'd wanted when I got powers. I would be getting a mentor! A real  mentor on the same level as the League who could teach me how to do  things my power couldn't. Plus I could use my points for other, non  money things since I would be stealing to get rich. More powers, more  skills. The possibilities were endless. I wanted this. Wanted to be  special, to mean something. I opened my mouth to respond but Artemis cut  me off  "No." I turned to her, stunned, but she just dig in her heels,  giving me a glare. "Not alone."

She  turned to the Ghost "I've heard this pitch before. Heard the promises  and the grand declarations of destiny. I can't stop Morgan from taking  your offer, I recognize the look on his face well from the mirror to see  he won't give up this chance, but I'm not letting him do it by himself.  You want him you take me. We're a package deal. We have another friend  coming with us on the job with a power that's damn useful too, but I  can't speak for him, still, something to think about if he's interested.  Either way you get both of us or you get neither of us." I opened my  mouth to speak and she pointed a finger at me threateningly "I WILL call  and wake up your mother Morgan O'Malley."

I  sighed and grinned at her, turning back to the Ghost with a shrug. "You  heard the lady. One for all and all for one. I'm guessing by the timing  of your offer you won't help if I turn you down, but I don't really  have any more control over her than you do." She punched me in the  shoulder for talking about her like she wasn't there and I shot her a  glare. "Ok, first of all, ow." Then I turned back to the suit "Second of  all what's it going to be? You going to take two apprentices or none?  Because I'm sixteen, I will absolutely try to break into Zatara's house  either way. It's not like they would try me as an adult." I carefully  didn't mention the whole my friends being killed thing, no use giving up  leverage.

The  laugh this time was less chuckle and more full throated belly laugh. "A  bluff, boy, but an unnecessary one. I happen to prize loyalty above  most other virtues, and you both show an admirable amount. I accept your  offer. You shall both become my apprentices. Training a natural genius  would hardly show my expertise anyway. A true master can forge anyone  into an artist. As for your third, I suppose I shall make him the offer.  I've never trained a team before, so it should be interesting to see  what you can all accomplish. Now your father implied the involvement of  our avian overlords, perhaps you can fill me in on the details.  Knowledge is power you know."

So  we did. We explained how Reggie had called us and what his mission was,  how we had figured out they were just throwing disposable meat shields  at the defenses to test them, and how we were worried we might die in  the attempt or if we failed. We told him about Reggie's power, and about  my ninja skills, though not my power itself because we barely knew him  and trusting him that much was stupid. He almost definitely knew I was  holding back, but he didn't seem to mind and he listened quietly as we  filled him in. Then when we were done and he clapped his hands, telling  us to go home and get some sleep and to bring Reggie to Chinatown  tomorrow. We had a heist to prepare for.