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“The string of crimes has baffled detectives. Other than a history of crimes against women and children, the victims don’t seem to have any connection.

A source at the police department mentioned that the only clues collected from the scenes were computer files and images that will be used to convict the same men who are listed as victims in this case. ”

The shot returned to the two news anchors, a man and a woman, and a map appeared behind them as the man asked, “Are these attacks solely in the Oceanside and San Diego areas?”

“No, Bill. Further investigation shows that these attacks have been happening for years all over the country. As a matter of fact, there have been three victims in Alaska in the last two years.”

“It feels strange to call these predators the victims,” Bill argued.

“You’re right, but in this case, that’s exactly what they are.”

“The guy needs a name,” a customer said as he reached for his wallet, his eyes still on the television.

“They only give names to serial killers, not heroes,” his friend argued.

“My friend Ronnie knows a guy who works for the SDPD, and he said that they instantly knew it was the same guy because he does things to the perverts that guarantee they won’t be doing nasty things with kids anymore.”

“Like what?” I asked, curious about the details spit out by the rumor mill.

“He cuts their dick off and makes them eat it.”

“Ew,” I said before I shuddered at the thought of touching those monsters’ private parts.

I’d seen almost every one of them in person other than a few that Preacher and Ajax had farmed out to some of my club brothers.

Even though their crimes made them deserve such a punishment, I wasn’t about to get near their dick.

“I heard he castrates ‘em,” the other man added. “Serves ‘em right for messing with kids.”

Another regular walked up to pay his tab and repeated what he always said when the subject came up. “That man’s doing the Lord’s work and deserves a medal.”

“The only thing the cops are gonna give him is a strip search and a court date.”

“They can’t. He’s a ghost. Doesn’t leave a single clue. No hair, no fibers, nothing !” the first man said in awe.

“Good for him.”

“It’s crazy to think that we’re all rooting for one psycho against all the others.”

I laughed before I said, “Everyone loves Batman, but if you really analyze him, he’s pretty fucked up.”

“Batman?” Trout said as he rolled his eyes. “Come on!”

“If he ever gets caught, I’ll donate a month’s pay toward his lawyer,” the second customer boasted. The other two agreed as they walked toward the door with their friends.

Once the bar had cleared out, Shorty walked over and locked up before he turned around and said, “You can’t be Batman. He’s got lots of money and much cooler toys than you’ll ever have.”

“I wasn’t saying I’m Batman, just that he’s a little unhinged and still considered a superhero.”

“Speaking of unhinged, I hear you’ve got yourself a girlfriend,” Trout said as he dragged the trash can toward the table where the customers had been sitting.

Shorty leaned over the bar and grabbed a towel and the spray bottle of cleaner before he went to work, calling out, “What’s that going to mean for your Batman roleplaying?”

“What kind of question is that? It’s not like I’m taking her with me or something.”

“Are you going to keep doing it?” Trout asked.

“Why would I stop?”

“Rooster quit when his old lady moved in, and Dice took his name off the roster when his kid was born,” Shorty noted.

“We’ve only been seeing each other for a couple of days, guys. It’s not like we’re hearing wedding bells or planning a family.”

“At your age, that’s probably a good thing.”

I looked over at Shorty and asked, “What the fuck does that mean?”

“Well, I guess if she wants kids, that’s something to consider.”

“Two fucking days, guys! Two !”

“If you’re gonna get serious with her, which I’m assuming you will since you’ve been pining after her for years, then you’re gonna have to start thinking about shit like that,” Trout chided. “And you’re gonna have to think about stopping your extracurricular activities too.”

“Why would I?” I asked.

“What if you get caught?” Shorty asked.

Trout chimed in at the same time, “What if she finds out?”

“What if I keep my outside shit exactly that and make sure what I do stays separated from Dali?”

“How is that going to work?” Trout asked.

“It’s been working so far. My family has no idea.”

“Because none of them will be laying in bed at night and thinking you’re cheating on them with some hussy from the local strip joint while you’re out playing the Caped Crusader.”

I glared at Shorty before I said, “There’s so much to unpack there that I’m not sure where to start.”

“Ignore the fact that Shorty’s got a problem with strippers, and go straight to the part where she wakes up in the middle of the night and you’re nowhere to be found.”

I smirked before I admitted, “That could be an issue.”

“I’ll say,” Trout agreed.

“But I don’t know. The first night she stayed over, I told her that I had somewhere I needed to be, and she was fine with it.”

“The first night.” Trout laughed before Shorty said, “When you get past that cuddly, fluffy part of the relationship where you don’t want any secrets between you and into the part where she wants to know why that girl over there is staring at you and what took you so long to get home, she’s gonna need more info. ”

“What kind of women do you date?” I asked Shorty.

Trout laughed before he said, “The kind a sane man avoids at all costs.”

“We’re not talking about me,” Shorty said as he walked around the end of the bar and started running water to wash glasses.

As I ran the end-of-day tape on the register, he started washing before he said, “How are you going to explain that you’re gonna be gone for a few hours, can’t tell her shit about what you’re doing or where you’ll be, and she can’t come with you? ”

“I have no fucking idea.”

Trout laughed before he said, “Obviously, but you better start thinking about it.”