Catwoman's Halloween Heist Read online

  CHAPTER 1

  DOUBLE DUTY

  CHAPTER 2

  TREATS AND TRICKS

  CHAPTER 3

  HALLOWEEN HEIST

  CHAPTER 4

  HALLWAY OF HORRORS

  CHAPTER 5

  CAT CAPTURE

  Catwoman

  Biographies

  Glossary

  Discussion Questions

  Writing Prompts

  Copyright

  Back Cover

  On a chilly afternoon, Barbara Gordon ran into the mall in downtown Gotham City. She needed to pick up a few more bags of Halloween candy for the trick-or-treaters that evening. Unfortunately, hundreds of other people had the same idea. As the secret super hero Batgirl, Barbara often battled the world’s worst villains — but she wasn’t prepared to fight the holiday crowd.

  “What a waste of time,” Barbara said to herself. She turned and headed toward the mall’s exit empty-handed.

  “Barbara?” shouted someone behind her. She immediately recognized the voice of Jason Graves, one of her classmates.

  Barbara hadn’t planned on running into the most popular boy in school. She quickly fixed her hair, checked her breath, and spun around.

  “Oh, hi!” said Barbara, acting surprised. “What are you doing at the mall?”

  Jason held up several bagfuls of candy and Halloween decorations. “My dad’s throwing a costume party tonight,” he replied. “He asked me to grab a few

  last-minute things.”

  Barbara already knew about the party. According to her friends, it was going to be the social event of the year. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been invited.

  “A costume party?” asked Barbara, pretending she didn’t know about it. “That sounds like fun.”

  “Would you like to come?” asked Jason.

  “Really?!” Barbara exclaimed. She tried to hold back her excitement. “I mean, I might be able to stop by later.”

  “Cool,” replied Jason. He swung the shopping bags over his shoulder and headed outside. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” said Barbara. She watched the automatic doors shut behind Jason and then let out a little squeal. “Definitely,” she whispered to herself.

  Moments later, Barbara jumped into her car and called Batman, her crime-fighting mentor. If she planned on going anywhere that night, she needed his permission first.

  “Batman?” asked Barbara, speaking into her car’s wireless transmitter.

  “At your service, Miss Gordon,” replied the Dark Knight.

  “Very funny,” said Barbara. She pulled out of the mall’s parking lot and headed toward the interstate. “Where are you?”

  “I’m on my way to Arkham Asylum,” said Batman. “Apparently, one of the inmates is having a mental breakdown. Nothing too unusual for Halloween.”

  “About that,” said Barbara. “I just got invited to a costume party.”

  “Halloween is the busiest crime night of the year, Barbara,” Batman said. “You and Robin are supposed to patrol the streets.”

  “I know that,” began Barbara, “but maybe he could come with me.”

  Barbara cringed at bringing Robin, her younger crime-fighting partner, to the party. However, she knew it might be the only way to convince Batman to let her go.

  “The party is at the Graves Mansion on the city’s east side. We’d be able to keep an eye on one of Gotham’s wealthiest neighborhoods,” Barbara added. She nervously waited for Batman’s response.

  “That’s not a bad idea,” said the Dark Knight. “Just keep in close communication. If either of you see anything suspicious, you know where to reach me.”

  “Thanks, Batman,” said Barbara. “We’ll be sure to let you know.” She switched off the computer, turned on her car’s afterburners, and sped toward Wayne Manor to pick up the Boy Wonder.

  Later that night, Barbara arrived at the Graves Mansion with Tim Drake, the secret identity of Robin. Surrounded by other luxury houses, the dark, frightening mansion looked like something out of an old-time monster movie.

  Jason Graves’ father, Stephen, owned the mansion. He had made his fortune writing dozens of best-selling horror novels. Each one sold tens of millions of copies all over the world. The money allowed him to live like a king.

  Mr. Graves had been a horror buff since he was a kid and had always wanted to live in a haunted house. So when the millionaire couldn’t find a real one, he had one built. He nicknamed his creepy home “Halloween House” and filled it with all sorts of Halloween and horror antiques.

  “Wow!” Tim said as Barbara parked the car in the Graves’ driveway. “What a house! It’s bigger than Wayne Manor.”

  Barbara and Tim got out of the car and walked up to the front door. A sign on the entrance read, “Beware: Killer Party Inside!”

  “Ha!” Tim laughed. “That’s funny! I like this Jason guy already.”

  “Please don’t embarrass me tonight, Tim,” Barbara said. “I mean it.” She gave the teen a quick stare and headed inside.

  Dozens of people in Halloween costumes packed the mansion. Many were dressed as their favorite super heroes, including Batman, Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. Several others had dressed as super-villains. The party had three Jokers, two Penguins, three Riddlers, a Mr. Freeze, and four Catwomen. The remaining guests wore costumes of ghosts, witches, and monsters.

  Tim and Barbara decided to wear their Batgirl and Robin uniforms as costumes. Halloween was the one time of year that they could dress as their secret identities without drawing attention.

  “Nice costume,” someone said behind Barbara. She spun around to once again find herself face to face with Jason Graves. He was not wearing a Halloween costume.

  “Hi, Jason! It’s me. Barbara,” she said.

  “Wow! I didn’t even recognize you,” said Jason. “Where did you find that outfit?”

  “A, um, friend made it for me,” replied Barbara with a smile. “Where’s yours?”

  “I stopped dressing up when I turned thirteen,” he explained. “I think wearing costumes is pretty silly. No offense.”

  “None taken,” said Barbara. “I never would have worn this costume if I wasn’t with him.” She pointed to Tim, who was already at the buffet table.

  “No sweat, Barbara,” said Jason. “You’ll stop feeling silly once you see my dad’s costume. It’s completely embarrassing.”

  Then suddenly, the lights in the mansion went out. Several of the guests began to scream. “What’s happening?!”

  A loud clap of thunder echoed through the room. Then the lights came back on, and Stephen Graves was standing at the top of the stairs. He was dressed as Count Dracula.

  Barbara pretended to be scared. She leaned into Jason, who put his arm around her. Jason shook his head as his father came down the stairs. Why does Dad always have to put on a show? he thought.

  “Welcome,” shouted Mr. Graves, “to Halloween House! Bwah ha ha!!”

  With a wave of his cape, Mr. Graves disappeared. Then he reappeared on the other side of the room. “Dear guests, there is nothing to fear. It was just a simple trick ­— one of many you’ll experience tonight,” he said. “Now come, let me show you my terrifying collections.”

  As the other guests followed their host, Barbara and Tim stayed behind. Barbara took out her cell phone and called Batman, as he had instructed.

  “Hi, Bruce,” she said into the phone.

  “Is everything all right?” the Dark Knight replied.

  “So far,” said Barbara. “It appears Gotham’s villains are behaving tonight.”

  “Let me know if anything changes,” said Batman. “I just arrived at Arkham Asylum. Once I investigate t
he disturbance, I’ll be heading back to the Batcave.”

  * * *

  The Dark Knight switched off his mobile communicator. He stepped out of the Batmobile and headed inside the asylum. It was home to Gotham’s worst criminals.

  At the asylum’s front door, two guards in bulletproof vests greeted Batman. “Thank you for coming,” said one of the men. He shook the super hero’s hand and then quickly took off down the hallway. “Her prison cell is down here.”

  Batman followed the guards through a darkened corridor, which led to the maximum-security area of the asylum. This area contained the worst of the worst — criminals who would never again see the light of day. As they passed each cell, the sound of someone banging on the floor grew louder and louder.

  “Is that her?” asked the Dark Knight.

  “Yes, she’s been like that all day,” replied the guard. “Everyone here is afraid to enter her cell, even though she is in titanium shackles. That’s why we called you.”

  Just then, Batman and the guards arrived at the final prison cell. Through the steel bars, the Dark Knight saw one of his trickiest enemies — Catwoman!

  At the moment, however, the feline felon looked more mad than menacing. With her hands shackled to her feet, the villain rolled back and forth on the prison cell floor. She kicked wildly at the ground, trying to break free from her chains.

  “Let me in,” demanded the Dark Knight.

  “But,” began one of the guards, “we’re not supposed to open —”

  “You called me here,” Batman said.

  The guard pulled out a key, steadied his hand, and placed it in the lock. “We can’t be responsible for what happens,” he said.

  Back at the Graves Mansion, Barbara and Tim had rejoined the rest of the guests. Mr. Graves was leading them on a tour through the first floor of his mansion.

  “Each room of my house is built around historical Halloween objects,” continued Mr. Graves. “This room contains my frightening collection of masks. Only the brave of heart should enter here.”

  Mr. Graves invited them into the room. Dozens of creepy masks decorated the walls. Some were hundreds of years old.

  “Scary, aren’t they?” said their strange host. “Originally, Halloween masks were worn to frighten away ghosts, not people. My, how times have changed.”

  In the back of the group, one of the guests raised his hand. “I thought this party was going to have a haunted house?” asked the teen. “This stuff is boring.”

  “Yeah, Dad,” said Jason, sensing his friends were about to leave. “Nobody cares about these silly antiques.”

  “Oh, really?” replied Mr. Graves. He opened the door to the next room. “Let me show you one last item. It’s my favorite, and most valuable, treasure in the house.”

  Except for a glass display case, the room was completely empty. Inside, sat a sculpture of a sparkling black cat.

  “People all over the world have feared black cats for hundreds of years,” said Mr. Graves, standing near the sculpture. “Many people believe that they bring bad luck.”

  Mr. Graves typed a secret code into the electronic keypad near the display case. “But that’s not true,” he continued. “This black cat was cut from a rare diamond. And tomorrow, it will bring me nothing but good fortune!”

  The display door swung open. Mr. Graves took out the sculpture and held it in the air. “I’m selling this Black Cat Diamond to a private investor for $100 million,” he exclaimed.

  The guests gasped in amazement.

  “Not so silly, huh, Jason?” he said.

  * * *

  Back at the asylum, Batman entered Catwoman’s cell. He kneeled next to the villain and removed a lock-picking device from his Utility Belt. He carefully inserted the device into the shackles and turned it.

  As the cuffs released from the prisoner’s wrists, Batman jumped to his feet. He expected Catwoman to attack with her razor claws. But instead, she stood, walked toward Batman, and gave him a hug.

  With her hands free, the woman in the black outfit removed her mask. Instead of Selina Kyle, Catwoman’s true identity, Batman saw the face of another woman — a janitor at Arkham Asylum.

  “But, but, how —?!” said a prison guard.

  “Never underestimate Catwoman,” said Batman. “She can escape any situation.”

  At the costume party, Mr. Graves held the Black Cat Diamond toward his guests. “Take a good look,” he said. “You may never see this priceless jewel again —”

  Suddenly, the lights went out again!

  People screamed and ran in all directions. Tim pushed through the crowd of guests and found the light switch. He quickly turned them back on.

  Everyone was nervous, even Mr. Graves. The host looked down at his hand. “It’s gone!” he screamed. “Someone has stolen my Black Cat Diamond!”

  The guests stood in shocked silence as Mr. Graves paced the room wildly.

  “Come on, Dad,” Jason said. “You’ve had your fun. Put the diamond back in its display, and let’s move on.”

  Mr. Graves looked at his son. His face went pale. “This isn’t a joke,” he said. “The diamond has been stolen. Someone in this room is a thief!”

  Mr. Graves walked over to a wall unit that controlled the security system for the entire house. He pressed a red button on the control panel. In an instant, heavy steel doors came down over all the windows and exits. The house was now completely sealed.

  “Until I find the Black Cat Diamond,” shouted Mr. Graves, “nobody gets in or out of this house!”

  Mr. Graves walked among the guests, looking them over from head to toe. He asked each person if they stole the jewel. When nobody confessed, he demanded that everyone empty their pockets, but none of them had the diamond.

  For the first time that night, Mr. Graves noticed that Tim was younger than the other kids. “You!” he shouted at Tim. “You’re not one of my son’s friends!”

  “He’s with me, Mr. Graves,” Barbara said. “I didn’t think it would be a problem.”

  “Ease up, Dad,” Jason said. “This is Barbara Gordon, the police commissioner’s daughter. She didn’t come here to rob you!”

  Mr. Graves sighed. “You’re right,” he said. “Please accept my apology.”

  “Of course,” Barbara replied. “If you let me, sir, I’ll help you find the diamond.”

  “That’s kind of you, Barbara,” said Mr. Graves, “but everyone should just stay put. This thief could be dangerous.”

  Barbara realized that Mr. Graves and the other guests didn’t know that she was actually Batgirl. Barbara had to find a way to help, without revealing her true identity. She stepped into an empty room and called the Dark Knight.

  “Batman,” Barbara began. “There’s been some trouble at —”

  After a sudden burst of static, the phone went dead. The steel doors that had secured the house were also blocking all cell phone signals. She and Tim would have to handle this situation on their own.

  * * *

  At Arkham Asylum, Batman hung up his phone and paced back and forth inside Catwoman’s cell. What was Barbara trying to tell me? he wondered. She sounded worried.

  The Dark Knight had already gotten the janitor to confess. She admitted that the real Catwoman offered her one million dollars to unlock the cell. The deal turned out to be more than she had bargained for.

  Batman spotted a shredded newspaper in a trash can. He picked up several torn sections of the front page.

  As the Dark Knight placed each piece of paper on a table, the mystery came together like a puzzle. “$100 million,” read one of the pieces. “Black Cat Diamond,” read another.

  Then Batman looked at the final piece. “Stephen Graves,” he said to himself.

  Batman threw down the newspaper and raced out of the room. He had a costume party to crash.

  * * *

  Meanwhile at the Graves Mansion, Tim studied the other guests. Something about the crowd was bothering the teenage super hero. He si
lently counted the people standing in the room.

  “Hey, one of the cats is missing!” Tim suddenly shouted.

  “Of course, the Black Cat is missing, genius,” another teenager said. “Why do you think we’re locked in here?”

  “What does he know?” said a boy in a Batman costume. “He’s only a sidekick!”

  Several of the guests chuckled. They didn’t know Tim was the real Robin.

  “You’re not listening!” shouted Tim. “There used to be four girls in Catwoman costumes. Now, there are only three.”

  Mr. Graves looked around. “He’s right!” he said. “You don’t think —?”

  “Look!” Tim exclaimed. He pointed toward a wooden banister, which led up a tall staircase. “Claw marks!”

  “Wait here! I’m calling the police!” said Mr. Graves. “She’s probably still in the house somewhere.”

  Tim had taken on Catwoman before. He knew that she would be long gone by the time the police arrived.

  “We have to search the house before she can escape,” Tim said to Barbara and Jason as he ran ahead of them up the stairs.

  “No!” Jason said. He grabbed Barbara by the arm to stop her from going up. “Stay behind me. I’ll protect you.”

  Barbara allowed Jason to go in front of her. She could barely hide her smile. That’s cute, she thought. He thinks I need protecting. If he only knew . . .

  At the top of the stairs, Barbara and Jason caught up to Tim. The floor had thirteen doors — six on the left side and six on the right. On the final door, at the end of the hall, glowed the number thirteen.

  “Oh, great,” said Jason, looking down the creepy hallway. “I almost forgot about my dad’s Thirteen Doors of Terror!”

  “Thirteen what?” asked Barbara.

  “This is my dad’s famous haunted house,” replied Jason. “He’s rigged these rooms with some of the scariest special effects on Earth. It’ll be impossible to find Catwoman in here.”

  Nearby, Tim crouched at the keyhole to the door closest to the stairs. He was trying to pick the lock.