Chapter Text
“I’m trusting you, Lane. And you usually don’t do me wrong. Don’t make me regret it.”
The words echoed through Lois’ head as she stepped onto the train platform, shrugging her messenger bag strap to a more comfortable position while simultaneously tugging at her luggage. She sighed, staring at the blinking board listing times under dark bold font that read “Gotham”.
“C’mon Lo,” she grumbled to herself, winding her way through the busy station. “You’ve won a damn Pulitzer.”
Her phone chimed, her eyes immediately rolling as she read the text.
Wasn’t that for a Superman article?
Stop spying, Smallville. It’s creepy. Almost like you’re obsessed with me
But Ms. Lane, I’m just a shy ol’ farm boy.
You forgot a word in that lineup
Lo, you’ll be fine.
Lois smiled at the text, the expression faltering as she looked up at the ever-grey skies that were presented to her upon exiting the station.
I sure hope so
Hey, if you need backup, you know I’m only a call away.
The double meaning of the word didn’t get lost on Lois, shoulders inching slowly downward from where they had moved to as she hailed a cab.
She sat back after spouting her hotel’s address to the driver, staring at the blurring cityscape. The grey skies and ancient buildings were alien to her, the opposite to sleek glass and sunny days.
It’s fine, Lois supplied helpfully to herself, it's only for two weeks…
Lois groaned, rubbing hands down her face as they continued through the city.
Eventually, the car stopped, dropping her outside a modest but definitely run down hotel. She checked in, leaning against the creaking elevator wall as it ascended. As soon as she could get the door to her room open, she set her things carefully down, propped the desk chair under the doorknob, and flopped onto the bed.
She woke up to her phone vibrating in her pocket, groggily picking up the call as she put it to her ear. “Wha.”
“News on, now.”
Lois sat up, blinking harshly as she slapped for the TV remote on the side table. She clicked it on, sighing as she watched the live coverage of another burglary.
“That’s the third this week,” Lois murmured, watching as the coverage continued to roll on puzzled-looking police.
“And the seventh this month.”
Lois cocked her head. “Let’s see where this thing turns up. My bet’s on Brazil.”
“I say Thailand.”
“Hey, quick question,” Lois started innocently, crawling off the bed as she reached for her messenger bag on the desk. She quickly fixed her hair in the mirror above it, shoulder holding up the phone. “How far would you say that museum is from my hotel?”
“You can be there in 10 minutes if you run. Left from the lobby.”
Lois smiled. “You’re a gem, Clark.”
“Bye Lois.”
She didn’t bother to say her own goodbyes, already out the door as Clark hung up the phone. Her foot tapped impatiently as she waited for the elevator to descend, bolting out as soon as it opened.
Within the 10 minutes, Lois stood outside the museum.
After an additional extra minute, she was next to the now-empty case and a not-so-enthused police commissioner.
“Still no leads, Gordon?” Lois turned to the grey-haired man, watching him sigh with hands shoved in pockets.
“Press answer is we’re working hard to find any evidence that could be procured from these scenes. Anything that connects this one to the last few.”
“Other than that they’re all pieces on loan from some of Gotham’s richest families? Y’know, this emerald brooch, that Klimt painting, the diamond earrings…should I continue?”
Gordon sighed again, running a hand through his hair. “You want the me answer, Lane?”
“Always.”
“We’re damn stumped.” The commissioner gestured to the police officers littering the room, shaking his head. “There’s nothing left. No trace of camera footage, samples of hair or blood, and no damage. It’s like the thing just up and left itself.”
Lois hummed, looking around the room herself. “Sorry to hear that, Commish. Bet you’re happy it’s just burglary and not like, murder.”
Gordon looked up at the ceiling, muttering something under his breath. “This better be off the damn record, Lane.”
Lois crossed her chest, giving the man a sharp smile.
“I’m personally glad that our big issue right now is this.” Gordon frowned, continuing on. “But those families you’re talking about? Not too happy about their priceless things being stolen, which means they’re on our asses to find ‘em.”
“Not to mention…” Gordon paused, looking around before looking back at Lois. “I’m worried about what this burglar might stir up. The rich assholes are one thing. But if they try and pick off something from one of the mob families?”
Gordon’s mustache twitched. “I don’t exactly need an all out gang war because some idiot decided to fuck with Falcone’s private collection, ya hear?”
“Loud n’ clear.” Lois held onto her bag strap, looking once more around the room before posing her question.
“So-“
“Lane, I’ll let you look around quickly. And that’s cause I trust your journalism over whatever trashy overinflated crap the Gazette wants to make this case into. Don’t make me regret it.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately,” Lois mused, quickly snapping back to it. She waved off Commissioner Gordon, turning to her own investigation.
She surveyed the room, walking around and glancing from floor to ceiling. Quickly, she understood what the officers meant—the place seemed clean. No marks, no mess, no remains.
Lois sighed, stepping back to stare at the pedestal from a distance. She frowned, already imagining how Perry would have her ass for the lack of substance.
Not my fault, she thought. Not even the police can pull something up.
Something caught her eye, drawing her out of her thoughts.
The dome high above the room let in what sunlight could be let in, and another, stronger light had been positioned over the exhibit. Except—
“Why the hell does that look so wrong?”
Lois stepped closer, looking at the odd shape in the light that fell to the floor, refracted through the glass. She turned to the case, fingers following where it would match up on it.
There.
Almost unseeable, a small circle of slightly thinner glass was present on the side of the case. The warp in light matched the shape of the cut, showing that—
“They put it back.”
“Lane, did you say something?” Gordon turned to her, a few cops turning their way.
“Sorry Commish, talking to myself,” Lois lied smoothly, internally wincing at the split second decision.
Sorry Gordon. I’ll tell you eventually.
Lois straightened up, walking towards the man with her hand outstretched. “Thanks again, Gordon. You make my job easier.”
Gordon shook the hand firmly, giving her a tired smile. “Just payback. Sometimes you make mine easier too.”
Lois waved as she walked away, smiling at the start that she had on her work. She paused as she stepped on something, reaching to brush away the object.
Her eyes widened as they locked onto a small silver trinket. It was shaped like—
Lois closed her hands around the object, stuffing it in her pocket.
She had work to do.