Asprin, Robert Lynn – Catwoman – Tiger Hunt (With Lynn Abbey)

She caught up with Bonnie on the roof. The neophyte was slumped against the wall, quivering with terror.

“Hey—it’s over. It’s all done.” Catwoman tried to pull her to her feet, but it was like pulling lead. “You did good, Bonnie. I know you got enough pictures to—what did you call it?—make them weep blood.” Still no response. “Can’t you see him—he’s standing right in front of the door. He sees the scratches. He tries to open the lock. He’s having trouble, getting nervous, he drops the key—“

Bonnie raised her head and grinned weakly. “Sure would be something to see his face when he turns on the light, wouldn’t it? Zap him with a flash. Gotcha, Eddie Lobb!”

It was tempting. Very tempting. With Bonnie safe up here, Catwoman could easily slip back down with one of the cameras.

“They’re not that hard to work, right? Just point and shoot?”

“Not quite, but almost. Here, I’ll show you. Let me put a new roll of film in, too. . . .”

Moments later, Catwoman was headed back down the fire escape.

“Good luck!” Bonnie whispered after her.

It was a strange, warm feeling to have someone wishing her luck. Catwoman squelched it quickly. Luck was not something she liked to rely on.

Eddie was in the cat room. Catwoman could hear him yelling before she climbed through the window.

“Well, cancel it, I’m telling you. Screw the damn Bess-arabs and their dirty pictures! I’m telling you, somebody broke into my place while I was gone.”

Catwoman crept to the bedroom door and peeked out. She could hear him pacing as he talked, and she remembered that there had been a cordless phone on the table that Bonnie had moved to the floor.