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

Eddie Lobb’s sanctuary had been stripped to the bare walls, which concentrated the sound of Batman’s voice, making it easy for her to hear him.

“What difference would it have made? Would you have let me have him? Ever?” The questions were as sharp as the claws she thrust into the wood behind her.

Batman gave them the decency of a moment’s thought and an honest answer. “No. I wanted Tiger’s boss. I still do. You were trying to destroy him. I had to stop you, if I could.”

“You couldn’t. He’s dead and the trail’s gone cold. I won.”

Another pause. “In a way you did, I suppose. But you were lucky. Someday your luck will go sour.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

“You’re alone, Catwoman. You’ve got no one. It doesn’t have to be that way.”

Damn her quirky hearing! Catwoman swallowed hard and felt her ears pop. It didn’t help. She couldn’t hear all the nuances in Batman’s voice. She couldn’t be certain what he meant.

“I’m doing fine,” she said defensively.

“You’re not like the others. You don’t have to wind up at the end of a blind alley.”

Catwoman shifted her weight onto her right foot. This conversation was the only thing going up a blind alley. “Don’t waste your time worrying about me,” she snarled.

And was gone.

Batman let his breath out slowly. Alfred had warned him that Catwoman wasn’t going to be persuaded by a halfhearted offer of friendship. It was all or nothing with cats. With Bruce Wayne, “all” went to Batman and there was nothing left over. He gave her enough time to get clear of the building before leaving the room himself.