"In a shocking turn of events, 5th grader Terri Leoni took her class hostage today at Sam Hill Middle School. The girl, an honor student and member of the dramatics club, took the lives of three of her classmates and her teacher before turning the weapon on herself. Witnesses report that she kept referring to a 'Great and Terrible Black Bird'..."

Kate Sutherland sat in Pop's Bar and listened to the story unfold on the television.  It must have been the tenth time today that she'd heard it--from startled co-workers, on the radio and on every television channel. The media slathered itself in the darkest drama they could find. It was what they did. Today it was the shocking story of Terri Leoni.  While the assistant district attorney wasn't a fan of the Leoni family, she was still upset by the tragic loss of so many innocents.

As she nursed her drink, the familiar din of cursing and conversation went on around her.  The regulars and Pops were talking about the news story, and something in the conversation drew her attention.

"It's a fucking shame.  That's what it is."  One of the old men said.

"Can't keep the crime off of the streets, that's one thing.  But in the schools.  That's in-fucking-excusable is what that is!"  Another one said as he slammed his beer down on the bar.

"That ain't the worst of it."  Pops said from behind the counter.  "The Leoni's, they're saying that vigilante done it.  That Raven, never could tell if she was one of the good guys or one of the bad guys, but she's a sneaky bitch."  He jabbed his meaty thumb at the television over his shoulder.  "That's a fucking nightmare though, and that's her shtick."

"Yup."  Don agreed as he slouched over his beer, it was still early so he had an hour or two left before his head was too thick to understand what was going on.  "That's a fucking shame.  I thought she was one of the ones, that got things done."

Kate took a sip of her drink. "Of course the Leoni family says it was Raven," she said to no one in particular.

Pop and the others looked at her, surprised into momentary silence by her comment. She was a regular at Pop's bar, but by no means one of the guys. They were all much older than Kate, long time friends of one another and of Pop. She occasionally got involved in arguments--"spirited debates"--about the local sports teams or current events, but not often.

Kate looked at Pop. "It's no secret that the Leoni crime family is Raven's favorite chew toy. She never misses an opportunity to give them grief--and the feeling is entirely mutual. Even if they don't really think she's behind it, they're going to blame her."

"Jesus."  Walter groused.  "There's gonna be a war a comin'.  That's what's gonna happen.  Those Leonis will tear down this city to avenge one of their own."

The conversation continued around Kate, as they talked about the police and the Leonis wanting Raven, and argued about whether or not the accusations against Raven held any merit. Kate felt eyes drifting her way occasionally, but she didn't add anything else to the conversation. She'd said her piece and people would believe what they wanted to believe.

Kate finished her drink. She considered another, then decided not. She pulled her cell phone out and called for a cab. Pop drifted over. "Getcha anything else?"

Kate shook her head, fished in her purse for a moment and then laid a bill on the bar. Pop took it and moved to the register to make change. "Yes," Kate said when the dispatcher answered. "I need a cab at Pop's Bar...." She gave the address and hung up.

Pop returned with her change. Kate glanced around while she waited. The conversation was continuing, with no ground gained or lost on either side. There was no real information to be had here. The information Kate wanted was outside the bar, somewhere in the city. She took a deep breath and blew it out. Time to go searching for it. When the cab arrived, heralded by a honk from the curb, Kate left her change as a tip and walked out.

* * *

Kate's apartment was dark and empty when she arrived, no surprise there. She left her purse on the table by the door. Her holstered handgun went into the drawer of her bedside table. Kate frowned at the bed, which had remained untouched for months. She seldom slept any longer and she hadn't had sex on it since Michael broke up with her on New Years Eve.

Sometimes she missed sleep. Funny--once she'd bedgrudged the need for sleep. Too much to do and too many hours wasted sleeping. Now she almost never slept but it hadn't eased the time pressure at all. Raven spent those hours pursuing her own agenda, which often--but hardly always--parallelled Kate's. Kate closed her eyes for a long moment, fairly certain that in this case Raven's interests matched her own.

Raven opened her eyes and glanced around the room, her gaze falling on the bed for a moment. She smirked. All work and no play made Kate a sucker. Maybe she ought to provide Kate some vicarious jollies. She might enjoy the memories; Raven would sure as hell enjoy making them.

First things first.

And that was a Kate thought if Raven ever heard one. "Shut up," Raven said. But she did have places to go, things to see, people to do. Raven considered where to begin.

And then the room was empty.