Chapter One: Secrets revealed.
Summer, year twenty.
Gotham city.
Wednesday, 1:00 am.
'This is Commissioner Gordon speaking. There have been several reports to 911 about multiple gunshots being heard in the south east area of the Narrows, across the street of one of the Gotham Malls, in room 5B of the apartment block.' a male voice said on the police radio. 'This is officer Jones speaking, we're on our way now commissioner.' was the answer of one of the policemen inside a police car on the way to the crime scene. 'I hope we can catch the suspect in time. I mean, before he runs away.' officer Jones said to his driving colleague. The driving cop nodded and made a narrow drift to the right in the direction of south east Gotham and turned on the sirens. The two police officers looked up as they saw a wide and spikey shadow falling across the street in the direction of the apartment block. 'Oh my God, is that who I think it is?' the driving cop asked the other one. 'Yeah! That's Batman!' officer Jones yelled loudly. 'Yeah, I figured he'd show!' 'Let's see who has the suspect first.' the driving cop said with overconfidence. Batman flew right through the closed window and glass shattered all over the apartment floor while he hid himself inside the dark corners of the room. The police sirens are getting louder outside the apartment, so that means they are getting closer, he thought to himself in total silence. The goons were looking around themselves to see if there was anyone else with them in the room, because they heard the glass shattering; but were too dumb to see the obvious. There are two of them, Batman thought to himself. He also saw the old woman lying on the wooden floor, bleeding and killed by gunshots.
'Shh - I heard something. It must be him!' one of the criminals hushed to the other, while Batman kept himself hidden. The two criminals were getting really scared and were walking through the room, aiming their guns and searching for Batman. 'I'm going to spray him out!' one of them yelled and he began shooting around himself while he hoped that he would hit Batman somehow. 'Did you get him?' the other one asked, but there was no proof that he actually did. 'I don't know, man. I hope so.' Batman noticed the criminal needed to reload so he snuck up behind them and smashed their heads against each other. Both of them fell on the floor and were unconscious. 'Killing an old woman for money in her own residence. You two will pay for this in court.' Batman said with a deep voice to the men who were out for the count. Then, all of a sudden he heard a noise and turned around. The door seemed to be opened and a young man with long brown hair stared into the darkened room. 'Who's there?' the young man asked into the pitch black room, but there was no answer. But when a lightning bolt lid up the room, the young man saw the legend of Gotham tying up the criminals and his heart started pounding heavier. Batman grabbed the two men, took a quick look at the man standing in the open doorstep, but ignored his question. Then the Caped Crusader went outside with the criminals and shot his grapnel gun at the top of the building, which raised him and the criminals up on the rooftop. After a short period of time, he pressed a button on his armored Batsuit and the Batwing appeared after a slight moment. He attached the hook on the jackets of the criminals, hopped into the Batwing and tapped on a button so the plane would automatically fly off to the Gotham City Police Department. Underneath the wing, police cars were already returning to the GCPD and Batman thought they must feel really bad because he caught them first.
A beeping sound filled the plane, so Batman pushed a button on the control panel and Alfred came into view on the screen in front of him. 'Sir, are you alright?' his butler asked him with his lovely British accent. 'Yes, but I have some criminals to drop off on the roof of the police department before I can head home.' he answered. 'Good... I'll heat up the soup you like so much, see you in a bit, sir.' and Batman nodded silently while the jet aircraft flew off towards the destination.
After Alfred hung up the video call, Batman dropped the criminals with the internal grapnel hook from his Batwing right on the roof where the Batsignal was and Commissioner Gordon took them inside the building while he made a thankful gesture up towards the sky. After that was done, Batman headed back on his way to the cave and pushed a button on his dashboard so the runway wall opened up and he could place his Batwing inside the Batcave. When he walked off the Batwing platform, Alfred welcomed him and Batman took off his cowl and left it in the armory.
'So, another night all done, master Wayne?' Alfred asked him while the bats were screeching and filled the cave with a beautiful echo. 'Yes, but there are some things I need to write down first.' he said back to Alfred as he sat down in the chair in front of the computer which was set in the east, on the lower level of the cave. 'Computer, make a note: Two criminals are now being held in the GCPD and are attending court next week, for killing an old woman in her own residence. The motivation was stealing money. Any business relationships with other bigger criminals are unknown off, for the moment.' Batman said with a deep voice while he stroked his huge chin. 'Computer, search the database for all people living at that exact apartment, key description: male, long brown hair, athletic built.' Batman added and the computer picked out a profile of one man with that description. 'Mr. Dan Lewis, working at Wayne Enterprises, for the R&D at applied sciences.' Batman concluded. 'He saw me tying up the criminals, but I just needed to know who he was.' he said to Alfred. 'And what about the criminals, sir?' Alfred asked him. 'I guess they were just ordinary criminals without any other reason than to steal money.' Batman said to his butler. 'I think you're right, sir. But never discard the possibility that it could all be a bigger plot, you know that as well as I do. And I learned that from you, sir.' Alfred said with an understanding smile. 'I know, Alfred. But in any case, when I find out they were working for a bigger plot, I will prevail anyway.' Batman replied with a focused look on his face.
After working on his computer until 3 am in the morning, Bruce Wayne took off his big armored suit and left it in the armory with his cowl. 'Computer, mute all of the audio, turn off all the lights in the cave and turn on the alarm. After that, go to sleep.' Bruce Wayne said to his futuristic operating system and then walked to one of the exits of the cave with Alfred. 'So, is that lovely soup still warm?' Bruce asked his butler with a big smile on his face. 'Of course, master Wayne. I wouldn't want you to eat cold soup, would I?' Alfred replied with a smile back at him. The secret elevator doors opened up and they made their way up to the mansion.
After eating his soup, he went to his bed and closed his eyes so he could finally have his long awaited sleep…
The next day, when the morning had already passed into the afternoon, the doorbell rang and Bruce Wayne rushed downstairs after he had dressed himself up into a luxurious suit, to meet Lucius Fox for some planned business. Alfred had already taken care of him and he saw that Fox was already having some coffee in the living room next to the big hall where the front door was. 'Lucius, nice to have you here.' Bruce Wayne said to the man who sat in a comfy chair with a hot cup of coffee in his right hand. 'Good afternoon, had a long night I assume?' Lucius Fox said with a grin while shaking Bruce's hand like they were close friends.
'Yeah, you know, partied all night long!' Bruce Wayne answered with a big grin back at him. 'Master Wayne, it's the choice of words, like party, that worries me the most.' Alfred said when he walked into the room with another cup of coffee and handed it over to Bruce. 'Don't worry, Alfred. I know the difference between the two of them.' Bruce said after swallowing his first zip of coffee. 'So, Mr. Wayne, what can I do for you today?' Mr. Fox asked him. 'Well, I would really like to have a spare car. I was thinking about how it got crashed a few years back. And I know I have a lot of other methods besides a car, but it could come in handy.' Bruce answered. 'Of course, that is not a problem at all, Mr. Wayne. I will design the car entirely myself. So it will be faster and better than the one you're driving right now.' Fox answered and drank up his coffee and gave Bruce a handshake. 'I know you want this "night job", but sometimes you have to remember how important it is to take a vacation every once in a while.' Fox added out of nowhere. Bruce's face went serious. 'How come? I'm feeling tired, that is a fact. But I would rather die than to see criminals take hold of this city!' Bruce said with a consistent tone. 'Okay, Bruce. Whatever you think you want, it's okay. But you can always try to have one of your partners take it over sometimes. Just take it as good advice, it's meant with good intentions.' Fox said with his friendly black face. 'I'll keep it in mind, Lucius. Have a very nice day, okay?' 'I will.' Fox answered and then the door closed and Bruce went back to the living room to finish his coffee.
'You know. He's right, master Wayne,' 'You're trashing all of your body if you don't watch out.' Alfred said with a caring tone. 'Don't you think I know that already, Alfred?' Bruce answered slightly irritated and continued. 'I can't help it, I wanted to clean up Gotham and the job is so far from done.' he added and he drank the last of his cup until it was empty. 'Maybe the job will never be done.' he added with a silent sigh. 'So, don't you think Dick could handle a few nights so you can head to, let's say, Florence?' Alfred asked Bruce a little more careful. 'Maybe, but I must know for sure that it is safe enough for me to leave.' Bruce stopped and looked into Alfred's old brown eyes. 'You raised Dick Grayson yourself, sir. Why do you keep doubting him, while he's doing such a fine job almost every single night?' Alfred came to the point. 'Well, you know he and I are no longer partners. He does his work, but he needs to know a lot more than this before I entrust him with my own personal duties.' Bruce answered to Alfred and he gave him his empty cup. 'I need to go now, but tonight, Batman is needed again!' Bruce said consistently. 'I know that, master Wayne. Only know that I want what is best for you.' Alfred answered and Bruce Wayne gave him a friendly pad on his right shoulder. 'I know.' he said and then he left in his Lamborghini to have a meeting at Wayne Enterprises with a few business associates.
Downtown Gotham.
Friday, 4:50 pm.
Dan Lewis had an appointment with Mr. Bruce Wayne, to propose a business example for a project, to power Gotham with free energy for a year. As he drove to Wayne Manor in a taxi, he thought about the meeting with the Dark Knight himself. He looked scary, but not evil, he thought to himself. The cab stopped in front of the
main gates of Wayne Manor and Dan gave the driver his money. 'Thanks for the ride, maybe I'll call again later.' Dan said to him and walked through the big gates and into the garden. 'And his toys are great too!' he said loud up while he walked to the big doors of the mansion. 'I can't believe I am going to meet Mr. Wayne either!' he added before he arrived at the door.
When he stood in front of the mansion, he rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer the door. Two minutes had already passed and no one had opened the door yet. 'What. Is the man lazy, or just forgetful?' Dan asked himself. This time he knocked on the door, but surprisingly, the door seemed to be slightly opened. He pushed the door and looked inside the house... 'Mr. Wayne?' he yelled loudly. But there was no answer. Meanwhile he walked the halls of the mansion to find Mr. Wayne so they could finally begin the meeting, it was almost 5 pm so Dan should be getting home in an hour or so to have his dinner.
The mansion was so big, that he imagined himself being lost in the massive house while searching for Mr. Wayne... And after a short period of time walking through the halls, he came to the conclusion that he was lost indeed. 'Mr. Wayne?' he shouted. 'I am really lost, can you please help me out?' he kept shouting, but no one seemed to be in the area. 'Maybe I should just go to Wayne Enterprises, maybe he's there.' Dan thought. He made a quick right and stumbled upon a huge bookcase full of new and old books about different subjects and stories. He focused on the titles of all the books, but something else caught his attention. It was a bust of an old president, and Dan tried to lift up the bust... but instead the head clicked backwards. Suddenly, the bookcase began moving into the wall until there was a slight opening. 'Wait, what's this?'. He pushed the shelve but it opened up too fast as he stumbled over a lot of books that fell on the ground, so he fell down the hard stone cold stairs, screaming along the way down. 'Ah! Man, that hurt.' Dan said in agonizing pain while stroking the back of his right muscular arm when he had finally reached the end of the stairs. 'I hope I didn't break my bones.'
He looked up, narrowed his eyes and couldn't believe what he saw out there. There was an alarm going off and it was all dark and then he realized where he was. 'This can't really be. Is this place really…' he walked in forward and saw a platform with the famous Batmobile on it and a road behind it, going out of the cave into nowhere. It was so dark and he couldn't see a lot. But he knew exactly where he was. 'This is the Batman's headquarters… this is the Batcave!' he yelled loudly while his voice echoed through the cave.
Suddenly, another voice echoed through the cave as well. 'And it's off limits for those who are uninvited.' a deep voice said with a pissed off tone and someone grabbed Dan and pulled him up the stairs of the cave. 'Mr. Wayne, wait! I can explain, it was an accident!' Dan said with an apologizing tone. 'How could it have been an accident, you weren't even allowed in the mansion without my permission!' Mr. Wayne kept pulling Dan until they were in the hall where the front door was. Then he kicked Dan literally out of the mansion. 'But, Mr. Wayne, I couldn't help it!' Dan said fully confused about the situation. And Mr. Wayne concluded: 'You are expelled from the Wayne company. Actually, any company I own!' Mr. Wayne shouted. 'And don't ever, think to tell anyone about my secret! Or I'll teach you a lesson, on my terms!' he added with an angry face and Dan nodded silently and walked out of the garden and called a new cab to get on his way to downtown Gotham.
Thirty minutes later, Dan Lewis walked through the central of Gotham and rethought all that had happened. 'I didn't do it on purpose. So, is it just that he
was so shocked that I discovered his secret?' he asked himself while he was walking his way home.
When he ultimately got home, the sun had already set and he called the pizza delivery and ate some pizza on the couch. He had the news on and watched it as it got on with it. 'A new report from Gotham General.' a female news reader said on the television. 'The hospital was saved by Batman and Superman as the Joker and Bane had teamed up to poison Gotham General hospital with Joker's laugh gas and an essence of the titan formula, so that the victims would become even more insane than they already would have gotten in the first place.' the news reader continued. 'We move on to a reporter on the scene, Mrs. Hall, what is the status there?' A female reporter came into view on the television. 'Well, Miranda, it seems everything is fine by now. The Joker was moved into Arkham Asylum once again and Bane is locked up there as well. Superman came to aid help to Batman because of Bane's over powered new formula which makes him too strong for Batman to face him on his own. So instead, the two of them saved the day this time!' the reporter continued, 'But, if there is ever going to be another team up between Batman and Superman is not spoken of. I guess we have to just wait and see until that happens again.' the reporter concluded and the news reader came back into view. 'Okay, thanks Mrs. Hall and have a nice evening.' the news went on and Dan sighed. 'Now I need to find a new job… Geez.' He said while he threw the leftovers and the pizza box in the garbage can and then he went to his bedroom. He pulled the blankets over him and grabbed his phone which was lying next to him. 'It was a crazy night, but time to go to sleep.' he mentioned on his Facebook page with his smartphone and then he closed his eyes and drifted off into the abyss.
The next week, Monday. 2:00 pm.
Dan Lewis went on his way to his parent's house for lunch and he needed to think of an excuse to hide his encounter with the man behind the Bat. He was expelled from any of the Wayne companies, also fired from his lovely job and hopefully his parents thought he just took a day off for this lunch. While he was walking down the line in one of the richer neighborhoods, he figured he could just tell his parents that the agreement was set and that free clean energy was going to happen this year. But Mr. Wayne was never going to accept that proposition any longer, Dan thought. 'Why should he, he wouldn't want to listen to me anymore, anyway.' he said loud up to himself and when he arrived at his parent's house, the table was already set and ready for lunch. 'Hi, sweetie. How was your day?' 'Hi, mom, it was fine.' he said with a tone of awkwardness, after getting a soft kiss on his cheek from his mother. 'I am so hungry, I hope it will be good!' he said and then he joined them at the table.
There was fresh lemonade and a dozen of sandwiches on the table and Lewis grabbed one and ate it. 'So, how did the business meeting with Mr. Wayne go last week?' his mom asked him kindly. 'Great, but it's going to take a while before they actually activate the machine.' Dan said with his mouth half full. 'Oh, why is that then?' his father asked him while he was cleaning his mouth with a napkin. 'Well, because it's not actually safe yet. They have to run some tests before they can really assure that it's safe.' he lied. But he knew that it was a little true. He knew that the machine could generate too much power, and that Gotham wouldn't be safe if it did. So before he went to Mr. Wayne, he expected that Mr. Wayne would think twice before he'd agree. 'So, if it's that unsafe. Why would Mr. Wayne agree then?' his father asked Dan smartly. 'Well, because he knows it's best for mankind and there is a big chance that it will actually work.' he paused, but then continued: 'It means, that you won't have to pay the electricity and gas bills anymore.' Dan added with a confident look on his face. They enjoyed all the food and when it was finished they cleaned up the mess and Dan said goodbye to his parents and
went back home to play some serious online games, so he could forget all this bull crap and take out his anger against some players.
Wayne Manor.
That same Monday, 10:00 pm.
Alfred cleaned some dishes and looked over his left shoulder when Bruce Wayne entered the room. 'Oh, good evening master Wayne. Did you enjoy your dinner?' Alfred asked him and Bruce untied his tie. 'Yes, Alfred. You know that you're the best cook in all of Gotham, right?' Bruce said with a smile to Alfred. 'Of course I do, sir.' Alfred paused, but continued: 'Is it time for your other job, sir?' 'Yes, it is. We need to head down now.' Bruce said with a serious look on his face. 'About the boy, Dan Lewis…' Alfred said when he dried the last of the dishes and put them into the right places. 'I know he was wrong for entering the house on his own, but didn't you treat him a little too harsh, sir?' Alfred added with a caring look on his face. 'Now that I think of it, it wasn't nice. But he didn't deserve any better, it was wrong of him and he must know that at all costs.' Bruce answered to his butler. 'Yes, but, what if he could be of any good use?' Alfred said after a brief moment. 'What do you mean, Alfred?' Bruce asked him totally surprised. 'Well, you must know, I checked him out. He trains at a local Gym and goes to Mixed Martial Arts classes, almost every day. Also, he works with technology and has a slightly close business relationship with Lucius Fox. And all that aside, he seems to be a very good man.' Alfred concluded.
'I'll check on him these coming days, you could be right, maybe he could be of any help. But, he is not ever going to be my replacement.' Bruce added and then walked together with Alfred to the bookcase which was discovered by Dan Lewis.
When they entered the cave, Bruce Wayne walked straight to the armory and put on his armor, attached his cape to the suit and walked out when he was dressed as the Dark Knight. 'But, I could be wrong, Alfred.' Batman added, coming back to the last subject. 'Fox tried to talk me into having one of my partners taking over my missions every once in a while. And my consciousness tells me that I am getting more tired every day, so Fox has a point.' Batman said truthfully. 'Maybe I should try to teach him my ways, all of it. So he could be able take over the role as Robin one day.' Batman said with a deep voice. 'Isn't that a little too far ahead, sir?' Alfred asked him with one eyebrow high up. 'I guess, but it might be possible. Maybe he has potential.' 'I am going to his apartment, to see what he's doing... after that I'm on patrol; watching Gotham closely.' Batman added seriously. 'Good, sir. I'll be on the computer, watching you and ready to send you anything you need.' 'Be careful.' Alfred added and Batman turned on the engine of the Batmobile. 'Of course, I can handle it.' Batman said confidently and then he drove off into the night.
Batman parked his Batmobile far from the apartment and used his grapnel gun to get to the roof of a skyscraper near the apartment of Dan Lewis. 'Computer, turn on the recorder and zoom in.' Batman said and immediately his cowl responded and his view zoomed in so he could see what Dan Lewis was doing in his living room. 'He's playing online games, Alfred. Maybe I was wrong.' Batman said to his butler. 'Well, a lot of people use that way to stay sharp, sir.' Alfred answered... 'I know what you mean, maybe he needs some kind of way to lose his energy.' Batman replied and Alfred answered back: 'If it's energy that needs to be lost, sir, may I assume that a night together with you; roaming the rooftops of Gotham city is exactly what he needs?' Alfred asked him. 'Computer, search for any social networks where Dan Lewis has been talking and put them on my screen.' Batman waited until Alfred told him what the computer could tell him.
'Sir, he seems to have no very good friends at all' 'Kind of lonely actually, just like you have no close relationships other than me and Fox.' Alfred said and Batman pulled up his right eyebrow under his cowl. 'Well, only difference is, that he still has his parents. So, what could be the motivation for him to become a vigilante?' Batman asked Alfred. 'Well, it says here that he used to have a sister. It seems she was murdered in July, 1999.'
Batman was silent for a moment, but then said: 'Okay, so maybe that is why he trains so much, so he could defend himself when he needed to.' Batman said and then continued: 'And maybe it's an idea to invite him over at the mansion, so I can find out if he has the same ideas about criminals as I do. It could be he has an urge for fighting crime, but doesn't really know it yet?' Batman asked while thinking loud up. 'Yes, that will be an excellent idea, sir.' Alfred answered and Batman moved his way back to the Batmobile. 'I'm on patrol now, I'll call you when I'm coming home. Batman, out.' Batman concluded and started the engine and then he drove off into the night once again.
Tuesday afternoon, 4:00 pm.
Dan Lewis took a cab home from the shopping mall and walked to his street so that he could finally enjoy the rest of his day. But out of the ordinary, someone unexpected seemed to be standing on his doorstep. 'Mr. Lewis, we need to talk.' Dan walked towards him and was silent for a moment. 'Why would you want to talk to me, Mr. Wayne?' Dan asked with an angry look on his face. 'It was an accident and you know it. But you had to go and fire my ass from all of the Wayne companies and now I am poor and unoccupied... God damn it.' he added in total anger. 'I understand... Mr. Lewis, I have to tell you that I checked you out and I discovered you still didn't tell anyone about my secret.' Mr. Wayne said to him and Dan looked a bit off guard and Mr. Wayne continued: 'I know you didn't do it on purpose. I was so surprised and shocked, so I overreacted a bit. But I'm still not happy about what happened.' Bruce Wayne said to Dan. 'One piece of advice: don't ever go into a house uninvited again, it
brings this kind of trouble.' Bruce Wayne said and Dan smiled a little. After a moment of silence the horn of a car sounded on the streets. 'It's Alfred, my butler.' Bruce Wayne added. 'Want to go to my place for a cup of coffee? I think I've got a perfect job for you, Dan.' Bruce Wayne asked Dan kindly. 'Yeah, that'll be good, Mr. Wayne.' Dan answered to him and they stepped into the Rolls Royce and drove off to Wayne Manor.
When they arrived Alfred opened the door of the mansion and let the two men in. 'This is the main hall, where you started your 'accident'.' Mr. Wayne said with a big smile on his face. Dan couldn't keep his smile a secret either. They took a quick right and found themselves in a big hall which was very long and wide. 'Here on the right is one of my kitchens. And where we are going now is one of the smaller living rooms.' Bruce Wayne said while they walked through a door and into a room, not huge, but still very large. With very luxurious tables and chairs and there were some beautiful curtains and a seemingly very expensive floor with two very soft sofa's, placed just the way they should have been. Ultimately they sat down and Bruce started talking. 'So, Dan. Since you discovered my secret, I can offer you things I normally can't. But first, what was it that you did at Wayne Enterprises?' Bruce Wayne asked him. 'Well, what I did mostly was oversee the situation of ten other company workers. Lucius Fox was the man above me and everyone else, so I had to report to him when I finished the day. I just inspect everything and make the day go smooth for the men who do important things, like testing the big machines.' he paused, but then continued: 'I also did business meetings for Mr. Fox, so that he could focus on other important things. I came here last time to have a meeting like that, but it ended differently.' Dan said with an ashamed look on his face. Bruce Wayne smiled at him. 'No problem, we can do that eventually. But because you know about my secret, I could as well just tell you the whole story behind it.' Bruce Wayne said, then he paused for a second and continued:
'You should know this, because it's kind of a public story since I'm rich and famous…' Dan nodded. Bruce continued. 'My parents and I went to a theater to watch a play. And because I was afraid of something going on in the play, they
thought it was best to leave and go home.' Dan said nothing and kept listening. 'So we went out and called for a taxi but we had to go through a very dark alley to get one.' 'I wasn't scared though, it was dark, but no one seemed to be there. And totally unexpected, out of nowhere, this maniac came out of the shadows. He demanded cash and jewelry.' Bruce sighed for a moment. 'Well, you probably know the rest.' he added. 'But, this is what only Alfred, Mr. Fox and I know. That night, when I was all alone there in that alley… When I saw my parents lying there, on the pavement.' 'I promised my dead parents I would strive for justice, to strike fear into the hearts of the criminals of Gotham city.' Dan focused at Bruce Wayne. 'I went home, Alfred took care of me for a while, but then I went to Harvard. I was always lonely, because of my big plans to become the Batman. I couldn't tell anyone, of course. And when I finished Harvard, I went to several countries to learn Martial Arts and other skills to keep me safe while I was going to clean up the filth of Gotham as Batman.' Bruce said while stroking his chin. 'And so you did, you became Batman and have put a lot of criminals behind bars and in Arkham too.' Dan said to Bruce. 'Yes, I did. But it doesn't work out that way sometimes. You see, sometimes they just get out and do it all over again. Like the Joker.' Bruce Wayne said and Dan looked away. 'I would've wished they could stay in Arkham forever, but sometimes they break out and I have to catch them, again.' Dan had a question that was burning inside him. 'Is it true that you made him this way? The Joker, I mean.' Dan asked with some hesitation. 'Yes, but it was an accident.' Bruce Wayne said with a tone of sorrow. 'It was my first year as Batman. I couldn't hold him up, he was hanging down a railing, about to fall into a big load of acid.' and then he stopped talking.
'Master Wayne, your coffee is ready.' the butler said coming into the room and he passed the cups of coffee to the two men. 'Thank you, Alfred!' Dan said with a thankful smile and he took a zip from the cup. 'Do you men need anything else?' the butler asked the both of them. 'Yeah, we could really use a bite.' Bruce Wayne said to Alfred. Alfred looked with a grin and said he'd bring some dinner up.
Dan and Bruce both took a zip of coffee and Dan looked at Bruce. 'So, you said you checked me out. So you know about my sister, right?' Dan asked him with a sad look on his face. 'Yes, is that why you go to the gym and take Mixed Martial Arts lessons almost every day?' Bruce asked him and Dan nodded. 'Yeah, I kind of wanted to make sure this was never going to happen to me, or the people closest to me. Like my parents.' Dan said and Bruce looked Dan straight into the eyes. 'That was a wise decision. But what about the killer, was he caught and brought to justice?' Bruce asked him and Dan looked into his cup of coffee. 'No, I don't even know who could have been the killer.' Dan said and Bruce thought about something. 'Well, we could try to look into old traffic camera footage, maybe we can see a face.' Bruce said and Dan looked at Bruce. 'You would do that?' Dan asked him with his facial expressions filled with hope. 'Of course, every crime needs to be solved.' Bruce answered and he continued. 'If I know something, it's this. I know how it feels when someone close to me dies, because of a murder.' and Bruce added: 'Do you know the motive of the murder?' Bruce asked him. And Dan looked away for a moment. 'I wasn't there at the time, of course. That is why I didn't know who it could have been or what he looked like.' Dan answered and Bruce sighed. 'Okay, I will tell Alfred we will have dinner at another place. I want to show you how I work.' Bruce said and Dan began to look very excited. 'Okay, I will follow you!' Dan concluded and then they walked out of the living room together. 'So, are there more ways to get into the cave?' Dan asked and Bruce nodded. 'But we will use the stairs. Just be patient, I will show you everything in time.
First we will find out who shot your sister.' Bruce said when they walked toward the huge book case. 'Master Wayne, are you going downstairs?' Alfred asked when he walked behind them with an iron cart full of pots with dinner in it.
'Yes, Alfred. Take the elevator, we will have dinner in the cave.' Bruce Wayne said to his butler with a friendly smile on his face. 'Good, sir. I will do that' his butler answered while he turned around and then Bruce clicked the head of the president backward so the bookcase opened up, so they could walk downstairs to the cave. 'You know, it really hurt when I fell down.' Dan said with a smile. 'There was someone before, who fell down, a partner of mine these days. Well, not any more I guess.' Bruce answered. 'He is now known as Nightwing, but he used to be my side kick, Robin.' Bruce added when he turned on the lights of the cave manually. 'I've heard much about him, the first Robin! He was a very appreciated crime fighter, am I right?' Dan asked Bruce and Bruce nodded. 'Yes, he was my best friend. But sometimes I treated him like someone being unworthy. I still regret that, every day, I must add. And when the last drop fell, he was sick of being treated that way and went on as Nightwing. We still haven't talked it out.' Bruce added and sighed. 'But it doesn't matter, I guess I have done too much to even think about apologizing. He wouldn't accept it anyway.' 'But, why would you treat him that way, what was the real reason?' Dan asked out of curiosity. 'Well, I took him in, because his parents were killed by a criminal called Two Face. He was very young and so was I. I was maybe 25, he was 15 years old and in my eyes he wasn't performing well enough. When I think of it now, I guess he was the best friend I could have ever asked for and now he's gone. If I had one more chance, I would've just taught him better, instead of breaking him with these words that I used.' 'I thought it was good for him, that he needed that type of criticism. But it only drove him even further away from me.' Bruce replied and sat down in front of his computer on the bat shaped chair and wove his hand so Dan would join him.
'Dan, how old were you when your sister got shot and do you know the exact date, time and place of the murder?' 'I was very young, about 6 years old. But my sister was 22 and was murdered on the 21st of July in 1999, somewhere in the area of East End Gotham.' Dan answered and looked at Bruce Wayne. 'Computer, search for old traffic camera footage, on the 21st of July, 1999. In the area of East end Gotham and put them on the screen.' Bruce said with a deep voice and the computer came into action.
A low definition video was playing on the big screen of the computer and was fast forwarding to show the events of that exact day. 'It was at night time by the way, but let's just watch, right?' Dan added and Bruce nodded and smiled empathically at Dan.
'Master Wayne, Master Lewis, dinner is ready.' Alfred said when he entered the cave and walked toward the computer with the iron cart full of delicious dinner. 'Thank you, Alfred. Just a sec' 'There she is!' Dan yelled out of nowhere and his voice echoed through the cave. 'Yes, it looks like she is waiting for someone.' 'Computer, play at normal rate from now on.' and the computer stopped fast forwarding.
Debby Lewis was looking over her shoulder, very alert, as if something bad was going to happen. She stood there, waiting and pulled a package of cigarettes out of her pocket and lighted one up. 'She was a smoker?' Dan asked loud up to himself. 'Computer, turn on the audio of the video.' Bruce said and the sounds of cars, sirens and a big breeze appeared on the video. 'Miss Lewis, how good of you to actually show up.' a male voice, sounding very slick and crackly said. 'Of course, Mr. Thorne. What else would you have expected, there is no way out of this.' Debby Lewis replied to him and the man called Rupert Thorne walked toward the twenty two year old girl and gave her a firm handshake. 'Nothing else, I couldn't have been happier to see you coming here.' 'Did you bring me the file?' Rupert Thorne asked her and she shook her head horizontally.
'No, I wasn't able to get it. I went to the GCPD to get it, but there were too many officers and detectives around, I couldn't get my hands on them.' Rupert Thorne started to look very upset. 'Are you really that stupid, to come here and tell me that, while you know that your life is on the line?' Rupert Thorne asked her and her eyes went wide open. 'But, sir, I couldn't help it. I wasn't able to…' but Rupert Thorne interrupted. 'You are aware that these are your last moments, Debby?' 'Use your final words very carefully, because this could be the last time your mouth opened up to talk.' 'I swear, Mr. Thorne, I will get the file eventually! I swear I will!' she yelled with tears falling down from her beautiful blue eyes. 'Oh, dear, I know. I know. But… There won't be a next time I'm afraid.' Rupert Thorne added ruthlessly. 'No, please, I have a family. A baby brother! What would he do without me, please, have mercy.' Debby said while she was begging and crying. 'I guess, that you will never find out, how that will turn out for him.' Rupert Thorne said while he turned around and slowly walked to his very expensive car.
A shot sounded and echoed through the alley and then Debby Lewis fell down and the car where Rupert Thorne sat in drove away.
'Computer, check all the roofs on the video footage, see if there is someone who shot her from a far distance.' Bruce Wayne said and the computer turned on another video on the other side of the screen and marked a dark figure lying on a rooftop far from the alley, with a sniper rifle. 'Just as I thought.' Bruce Wayne said to Dan while he looked at him. 'Any idea who it could be?' he asked Dan to test his knowledge. But Dan was shocked and a tear rolled down off his face. 'I didn't even know she had anything to do with criminals.' he said sobbing and Bruce Wayne laid his hand on Dan's shoulder. 'You were six years old, Dan. You couldn't have known.' Bruce said to comfort him, but it was true. 'I know, but somehow, my parents must have known? Right, Bruce?' Dan said to him and Bruce thought about it.
'I don't know, maybe they did, maybe they didn't.' Bruce replied and he asked Dan again. 'Please, tell me. Don't you know who this man is? Think about his M.O. What does your gut tell you.' Bruce asked him and Dan laid his eyes down and answered. 'I know one man, you caught him before. It was on the news one day, that Batman caught Deadshot. Am I right? Is it Deadshot?' Dan asked Bruce and then he nodded. 'It must have been him, no one else could have shot her like that.' Bruce said and Dan looked at Alfred, who was standing behind them. 'It's okay, son. This must be very hard for you, but you will have a chance to chase him down, Dan.' Alfred said while giving Dan a tissue. 'I will and when I do, I will make him pay and put him behind bars!' Dan said with an angry look on his face. 'That's exactly what we are going to do, but first, I am going to train you. Make you even smarter than you could ever imagine and give you a good set of gear. So you will be prepared for anything.' Bruce Wayne said to Dan and Dan Lewis smiled at him with a confident and thankful look on his face. 'I don't know how to thank you, Bruce.' 'You don't have to, I want you to know, that I am confident about you being this strong and that we are going to put an end to his reign of terror.' Bruce said to Dan.