Disclaimer: Well, let's just say that if you recognize it, I don't own it. Except for Anna.
A/N: A sequel to Another Beginning. You don't need to have read that for this to make sense, but it'll be more fun if you have. This is just a little taste, a teaser. But there will be more to follow. Oh, and the individual in this chapter will be identified...eventually. Enjoy!
I'm the place where everything turns sour - Rob Thomas
The pieces were falling into place. Bruce Wayne's sudden reappearance had forced him to make some changes to his scheme, but this version of the plan was even better, more lucrative. He really should thank Mr. Wayne for making things much simpler.
Things would move faster this way, and be less complicated in the end. That an innocent young woman would pay the price was of no concern to him. She was just a means to an end, no matter how he chose to use her. He was already in place, within easy striking distance. Now he just had to bide his time, set up the dominoes just so, and then watch them fall.
Batman. There was the thorn in his side, the one thing that was completely unpredictable. One visit from that flying freak could wreck everything he had going. He would have to be very careful not to attract the Dark Knight's attention. Unless…
His mind was racing, thoughts and ideas coming so fast that he scarcely had time to register them. With careful preparation it just might be possible. He allowed himself to imagine for a moment what kind of connections and rewards he might gain if his plot were successful. How much would taking down the Batman be worth to Gotham's criminal overlords? To have their freedom of movement back, no one guarding the Narrows and the dark places of the city, no one to interrupt their transactions, or stop their thugs.
It was ambitious, and dangerous. But no risk, no reward. If he could combine the two plans, and make the execution of the original crime the bait for the bat. That would mean pushing the timeline back, but that wouldn't be difficult. He'd already had to alter it twice, and would probably have to do it again. Besides, it would be worth a lot of rearranging to pull this one off.
He leaned back in his chair and forced himself to calm down. Pushing aside the anticipation of the inevitable fame and fortune that he would stand to gain, he slowly and rationally considered the idea. The careful scrutiny revealed a few minor problems, but as a whole it didn't seem farfetched. This was going to make for a much bigger operation than he had initially planned for; extra hands would be needed. He could get more help, and the original location he had planned to use would work beautifully for this new spark of genius. A few more gadgets, and some heavier weaponry would also be necessary.
A sinister smile crept across his handsome face as he contemplated the spectacular idea. Batman would never be able to resist an innocent person in peril, though the fact that she was an heiress wouldn't matter to such a do-gooder. The bat would swoop in to rescue the damsel in distress and fly right into the trap. It was almost comical, how easy it would be to lure the caped crusader to the web. Keeping him there would be the tricky part. Difficult, but far from impossible. Underneath the mask was a man, and as courageous as the man might be, he could be broken.
-Well, what do you think? Looking forward to more? Let me know, please review! They are fuel for the fire of my imagination.