Chapter One

Panic was thick in the air, flooding throughout the halls and overflowing into the office rooms. The population was dense in the halls and the elevators carrying more than the capacity called for. However, the havoc radiated from Commissioner Gordon's office.

"Commissioner, the Joker's on the run again," an unfamiliar investigator barged into his office, out of breath.

"Impossible," Jim looked at her, not quite believing it. "The court ordered him into a straight jacket and a cell within the high security unit of Arkham."

"Well, it happened," she assured him.

"But, tha- how?" he asked, bewildered. The investigator shrugged and rested a file on his freshly organized desk.

Gordon glanced through them and looked back up at her. She must have been new to the team, but her face didn't recall in his head. He glanced down at her name tag to see if the name was recognizable: Commissioner Gordon.

The "investigator" smirked at him, her hand messing with something at her side. The lieutenant slowly trails his eyes to the object, expecting the worst, only to see a letter folded up. She hands it to him before scurrying out of the door. He doesn't hesitate to open it and read the scribbled message:

"I assume you've heard the wonderful news and I expect to see you soon. I really did miss you and since your little Batman ran away, I'm looking forward to more personal time with you, Commissioner.

Joker"

He slapped the letter down on the paper his desk and shoved his face into his hands.

"Ramirez," he called and waited until he felt her presence, "get some forensics on this."

He handed the letter to her, careful not to contaminate it further.

***

"Master Wayne, I don't believe you've watched the news this morning," Alfred greets Bruce as he exits off the elevator and strolls towards Bruce's bed.

"No, I haven't," Bruce responds as Alfred sets the tray of steaming, breakfast foods on his bed stand.

Alfred then grabs the newspaper from the tray and hands it to Bruce as he sits up from the comfort of his bed. He steps back and folds his hands behind his back as he watches Bruce scan the front cover. Only looking at it for a few seconds, he sets it down on his lap and examines the tray of food.

"That's why we have police force," he says as he picks up the cup of coffee.

"I recall that last time Gotham's authority tried to deal with him, quite a few ended up dead," he informs Bruce as he takes a sip from the cup in his hands.

Bruce remains silent as he stares back down at the paper. Alfred takes this as a gesture to leave the room and heads towards the elevator's polished, metallic doors.

"I'm just a business man, what am I suppose to do?" he mumbles to himself – making Alfred turn back.

"A business man with hidden talents," he retorts.

"Not even the desperate cries of Gotham's citizens will bring back Batman, Alfred," Bruce states as he looks up at his butler.

"Your choice," he shrugs and heads back towards the elevator.