A/N: It's going to be a bit slow.
Chapter Two
"Loneliness is hearing a certain familiar name
Accidentally remembering certain stories
Like there's a key in their heart
Yet history, it silently watches you, the eyes slowly wet
Loneliness is the shadows that pass me
That smile to me and tell me that I look familiar
I live in this city of sadness
Your face slowly disappears, my heart stands by an empty house
A city without you is a freezing diamond
Shining with lights, cutting my heart's stories
Our loving fingers, our determination once upon a time
All went with the passing of time, and became stories
A city without you, a poem of sadness
Every page is filled with your name
The way we hug, only I still continue
You told me, told me to learn to start over
You've left, how can I start over?"
Zhang Yuan ( 张远) – City of Sadness
Walking by the front desk, Henry noticed that the receptionist was, unusually, very focused with some papers; normally she would be preening herself instead. Leaning over the edge, he attempted to take a closer look at what was so interesting.
"Mr. Zhou, do you mind?" she asked and glared with a look of daggers directed at him.
"Hey, Joanna, is that another application? What department or position is it this time?" he asked while completely ignoring the question and continuing to read on.
"Oh some bookish, high-browed individual just handed in her resume for applied sciences," snorted Joanna. "It's beyond me to..." She was cut off as Henry interrupted her "Thanks, bye!" He then set off escaping quickly towards the elevators. Amber was stepping into the elevator with an armful of documents as Henry stumbled in.
"Finally, some good news!" he chirped.
"Should I be worried?" Amber replied noticing the sheen of sweat collecting on his forehead, meaning that he was excited.
"I think you will be pleasantly surprised." Henry chuckled. Amber smiled.
"Okay, hopefully it will be a good surprise," As they approached her floor, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping out. Henry continued back down towards the basement.
While he stepped out of the elevator, he noticed the form of Mr. Fox dressed in a rumpled suit walking towards the next set of doors that lead down to the next lower floor level. Henry wanting to speak to him before he disappeared behind the doors and so sprinted down the corridor after the man.
"Mr. Fox!" wheezed Henry. Slowing down to a jog while sweat began to drip down his face and drench parts of his suit. When he finally caught up, he tried to catch his breath while wiping his face with his sleeve.
"Mr. Zhou, to what do I owe this pleasure?" asked Mr. Fox as he laughed softly.
"I just thought you and Mr. Wayne would like to know ahead of time that you have another application just dropped in today." Henry chuckled.
"Yes, there has been an increase of applicants interested in working as a personal secretary for Mr. Wayne lately," he said shaking his head with slight weariness. "Why so interested about potential applicants?"
"Actually, it's to the Applied Sciences division."
Still feeling overwhelmed by the extent of the devastating injuries to her husband's legs, arms, and face as he was whisked away to the emergency room, Rene collapsed on to the benches nearby next to other people with overpowering perfume or sweat masked with disinfectant floating around. It's because of this city; we should have never come here…. She clutched her mid-section and tried to distract herself from the feelings of a gloomy outcome.
During the week, she practically lived in the hospital room. It was a small rectangular room, with a heavy smell of antiseptic in the air, and white walls in need of fresh paint. During the day there were constant sounds of chatter from nurses, doctors or visitors as they pass by the door. She already phoned both of their immediate families and they will arrive within a few hours. She wondered if the police ever found that driver, even though she had provided them with the license plate number. Gritting her teeth, she thought about how they were most likely to write it off as an accident and didn't plan on discussing it any further. While she held onto one of Daniel's bandaged hands, she tried to hum softly to him in the hope that he would wake up and remain conscious for longer this time. Wake up and say that I'm singing off key as usual. Or say that it would wake up anyone, instead of helping them sleep.
"...月哪個明,風兒哪個靜,
The moon is bright, the wind is quiet,
搖籃輕拍動,
The cradle moving softly,
娘的寶寶閉上眼睛,
My little one, close your eyes,
睡呀睡在那個夢中
Sleep, sleep, dreaming sweet dreams..."
Caressing his hand and feeling more distressed, she abruptly stopped the tune and spoke pitifully. "Daniel, you have to get better. It can't go like this."
His condition continued to wax and wane, though gradually Daniel appeared to improve. But, what bothered her the most, when he was conscious long enough after two days or so from the surgery, was that he kept mumbling something to her. She thought he was just delirious from the surgery or that the anesthesia has not worn off yet.
"…Ngngh," he groaned. Her ears perked up and she leaned in closer. She could make out some words about the bookcase and things hidden underneath something else. "Why is he talking about the bookcase at home?" Rene thought to herself. After taking a quick trip back from the apartment, she sat down next to his bed and looked through some of the documents she had found hidden behind the bookcase and another collection of documents hidden under the bed . "What is all this?" She asked herself. The documents were comprised of random lists of payrolls, assets, names, employees' salaries, and names of clients. The names on the payroll caught her eye even though it seemed to be missing some pages. Another page listed what appeared to be names of companies and trusts. "Are these what they call shell companies?" She tried to make sense of the information and kept thinking about the other ramblings Daniel has mentioned.
A few days later, Rene was rereading the documents and wondered whether there was anything of importance at his office. He had mentioned his office and something about evidence when he was somewhat coherent before falling into unconsciousness again. While she sat, beeps from the medical equipment went off loudly, and she quickly alerted the nurse. Rene was ushered out of the room leaving her to wander around in the hallway and listen to nurses and doctors dash off quickly to save lives. While standing there, two officers appeared, and introduced themselves.
The older of the two wearing thick spectacles and a bushy mustache stepped forward to introduce himself first.
"Mrs. Qiao? I'm Lieutenant Gordon and this is Officer Baker. We're from the Gotham City Police Department. We need to discuss something with you if you don't mind."
Leaning against the wall to relieve the pressure from her feet, Rene just nodded for Lieutenant Gordon to continue. "About your husband…" he began to speak, but was interrupted by Rene as her ears perked up.
"Did you find that driver and his vehicle? Will he be arrested or charged?" she asked quickly. "I want his name, so I can sue him," her voice darkened as she continued to speak.
Placing a hand on his temple, he contemplated a difficult problem; bringing up a suspicion. "No, it's not about that. It's more that we have a reason to consider your husband as a person of interest. You are aware that he worked in a bank run by the mob," he spoke in a hushed voice.
Feeling a lump in her throat, her expression fell into a deep frown. So those rumors were true?
"Wait, are you implying that he is somehow involved with the mob!? Lies! We've only been in Gotham for a few months," she spoke, feeling anger slowly rising, as she tried to keep her composure.
"Please, Mrs. Qiao. We need your cooperation. Has he ever said anything to you?"
"No, nothing like that. If that is the basis of the investigation, then I can see why this city is so crime ridden. I'm done spe…"
"Mrs. Qiao!" A nurse ran up to her and started to pull her arm. "Hurry!" As the nurse ushered her back towards the room. "What's going on?" Rene asked feeling a bit of unease at what the news the nurse is going to tell her.
"Your husband…he's taking the turn for the worse." Approaching the room, the doctor was already preparing to announce the time.
They had already made him as tidy as possible; they forced a fake smile on his face, and were writing out the name tags and recording the ring on his finger into the notes. She noticed them placing his watch and other belongings into a small bag. Rene asked to be alone.
Creeping forward towards him, she clutched him, she could not believe it.
"Daniel?" she asked. "Can you hear me, Daniel? Please, we need you," her voice rose into chocked sobs. A coldness started to envelope her whole body, he was not gone long enough, he was still warm to the touch and had not gone stiff. She wanted to scream that he is still alive and that something could still be done. She could not accept that he was gone along with whatever hope she had. She started to back out of the room, refusing to believe it. She stepped step out the door, her eyes cast down towards the floor. As she passed by the officers, her eyes noticed Officer Baker's left hand; it had a distinct tattoo, the same one she had seen earlier. Her eyes slowly shifted upwards and stared at his face. She glared at both of the uniformed men fiercely; her brown eyes were seemingly popping out of their orbits. Words began to escape her clenched lips. "How dare you?" She snarled as her voice increasingly rose.
"Mrs. Qiao, please-" Lieutenant Gordon began to speak, but was cut off.
"You're all in this together aren't you?" she spoke quietly. "Get out, get out of my sight!" She then screamed as Henry and Amber appeared from behind.
"Rene, shh, shh, it's going to be alright." Amber tried to speak calmly as she bundled her back into the room. Raising her right hand, Rene accusingly pointed at the uniformed men. "You won't get away with this, you murderers! I'll sue you! Time will tell!" The boiling rage continued to swell inside her and the physical pain became too much as she collapsed to the ground.
Henry gave an apologetic look. "Please excuse us officers," as Henry turned towards the room, shutting the door behind him. Running his hands through his hair, Lieutenant Gordon nodded with understanding in his eyes.
A/N:
-If you reached the end of the second chapter, thank you for taking the time to read it.
-Thank you for the review 'reading fan' and 'Scrapeater'!
Revised: 03/10/14
