Alfred decided to take Bruce out for a drive, no place in particular just a drive and explain the whole sordid story about his long lost uncle. They had been driving for about 15 minutes in complete silence neither one of them sure of what to say or how to start the conversation.

Finally Bruce spoke up. "Alfred, how could you not tell me?"

"Frankly master Bruce I was hoping you would never have to know."

"Why?"

"Because he is a bad man with bad morals and I never wanted you to have anything to do with him. You see I was trying to protect you."

"But he's family!"

"Yes, family that you have not seen or heard from in 30 years!"

"Yah about that why haven't I seen or heard from him?" "Where has he been?" "Why don't I remember him ever being around?"

"It is a long sordid story master Bruce but I guess it is time for you to hear it."

"Your father and he used to be very close. They did everything to together and in fact he was part of the business. "

"So what happened?"

"When you were about 4 or 5 they had a big falling out. Your uncle-Charles-felt like he was getting jipped out of what he called his 'fair share' of the profits from the company and the family fortune as well. But your father knew your uncle and knew that he was a wastrel and a spendthrift and couldn't be trusted with large amounts of money. He knew that if given the chance he would drive the business into the ground. Your father wanted that money and business for you, for your inheritance, and he would do anything he had to do to protect that inheritance, even if it meant cutting your uncle out.

Bruce nodded solemnly from the back seat not saying anything just taking it all in.

"So your father and he had a huge fight, things were said, and he moved to England or was it Germany? I can't remember, and we never heard from him again.

Bruce nodded again, solemn, not saying a word. Alfred was,from the front seat , equally as solemn and serious. He couldn't look at Bruce he knew this must be killing him and he couldn't bear to see him in pain right now. So he just kept driving looking straight ahead and continued his story.

"When your parents-he paused gauging Bruce's reaction, he was never sure how Bruce would react to someone bringing up the subject of his parents death-when they died I was sure he would come back to pay his respects and try to steal some or all of the family fortune and the business right out from under you. When he didn't I was more surprised and relieved than I can possibly say. Trust me sir you were and are better off not knowing him. I am sure he is involved in some new kind of scam and that is only the reason he is here. He is probably in need of some money and decided to hit up the only relative he has left by using the memory of your dead parents. Absolutely despicable!" Alfred almost shouted growing angrier the further he got into the story.

"Maybe he didn't know."

"What sir?"

"Maybe he didn't know my parents were killed maybe that's why he didn't come." Maybe he didn't know and he didn't want to come back because he figured my father would just kick him out. You said he moved out of the country right? Maybe he didn't know and that's why he's never come."

Alfred couldn't believe what he was hearing. He couldn't believe that Bruce could be this naïve. Couldn't he see this man for who he really was? He wasn't family he wasn't here to see Bruce he was here for money and that was it. Why couldn't Bruce see that this man was bad for him? But then again Bruce had always had a weak spot when it came to anything involving family. He had been so desperate for any source of family since his parents died. It was why he had created his own makeshift family by adopting Dick, Jason and Tim. Alfred just hoped Bruce would see this man for who he was before it was too late.

"Master Bruce you can't possibly think that."

"Why not? It is entirely possible that he never heard about it. And since you never told him and I was too young to know or even remember him there was no one to tell him and so he just never knew.

"Sir it occurred 20 yrs ago it made national news I am sure that somehow somewhere at some time he heard about it and decided not to come."

"You don't know that he could've just heard about it and decided to come. Why else would he choose now to come?

Alfred shook his head he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Sir I told you he is no good and he is probably just here to get money out of you."

"You can't be sure of that Alfred. I am going to have lunch with him on Wednesday and here what he has to say. He is family after all.

Alfred couldn't take it anymore. "Family that you haven't seen or heard from in 30 yrs that you didn't even know he existed until yesterday and he didn't even come to your parents funeral!" And trust me master Bruce your father would completely agree with me and he would even have a few choice words for your 'uncle'."

"First of all: The reason I haven't heard from and didn't know he existed was because of you!

Second of all: You just said you didn't want him to come to the funeral!"

"Yes but I still thought he would! I thought he had that much decency at least!"

Bruce sighed and rolled his eyes sometimes Alfred was just impossible.

There was silence for a moment and then Alfred said: "Sir please do not have anything to do with him."

"I'm just going to meet with him and see what he wants. I just want to get to know him a little bit I don't see the harm in that."

Alfred sighed and shook his head. He knew it was pointless to try anymore once Bruce had made up his mind about something that was it. He decided to try one last ditch effort.

"Sir he is only going to use you for money he does not care at all about you. Please I know what I am talking about."

"If all he wants is money then I will find out and maybe I will give him some just to get him out of my hair."

"No! Sir don't you dare! Your father would turn over in his grave if he knew you were giving his inheritance away."

"First of all it's my money and I can do whatever I want with it! Second of all I am not going to give my whole inheritance away just a small portion of it. Alfred I am a grown man I know what I am doing and I'm not stupid. You have got to stop trying to protect me and stop treating me like a child!"

Alfred exhaled slowly. Bruce was right. There was nothing else he could do. This man was bad for him but Bruce would just have to find that out on his own. There was nothing else to say so Alfred decided it was time to go home. They drove home the rest of the way in silence and when they got home Bruce went straight down into the cave without even a word. Alfred heaved a heavy sigh and went to his regular cleaning duties. He guessed he would just have to see what happened tomorrow was Wednesday after all. He was sure it would be interesting to say the least he just wished he could be there to warn and guide Bruce. But Bruce was right and Alfred would just have to let him make this mistake himself.