The Batmaniac Murders Book I: Rediscover
By
AJ
Part 3
His time was growing short. He had taken care of this place for 60 years. It had been an honor and a duty, and because his station required it. Generation after generation of his family had done so. Now his son, his only remaining child will take his place. He knew that child was the one. The others were beyond his reach, but this son, his youngest showed at an early age that he was suited for that purpose. So, he groomed him, told him his inner most secrets. He sent him away to learn the skills that someday he might need, just as his father had done with him and so forth. And when his son returned he showed him the reason for those skills.
Father and son worked together to keep everything in tip-top shape, testing and retesting to make sure everything worked perfectly. If something broke or needed repair, it was replaced immediately. A special fund had been set aside for that purpose. The fund was large enough that it would never run out. With his son working at his side the old place took on an unexpected shine, no longer dark and forlorn, but ready and waiting. Then one day, the son woke up to find that his father had not started his routine.
"Father?"
"In here my son," the old man said weakly.
The younger man entered his father's room. The older man was still lying in bed and had not dressed. He was watching the news feeds. It told of a child left behind. An old familiar story, going back centuries, a legend in its own right.
"Come here my son."
"Father?" the young man questioned. "Is something wrong?"
"My time is near," the old man said.
"Father . . ."
"No, wait. I must continue." The old man reached over and picked up an old photo sitting by his bedside. "Do you know who this is?"
"I believed it was me, but that is impossible. That image is quite old."
"The technology that took this photograph no longer exists. It has not existed for more than 200 years. Now it is holo-photos. The material this is placed on is called paper. Now we print on thin layers of plastic. It simulates the real thing." The old man turned the photo around and removed the back of the frame. Inside was an envelope and a special key. "Each year I take this key out and enter the room that is always locked. I check the items inside to be sure they are in working order. That room is preserved for the owner of this house. This envelope tells the owner what he must do in order use the . . . never mind. You shall know soon enough. Please, place this in the study. Anyway, I must tell you about the man in the photograph because it has a bearing on what you will be doing. He was more than just a butler and keeper of this house."
"Who is he?"
"He is our ancestor and you are named after him. He is the first Alfred Pennyworth."
"But he was just a legend," Alfred replied.
"No, he existed just as surely as you exist, hence the photograph. You must do something for me and for Gotham City."
"What?"
"You must go to the Wayne Tower."
"Wayne Tower?" Alfred questioned.
"You must find the master of this house and bring him home."
"Tomas Wayne?"
"Ah, you know the boy's name."
'Yes. You had me monitor him since his parents were killed in that accident 14 years ago. I have watched him grow into a man."
"Have you noticed something unusual about him since that time?"
"He continues to believe that it was not an accident that killed his parents. He drives himself to learn the truth. He has also honed his body to its full potential with the equipment he has. I have also seen him training with others until he could easily defeat them. He strives for a purpose, but he does not really know what that purpose may be. It is as if he is waiting, but I do not know if he knows himself. Father, why do you want me to bring Master Wayne home?"
"He will learn what his purpose will be and because he does not know that we exist and he will sorely be needed. In my drawer are the appropriate papers you will need. This house has waited far too long for its proper owner. Do your duty and bring Master Wayne home, Alfred."
That night, after returning with Mr. Wayne and another, Alfred returned to his father's room and discovered that the old butler had died leaving a grieving son behind, but with a new purpose.
Continues with Part 4