Prey Of The Heart
Chapter 3
Dinah sat facing Helena, as the Delphi Computer's multi-screen display showed the various searches that it was running in its search for Richard Grayson, with a rock floating between them…
"Are you sure that she didn't have it before today?"
"Helena, I never saw it before, but that doesn't matter. She didn't have it when Dr. Cross examined her at 6:30 last night. I didn't see it when I cleaned her up and replaced her I.V. later. But Dr. Cross found it in her hand when he checked on her this morning. She's too sick to have gotten up to get it, and neither Alfred nor I gave it to her."
Helena put her hands on her hips and cocked her head slightly, "What did you find on the surveillance tapes?"
"Nothing but a couple of glitches."
"And that has you believing that Di-ck was here?"
"I think so… According to his bio he has the skills; even though the Clock Tower was established as a lair after he disappeared, his familiararity with Wayne Industries and the Batman's M.O. could give him the expertise to by-pass our security network. To prove it I need to find something that he touched."
"What are you going to do, wander around touching everything in here?"
"Just sorting through all the visions I would encounter would take too long."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Dinah stood and crossed her arms as she looked Helena in the eye, "I'm going to let you find what I need."
"And just how am I to do that?"
"I know the duration and time stamps of the security glitches. With that information you are going to find the route he used to break in and go undetected by security, and you, Alfred, Dr. Cross and myself." She saw a bit of fire in Helena's eyes before a smirk appeared on her lips.
"You're starting to sound like her you know."
"Smart and confident?"
"No… Bossy."
Dinah grimaced.
"OK, Junior Crime Fighter… where do I start?"
--
It took the two of them half the day to figure out the most probable route to Barbara's room using the criteria that Dinah had set up. She ran across the first vision where he must have watched waiting for them to leave the common room…
Dick is running down a hospital corridor, scanning room numbers until he finds room 606 – with a placard that read, Barbara Gordon. He stopped and inhaled deeply a few times before pushing through the door.
"Barbara?" He exclaimed in a hushed tone,
She lay in the spartan room, on a stark white bed, hooked up to monitors that her refused to acknowledge. He pulled a chair to her side and picked up her hand, cradling it in his; he bowed his head and kissed the knuckle beside the engagement ring.
A movement caught his attention – her eyes were open and she was crying…
The view shifted to a different room and a healthier, very upset Barbara…
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She cried, her face slick with tears.
Dick held her hand, but looked pale, his eyes were red from retrained tears, "It's not your fault, Sweetheart."
"I should have been more careful."
"He is insane…"
"I-I shouldn't have let my guard down!"
He placed his hand on her abdomen and she flinched.
"Barbara," he started softly, "we can get through this… You'll be fine."
She pushed his hand off of her stomach.
"How?" she wailed, "How am I to get past this!?"
"We…"
And the image jumped again, to inside an apartment…
"…Let me in, Barbara!"
"You're standing right in front of me!" The coolness in her voice could be felt, even in the shade of a telepathic remembrance.
He reached for her and she stepped back.
"No!"
"You need help."
The pain and hurt in his voice didn't even register on the young woman's face.
"I don't need help!"
"You won't touch me!" He repeated, "You won't touch me! You won't talk to me or anyone else! You're father is scared. Even Bruce is asking about you…"
She picked up a mug to throw at him.
"Do it, Barbara! Throw it! Do something!"
Calmly, eerily calmly, she placed the mug back on the table and stared at him, "Get out."
"Barbara…"
"Get out!"
"Please…"
Anger filled her eyes and deliberately she held up her hand and removed her engagement ring. She tossed it to him and turned her back, "Get out and don't come back." The monotone way in which she addressed him was as damaging as a lead pipe to his skull.
"Barbara…"
"Now!"
He stared at her for a minute, and then laid the ring on the floor along with his copy of the key to her apartment. With a silent sigh he turned and walked out…
"Miss Dinah!" Alfred's strangled exclamation interrupted her vision. He turned to face away from her and saw Huntress, "Really, Miss Helena! Would you care to explain why Miss Dinah is... unrobed?"
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TBC…