CHAPTER 4: Reality Check
Every night Oswald would return home with bated breath, uncertain if she would still be waiting for him. He had started to settle into a comfortable routine with her, but he knew her presence was contingent on the Metropolis case. After a few weeks, he grew curious. He wanted to know if they were truly secure in the privacy of his apartment. Oswald rehearsed the conversation in his head before calling Gordon. He tried to inquire with an innocent tone, hoping Jim wouldn't see through his facade over the phone.
Jim spoke in brief fragments, unsure of Oswald's curious motivation. Gordon finally conceded that the case had been dropped, much to the private relief of Oswald. In a demanding tone Gordon drilled him "Why are you asking about this, did you hear something?" Oswald had anticipated Jim's determination for uncovering his interest in the case. He crafted a deceitful story about wanting to search for the girl himself, to use as leverage in a new city. Jim scoffed, unwilling to hide his disgust with his overly-friendly foe. He consoled himself out loud, acknowledging that she was far safer anywhere else than with the man who had initially filed the report.
Oswald was happy to hear Gordon confide the private details of the case with him, but hearing the description of his beloved's ex made his stomach turn. "-his record was wiped clean, more likely he just bought a new one" Jim continued "his unofficial rap sheet had more assaults listed than all your boys in the West end combined" Oswald remembered the difficulty she had when he first interrogated her about the 'connection' in Metropolis. "-a real piece of work." Jim concluded the conversation by warning Oswald to keep himself out of trouble. With a loud click, the call had ended and Oswald felt free again to happily continue his domestic bliss - certain that any threat of an outside influence had been eliminated.
The conversation had instilled a strong sense of doubt in Jim's mind. He had enough history with Oswald to recognize his calculating designs were never that superficial. Jim grabbed his coat and headed out of the station, motioning for Harvey to follow close behind.
Oswald had stepped out to issue orders to his men from the payphone down the street. When he returned upstairs to his apartment he found both the Detectives surveying his home with intense scrutiny. Jim's voice thundered down the hall, "Where-is-she?" Oswald feigned innocence as his hands struggled nervously at his side, "I have no idea what you're talking about" he offered with an all-too-knowing smile.
Harvey held up a sheer crimson dress, cruelly taunting Oswald into make a confession: "And I suppose you're the one wearing this around the house? I'm sure the boys love seeing you in this get-up." Oswald snatched the dress out of his hands, furious that Bullock would touch anything belonging to his sweet paramour. Oswald shook with an indignant fury, unable to explain the presence of the dress without incriminating himself. He decided to stall for time with a ceremonious display of vehemence. "I can assure you both-" he tried to appeal to Jim's sensibilities "-she resides here of her own accord." Harvey interjected - "Yeah, and I'm the Queen of France." Bullock's callous remark incited Oswald's outburst "YOU CAN'T TAKE HER FROM ME!" his eyes went wide with terror as he pleaded with Jim - "Please...she's all I have." Jim softened his stance but maintained a forceful tone - "She's not a piece of property, Oswald. She's not yours to keep."
"Besides-" Harvey's response cut deeper "what could a girl like that possibly see in you?" Oswald trembled pitifully, unable to discredit the Detective's remarks.
She had heard the men's voices as she climbed the stairs to the apartment. She had stepped out for groceries, and in her absence apparently all hell had broken loose. In her heart, she hoped Oswald was safe as she hurried through the door to check on him. Her eyes fell upon Oswald's shaking form, he looked as if he was going to collapse with grief. He met her gaze, but was unable to convey the swirling emotions within. Jim rushed to her side, "Miss, we'd like to talk with you for a moment." She assumed these men were enemies of Oswald, she eyed them suspiciously before snapping at them. "What exactly do you want to talk about?" Her saucy tone and curved body intrigued Harvey as he side-stepped his partner to approach her directly: "We're Detectives with GCPD, you're safe now. We're taking you home." she recoiled from his offer, defiantly stating "I am home."
Jim and Harvey exchanged a stupefied glance. "Look, you might-" Harvey searched for the words "be in shock or something." Oswald bared his teeth at the Detective in a defensive scowl. He cried out in his mind 'Why couldn't they just leave us alone?' She tried to search for answers in Oswald's face, but his panicked features offered little hope. Jim's voice boomed in the apartment as he explained to her that the case had been dropped. He was making a point to humiliate Oswald for deceiving the young girl. He salted the wound by adding, "Miss, you don't need his protection anymore." Oswald's heart broke upon hearing this statement, his last bit of power crumbling in the honest words of the Detective.
She nodded slowly, letting the weight of his words sink in. Her eyes were solemn as Jim continued, "You have no idea what this man is capable of doing for his own personal gain." She gave him a knowing glance, her response was soft and somber "Yes, I do." Jim slipped his card into the palm of her hand, "Just in case." She made an appreciative gesture and pocketed the number.
Oswald could no longer endure the torture of watching this unfold in his home. He sought out control once more - "Are you gentlemen satisfied now?" his voice was close to cracking as he still struggled to choke back defensive tears. Harvey and Jim both gave her a concerned look but nodded in agreement as they made their way out. Harvey paused, giving the girl a once-over look: "If you ever want to trade up, I'd be happy to take you out in that red number" he motioned to the dress clutched in Oswald's hands. She scowled at him fiercely as they closed the door behind them.