Charles Wayne was sitting in his hotel room on the phone nervously tapping his foot. It was the person on the other end of the line which made him so nervous.

"I'm working on it." he said into the receiver. "Well I need a couple more days." "Yes, yes you will get your money don't worry." "Just give me a couple more days and I will have Wayne eating out of my hands."

Charles hung up the phone. He hated that he had gotten involved with these people. However, he had been desperate and now he was paying the price. What was worse was that he had dragged his poor innocent nephew Bruce into this. How could he do this to Bruce? He was disgusted with himself. Alfred was right he was a no good con artist. He had almost turned away and left when Alfred tried to kick him out. However, he had been frantic for money and desperation makes people do awful things.

He looked at the clock. He was late! He was supposed to have lunch with Bruce in 15 minutes. The knot inside of his stomach tightened and twisted. Maybe he should come clean. Maybe Bruce could help him. No no that wasn't an option. Bruce would be outraged. Not only would he not help him he would never see or speak to him again and then where would he be? He would just have to keep up the charade until he had the money. Once he had the money everything would be ok. He just had to keep telling himself that as he hailed a cab.

"Wayne Manor please"

Charles was greeted warmly at the door by Bruce. He thought it was strange that Bruce was opening his own door. Where had Alfred gone?

"Come in come in, I hope you don't mind I ordered in lunch."

"What is Alfred refusing to cook for you?"

"Well no um…actually um…you see the thing is um…Alfred is not employed here anymore."

"What? What do you mean? Why?"

"We had a disagreement"

"A fight?"

"Yes"

"about me?"

"Yes"

"Oh Bruce I am so sorry." He said and he meant it. "I never meant to come between you and Alfred I never wanted to."

"Oh it's alright I am sure we will straighten things out. Come. Sit. Eat."

Charles did as he was bid. After they had been talking awhile Charles decided it was now or never.

"Bruce do you remember that investment I mentioned?"

"Yes I do. I looked into it and it seems sound."

"Yes well I'm going to um need the money soon if you want to get in on it."

"Oh yes of course. Just give me a few days to get the funds together ok?"

"Ok"

So they sat and talked for a while longer. Charles told Bruce more about his father which Bruce was very keen to hear, they talked for hours and when Charles left Bruce went down to the cave.

"Dick could you come down here for a minute?"

Silence

"Dick I know you are here."

"Just then he felt a presence beside him and the slightest sound of footprints.

"You need to work on your stealth skills."

Dick rolled his eyes, was about to say something and then thought better of it. He just waited for Bruce to get on with it.

"I'm starting to think Alfred may have been right about my uncle. He just pressed me for money."

"Really?"

"Yes"

"I need you to do me a favor."

Dick nodded

"Take this flash drive go to this address and find out everything you can about the company cilantrix.

"Ok but why? And do you really think my stealth skills are up to the task?"

Bruce glared at him s hard that Dick actually took a step back.

"It supposedly is a company my uncle wants me to invest in. Just see what you can find out about it and put it on that flash drive."

"Ok" and with that he was off.

Now what to do next?

He supposed he should go over and see Alfred and apologize to the old man but he was still furious at him for withholding information from him all this time. And didn't he deserve an apology too? Then a thought occurred to him, this was Alfred we are talking about here. The man has been with you through everything you owe him this. You owe him more than this. So he got in his car and sped off to the center of Gotham. He had known all along where Alfred was staying even though Alfred hadn't told him. He was in one of the plusher hotels downtown.

Bruce knocked on the door.

"Just one minute" came the voice from the other side. Bruce smiled he had loved that voice, he had missed that voice.

Alfred looked like he was about to pass out from shock when he opened the door.

"He-hello sir"

"Hello Alfred"

"May I come in?"

"Yes of course sir"

"I just wanted to say a few things: 1) I am still furious with you for never telling me about any of this. 2) I am sorry for what I said and the way I acted towards you. 3) I think you may be right about Charles.

"What do you mean sir?"

"I think he may be involved in some shady dealings."

"I'm sorry to hear that Master Bruce. I had hoped I was wrong for your sake."

Bruce smiled. Ah how much he had missed this man.

I am having Dick grab some intel on the company he wants me to invest in. We should be hearing back from him soon."

About an hour later Dick radioed in saying that Bruce urgently needed to get back to the house but wouldn't say why.

"Alright I will meet you back at the house."

"Coming Alfred?"

"Of course sir"

When they got the house Dick looked tired and like he had just been through a warzone he clothes were all shredded and torn and he had some bad bruises.

"Dick what the hell happened?"

"The company you are looking into is fake."

"What?" Bruce said in disbelief.

"It doesn't exist, It's all a scam and when I went down there to try and grab the intel I met some nice boys with some nice AK-47's. "

"Oh my God" Bruce muttered in disbelief.

"This is bad Bruce whatever this uncle of yours is into he's in deep."

Bruce rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe this was happening.

Bruce looked at Alfred.

"Alright Alfred you can say I told you so."