Edward looked around the crime scene, all twenty people died each incinerated leaving ashes and a shadow print behind. Around him sirens wailed but in his mind they were very faint, along with the voices, moans of the wounded and every physical movement made by his co-workers.
Airin was here most likely alone, Edward haven't heard much of Selena in a while.
"Ed?"
The coroner turned around to see Captain Essen standing there with her hands on her hips, concern on her face.
"Captain," Edward smiled.
"What the hell are you doing here? You're on temporary leave, remember?"
"I thought that you could use the extra help."
"Thoughtful but no thanks."
"But I ca-."
"Go home Nygma!"
Edward watched the Captain walk away not ready to listen to his argument. He looked around seeing everyone ignore him, the other forensic investigator moved away from his current victim even though it wasn't done.
Edward took in a deep breath and continued to walk around the crime scene ignoring the pointed glares from his co-workers. He needed to find clues, things that would lead him to where Airin might be.
He came to a rather large blood spot on the ground, originally he would walk past it but there were a few stones at one of the ends. Three small pebbles piled up and Nygma knelt down to see, picking one up he felt a strange warmth to it. Rolling it around against his palm, he stood up and looked around to see everyone ignoring him, ignoring the obvious.
Because it was so easy too, Edward thought.
He set the pebble down and stood up seeing the blood spot from a different angle; a compass. He moved slightly so that he was standing south of the blood, than looked again. East, wherever she was – Airin was headed East. Edward scooped up the pebbles and started to walk off.
And with whoever…
XXXXXX
Bruce woke with a slight jolt of chill rushing through his body like a waterfall. He coughed as he went upright, blinking thrice he adjusted his eyes to darkness. His body shook as he shivered another cool breeze went through the storage container. He could hear the rush of waves in the river so Bruce was somewhere at a port.
A tiny sound struck through the air and a candle was lit, then another and another until all ten flared through the container.
"Are you alright?"
Bruce jolted at the low voice and turned to see a young woman looking back at him. Her knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs and her chin resting on top.
"You look sick."
She reached out her hand but Bruce immediately pushed himself off his bed and mashed himself against the side of the container. He regretted it as a sharp pain blossomed in his head causing his to clench his teeth.
Airin withdrew her hand and grabbed an ice pack and a bucket. Bruce gratefully took the bucket just as chunks came up, he could feel a slight chill rush on the surface of his leg. Looking down he saw the ice pack gently applied and a fingerless gloved hand held it in place.
"…Thank you…." Bruce muttered.
After a few brief moments Airin removed the pack and examined the wound.
"There are still a few stones left in the flesh," she said, Bruce was surprised by her hollow voice. "I was hoping to take them out while you were out, but it doesn't seem that way."
She took out a small bundle that rattled with every movement. Bruce swallowed hard and looked at her seeing as she was dead serious.
"Why did you take me here?" Bruce said shuffling a little further away from the plier-wielding Pyro.
"You were injured."
"The ambulance…"
"Has been delayed, because the hospital is under Falcone's rule they wait up to an hour for the mob boss's men to take away their dead. It's so that none of their gang can be identified by the police."
Bruce was about to protest but Airin continued.
"If I hadn't taken you, then you would've bled to death like the other twenty-five people."
"There…there were others?"
"Yes…most likely all dead now."
"Why did you save them?!" Bruce shouted suddenly. "Why did you have to save me? What's so special about me?!"
Airin looked at the boy and just merely shrugged. Bruce's jaw dropped, than closed as he looked down at the ground. He ignored her hand on his leg but couldn't ignore the sting as the tips of the pliers entered.
"Hold still," she said again.
Bruce bit his tongue as the stone was pulled before letting out a sharp gasp. Airin handed him a cloth and told him to clench. She tried to take out the next one but Bruce's leg twitched involuntary. He took out the cloth.
"Sorry."
"Move it again and I'm going to have to bind it down."
Bruce took in a breath then nodded pulling the cloth between his teeth. He took in a deep breath reminding his self that it was just like when he tested himself after his parents died. Bruce had to remain strong, he couldn't show weakness no matter what even in front of a total stranger – a psychotic stranger.
It took Airin forty minutes to take all the stones out of Bruce's leg she had to stitch one of the wounds. She was cleaning the tools when Bruce finally spoke again.
"Where are we?"
"On the outskirts of Gotham."
Bruce gave a few coughs. "I need to go back."
"Why?"
"Because Alfred is probably frantic," Bruce let out a sigh. "I was a fool to make him worry like that."
"What were you doing there anyway? Weren't you supposed to be at school?"
Bruce couldn't help but give a small smile. "I was with Cat, she's teaching me how to run and climb."
"Cat? Selena Kyle?"
"Yes."
"Is Alfred your dad?"
"He's my family he's teaching me how to fight."
"Why would he do that?"
Bruce clammed up, than he told her everything.
XXXXXX
James entered the station passing through the lines of ramble and walked to the podium. Bullock was seated at his desk, feet up and reading the paper like usual. He looked to see Captain Essen coming out to see him.
"Ed is back in his office, anyone want to tell me why?"
She looked between James and Bullock mostly.
"Must've grown a pair when he was in the hospital," Bullock commented.
Essen glared at him.
"He knows the Pyro."
The whole station went silent. You could hear a pin drop. Captain Essen dragged the two into her office and slammed the door shut.
"Alright you're both going to tell me what's going on – right now!"
"All we know is that her name is Airin Whitl, she has been in Gotham before and bounces around a lot when she's here. She comes from a carnival and they didn't treat her well at all. Edward saved her and kept her hidden in his apartment until she was able to care for herself."
"Why would he want to do that?"
"…I don't know."
There was a knock at the door and Essen motioned the officer to enter.
"There's a call for you Detective Gordon."
"Alright."
"I still want answers," Essen shouted as the door slammed shut.
Gordon walked back to his desk and picked up the phone. He thought it might be Alfred wondering if they found 'Master' Bruce yet.
"The reason he saved her was because he thought she was in danger."
James froze as Max's voice echoed.
"Hello again Detective."
"Max…what are you doing?"
"Helping you find the Pyro."
James thought quickly. "Ed told us everything, about the carnival, about that night and about Airin Whitl."
"Figured," Max huffed. "That man will hide behind anything with a gun."
"What do you want?"
"What he doesn't know is about her parents."
"What are you talking about?"
Max let out a low chuckle. "Let's talk Detective."
"Alright I'm listening."
"In person, come find me…."
James listened to the address and knew that it was a small bank in the middle of the business district. Having it in a crowded area was smart but James knew that he would have to be careful nonetheless.
"What's up partner?" Harvey said as the phone slammed down.
"I'll be back," James said throwing his jacket over his arm.
Harvey immediately stood. "Oh no you're not Jim, who the hell was that huh?"
"…it was Max Prievon."
"You mean the guy Ed framed for murder."
James let out a breath: "Yep."
"So what does he want?"
"Wants to meet up, something about Airin's parents and whatever it is perhaps we can use it against her. Make her come out of hiding."
"Sure, is that going to before or after he kills Ed."
Jim walked down the stairs to the ground floor. "So you do care for him."
Harvey leaned against the bannister. "Never said that."
His partner gave a half-ass waved bye as he walked out the door.
XXXXXX
Ed stepped away from the window in the forensics lab, after Detective James took his leave. He knew that he had to go too. As he packed his bag the door flew open and Harvey marched into the room. He grabbed the investigator by the collar and threw him against the wall.
"Alright Smartass you better get everything out this time."
"I…I already to-."
"Why did they send you on an undercover gig?"
At first Ed didn't say anything until Harvey gave him a strong shake.
"Alright! It was before Captain Essen was the captain and it was when the station had the shortage of officers."
"I could've gone," Bullock hissed. "You know that."
"You were too much of a wild card and missed the obvious. Also the captain never liked you to begin with."
"I don't give a damn about that!"
"He chose me because he knew that something was wrong, something was missing and wanted me to go back to see what it was. Since the warrant expired and the carnies wouldn't let us in."
Bullock released Ed who straightened and smoothed down his lab coat.
"Seeing Airin wasn't part of the plan," Ed continued. "I was just looking for more evidence to incriminate Max."
"But you couldn't…instead you made up bullshit and kidnapped a child."
Nygma took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. For once – nothing came out.
"You're lucky that I'm not putting your skinny ass in cuffs."
Harvey started to walk away when he quickly did a double take and ran up to Ed. The coroner flinched as Harvey's hands slapped the wall either side of him.
"Do you know anything about Airin's parents?"
"W-what?"
"Anything!"
"From the background check I did her parents died when she was quite young – 7 years old. She was sent to an orphanage when no foster home wanted her. Escaped only days later taking nothing with her, that's all the records have of her."
"The police have an actual record of her name?"
"No just a description, but it matched her perfectly. 'Red hair, youngish female, impervious to pain and red eyes.'"
"Dam- wait did you say 'eyes'?"
Edward nodded. "I think that Max gouged out her eye to sell on the black market."
Harvey let out a breath. "An organ like that would be thousands on the market."
"Hundreds of thousands," Ed corrected.
"What are her parents' names?"
"Dariella and Markus Whitl."
"Anything about them?"
"Nothing much, Markus was an engineer and Dariella worked at the hospital."
"There's something more to that if Max wanted Jim's attention."
Shock flashed across Ed's face.
"What? He's meeting Max – where?"
"I don't know."
Ed walked past him, grabbing his bag and headed out the door.
"Hey where the hell are you going?"
"Max would probably want it to be someplace public, some place obvious."
"Why?"
"Because he likes to make a show."
XXXXXX
Airin walked behind Bruce, they had just crossed the bridge and were back on Gotham territory. The youth walked with a slight limp and pain would ghost over his face once in a while. Airin remained alert looking this way and that.
"Do you have any change?" Airin asked. "If we can find a pay phone you can call and Alfred can come get you, probably best to go to the hospital."
Bruce rummaged through his pocket and managed to produce a couple coins. Airin nodded and motion him to follow, leading him to a pay phone.
"Why are you doing this?" Bruce suddenly asked.
"Doing what?"
"Helping me."
"Because you are injured, I was always taught to help those injured and weak."
Bruce felt his heart drop at the word, "I'm not weak."
"You are injured, you are weak."
"You only have one eye – that makes you weak too."
Airin stopped and turned. "I know."
They walked a little further until Airin pointed out a pay phone. Bruce walked over and was ready to put in the coins when his words accusing Airin of weakness replayed in his mind. He knew that he shouldn't have said that, Bruce's own wounds were minor compared to having an eye torn out. Still standing after that made her strong not weak – but still moving after an injury to the leg made him strong too.
"What are you waiting for?"
Bruce looked up to see Airin patiently waiting for him to dial. He found it quite hard for her to be the same psychotic murder the papers have been accusing of – an arsonist however was more believable. Bruce took in a breath and dialed.
"Hello?" the voice belonged to Harvey Dent.
"This is Bruce, is Alfred there?" the boy asked.
"Oh..yes! Yes…Mr. Pennyworth, its Bruce."
There was a crash on the other end of the line and a quick shuffle.
"Master Bruce!" a voice breathed.
Bruce couldn't help but smile as he heard Alfred's voice even though he knew he was going to get an earful.
"Hello Alfred, always glad to hear you."
Another sigh then: "oh you stupid cleaver boy! I'm so glad that you're safe – where are you?"
"On the coroner of Hardwood and Bellmill."
"Alright I'm on my way, stay put."
"Yeah…"
Bruce hung up and turned to Airin.
"He's on his way."
"Alright, bye."
Airin turned to leave when Bruce took in a breath.
"I'm sorry."
The Pyro turned.
"About what?"
"You drank the water that was contaminated, done by my parents through backdoor dealings."
Airin tilted her head, almost in a curious manner.
"A lot of people drank that water Bruce, a lot of homeless people like myself."
"I'm sorry for all of them."
"You may feel sorry for them, but do not let it get in the way of what you have to do. What do you want to do?"
"I…I don't know."
Airin nodded. "That is a good answer."
Bruce made a face: "huh?"
Airin knelt down so that she was matching Bruce's height.
"No matter how the world looks, or if it isn't as you seem – never close your eyes."
XXXXXX
James stood by the community bank looking out for Max. Whatever he wanted James would listen as always but then make his own choices. Airin needed to be brought to justice, but first James needed to understand why. If it had something to do with her parents then he could see where some of Airin's aggression comes from.
"Detective James…Gordon."
James turned to see Max. He was dressed in better clothes and looked slightly better than their first meeting.
"Thank you Detective Gordon," Max said as if reading the man's mind.
"You said something about Airin's parents."
"Darielle and Markus Airin…great people, honest – something hard to find in Gotham don't you know."
"I've been told – countless times."
"Markus was a brother to me."
"What is it you want to tell me?" James asked getting slightly impatient.
"Darielle was pregnant with Airin for the appropriate nine months, and out the baby came – all healthy and beautiful. The red eyes were quite a shock to the delivery room as you can imagine, but Darielle and Markus still loved her with much their heart. They didn't see the monster underneath – they didn't…understand…."
"Understand what?"
Max took in a breath. James didn't miss the hint of rage spread of the ex-convicts face.
"She killed them…murdered them both in their sleep."
James narrowed his eyes.
"They both died of natural causes."
"Nothing natural about what happened to them, they were completely healthy nothing wrong. They weren't addicts of either drug or alcohol, and none had any physical or mental health issues."
James just remained; listening.
"Are you alone Detective?"
James immediately grew defensive.
"What kind of question is that?"
"A very good one."
The detective turned ready to leave.
"Markus was a brother to me."
James turned around again and slowly walked up to Max.
"Airin is your niece." It wasn't a question.
XXXXXX
At the warehouse, Oswald waited patiently, he had contacted Gabriel to get Edward Nygma. He had overheard Max and Detective James's conversation in the business district. A car screeched as it came into the lot and door slammed seconds later.
Edward came into the warehouse he was escorted by the two bodyguards on either side.
"I heard something quite interesting about Airin."
Edward sighed. "Detective Bullock just told me, so what happens now?"
"The mobs actions towards her was panic, they wanted to scare her into submission not out of the city."
"Nothing scares her anymore Mr. Cobblepot. What they did to her only made her angry, she will want to retaliate."
"They will kill her, and I can't have her killed."
"I know and I don't want her killed either."
"I can get her out of the city as long as everything goes as planned."
"Fish should be moving soon, I've noticed that she is…nervous but excited at the same time. She claimed to not want Airin either."
"She will need Airin to prove that she is strong enough, most of the men look down upon her because she is a woman. They do not think she has strength to succeed Don Falcone if something…unfortunate should happen to him."
"What would she do?"
"It wouldn't make my plans go any faster Mr. Nygma. But to satisfy your question, Fish would present AIrin and be received excellently. She will be given more territory, her pride will escalate and she will be seen as strong in the eyes of the men under Don Falcone. They will follow her even though they will not want to – why? Because she has done something they never could."
"Then she'll kill Airin wouldn't she?"
"Yes."
"Because Airin is uncontrollable, dangerous and a psychopath in their eyes."
Oswald studied Ed for a few beats.
"What do you see?"
Ed paused. "She does what she needs to, to survive."
"Even if it involves murder?"
Edward faltered and turned away.
"What I finding surprising is how long it is taking for the police to find and convict her," Oswald looked directly at Edward. "What's even more interesting is why they haven't convicted you yet."
Nygma glared. "Shut up."
The two bodyguards stepped forward feeling a threatening presence coming from their guest, but Oswald raised a hand.
"I apologize if I was forward Mr. Nygma, but I must say that you would have to be very crafty to allude the police like that."
Edward remained silent. Each took the time to gather their thoughts and plan their next move.
"She was last seen with Bruce Wayne, the orphan boy. Apparently he was injured during the shootout. Do you know where she went?"
"She has many hideouts in the city like every other homeless person in Gotham. Airin is cleaver so she would have sent Mr. Wayne home, she doesn't like company."
"But she does like you."
Edward shook his head. "She's not listening anymore, she does things on her own and moves about how she likes."
"But she does return home."
"Not a lot, especially lately…I think something's wrong."
"Max will only be around long enough to kill Airin, than he will most-likely leave."
"So I want us to move quickly."
Edward took in a breath.
"Then you're going to have to convince Falcone and Maroni more quickly."
Oswald agreed. "It might take some time however."
"I might be able to help."
There was a silence but one of thanks and acceptance. Edward decided to take his leave.
"Good-bye Mr. Cobblepot."
Oswald smiled. "Please…we're friends are we not? Call me Penguin."
