Chapter Nine
I woke up the next morning in my bed. My head was pounding when I suddenly remembered. That bastard knocked me out. I scoffed at the thought but it didn't surprise me. I took a long hot shower and tried to think about why The Joker wanted more information on Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne was just some rich prick who unofficially ruled Gotham and all of it's single ladies. But I knew I really didn't have a choice. I dressed in my skinny jeans, boots and a purple fitting tee. I was almost certain that Commissioner Gordon had a private file on Bruce Wayne somewhere. I heard him mention it once to a fellow cop, he just didn't say where it was. My first stop was his office. I headed out into the kitchen for some coffee when I saw a gold box with a purple bow sitting on my counter. Perfect.
I took off the card first which read, 'A pet for my pet. My apologies for last night, I promise to make it up to you on Thursday.- J'. I tossed the note aside and opened the box. My heart sank. A baby python was curled up inside the box and looked up at me with cute eyes. I smiled and let him wrap himself around my hand. He was very tiny, but from what I knew about snakes, he would most likely get pretty big. I knew The Joker probably did this to upset me, not knowing that I love reptiles. Or did he know? It wasn't his style to do something nice for someone for the hell of it. I had a small cage from when I had a hermit crab a few years back in my closet that I put my new friend in for the time being. I would get him a dope bachelor pad today after my work was done. I headed out and made my way to the police department. I saw cops outside running around frantically and Jim Gordon heading for a police cruiser. I caught him and he sighed.
"Morning Leah, I am sorry but I don't have time to chat. Apparently The Joker robbed a bank downtown and made a huge mess. A bomb mess to be exact. Can we catch up later?" He asked as he moved past me.
"Oh yeah no worries. I'll come by later this week!" I said as he nodded. The cruisers went full speed towards the heart of Gotham and I held on tight to Gordon's access badge in my fist. He was definitely off his game if I could get it off of him this easily. I headed towards the back of the building and swiped his badge. The Joker must have really done a number on this bank because the building was close to empty. I felt my phone buzz and I checked my incoming text, 'You're Welcome. ;-)-J'. Wow. I had to give him credit. His stalking skills were on point if he knew when I would need the PD to be empty. Or his goons stalking skills, whoever. I shook my head and shoved my phone back in my bag. I swiped Gordon's to get in his office. I started rifling through anything I could find. There was a lot going on in Gotham apparently. A lot of top secret government, but not why I was here. I was about ready to give up when I saw a black file folder in the very back of Gordon's file cabinet. I grabbed it and opened it to find Bruce Wayne's CEO profile picture. Bingo. I didn't have time to read it. I laid Gordon's badge on his desk strategically, knowing where he usually left it. I made my way out of the PD and headed to the pet shop. I grabbed a nice terrarium for my new friend that I still hadn't named and some mice. I quickly went home, set up the new home and set my little snake inside. I went to my desk and opened the file on Wayne. I gasped at what I saw. I saw blueprints of the Bat Mobile that I frequently saw cruising through crime scenes when I was still a journalist. I saw Task Force X information that apparently Batman was trying to intercept. I knew why The Joker wanted more information on Wayne. Bruce Wayne was Batman.
The Joker was trying to get to Batman another way. Through his real identity. He obviously had a hunch, he just used me to fill in the holes. If I gave The Joker this file, it would cause absolute chaos. Bruce Wayne would be caught at a weak moment, a moment when he wouldn't be the Caped Crusader. He would be vulnerable, he would be eliminated by his biggest enemy. And it would be my fault. But if I didn't give The Joker this file, he would kill me. I knew that. He would kill me in the worst way possible and get the file anyway. Before I could even make a decision, I heard a knock at the door. I answered it to see Jeff. He smiled and gave me a kiss. I kissed him back and smiled weakly.
"I had to see you." He said with his gorgeous smile. He moved his long hair behind his ear and hugged me.
"Well, I am glad you're here." I lied. I liked Jeff, a lot. But I was still reeling from this new information. As Jeff talked about random crap, I sat there and tried to seem interested in what he was saying. I felt so guilty. But I couldn't stop thinking about what The Joker might do now. And how a small part of me got a little hot thinking about him taking out Gotham's winged hero. What was happening to me?
I dressed in a short black dress that had a low plunge and long sleeves. I put on my black stilettos and was putting my earrings in when I heard a gruff knock at my door. I opened it to see JOhnny Frost.
"What's going on? I thought he was picking me up?" I said, knowing he knew who I was referring to.
"Change of plans. Boss wants you to meet him for dinner at the club. He told me to be sure you bring the file." He said not moving from his soldier like stance.
"Yeah, I have it. Let's go." I said as he motioned for me to go first. I got into the Cadillac SUV and checked my hair in the visor mirror. As usual, Frost said nothing. He helped me out of the car and led me to the back entrance of the club. The club was loud and busy but where I was taken, was quiet and dimly lit. A table for two was set up in the middle of room and The Joker was at the bar getting himself a drink. He glanced at me and smiled his terrifying grin.
"Well don't you look mouth watering." He said. I rolled my eyes. "Drink?" He asked.
"Something strong. Really strong." I said. He cackled.
"Nervous pet? Why?" He asked as he poured my drink. I stood next to him at the bar and tossed the file next to me. He handed me my drink and went to grab the file. I stopped his cold hand with mine.
"Now listen. What is in this file is pretty huge. I need to know that you won't go on a huge rampage and…." but before I could finish, he had shoved my hand away and started reading. He walked away from me with his eyes skimming back and forth. I shot back my drink in two gulps. He started laughing uncontrollably.
"I knew it! Wayne is Bat boy! I knew he was too mentally screwed up to not be some sort of masked idiot. This is a good night." He said smiling. He turned to me and snaked towards me.
"This is excellent work, Ms. Maran. Success suits you." He said as he ran a finger down my bare sternum. My heart raced and my breathing intensed.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"For now? I was thinking you." He growled.
"No, I mean to Bruce." I asked.
"Don't worry that pretty little head of yours, doll. What happens between Batsy and myself is my business. Doesn't concern me. Now come here." He said as he pulled me in for a deep kiss. A part of me knew he didn't mean this. He did mean to make me blush and go weak at the knees, but his kindness and comforting side was not meant. He did this to shut me up. I took it. I took it willingly. He bit my lip and lifted me onto the bar. I moaned into his mouth as he worked on me. My dress was shredded, his clothes were scattered, the food was cold. Whatever was going to happen to Bruce Wayne, was going to happen. All I could do now was let The Joker take me in whatever way he saw fit.
