What kind of tree can you carry in your hand?
Chapter VIII
I found myself in a crummy café of the outskirts of town, sitting with Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon in a booth by the window. I knew fair well at the moment I would be the envy of most women in the city, I wanted to smirk but I knew this was not the appropriate time so I kept the smiles on the inside.
The booth which we sat in was rather, how do I put this? Shabby, yes shabby that was a good word to describe it. The table was made of wood, white in colour glossed over by some sort of varnish. At the end of the table there was a forest green napkin holder, stuffed with white sheets of paper meant to shield your clothes from ruin, not that they were large enough to prevent inevitable spills. There were also several large glass bottles filled with sauces like: brown sauce, ketchup and vinegar. The leather seats we sat in were a reddish brown, I guess you could call it a deep maroon if you so pleased. The walls around the window were a silver metallic colour, and the wall below it was a varnished birch colour. The blinds were pulled halfway up, allowing the little natural light to seep through and illuminate the dark room. Lights clung to the walls, they were long cylinders giving off a yellow light that was not only artificial but dim as well. Harvey had a large white porcelain cup of coffee in front of him, I sat beside him as he insisted.
I denied the offer of a drink, frankly seeing the state of the bathroom I really didn't want to be drinking anything from this café.
"So Loeb's been collecting dirt on cops for years and using it to control the department," Dent stated.
Jim nodded with dismay, I pulled out a large green file from my blue glossy handbag placing it on the table. I opened it up, flicking through the various members of the GCPD with a "Cobblepot."
"It's true, I did a lot a snooping around and research and managed to dig up information of all of the cops with blemished records, therefore we'll know which ones we can trust or not. Like this one, Detective Paula West. Killed a chain mobster on New Year's Eve a few years ago, before any of us worked here. Loeb then used it against her as, made her confess to something she didn't do to cover up for one of his friends and now she's in prison. Her sentence, life," I told them both. My snooping was less than allowed but it was for a good cause.
"I doubt it stops there. He's probably got leverage on businessmen, politicians," Jim said.
I nodded, flicking through the file, finding loads of politicians, businessmen and even some lawyers. Most of them though were coppers and detectives in the GCPD.
"He's got nothing on us," Dent declared.
"Just checking," Jim let out a breathy chuckle. "Anyway, yeah, that's the source of all his power."
Harvey took a sip from the coffee in his mug, I was pleased he didn't slurp like Bullock does. That always sent shivers down my spine, I hated slurping so much.
"And you want to steal the dragon's gold," Harvey commented.
"If we find his cache of evidence and destroy it, he'll be toothless," Jim smirked.
"Oh, I know Loeb. He won't keep it anywhere obvious. We could watch him, hope he leads us to it," Harvey suggested.
I sighed, knowing nothing would ever be that simple. Gillian B. Loeb was a corrupt, lying cheater but he was no fool. He would never be so stupid to just lead us to all his evidence.
"We don't have that kind of time," Jim stated.
"Isn't there someone Loeb might have trusted? Ex-friends? An estranged wife?" Harvey asked.
"Well, he was married. She died 20 years ago. Fell down the stairs. Well, there were rumours Loeb killed her, but nothing ever happened with it," Jim told us.
Fell down the stairs, now that was very unlikely.
"That is actually very unlikely, most people who fall down the stairs do not die. Everyone falls down the stairs at some point in their lives. While a person may be injured or maybe even paralysed in such an incident, it's not likely they would die. It all depends upon the height of the stairs, the amount of stairs and the speed they are travelling at. However if a person were to hit their head on the descent this may be the reason she died, I think it much more likely Loeb killed her," I explained.
I looked at my colleagues, taking in their baffled faces and bewildered looks. I simply smiled sheepishly in response. Ed would have liked that comment.
"Still can't believe about your partner. Why'd he do it? What's Loeb have on him?" Harvey asked.
This is when I looked down, I knew and so did Jim. Not that I would ever dream on splitting on him, while Harvey was a grump, slightly cruel and annoying he was Jim's partner and at heart a good man. Harvey Dent can sweet talk me and smile all he wants, he won't get anything out of me.
"I don't know," Jim lied, convincingly let me tell you.
"Well, it's got to be rough. I know how it is with cops and their partners," he sympathised.
Harvey then smirked, he clearly had formulated a plan to get some dirt on Loeb.
I was driven back to the GCPD by Jim, we've decide that only one with information on Loeb is Griggs, Charley Griggs his former homicide detective partner. Jim asked me whether or not I could wire something up to record the conversation, I smirked in response telling him I already had a recorder in my office, I kept it for conversations I had with criminals.
Jim and I stood in the locker room, waiting for the arrival of Harvey Dent and Griggs. Jim stood in the corner of the room, by the cold grey lockers. I stood beside him, taking in his warmth and manly musk. The walls were covered in dirt, stained by age and general lack of hygiene. The walls were half way bricked in a deep grey colour and the rest of the walls were plain. From the ceiling hung large rectangular lights, shining brightly down on the dark and dismal room. Also on the wall there were several plugs and small cylinder lights covered by a black metal grate. At the top of the lockers there were dirty pieces of laundry and on the floor there were a soft coloured wood bench. I desperately wanted to clean it all.
Harvey walked through the door, Griggs following him. Griggs was an aging man with blond hair, which was thinning as well as greying. He had sharp blue eyes and a rather jowly face. He wore a grey suit, navy blue shirt and a blue stripy tie to match.
"What is it? What's the matter, Dent? I thought that Lambusta case was settled. And why the hell are we meeting here?" Griggs questioned.
"You'll see," he promised.
Griggs looked shocked to see the both of us standing the in room, my arms folded around my chest, my eyebrow raised. Little did he know behind my back I was recording every word the guy was gonna say.
"You know Jim Gordon?" he asked.
"What the hell's going on?" he protested.
Jim walked away from me, going to close the door to make sure Griggs couldn't do a runner and to make sure no one came in, that would ruin the interrogation process.
"Take a seat," Jim nodded towards the bench.
Harvey pointed at it, and this time Griggs did not protest. He sighed, looking at the three of us.
"Back before Loeb was commissioner, when he was a lowly homicide dick, you were his partner," Harvey said.
"Yeah? That was 20 years ago," his emphasis was on the twenty when he spoke looking up at Dent.
Harvey looks at him, shaking his head slightly before he begins to speak.
"But I always hear that cop partnerships are like marriages. You know each other better than your wives. Isn't that right, Jim?" he looked over to the detective in a long trench coat standing by the door.
"That's right," his eyes shifted from Dent, to Griggs and his speech rather formal.
Griggs' blue eyes looked over into the direction of Jim, he narrowed his eyes before speaking.
"You digging up that old story about Loeb killing his wife? He was with me when she died," he defended the Commissioner.
"We know about the secret files," Jim said coldly and stiffly.
He looked baffled. I pretended to be listening, and making notes but in reality I was drawing in my notebook which was meant for notes, I didn't need to write down as I was recording this. I was drawing a picture of myself in a flowing dress, with ruffles and a flower crown upon my head. In my hand I held a bow and arrow, with the point being a heart shape. On the other page there was a picture of Kristen and Ed, with Kristen planting a kiss upon his cheek. I smirked slightly at my drawing of myself as cupid.
"What secret files?" he finished by staring to the floor.
"Oh, that was good. I almost believed him. What about you, Jim? Skye? Did he fool you?" Harvey looked down at the old man, his eyes scrutinising him.
Jim walked over towards Harvey, standing beside him. Jim nodded me over, so I walked over standing on the opposite side of Harvey, making sure I got every word coming out from this old man's mouth.
"No," Jim responded.
"You're out of your depth, kid. All of you. Swim back to shore," he spat, looking at all of us with his narrow beady eyes.
Jim cocked his head to the side, Harvey stared him down and I just smirked. It was three against one, a detective with an incredible no say die attitude. A district attorney, who was probably the best one I've ever dealt with. And a criminologist, who can tell if you're lying while not even looking at you. Jim walked towards the man, his head still cocked to the side.
"He's got something on you, too, doesn't he?" he questioned.
Jim sat down slowly, holding his coat as he did, on the bench. I didn't need to see nor hear to know Griggs was gulping.
"He got you to do something for him," Jim declared.
He leaned forward, looking at him intently. Griggs gulped again and his eyes were filled with terror. Jim was good.
"What was it? Robbery? Coercion? Murder?" Griggs flinched slightly at the word. "And all this time, he's been using it to keep you under his thumb."
"This is your chance to breathe easy again. Take it Griggs," Harvey tensed up slightly.
Griggs looked up at Harvey after he finished speaking, he looked through his long blonde eyelashes as he spoke.
"I don't know what you two are talking about. If I did, I'd say talk to Xi Lu. Chinese bookkeeper on Huron Street," he looked at Jim, who leant away, closing his eyes briefly. He looked up from the edge of his eyes to me and Harvey. "Loeb always said you want to keep something safe, you give it to Xi Lu."
This is when Griggs scurries off out of the door, worried that if he didn't leave sooner or later Jim would punch his face in, which he probably would.
"You want to bring in Bullock? We might need him," Dent suggested.
"No," Jim confirmed.
They went to leave, me following them. Jim turned around, ushering Dent out of the door telling him to get the car. He looked at me, eyes blue eyes searching mine.
"You know you can't come along," he said.
"I can handle myself Jim, you don't have to worry about me," I assured him.
"I do though. Please I want to be safe. You already did enough getting us the files which you probably aren't authorised to get and you recorded the whole conversation as evidence. Skye, just take a break for a bit, for me?" he made me promise, his blue eyes begging me.
I nodded silently, Jim grasped my shoulder tightly smiling momentarily at me before running out of the locker room, to meet with Harvey Dent.
I watched him go out of the doors, and as he left I approached Harvey Bullock sitting at his desk, eating a Danish pastry. I smelt the waft of warm pastry and custard, it made my mouth water and stomach rumble. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. Maybe I should have had something at that café. On his desk he had his walkie-talkie. The walkie-talkie I wired up to my recorder so he could receive the whole transmission of what was going on. While I trusted Jim and his methods, it was a plain as day it was a trap. I needed Harvey on board if things went south, which they probably would.
"You got the transmission?" I hoped.
"Yep, heard it loud and clear. Why doesn't Jim want me on the case?" he questioned no one in particular.
I dragged up the chair from Jim's desk over to Harvey's. The chair scratched against the vinyl flooring, making an ear screeching scream. Before Harvey could react, I broke off a piece of his Danish pastry, popping it in my mouth my eyebrows raised. He stared me down as the flaky and sweet pastry was swallowed. I went to go take another piece but he slapped at my prying hand. I faked a sad expression.
"Probably because the reason he's doing all this is to clear your name," I told him.
"Really?" he asked.
"Really," I confirmed.
I saw a small smile tug at the lips of the older detective. He clearly seemed touched about the lengths Jim was going to help him.
"They're going to a bookshop, Huron Street. It's a trap, for sure. I guess we better get a going," I suggested.
Harvey pulled himself up from his chair, placing his hat on the back of his head and shrugging his black jacket over his shoulders. I follow him out of the precinct, leaving my pink windbreaker jacket in my office, I was glad it was locked. It was way too expensive to be left unattended.
We came to his grey automobile, I took a seat in the front and Harvey in the driver's seat. He stepped down hard on the accelerator making sure we could be there before either of the men get bullets in their brains or other parts of their bodies.
"How'd you get so good at this recording malarkey?" Harvey asked me as he drove way over the speed limits.
I rolled my eyes, story time folks. I was never a good story teller, my father was though. He could spin webs of complete fiction and make you believe every woven word coming of his silver tongue.
"When I was younger back on the farm, we had a shed at the back of the house. My mother was a hoarder, kept weird things like old radios, wires, walkie-talkies. You name it, she had it. So one day I was tasked with two sets of chores, I clean up the shed or muck up after the pigs. Naturally I picked the former," I explained.
"Naturally," Harvey smiled.
"So I went into that shed and I began mucking around the stuff and ended up creating a radio transmission by mistake. Then I decided to spend more time in the shed, working on radio transmissions, recordings and even hacking phones. I had a boring childhood so I taught myself things," I told him.
Harvey smiled slightly as he took a sharp left, almost flinging me out of windshield. I really wanted to throw up right now, I was not good in cars let alone roller coasters. That was my greatest fear, roller coasters. I know it's pathetic but so if fear. I guess it fits.
Well that and being alone for the rest of your life.
I saw Dent and Jim almost instantly, they were running down an alleyway, away from a group of oriental men holding guns. Harvey backed the car up slightly and then drove forward quickly busting the through the grey metal fence, I pushed open the door at the back of the car.
"Get in!" Harvey yelled.
They both do as they're told without further instruction, getting in the back of the car quickly as Harvey drove away, the tires screeching against the tarmac of the road. As the car drove away the yelling from the men continued. I let out a sigh of relief, I was glad to see neither of them were hurt.
"We got to go back there. You've got to call backup," Dent demanded.
We just saved your arse and you don't even thank us. Rude bugger.
"Forget it! The place will be cleaned out in five minutes," Harvey replied gruffly.
"Thanks for stopping by," Jim said. "How'd you know where we were?"
At least he has some manners.
"I transmitted the whole interrogation to Harvey, and hacked both of your phones when you went to the loo. It was simple enough," I told them.
"So you don't trust us? But you trust him?" Dent complained.
"I never said I didn't trust you, I just knew it was a trap and you would get your arses whopped. Why wouldn't I trust Harvey?" I retorted, while Dent was a good man he sure as hell knew how to get on my nerves. I have known you one day, I'm not trusting as easily ever again. Jerome ruined my trust.
That shut him up, Harvey gave me a half smirk before returning his vision to the road.
"I got enough on my conscience," he told us.
"Griggs set us up. Now Loeb knows we're after his evidence cache," Jim moaned slightly.
I think everyone with more than one brain cell saw this was a set up.
"Griggs sent you? Guy would turn on anyone to save his own skin. You just got to scare him enough," Harvey informed us.
"We tried," Harvey said.
"Let me. Counsellor, trust me, you're gonna want to sit this one out. Oh and take her back to the GCPD for me will ya?" Harvey asked.
We got out of the car, and watched it drive off into the distance. I sighed, I can only guess what was happening now was really violent, that's why I wasn't allowed near them. The fact Dent was a District Attorney meant he could get them both in serious trouble, so they probably didn't want him watching them.
We trudged through the rain, the droplets of water pattered against our scalps and misted up my glasses. My shoes were being soaked by the muggy and dirty water clogged up in puddles. We walked back to the GCPD in completely awkward silence. While Harvey was perfectly pleasant, good at his job and rather handsome I just didn't feel the same connection I did with Jim. I know I sound completely stupid but with him I had a feeling there was something darker about him. Something almost worrying. Probably me being stupid.
We came to the dominating site of the GCPD, I pushed open the door to the building, holding it open so Harvey could follow me in. I smiled at him, going off to fill in some paper work but he called me back. I turned around to look at him, his brown eyes locking onto mine. He passed me a small white card with something scribbled onto it.
"If you ever need a lawyer," he smiled briefly before leaving the GCPD.
I watched him walk back out into the torrential rain. It splattered his suit, I watched until the door slammed shut and all visions of him disappeared. I looked down at the piece of card, it had his number written on it. If I needed a lawyer, I knew who to call.
My eyes found Ed, walking over to Kristen. Ed had taken off his lab coat and was wearing a dapper brown suit and brown shoes to match. Kristen was wearing a light green jump with a white shirt underneath, the collar showing. She also wore a deep forest green pleated skirt. Behind his back he held a large bouquet of white roses and foliage. It was beautiful and really heart felt, if she doesn't like that she really isn't worth all this trouble.
I slip behind the screen of a computer, pretending to be working but in reality I was just listening in on their conversation. I prayed that everything would go well, Ed was sweet and if Kristen didn't see that, she was a blind as I am without my glasses.
"Ms. Kringle," Ed cleared his throat.
"Oh, Mr. Nygma," Kristen seemed surprised, again why was this surprising to the woman?
"Ms. Kringle, I was wondering if you had dinner plans this evening," he smiled brightly.
She pulled a face of complete and utter awkwardness. She rubbed the back of her slightly. Ed's eyes sparkled with delight but I knew this response was not going to be the positive one he deserved.
"Oh, um... actually, I... I do. With Tom. Have-have you met Tom?" she demurred.
This is when a man stepped forward. Tom as Kristen called him was handsome, not even I could deny that. He had porcelain like skin, sandy brown hair and deep hazel eyes. He was leaning against a desk and looking afar. He wore a leather jacket that suited the laid back look he was obviously going for. I smiled sadly down at the keyboard. Poor Ed.
"You're the guy that likes riddles. Hey, what has hands but can't clap?" he asked.
"A clock," he answered.
That was a simple a counting to ten. At least challenge the man. He would obviously beat Tom, he was the best guy I knew at answering riddles, after me of course.
"Correct." He chuckled "He's good. You're good."
"Am I correct to assume that this is your... uh, your new boyfriend?" Ed asked formally.
I could see in his eyes how distraught he was, his eyes were brimming with tears. I could see one of his fisted was clenched.
"Yeah... Yes, I guess so," Kristen replied.
"You betcha," he purred, before slapping her bottom.
I rolled my eyes disgusted. Clearly he was not a man of intelligence, class or stature.
"Oh," she giggled.
I really wanted to go over and pretend to be Ed's girlfriend so he wouldn't look of awkward and embarrassed. I felt like bounding up to them right this instance, but I didn't. I would only make a fool of myself and him in the process.
"Congratulations, sir," Ed said politely.
"Thank you," he smirked.
"Well, we should probably get going," she said.
She began to drag Tom away by the hand, he followed her away but before leaving he said a brief goodbye to Ed.
"Okay. It's nice to meet you. Riddle man, next time... I'm gonna stump you," he declared.
"Next time," he laughed breathily.
As they left, I pried my body from the chair and ran over to him just as he threw the bouquet into the bin. His eyes misted over and I could almost hear his heart breaking in front of me. I couldn't help but feel responsible. I put him up to asking her out and now he's been rejected. I did this, I had to make it right now.
"Ed, I'm sorry, really I am," I apologised.
"It is true what they say, the heart is the only broken instrument that works," he sniffed slightly.
This in turn tore away slightly at my own heart. I wanted wrap my arms around him and let the pain of love seep through his being into mine. I also wanted to punch Kristen. Which I wanted to do more, I couldn't decide. I guess we were both good at being dismissed.
"Hey, after work how about me and you go get a couple of drinks?" I suggested.
"Normal girls don't wants to get drinks with me," he admitted.
"Well I'm not a normal girl," I smirked.
This is when he smiled, a full smile reaching his eyes unlike the ones he smiled around Kristen and Tom. What else was he supposed to do though, punch him in the face?
"So see you at eight then?" I confirmed.
He nodded quietly. Before I left, to go catch up with Jim and Harvey to see what they found, I pressed a small soft kiss to his cheek. This time I couldn't ignore the blush creeping up my cheeks or the beating of my heart against my chest. I also couldn't ignore the likewise blush on his face.
A palm.
Alright Gotham?
So currently I am in a predicament, Gotham doesn't return for us British folk till 2016... *fumes silently in the corner* I have been avoiding the internet now for some time to avoid spoilers.
Thanks to you all for following, favouriting and reviewing it means a lot! Love to you all!
Chaos Supernova, I already replied to your lovely review but I left out the most crucial thing, a hob-nob is a biscuit! It's basically an oat biscuit which people over here love. Apparently according to the internet you can buy them in America?!
Sapphire Roz, Too kind my friend, too kind! I think I might just write a Harley one shot, but her as Harleen which gives her reason to become Harley, all very emotional. For sure, seriously if they didn't hate each other they could be best buds! Even Jerome would be scared of her, and that is saying something lol! I hope your poor heart hasn't failed you!
Guest, Fan-girl language is the only language I am fluent in! It was never gonna be love at first sight because that's soooo over done. The feels will keep on coming! Gotham and drama are literally the same word, I love watching her learn to deal with all the issues that come along with moving to this great city! I hate Flass, and Loeb just needs to gooooo away forever! Loeb needs to stop trying to control Jim, you can't do it! I'm glad you like their friendship, she is so much more reasonable and sensible than Jim, seriously he just needs some more chill pills. Harvey Bullock is a good man he has just seen a lot of pain *sighs deeply and looks in distance thoughtfully* I saw that cheeky Steven Rogers reference there! It has Bruce, Alfred, Jim and Ed in it! I did a lot of reserach into his background and somehow got to write Bruce into as well! I shall be publishing it as soon as I can. I'm glad you think so! I kind of wish they could of got Cameron to play him, they could of just put a loud of make up on him to make him older looking? I'm looking forward to see Will Smith in it, I'm sure Fish is too lol! I can't do the Batman dance as I'm sulking... Very batman of me though...
Another Apocalypse, Well no you're probably upset for Ed, he didn't get the girl he was pining after but he is meeting up with Skye so not all is bad! I just realised how much Ed I write into everything, even a Guardians of the Galaxy story, maybe it's an obsession... We must sulk together!
Apollo Holmes, Love me some foreshadowing!
Scarecrow's Rag Doll, I'm glad you did!
Rachael torie b, Very wounding for us all, especially you as her mother! Seriously though if Skye's parents came to Gotham they could grab her by the scruff of her collar and drag her home. What would the squad (Jim, Bullock and Ed) do without her though?! More importantly, what would I write?! She needs someone gruff and angry to protect her, she is very silly. He's like an uncle or a godfather! They would, Ed would probably stalk her all the way to England, I could imagine him doing that... Way to vividly actually... I listened to it while rereadin that bit back and seriously you are so right! That should be his theme tune, Short Change Hero (by The Heavy) is Jim's theme tune I think you'll like it lot, very blueys but rocking too. Skye's is probably If You're Not The One Daniel Bedingfield, Harvey Bullock some old man music? Ed Obsessed With You by The Orion Experience. Enough talk about theme tune, onto reply to the rest of your review. Typical Skye, doing what's best for everyone else and never thinking about herself, ever! Yes, on my grave it shall say "Gotham killed her but she died happy." Such a player our Jim is, always making everyone fall in love with him. She would die just looking at Robin's adorable face! If she met Bruce and Selina though, she would just move into Wayne Manor. Don't we all? You were talking about adaptation and it reminded me of all that learning... Coz we know Jerome very well! They're room of them in everyone's life, am I right? For sure! It is a veg, it is grown! I think I'm gonna have him want to mess around with her head not love her. I better now, that sounded like a demand not a request. We all known that Bruce is a emo and Clark is a dork. That is Glitter Gal's trademark, I dn't wanna upset your alter ego! We really should stop breaking into the Asylum and freeing Jerome to do our evil doing... But it's good we have him on our side! Maybe we should visit Oswald for some bants as well? In a positive way? The drowning? Very Harvey Bullock of you that grammar!
More like stupid DC for giving them the same name, it isn't that hard to find some names that aren't Harvey! (Seriously buy a baby name dictionary) I think you can trust a select few, a very select few. Viola as well, she may not seem as sweet as Skye but man she is reliable! He is, very, very poop indeed! He's Jim, not even Skye can contain the rage! She'll try though, she'll try. Skye wouldn't be able to shoot people, she just deals with it and gets on with her life, but trust me she still remembers... She always remembers. Yep, she's has taken the option of sass over the option of crying and or getting angry. Sass duo to the rescue! They did! Oh Ed sometimes he is a fool... Scrap that he is always a fool. Well you can always vote on the poll on my profile, maybe it will help with the pain? There maybe a reason... I would never try and kill you! EVER! I'm glad it is/was! Well my dear here is your weekly dose!
See ya, when I see ya!
~I've been Jotunheim Storm~
Thanks xoxo
