Part 10, Truth-Telling

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"In a dark time, the eye begins to see

I meet my shadow in the deepening shade...

What's Madness but nobility of soul

At odds with circumstances? The day's on fire."

"In a Dark Time,"

Theodore Roethke

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Francine was alert and awake when Jack walked in. She was chatting amiably with a nurse who was taking her vitals as though they were old friends. Both of them looked up with a smile that suddenly died when they saw the look on his scarred face. The nurse excused herself and hurried out. The guards standing on either side of the bed made an effort to stare straight ahead and ignore any unfolding drama in the room.

"Is there a problem, Commissioner Napier?" She looked wary and a touch confused as he simply stood there and stared at her, studying every line of her face. The silence strained her nerves until he finally deigned to answer.

"I'm wondering how much of the demon is still in you and what to do about it. And I'm thinking that drastic measures are needed."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Has something happened? The demon is gone. I have no desire for it to return."

"Oh really, even if it's the only way to ensure your children's safety?"

"What do you mean? Is that some kind of a threat?" She tugged on the straps and glared at him in utter fury. "I already told you that our deal was based on you keeping my children safe. Are you going back on your word?"

"Not at all. It simply occurred to me that you've said several times that Wayne is a mad genius who's planned for every possible scenario. If that's true, then he must have planned for the possibility of one of his followers being captured and interrogated.

Everything you told me can't be taken at face value. You can't be trusted. But I need real answers and time is short. So we're going to talk again but on my terms."

He pulled a vial from his pocket and took a sterile needle from the tray by her bed. Pam had had the foresight to give him two doses before he'd gone to visit Jonathan. She'd wanted him to interrogate Francine as well. He'd objected at the time, wanting to trust the former demon, but trust was a luxury he couldn't afford any longer. Francine would tell him everything he wanted to know and only then could he be sure of his plan of action.

"What is that? What are you doing?" There was the beginning of panic in her voice and eyes but he paid no mind as he injected the content of the vial into her I.V.

She began to thrash against the restraints, wanting to get away from whatever he was introducing into her system. The two guards rushed over to pin her down but Jack just watched dispassionately. Was she scared because of what she might say or was it merely the result of the events of the past few days catching up with her?

The transformation had been traumatic both mentally and physically and he doubted she had fully come to grips with her changed status. He hoped it was just a panic attack at this new and confusing behavior on his part but the cynical side of his personality assumed she was hiding something. They'd soon find out.

The doctors ran in to find out what was going on but the guards had her pinned and immobile now and all they could do was check that her IV needle and monitor attachments hadn't been pulled out in the fight.

"Commissioner, what did you give her?" Dr. Elliot held up the used syringe with an accusing stare.

"A truth serum that Pam gave me before the incident with Jonathan. It won't harm her. She'll just be compelled to answer my questions honestly."

"And how do you know if it will react with the other medications we have her on?" Actually, the thought hadn't even occurred to Jack. But it didn't matter. She'd give him what he needed, even if it killed her.

"I don't. Could you go fetch Chief Nygma for me? I'd like him to be present while I interrogate the prisoner." Dr. Elliot looked unhappy at Jack's interference with his patient but there was little he could do. Jack's word was law when it came to dealing with the Bat-Demons. He left to go find Eddie.

By the time Nygma entered the room, Francine had stopped thrashing but she was still breathing in panicked little gasps. The guards had moved back but were on alert in case she acted up again. Eddie looked at Francine and then him. He couldn't completely hide the nervous look on his face. Jack's actions were harsh and unusual.

"What's going on, boss?"

"Just a little interrogation, chief. I'd like you to sit in on it. If you think of any questions you'd like to have answered, now would be the time."

"What do you mean?"

"Thanks to Pam, Francine's going to answer all of our questions truthfully. We're going to get some answers and then we'll go from there. So, is there anything you need to know?"

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Eddie looked doubtful as he took a seat next to Jack.

"It worked with Jonathan and she's restrained so she won't be able to attack us as he did."

"Good to know. Is the drug working right now?" Jack looked at Francine. Her eyes had that slight glazed look that Jonathan had when the drug reached his system but she was on other medications as well. They'd have to test it.

"Francine, can you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Good, we're going to ask you a few questions and I want honest answers. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand." She was reacting just as Jonathan had. Her voice was clear while her eyes held the same faraway look that Crane had had during his interrogation.

"Are you still loyal to Bruce Wayne?" He figured that was the easiest thing to ask. Her answer would help tailor his whole line of questioning. A slight tremor crossed her face as though she were resisting answering him.

"I hate him for what he did to my family but my loyalty is with Kirk and my children. I will do whatever is necessary to protect them."

"So you would lie to me to protect them?"

"Yes."

"Have you lied to me?" Again there was that slight hesitation.

"Yes, I've lied to you."

"What specifically have you lied about?"

"When I said that I was just a pawn to Wayne, I was lying. He relies on Kirk and I to help him with his research. He's always looking for ways to improve and modify the serum. I'm one of his most important tools.

And when I said I had no control over my actions, I wasn't telling the whole truth. The animal part was dominant but Wayne didn't brainwash Kirk or I like he did the others. He found it more amusing to keep us loyal through our children. So I was able to find some small ways of rebelling against him."

"Like what?"

"I hacked into the GCPD's files and put Kirk and I in as victims of the Bat-Demon. I thought someone might notice and connect our disappearance to the demon but it didn't work. And I resisted killing some of the people I had the opportunity to kill.

Sometimes I couldn't help it, their blood called to me. It tasted so good when I killed and fed but I hated myself every time. So I tried to simply scare people whenever I could. I wasn't going to kill the girl that Isley made as bait. I was trying to install fear in her so she'd know enough to hide from us in the future."

Jack would never have believed her if she wasn't under the influence of the truth serum. But it made sense that she was the one who had added the files to the list of victims. At least that mystery was solved.

"So if you're more important than you let on, will Wayne try to rescue you?"

"He doesn't care about me as an individual. He's only worried about what knowledge you might gain from me. If he can't rescue me, he'll try to have me killed."

"How? Does he have other spies besides Dr. Crane?"

"One other but I don't know who it is. He kept that a secret from all of us. He doesn't have any other informants because he was worried they might be found out. He's grown more and more paranoid over the years. I think part of him wants to reveal his identity, wants to flout his genius for the world to see. But mostly he wants to remain hidden. Every time you've come anywhere close to figuring out something about the demons, he'd do something to misdirect you."

"What can you tell us about his defenses? Every detail will help."

Eddie recorded everything she said as she rattled off a long list of built-in traps, everything from laser sensors to poison darts attached to pressure-sensitive tiles in the main foyer of Wayne Manor. She listed so many traps and security measures that Jack and Eddie exchanged a look of disbelief. Bruce Wayne must be the most paranoid and devious bastard on the face of the planet.

"Do you know where your children are kept? Will he use them as shields if we attack?" Jack asked once she'd finished the long list.

"They're always in the caves under his Manor. He doesn't let them go anywhere unless he's with him. He might use Rebecca as a shield but not Aaron. He thinks that even if he were killed, Aaron will carry on his work once he's older. He won't risk his protégé."

"That's good to know. How many auxiliary lairs does he have and where are they?" Yet again, she gave a long list of various hideouts and dives where the bat-demons roosted during the day. Apparently, Wayne didn't want all of his creations in one location. That way, if they were attacked and killed at one place, the others would be untouched. It was going to be hard to check all of them but he would figure something out.

The interrogation continued for another twenty minutes. Jack and Eddie grilled Francine on every topic they could think of that might help in the coming battle. She didn't even resist anymore but simply answered their every question mechanically.

When they were done, Jack was satisfied that Francine was not a threat. He was already making changes in his head to his attack plans based on what Francine had told them. It should work. There was no way to account for every variable, of course. This second operative she'd mentioned was particularly worrisome. But he was confident that the Bat-Demon could be taken down. It was just a matter of strategy and numbers.

"I still can't believe you did that." Jack and Eddie turned to look at Dr. Elliot as he came back into the room. "You gave an unknown, untested drug to one of my patients without consulting me. What if it interacted with the other drugs in her system? Did you even consider the possibility of side effects? You could have killed her!"

"Sometimes you have to take chances to get results, doctor. I didn't need your permission. You may be in charge of the infirmary but my jurisdiction supercedes yours. Anyway, she's fine and the drug will wear off soon enough."

He just glared at Jack and went to check Francine's vitals. Thomas could be arrogant and high-handed but he was an excellent doctor. Jack couldn't fault him for worrying about his patient. He would just have to accept that the Commissioner's actions had been for the greater good.

"Say doc, didn't you go to school with Bruce Wayne? According to my files, the two of you were best friends back in the day." Eddie's tone was casual but his eyes were intent. Elliot didn't bother to turn around.

"Bruce and I had a falling-out. I haven't talked to him in years and I'm as shocked as anyone else to hear that he's the Bat-Demon. If you want to know anything else, you'll have to accuse me of something and call for a formal hearing. Otherwise, I'm done talking."

Jack motioned for Eddie to follow him and they walked out of the infirmary and back to Jack's office. He closed the door and faced Nygma squarely.

"Do you suspect Dr. Elliot of something? I don't want unfounded accusations being spread around. Some of us are paranoid enough to act on them."

"I was just asking because I thought he might have some insight into Wayne's psyche. They were very close as children. But I don't think he's willing to talk about it so it's pointless."

"Harvey went to school with him too. Why don't you talk to him?"

"I already did. He didn't have any useful insights. He just said that he tried to be friendly towards Wayne and was rebuffed. Harvey thought of him as an arrogant jerk but he never suspected anything. Wayne is something of an enigma. Apparently, he was skilled at hiding his real self from everyone."

"Well, that's obvious. But I ask again, did you have a reason to rile Dr. Elliot like that? It seemed unnecessary."

"What Francine said about there being another spy started me thinking. Elliot has had extensive contact with Wayne. He says he hasn't seen him in years but that could be a lie. And his position as a physician would allow him access to all of us if Wayne wanted to drug us or even kill us. It makes sense."

"Maybe but it's too easy. I don't think Bruce would use such an obvious suspect. I think he would go with someone we wouldn't suspect. I never would have thought that Jonathan was working for him although it was involuntary. I don't think it's Dr. Eliot."

"Yes, but who then? This is a critical time, Jack. We can't risk anyone turning on us."

"There's no way of knowing for sure. Have you intercepted any suspicious outgoing communications?"

"No, and no incoming ones either. This is really bothering me. We need to know everything before we act but we can't wait much longer either." Eddie looked flustered. He hated not knowing something but there was no way to be sure who the other spy was.

Odds were, it was someone who had access to the higher-ups as opposed to just a desk jockey. The spy would be of no use to Wayne if he or she didn't know the details of what was going on. That meant it was likely one of the senior staff or their aides. Jack hated suspecting any of them but he knew there was a spy and logic dictated it was one of them.

But how could they figure it out within the next day? He couldn't drug his whole staff and interrogate them, even if Pam were up to making more of the truth serum. If he couldn't figure it out, he'd just have to go into battle not knowing who he could trust at his back. It was a disturbing thought.

There was something he could try. His plan had been for each of his lieutenants to wield their teams on their individual missions. But if he instituted a buddy system, pairing each team leader with another, they could keep an eye on each other. He needed to tell them about the spy anyway. It was unfortunate that he would need them to be suspicious of each other but it was the best he could come up with on such short notice.

A knock on the door interrupted his line of thought and Harvey entered. His second-in-command nodded at Eddie.

"Thought you'd like to know that the fires are all out, boss. There's some significant damages, especially at the Clocktower, but no deaths."

"That's good, Harvey. He's still testing us. Any change in Pam's condition?"

"Dr. Eliot said she's resting more comfortably but she's still unconscious. I've talked to all the department heads and they all say they're as prepared as they're ever going to be for this fight."

"They're all good people. I know I can count on them to do their job properly. But there's something you should know." He told Harvey about his conversation with Francine and her revelation that Wayne had another spy somewhere in the ranks. Harvey looked aghast.

"It's not me and I can't imagine any of the others turning on us. We all have our reasons to hate the Bat-Demon."

"So did Jonathan. Whoever it is may be brain-washed rather than a willing mole. But it still holds that I don't have time to figure out who it is. That's why I'm going to tell everyone about it and tell them to keep an eye on each other. No one should be allowed to go off on their own once the battle begins. It will be yet another detail for us to worry about but it's the only option."

"Well, whatever you decide to do, we're ready."

He certainly hoped so because there was no more time to prepare. Tomorrow was going to be the beginning of the end for Wayne. Jack was ready. The Bat-Demon's fall couldn't come soon enough.