Chapter 10: The Next Victim

Emma's mind was in a blur as she drove home. She thought about the Joker and his promise. She saw now that the Joker was truly a man of his word. Every day, people were dying. Now, a judge and the police commissioner were dead. Emma did not want to think about who could be next. Her thoughts drifted to Ethan. She could not bear the thought of losing him. Emma knew that if she was going to save her husband, she had to do it fast.

As Emma walked in the door, Ethan was waiting for her in the kitchen. He ran forward and embraced her tightly. He held her as if she was a lifeline.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come back," Ethan said fearfully.

"You know, then? About Judge Surrillo and Commissioner Loeb?" Emma asked.

Ethan shook his head. "I was so afraid that you wouldn't come home. I'm so glad you're safe."

"I'm fine, sweetheart," Emma reassured him.

"I can't take this anymore," Ethan said firmly. "I can't keep watching the news, hoping I won't hear your name. We have to leave Gotham."

Emma did not want to hurt Ethan. She knew he loved her as she loved him. However, she could not abandon Gotham in this dangerous time. If the Joker was going to be caught, she was going to make that happen.

"Ethan," Emma said sadly. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I can't go."

Ethan's face fell. "What do you mean you can't go?"

"I'm sorry," Emma said. "but I have a job to do here. I can't leave. If I leave now, that means the Joker will have won."

"Emma, people are dying every day," Ethan said seriously. "Yesterday, it was Brian Douglas. Today, it's Commissioner Loeb and Judge Surrillo. We don't know who it will be tomorrow, but I don't want it to be you."

"That is exactly why I have to stay," Emma said. "I have to stop these people from dying. The Joker cannot win."

"You say it like this is a game, but it's not," Ethan argued.

"I am well aware that this is not a game," Emma said evenly.

"Then come with me," Ethan begged. "Save yourself. I can't bear it if I lose you."

"And I feel the same about you," Emma replied. "But if I run now, who will stand up to the Joker? If I run, I'm as good as dead anyway because this won't stop until he is caught. I have to do my part here to make that happen."

"There's nothing I can do to change your mind, is there?" Ethan asked grimly.

Emma did not speak, but shook her head. She could not bear to hurt her husband in this way, but she knew she could not leave.

"Do you know where you'll go?" Emma asked finally.

"I already bought tickets to Pennsylvania. I was hoping you'd go with me," Ethan replied. "I'll stay with my parents."

Emma nodded. "How soon can you be packed?"

"I already am," Ethan replied. "I've been ready to leave."

Emma nodded wordlessly. "Can I drive you to the airport?"

Ethan shook his head. "No. I'll just get a taxi. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to leave you behind."

"I know," Emma replied.

A few moments later, a bright yellow taxi pulled up on the curb. Ethan headed out the door with Emma following behind.

"I'll let you know when the Joker is caught," Emma replied. "This is only temporary."

Ethan sighed as he got in the cab. "I just didn't think I'd have to say goodbye to you."

"This isn't goodbye," Emma corrected him. "I will be here waiting for you."

Ethan shook his head forlornly. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

With one last glance, the cab sped down the streets. Emma watched as the car vanished into the distance. She only hoped she could keep her promise.

The next evening, Emma buried herself in her work. She was exhausted from the previous night, as she had not slept. She was only focused on catching the Joker and seeing her husband again. Emma was in a blur as she ran through the Major Crimes Unit. Before she knew it, she smelled coffee. She barely noticed Jim holding the mug in front of her.

"I think you need this," Jim said. "You look like you could use it."

Emma took her mug gratefully. "Thanks, Jim."

"You look like you've had a rough night," Jim said compassionately. "May I ask what happened?"

"My husband left last night," Emma explained. "He was worried about me. He wanted me to leave Gotham with him, but I told him I couldn't. I told him if I left, the Joker would win. He's on his way to his parents'."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jim said.

"So am I," Emma replied. "I only hope I made the right choice last night."

"You were concerned for your husband," Jim said sympathetically. "You did the right thing."

"I hope I did," Emma said anxiously.

Emma knew she was wasting time being worried. If she was going to see her husband again, the Joker had to be dealt with. That meant she had no time to wallow in her own fear.

"I came here to do my job," Emma said firmly. "What have we got?"

"Nothing," Jim sighed.

"What about the Joker cards found at Surrillo's?" Emma asked.

"No matches, no nothing," Jim replied.

"What about your friend? Has he got anything?" Emma wanted to know.

"I haven't heard from him since Lau left," Jim said anxiously.

"You keep that flood of light on and he hasn't shown up?" Emma said, baffled.

"I keep it on to remind people that he's still out there," Jim replied.

"You think he is?" Emma questioned.

Jim smiled. "Oh, I know he is."

"But why hasn't he shown up at all?" Emma asked.

"I like to think he's been kept busy," Jim said optimistically. "And it certainly looks that way. The backlash against him is growing. Every day, more people are demanding that he turn himself in."

"Those people don't know any better," Emma said. "They don't know what he stands for. If he turns himself in, we're done for."

"I don't think you have to worry about that," Jim said confidently. "He'll show himself soon."

"I hope he does," Emma replied. "In the meantime, let's do our part."

Later that evening, Jims' prediction came true. Jim and Emma were still at the Major Crimes Unite when Jim got a call on his cell phone. Jim looked grim after he hung up.

"Who was that?" Emma asked.

"Our mutual friend," Jim said.

Emma's jaw dropped. "Has he got a lead?"

"He says he got a lead on Harvey Dent at Eighth Street at Orchard in the apartment complex," Jim explained.

Jim turned to Ramirez. "Get a unit down to the Eighth at Orchard apartment complex. We got a lead."

Jim sighed. "I hope for our sake, we can find something."

"We will," Emma said. "Let's go, Jim."

Jim and his unit arrived at the apartment complex. The apartment was eerily quiet. Jim and Emma drew their weapons as Jim kicked down the door. The apartment was deserted, save for two bodies sitting at a table. Both of the male bodies held a stack of Joker cards with the crude white and red makeup on their faces. Emma, Jim, and Ramirez looked at the bodies in disgust.

"Oh God," Emma groaned.

"Check the names," a gravelly voice said.

Jim and Emma turned to see Batman step out from the darkness. Jim looked at the nametags that were pinned to the bodies.

"Richard Dent," he said. "Patrick Harvey."

"Harvey Dent," Ramirez said.

"I need ten minutes at the scene before your men contaminate it," Batman said.

Ramirez was furious. "Us contaminate it? It's because of you these guys are dead in the first place!"

"Detective!" Jim and Emma shouted.

Ramirez went quiet. Jim nodded to Emma and Ramirez to leave. Ramirez ushered their unit outside leaving Jim with Batman. Emma was incensed as she faced Ramirez.

"You didn't just say that, did you?" she demanded.

"He's acting so righteous. Those men are dead because of him," Ramirez argued. "If he turned himself in, this wouldn't have happened. The sooner he turns himself in the better."

"I don't believe you, Ana," Emma said in disbelief. "You honestly think this will all end if Batman takes off his mask?"

"Did you not hear the Joker, Emma?" Ramirez asked. "Batman must take off his mask, and people will live. If we're going to survive, he needs to go."

"You really expect the Joker to keep his word?" Emma questioned. "Don't you remember where we were a year ago? The mob ran Gotham like it was their playground. After Batman showed up, the mob is running scared. Don't you remember what we accomplished thanks to him?"

"It's different," Ramirez said. "People are dying, Emma."

"Look," Emma said evenly. "I don't care what you think of him, but I just hope you realize what he's done for us. Whether you like it or not, Batman is the best chance we have of saving Gotham."

Meanwhile, Batman and Jim were still going over the crime scene. Batman examined a bullet hole in the wall. He pulled out a sawing device and cut around the bullet.

"That's brick under there," Jim said. "You're gonna take ballistics from a shattered bullet?"

"No. Fingerprints," Batman replied.

Jim's jaw dropped as he saw a newspaper. "Whatever you're gonna do, do it fast because he's named his next target. He's put it in tomorrow's paper."

Jim showed Batman an obituary of Mayor Garcia, his face painted with the Joker's makeup.

"I'll look into it," Batman replied.

"What about the bullets?" Jim asked.

Alas, as Jim expected, Batman vanished before he said another word. Jim stepped outside the apartment to meet with Ramirez and Emma.

"Have you got anything, Jim?" Emma asked.

Jim showed Emma and Ramirez the paper. "He's named Mayor Garcia as his next target. He put it in tomorrow's paper."

"Commissioner Loeb's memorial is tomorrow," Emma said.

"I want every available guard on sight tomorrow," Jim said. "I want every window on every building covered. I'm not taking any chances."

"Yes, sir," Ramirez replied.

As Ramirez and the rest of the unit dispersed, Jim felt uneasy. He knew the Joker named the mayor as the next target. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Joker went after him. He could not let his family be put in danger because of him. In that moment, Jim knew what he had to do.

Quietly, Jim pulled Emma aside. "I need you to meet me back at M.C.U. Just you. No one else."

Emma did not question Jim. She knew that he had a plan. Emma followed Jim back to the Major Crimes Unit. The only other person in Jim's office was Detective Stephens.

"What's with all the secrecy, Jim?" Emma asked. "Usually, you're not this shy."

"I have a plan to save the mayor tomorrow," Jim told her.

"Great. Let's hear it," Emma said brightly.

"I've been thinking about what you said, Emma, and I agree," Jim said solemnly. "Once the Joker's finished with the mayor, it's only a matter of time before he comes after me. I can't let my family be in harm's way."

"What are you getting at?" Emma asked dubiously.

"Tomorrow, Mayor Garcia is not going to be a victim. I am," Jim said firmly.

Stephens and Emma were horrified.

"Jim, are you nuts?" Stephens gasped.

"When did you turn suicidal?" Emma asked.

"I will be wearing a bulletproof vest," Jim explained. "What I need to do is convince everyone that I'm dead."

"Jim, no!" Emma protested. "Are you insane? What kind of plan is this?"

"I'm sorry I can't say more," Jim apologized. "But trust me, Emma. I have a plan."

Emma sighed. She knew she had no choice but to trust Jim's judgment. "What do you need me to do?"

"Once the Joker gets me, I need you to go to Barbara and tell her that I'm gone," Jim explained.

"You mean lie? I can't lie to you Barbara, Jim," Emma protested.

"I need you to," Jim pleaded.

"Fine," Emma said.

"You're gonna need a place to hang out while you play dead, Jim," Stephens said wisely.

"You can stay at my place," Emma said. "My husband's gone away. It's the perfect hiding place."

"Thank you, Emma," Jim said appreciatively.

"Jim, I just hope you know what you're doing," Emma said anxiously.

"I do," Jim replied.

"Of course you do," Emma said, rolling her eyes.

The next afternoon, all of Gotham gathered to mourn Commissioner Loeb. There was a procession led by bagpipers. Emma and Ramirez marched with Harvey Dent and the rest of their force to honor their fallen commissioner. As the force marched, Jim was scanning the buildings for an intruder.

Jim clicked on his radio. "What do you got on the roof?"

"We're tight, but frankly, there's a lot of windows," an officer replied.

"Keep on it," Jim said.

Jim took his seat between Emma and Stephens. He knew this was it. He was not going to let the Joker kill this time. Jim looked around warily as Mayor Garcia spoke.

"Commissioner Loeb dedicated his life to law enforcement and to the protection of his community," the mayor said solemnly. "I remember when I asked him to stay on as commissioner. He told me I did not have to ask. He gave his life to protect like the rest of his officers. And as we recognize the sacrifices of these officers, we must remember that vigilance is the price of safety."

The Honor Guard assembled and fired their weapons into the air. Jim shook as he heard the weapons. He knew what would happen next. Suddenly, the Joker, disguised as an Honor Guard turned his weapon on Mayor Garcia. Jim leaped in front of the mayor just as the Joker fired. The bullets pierced Jim's back. Jim fell to the ground and did not move.

"Jim!" Emma cried.

The street was filled with screams as people scattered. Emma and Stephens drew their weapons.

Stephens pulled Mayor Garcia away. "Get him outta here."

Amidst all of the commotion, Ramirez, Stephens and Emma were stunned as Jim lay still on the ground.

Emma turned Jim over. "Jim, hey, hey!"

Alas, Jim remained as still as stone.

Emma furiously tried to resuscitate Jim. "Oh, no. Don't you do it, Jim. Don't you die on me. No! Jim!"

Ramirez stopped Emma. "Emma, you're too late. He's gone."

A/N: Oh, no! Jim's gone! What will Emma do now? I hope you like what happens next. Thank you for all the lovely reviews. I appreciate them greatly. Thank you!