Between Father's and Sons

By

AJ

Part 14 — The Spy Among Us

Dick Grayson watched as Bruce Wayne put on his Matches Malone make-up then changed into some clothes that looked like they've seen better days. He then went over and picked out a run down vehicle that looked the same as Bruce's clothes, but both knew that the vehicle had extra gadgets hidden in the dash and that the engine, though it sounded like it was on its last legs, it was just as sound as the batmobile.

"You're going to have to wait for my signal to know where they are manufacturing the drug. As soon as I know, I'll let you know. It could take a couple of days. Keep an eye on Jason. Don't let him know where I've gone."

Bruce got into the passenger side, opened the glove box and pulled out a small box. He replaced his regular watch with one that was a more plain in its appearance. Besides being just a watch, it was a two-way wrist radio. It had two buttons, one for recording conversations, and one to call. After exchanging watches, he handed Dick his regular wristwatch as he moved toward the driver's side.

"Before you go, I have a question. Didn't you tell me that Matches Malone died?"

"Yes, but I have a contingency for that," Bruce replied.

"So, Malone isn't dead," Dick commented.

"Not by a long shot. He's one of my favorite characters," Bruce winked. "I'll keep in touch."

B. W. "Matches" Malone arrived in Newtown. The place had changed and had grown into a small city in its own right. Oddly enough there were a couple of faces that Matches had spotted that looked familiar.

'They must have moved from Gotham to get away from the crime,' he thought. 'Too bad they didn't move far enough."

Matches drove around looking for a place to plant his weary body and to see what action he could find. He saw two people standing in a doorway both looked suspicious. He caught the exchange of money and something else. Could it be a small vial?

'Within a few days, that person could very well be dead,' he thought. 'I can't save them,' he regretted. 'I'd blow my cover. ' Though the dealer might just be the very person he needed to get him inside the operation. Matches tried to memorize what the guy looked like so he could try to find him later. Matches' next move was to find a local rooming house or hotel and get a room, preferably within the same area as the drug dealer.

Matches spotted a small house that was stuck between two commercial buildings. It looked like it was being squeezed, as if the buildings were trying to take over the remaining space and the house was the last holdout of a bygone era. A small sign declared it as a Bed and Breakfast – Cheap. It was just the place that Matches was looking for.

Matches Malone parked his car out front and walked up to the door. The place was open and it even had a vacancy. He walked up to the reception window, a split door where the top half could open while the bottom stayed locked in place. He rang the small bell to catch the attention of the proprietor. A woman about Dick's height and age came into view. She had a nose stuck in a book. That book must have been good since it kept her attention until the very last minute. When she finally lowered it Matches Malone was staring into the greenest eyes he had ever seen. They were like fresh young leaves on a spring day. They were the kind of eyes even Bruce Wayne would appreciate.

'Careful, Wayne," Matches thought. 'She's too young for you. Though Dick might like her.'

"May I help you?"

"Uhm, yeah, I could use a room."

The young woman gave Matches a slight smirk. It would seem she's had someone stare at her before. She finds it amusing.

"It's $40.00 a night and breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00. How long will you be needing the room?"

"Don't know. Could be as long as a week or two."

The young woman's eyes grew wide at that. "No one stays in this part of town for long. I'm going to need the money in advance."

Sounds like someone has been ripping her off. Skipping out and not paying. "Sure." Under the guise of Matches Malone, Bruce Wayne was grateful he at least brought enough cash to cover the week. He at least could eat breakfast then rely on other methods to get meals if he needed. He usually didn't eat that much when he was working on a case. As the playboy, he was expected to attend lavish parties, be bored, and be an expert on fine wines and food. His body required a certain amount of nutrition to keep in shape. As Matches Malone, even he had to keep up appearances.

"Where should I park my car?" Matches asked.

"In the back. Just follow the narrow drive to the right of the B & B. Here's your room key. It's on the second floor and in the back."

"Thanks," Matches replied. "Are there any more guests besides me?"

"There are two. You may see them at breakfast."

"Where's breakfast served? Or can I take it in my room?"

"You can take it in your room if you wish. The dining room is here on the first floor across the hall."

As Bruce, he would have surmised that since there were two double doors across the hall from the reception desk that were curtained and closed and the room was dark.

"Thanks again," Matches gave the girl a wink then left to park his car. Once he parked the car he called the bat cave.

"Rob . . . Nightwing," The name felt strange on his tongue. He had to check himself remembering that Dick had a new identity.

"Nightwing here."

"I found a base of operation," Matches gave Nightwing the address and room number. "Get me as much information on the proprietor. Also meet me here tomorrow as the newsboy. We'll go over any details with locating their main manufacturing facility."

"Gotcha. Nightwing out."

Matches pressed a button and a panel opened under the dash. He pulled out a small piece of equipment and placed it in his coat pocket. He closed the hidden panel and pressed the button again to lock it in place. He then popped the trunk and exited the car. After locking the doors and grabbing his suitcase and closing the trunk, he headed into the B and B by way of the back entrance. He took the stairs to the second floor and found the room number. Checking around the hallway first, he put the key into the lock and opened the door and went inside.

It was a pretty large room. There was a queen-sized bed and a sitting area with a small table. It had a homey touch. The cover on the bed looked like it was made by hand.

'Alfred would appreciate this room.'

A knock came on the door that Matches didn't expect.

"Who's there?"

"Housekeeping," it sounded like the young woman who was the receptionist.

Matches opened the door to see the same young woman who checked him in.

"I brought you some clean towels. Your room is the only one with a separate bath."

"I appreciate that. I may have a visitor or two and I wouldn't want to disturb the others. So, can you tell me about them?" Matches asked, trying to warm up to the girl, though she seemed rather put off. 'Dick might have been better at this. I don't know how he does it. Must come from his days as a performer.'

The girl gave him a deer in the headlights look at first.

"The other guests," Matthew coaxed. "I like to know my neighbors."

The girl turned then suddenly shut the door. The act put Matches on edge and yet the look on the girl's face was one of sudden fear and concern.

"You don't want to know your neighbors, Mr. Malone. I try to stick to my own business. I got curious once and my brother paid with his life. This town's changed. My brother told me when a certain mob boss ruled here, that mob boss' last act I heard was to have a family of circus performers killed when the circus was visiting here. It was rumored that someone by the name of Batman stopped him. Then for a while things became peaceful and everyone hoped we could just go on with our lives."

"Why are you telling me this?" Matches asked, though the man under the disguise was pleased that the girl was revealing information that he didn't expect he would get.

"You're not like the others. I can see it in your eyes."

"So, what happened?"

"All I can say is be careful who you talk to. And if you hear any rumors about a certain mob boss returning, believe them. Only be careful. From what I heard, he's worse than ever."

"What's your name?"

"Candice. Candice Merryweather."

"Well Candice, I'll take your advice, the part about being careful," Matches gave her a slight smile. "Do me a favor. I'm expecting some news to arrive. Can you send the newsboy in when your see him."

"The newsboy?" Candice asked. "I don't understand."

"Let's just say stories have a way of revealing the truth. And if I miss my guess, we're in for quite a ride."

Continues with Part 15 – The Past Comes Forward