Ch 21

Batman was on patrol tonight, keeping an eye on the location Bruce had sent to him and so far there was no activity going on. When he spotted movement coming from what looked like a run down factory, he flew from his lookout point and landed quietly at the side of the building. Spotting some windows above him, he pressed his fingertips to the glass, recording anything significant it might pick up.

"I really appreciate you helping out like this on such short notice."

"It's not a problem James but what do you need this for exactly?"

"It's Mr. Wilson to you, and it's none of your business."

Batman looked through the window, seeing James handing him payment for what was hidden under the cloth beside him. The guy counted his money, smiled at James, and walked out of the abandoned looking factory.

James uncovered what was under the cloth and smiled. "Yes, this will be perfect."

"Perfect for what exactly?"

"Batman. This doesn't concern you."

"If what you're doing is against the law, it is my concern."

James laughed. "There's no crime happening here Batman."

"You're in a rundown building in Gotham at night giving money in exchange for machinery that I assume doesn't belong to you."

"You can't prove any of that Batman."

"We'll see what the cops have to say," smiled Batman as the sirens could be heard from outside the factory.

"You won't be able to hold me. I will get out."

"If that's so, I'll be there to find out what your up to, unless you want to fess up right now."

Two cops cuffed James and walked outside with Batman following close behind to make sure there were no slip ups. Once he was in the police car and taken away, Batman went back inside to see what James had paid for.

"What do you think it is?" asked Batman as he communicated with Bruce through his suit.

"It looks like some kind of modern time machine."

"Are you serious?"

"I can't know for sure until I do some research. I'll keep you up to date on what I find."

Batman watched the police take the piece of machinery with them, following them to the location. He was hopeful he could find out more information.

Max made it back to her dorm room late, looking over her shoulder. Ever since James showed up at her place unexpectedly, she had been on edge. Making it inside the building, she walked down the hall, opened the door to her room, and locked it behind her, sighing in relief as she dropped her backpack on her bed.

Before she could relax completely, she heard a sound coming from her bathroom and the door was open so she knew it wasn't the person she normally shares the bathroom with. Looking around her room, she grabbed something that could be considered a weapon, her hair dryer. Stealthy making her way into the bathroom, she saw the naked outline of a person through the glass.

"Were you planning on beating me to death with your hairdryer?"

"McGinnis! What are you doing in my shower?"

Terry popped his head out of the shower. "Waiting for you," he smirked.

"Nice try Terry I know when you're lying."

"You caught me. During patrol I found your ex-boyfriend exchanging money for some kind of machinery. The police arrested him, and they're trying to find out what it does. I sent the pics to your email, and Bruce is doing some digging."

"That still doesn't answer my question."

"I think two men have been following you. I was planning on coming to see you anyway but when I got here, I saw them, they were watching you. I confronted them, and they roughed me up a bit. They ran away before I could get anything from them."

"I can't believe it."

"What?" asked Terry as he turned off the water.

"It's obvious that James is planning something, and it has to do with me. I think he sent those guys to keep an eye on me."

"You think he was planning to kidnap you and take you to him."

Max exited the bathroom with Terry right behind her in nothing but a towel. Taking out her laptop, she looked at the email Terry sent her. Opening the file her eyes widened. "I—I didn't even know he could do this."

"What?"

"Terry, it's a time machine."

"That's what Bruce said to but what was James' plan to do with it?"

"I'm not sure. I guess we'll have to ask him."

"We? Max I don't know—

"I need to know," said Max as she looked up at Terry and she could see he understood and knew he couldn't convince her otherwise.