Chapter 17: Knocking Down The Pieces
Disclaimer: read chapter 1
Most of the guests have arrived at Wayne Tower, either lighting a candle, making a donation, or expressing condolences to the queen. Certain attendees with invitations turned out to be undercover by the GCPD, secretly wearing earpieces and bulletproof vests. The second one spotted Joker, their weapons will be trained on the freak.
"You and your family are in our prayers," a random wealthy friend of Wayne's declared.
Kathy nodded, squeezing the woman's hand, tapping it before the woman pulled away to greet her friends by kisses on both cheeks. The doctor approached Bruce with a question in mind.
"I never thought you to be the one to invite the exes, Bruce," Kathy grumbled.
Bruce blinked, gazing at the backside of the redhead woman taking a bottle of champagne before returning his attention to Kathy's pouty face.
"She wasn't an ex, Kathy. We weren't in a relationship. She was just a model, I invited for company."
"She said that she's once your 'special' friend," she air quoted the emphasized word.
Bruce scoffed, "Kathy, I wouldn't call any of that special but a routine - a cover." Kathy accepted Bruce's explanation, but it didn't stop the burning urge to hook her arm around his elbow, showing the models or ballet dancers who Bruce belonged to. Some of the women - older, younger, or already taken - gave them a sly sideways glance. Bruce couldn't help but twitch at the thought of the petite's possessive behavior. It's almost amusing.
"You know jealousy is not a good color on you," Bruce whispered.
Kathy glared at the man with narrowed eyes but didn't deny the bold accusation, "Bruce, in case you didn't know, we have an important mission tonight. We can't screw this up."
Bruce pressed his lips together, ducking his head lower, nodding slightly. She was right. It's time to stay focus.
"Any word from Gordon?" Kathy asked in a whisper as the two walked around to embrace the city's scenery up on the roof.
"He is taking Loeb under protective custody. We can't risk losing Gotham's all-star witness."
Kathy nodded in agreement, "And The Joker?"
"Not a word," Bruce grumbled. "Once he's near, I'll be ready... while you..." He tilted his head down to look at her, pressing his lips together as if processing his options on what to do with her. Judging by his face, Kathy knew what he planned to do.
"No, Bruce. I'm not going to be shipped off to God knows where."
"You can't argue about this, Kathy. You know you can't face him, yet."
Kathy huffed, folding her arms over her chest. She couldn't deal with Bruce and his overprotectiveness. She needed space.
"I'm going to the bathroom," she stomped her heels back inside, ignoring Bruce's call. He wanted to go after her but someone blocked his path - Thomas Elliot.
"Bruce, so good to see you, again," Thomas shook the man's hand.
The billionaire forced to be friendly, taking a glance at the door to see the woman gone downstairs.
Kathy thought about going to the elevator for the nearest restroom but many people were coming in and out. She was forced to take the stairs.
Little did she know that a man in a tailored suit was watching her. When she closed the door behind her, he set down his candle and pamphlet to follow her.
~000~000~000~
"Come on, Harvey," Rachel was laughing at Harvey's bewildered face. This wasn't like dealing with the mob or the press - he was in new territory, worse than being Joker's bait.
"You can't honestly tell me that the Scourage of the Underworld is scared stiff of the trust fund brigade."
"I'd rather go one on one with Joker."
Rachel's face fell at that comment. She knew she couldn't stop Dent from gambling his life on the game of chance, but she couldn't help but worry.
"We can always turn back and-"
"Rachel," Harvey's eyes rolled at Rachel's repeated suggestion. "For the millionth time, as Kathy told Bruce, this is the right thing to do."
"Maybe to you, but not for-"
"Hey, this guy over there seems friendly," Harvey pointed at the tattered jacket, shaggy grey hair man by the candle table.
"Harvey," Rachel scolded. Harvey tugged his girlfriend by the hand to greet the unusual character. This man wasn't like the clean rich, the smell of dirt proved it.
"Good evening, sir," Harvey offered a hand for the matching bearded man for a shake.
"Huh?" was the man's response. His eyes looked to be in a daze as if not having a clue as to where he was.
Rachel wrinkled her nose, suppressing the urge to pinch it. The smell of liquor did not go unnoticed.
"Um, I'm Harvey Dent," Harvey introduced himself with a flashy smile, "and you are?"
The man stared at the hand, snatching it in a firm grip, "The Lord shall make you wings to match your white suit, son."
Harvey furrowed his brows, looking down at his black colored tux. Was there something wrong with the man's vision.
"While others grow wings and worship the feet of Satan, and they shall pay dearly for their greed!" The man pointed at a random group angrily. They faced the preaching drunk almost like deer facing headlights. They quickly retreated far away from his hurtful words and smell.
"Joesph Deacon warned them! Warned them all, and they shall pay!"
"Wait, Deacon? As in the former Pastor Deacon from Gotham Cathedral?" Harvey asked. "You're that guy?"
The man laughed heartedly, jabbing a finger at Harvey's chest, "There ain't nothing former about me, Son. I am a living being called by the Lord to slaughter the wicked!"
"You're the one speaking tonight?"
"Harvey, he's drunk," Rachel concluded the obvious in a whisper. She remembered watching Pastor Deacon on the news. Didn't Kathy do her research on this man before giving him a job to preach Jenny's vigil, or there was no one available and she got desperate? Rachel couldn't forget the allegations against Deacon that forced him to leave the Catholic church - drinking, killing animals for ritual purposes, and jumping in the baptism pool of blood while forcing others to do the same.
"Maybe," Harvey grumbled in agreement, "but he isn't wrong about the people's greed here. They actually scare me."
Before they had a chance to realize what the man was about to do next, the familiar click of a lighter caught their attention. Their eyes widened at the thick smudge stick in his hand, using a candle to light it up.
"Um, sir, I don't think you can smoke-"
"Hush, boy!" Deacon slapped Harvey's hand away while waving the burning stick in the air. The smoke spread a smell of sage, causing everyone to either cough, fan, or retreat. "Go away, evil! Go away, evil!" Deacon stumbled around the room, not caring if he nearly burned someone's sleeve or dress.
"Where's Lacey when you need her?" Harvey wondered. Neither had time to dial the intern's number. They must take care of this crisis themselves. Harvey chased after the wild preacher. Meanwhile, Rachel called security to take Deacon away.
The smoke wasn't the worst thing that happened - it was simply the trigger of it. The sage smoke cued the fire alarm, immediately turned on the sprinklers. Everyone in the room screamed and shivered at the cold rain, but at least the fire was out. Unfortunately, the candle jars were filled and the enlarged picture of Jenny was ruined.
Deacon slipped on the tiled floor, giving Harvey the advantage. The attorney snatched the stick from Deacon and squished it under his shoe to put out the spark.
"Sir, take it easy," Harvey held the man down while keeping his voice light and steady, patting him on the shoulder. "You have done good work. The Big Man will pat you on the back for it."
The pastor let out a laugh, "Indeed, he will with eternal life, while you and the corrupt will continue on and on. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the-"
"-the breath of life under heaven," Harvey finished with the pastor whose mouth dropped in awe. Deacon stared at Dent as if he was the Messiah. "Everything that is on the earth shall die. Yeah, I know. I have read the book of Genesis."
"You are a man of God?"
"Honestly, I'm just a district attorney who happens to be Presbyterian."
Deacon laughed, then coughed and choked in his own spit. "Presbyterian? Ha!" Security arrived in time to grab and escort the drunk preacher out of the premises. "Let this be known, people! One thing to die for sins, but another to burn for blindness. The Lord knows whose true and lie!"
Soaking Alan ordered the guards to take Deacon through the back entrance instead of the front to avoid publicity. Rachel helped Harvey up on his feet, asking if he was alright. Harvey laughed it off, shaking the ashes from his jacket. The clothes will forever smell like sage until Harve sends it to the dry cleaners. Angry voices overpowered Deacon's preaching as he got dragged away. The guests demanded to speak to Bruce Wayne with questions and complaints of their own, not that they could be blamed. Someone did hire Deacon to preach this event.
"What kind of vigil is this?"
"Is this a joke?!"
"Oh my God, my hair! My hair!"
Rachel and Alan attempted to do some damage control, raising their hands in the air and screaming at the guests for their attention. The screeching whistle silenced the crowd including the DA attorneys and their former campaign manager.
Mr. Fox was soaked as well, but it didn't disintegrate his authority over this building. "Everyone, I do apologize for this disruptive display. I can assure you that the man was not invited and will be escorted off the premises."
The crowd had mixed reactions to the CEO's statement - either applauded for the preacher's departure or still enrage of the unplanned shower.
"Listen!" Fox commanded, "The ceremony is about to begin upstairs, please carefully make your up the elevator with your invite and candle in hand. There shall be towels for you all to dry, and please, help yourselves to some refreshments. Thank you."
A quarter of the crowd advanced upstairs while most took leave but some remained to squeeze the water out of their belongings.
Harvey checked on Rachel to make sure she was okay. He made a joke of how boring their night would've been if they didn't come. Rachel didn't want to hear it. She wanted to take her mind off things for one second by offering Fox to clean out the tables and hand out towels to the guests. It's not like the candles would have some light now.
"Wow..."
Harvey's heart nearly skipped a beat at the feminine voice behind him. Her clap was slow and quiet but her presence became loud and clear as she came closer.
"I expected some drama but this..." she giggled, "This is something that'll do for my morning edition."
Harvey heard the old saying that if ignore something, it'll eventually go away. The rule, unfortunately, didn't apply to Vicki Vale. He must stick with the breathing exercises to keep the attitude in check. He must act in a professional manner.
"What are you doing here, Vicki?" he spoke. Surprisingly, the vixen was dry, must've arrived just in time to see the aftermath.
Vicki Vale scoffed in laughter, swirling the flooded candle jar in hand before putting it back on the table. She slightly shook her hand as if the jar was covered in germs. It may have been the first time that Vicki actually put a hand on something in ruin or stepped in a puddle.
"You are a smart man, Harv. Can't you guess?"
"You shouldn't have come here."
Vicki laughed once more, "And miss this?" She gestured the flooded entrance, "No thanks."
Harvey's tight thin mouth showed he wasn't in the mood for small talk.
"C'mon, Harvey. Your big boy escorted my hiney out of your party months ago. I could call this even."
"You need to leave or someone bigger might throw you out."
Vicki's smile never faded, "Look, I'm here for the juice to my story, and I'm not leaving until I get it."
"A girl was kidnapped, Vicki. Her friends and family are distraught. There is nothing glamorous about it."
"What about the fact that Kathy Knightly - a psychiatrist in Arkham - allowed a disgraced pastor inside to ruin her boyfriend's company?"
Harvey inhaled deeply, held it, then breathed out slowly. 'Five, four, three, two-'
"I'll be upstairs to get the inside scoop, don't mind me..." Vicki turned towards the elevator but stopped to face the attorney once more with a smirk. "Unless you want to stick around, I'll tell you more about the latest dirt I had dug up. You know... The one I mentioned in your office."
Harvey's fist clenched along with his jaw. How he dreamt of punching the smug of the woman's face. How dare she takes pleasure to everyone's misery. He secretly celebrated the fact that she was also Joker's target. Maybe Joker might show up and kill her as well.
"Vicki," There was Rachel coming to her man's rescue. She, too, didn't look pleased to see the redhead reporter as well.
"Hello, Miss Dawes," Vicki approached the attorney and lightly kissed her cheek in greeting. "What a nice surprise."
"You shouldn't have come here," Rachel declared.
Vicki Vale scoffed, "Is this how I am going to be greeted? I mean I understand if Dr. Knightly or Brucie holds a grudge, but you two?"
"You need to leave," Rachel commanded.
Vicki Vale couldn't help but laugh at just how in sync the attorneys were, "How come you guys aren't married yet? I should have some respect. You don't want Gotham City to know how you handle your press-"
"You're not making any threats tonight. This is a vigil, not a cocktail party. If you want the dirt, interview Maroni or Loeb - the bad guys. Leave Kathy and Havey out of this mess."
"And if I don't?" Vale wondered, folding her arms.
"Miss Vale?"
The redhead whirled her head to see Allan with detectives - Sarah Essen and Harvey Bullock.
"You need to come with us," Sarah Essen motioned the woman in red to come forth. The reporter couldn't help but laugh, facing the attorneys in disbelief.
"Seriously?" Vale asked. "You need the police assistance to keep me out?"
"Don't put your thong in a twist, Vale," Bullock snapped. "This is police business."
"If this is about Loeb's confession tape-"
"No," Sarah shook her head, "It's a matter of your safety."
Everybody noticed the hesitating twitch across Vale's features. Finally, somebody other than Crane and the mob has made her squirm.
"You need to come with us, now," Bullock pressed, motioning her towards the door.
"You know it'll be better if we go down to the parking garage," Alan suggested, pointing at the elevator that closed for the next small group. "My car's down there, and it's more discreet."
"Yes, good idea," Rachel agreed. "Let Alan go."
Bullock huffed, "Okay, fine, whatever. Can we get the ball rolling? I'm missing America's Funniest Home Videos." Essen rolled her eyes, motioning Vale to come along. Telling the woman to move was like training a clueless puppy.
"First, the water," Vale gazed down on her five-inch heels in the tiny puddle. "Now I have to walk downstairs and ride inside a shitty car? Someone kill me now."
"Please," Harvey grumbled, earning a smack in the chest by Rachel. Vicki didn't hear or pay mind to the attorneys. She simply took Allan by the hand as if he was her escort. All four waited for the elevator doors to open before descending to the parking garage.
Harvey breathed out heavily with relief, placing his hands on his hips, "That's exhausting. I must admit I was coming close to snapping until you came to the rescue. " His words sounded like a joke, but Rachel's face showed no amusement whatsoever.
"What?" Harvey asked.
Rachel folded her arms, looking at him like a mother scolding a son.
"What?" he pressed.
"Harvey, I know."
The man furrowed his brows, still at a loss, "Know what?"
"I know the dirt Vale has on you."
The muscles under Harvey's face slackened.
~000~000~000~
A Swat team followed Gordon downstairs to the holding cells where Loeb was being kept. The new captain of the GCPD opened the former commissioner's cell door. Even with the new badge and title, Loeb still saw Gordon as the spineless, tired Sergent he despised.
"It's time to go," Gordon announced. He wasn't used to seeing the commissioner like this - defeated. It was satisfying to prove Loeb wrong back in the Narrows. This time was anything but a celebration. The man had made wrong choices that cost him everything including his family's trust - those were the people Gordon felt sorry for.
Loeb didn't have to hear it twice as he stood proud and tall from the bench, allowing a SWAT member to cuff his wrists behind his back.
"My wife and son?" The prisoner asked.
Gordon explained, "Already across the bridge. They are going to meet us there."
Loeb's tense face slackened, relieved to hear the good news. Although, his brows pinched together with confusion, "Us?"
"I'll be with you to ensure that you are in protective custody," Gordon took Loeb by the arm, escorting him downstairs to a blue SUV with tinted windows.
Loeb couldn't help but groan at the news of Gordon's company. "They promoted you captain, and your first act as boss is to protect Gotham's most hated cop?"
The group ignored the cops upstairs - the namecalling and mocking claps. The jury, too, had reached the verdict of Gordon's kind act.
"Believe me when I say this, Sir," Gordon spat as they reached the back of the SVU. One SWAT member opened the door to push Loeb inside. "I don't like this arrangement either. You should be serving a life sentence for what you have done. But it's not about what we like or don't like anymore - it's about doing the right thing. For your son."
Loeb pursed his lips, nodding his head in understanding, "Well, captain, my best of luck to you." He watched Gordon climb inside and sit across from him. The two stared intently as the back doors slammed shut.
~000~000~000~
"Ugh! C'mon!"
It was no use. No matter how hard she pulled and poked, the shackle refused to come undone. Jenny's eyes were about to swell shut from all the nights of crying. Joker was going to kill her sister, and he'll force her to watch. She reached to switch the TV off, refusing to hear the news any longer. The reporter's words were all a fuzz anyway.
She needed to distract herself, anything to get away from her current reality. She used her imagination many times a day, pretending the mattress was her bed, the office was her bedroom, the pain caused by her training. She just finished the night of training, and now she was ready to eat her supper. Her mom allowed Jenny to eat in her room, just for once.
With that in mind, Jenny unwrapped her burger and ate one, two, then three bites.
Her mouth yanked back suddenly, her left cuspid gnashed into something solid. A bone, maybe. Jenny dropped the burger, examining the tooth to find nothing cracked or bleeding. It was just sensitive. She opened the patty to remove the T-Bone, but what she found made her heart pound. Covered in ketchup and mayo lied a silver key.
Jenny gasped for breath as her mind raced to what she was seeing. Was this a miracle? Was it a fantasy? Who would put this in a prisoner's sandwich? She bit into the metal to make sure it was real? Indeed, it was hard and cold like chewing on a diamond. This was her way out.
Yanking the shoelace out of the lock, Jenny inserted the key until she heard it. The click that once meant nothing to her now became the sound of freedom. In Jenny's ears, it's the most beautiful noise she had ever heard.
She slowly undid the cuff around her ankle; the uncomfortable red indentions revealed. The slicing injury on her calf was throbbing, finally feeling the blood flow again. Jenny didn't need to rip the bandage to see that it was swollen and probably infected. Her stomach turned in knots from the smell of beef, it was nauseating. She needed real food that didn't come from a happy meal. She was relieved to know that somebody pitied her enough to help her escape. But who?
Instead of walking, she crawled out of her bed, wincing at the cramps from her low back. Her mouth was agape and eyes widened to realize that something was trickling down her leg. She hesitantly reached down to see the familiar watery stain between her fingertips.
"Shit," she cursed, craning her head down to see the same mess on her pants and mattress. Out of instinct, she used the napkins as pads until she could find something better. She tied Frosty's sweater around her waist to hid the evidence.
Jenny continued crawling towards the desk with black screen security monitors, using the chair as leverage to climb onto her feet. So many buttons to choose from, which of them could be used to them on? She pushed the red power button, hoping to see something that might give her an indication of where to go and what to avoid.
The first screen showed the outside entrance, the stone steps to the glass doors that had been barricaded by newspapers and wood panels. Another of three men playing cards with the TV lit on. They were surrounded by mirrors, props, and costume racks. The third of the empty back alleyway. The fourth indicated where she was being held hostage - they were in a theater. Judging by the barricaded doors, torn curtains, and dusty furniture - the place hadn't been used for a long time. Moving onto the final screening, Jenny was forced to cover her mouth to hold in the screaming, only muffled curses escaped past her lips. This shouldn't surprise her anymore. The Joker forced Jenny to watch or participate in gory acts. She shouldn't get worked up. She was thankful that she wasn't the bloody man on the final screen. Unless she was next on the clown's list...
Dropping back down on her knees, Jenny crawled towards the door by the windows. She reached the handle as leverage to pull herself up and take a peek outside, only to feel the unexpected. She thought it to be locked, but her heart raced as the doorknob fully turned and cracked it open slightly.
Frosty left the door unlocked. Jenny can get out of here and save her sister.
"Don't even think about trying anything, puddin'..."
Jenny's hand remained on the doorknob but didn't pull.
"I gave the word out to my boys that if they see red..." She could see the Joker's face as he imitated a gun with his finger, pulling the trigger. "Bang, Bang."
Her breath hitched, imagining the pain she had inflicted this past week - the scrapes, the bruises, the cuts - it wouldn't stop. Why? Because she resisted. She had failed to follow Joker's instructions - his tests of loyalty. What if tonight was just like the others? Why would he warn her to stay put if she was chained around her leg? What if he left to see Kathy? What would be the doctor's fate? All the risks and warnings unraveled inside Jenny's mind. Outside of it, she quietly gasped for oxygen as if the room stopped blowing air.
Her hand still remained on the doorknob.
~000~000~000~
Vicki allowed the detectives and Allan inside her office, offering them a drink. Bullock accepted but Sarah reminded him that they were on duty. The older man rolled his eyes, helping himself to his flask while explaining that whiskey was his special 'tea'. Sarah could've sworn it was rum.
"Are you not at all worried that the bastard clown wants you dead?" Allan wondered as he watched the woman pour a glass of champagne that's stored from the fan basket on the table.
"Sweetie," Vicki cooed, swirling the drink in circles, "I'm a famous reporter - the best of the best. All the jealous lowlives want me dead - all turned out to be all bark and no bite." She raised the glass to the lips.
"I don't see how people want you dead," Bullock grumbled. "You make morning news entertaining."
"Mm," Vicki wiggled her brows in response, dropping the arm back on her side that's holding the glass.
"Yeah, with lies," Sarah added.
Vicki scoffed under her breath, "Oh please! Stop with the dramatics, detective! When will you all learn? This is a business. News journalism at its finest, not a charity." She sighed, tapping her fingers on her desk. "Look... I was like you all at one time. I too believed in the truth, but I learned the hard way is that nobody cares about the truth."
The smirk was wiped clean from the woman's face. Her red lips almost pouting as she spoke. It was hard for anyone to take her seriously after the DUI incident, but the three visitors saw it first hand just how sober Vicki can be.
"They just want to watch someone else make a fool of herself to feel better about their own shitty lives."
At this point, everyone knew who Vicki was talking about. That one news story that could either make her or break her. She was right for everyone to turn on the TV or read just how bad she got it.
"Trust me, sweethearts, the world is a complex place. You will understand enough when I'm done with each of you."
"Is that a threat?" Sarah pressed.
Vicki giggled, staring at the bubbles in her glass, "You think that I don't have the dirt on your captain's little league?" Her smirk deepened that shook Sarah's insides but remained to have a straight face, "The investigation against Gotham's finest..." She nudged her head at the older man's direction, "a detective's drinking problem."
"Hey!" Bullock was offended, but it didn't stop him from finishing up his flask.
"And let's not forget..." Vicki's eyes met Allan's annoyed blues, "the bad apple on Harvey Dent's little prosecution tree." She traced her fingers over the strap of her dress, "If you want... I'll be happy to show you... I might save your client's name on the papers."
Allan knew better to ask questions. The woman, no doubt, was trying to stir the pot of drama. However, the former campaign manager would be lying if he claimed to not be curious.
"Vicki, it's your actions that grabbed the Joker's attention!" Sarah stated. Before Vicki could dismiss it, the detective explained further. "We found your DNA on one of his Joker cards - a lock of your hair."
The reporter pulled the glass away from her lips. Her face was almost identical to a dead fish.
~000~000~000~
Kathy entered the bathroom, passing a woman in blue taking leave. The doctor gripped the bars of the sink, taking deep breaths while quietly providing the self-talk.
"Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid..." her teary eyes raised towards the mirror. She closed them when a set of icy blue stared right back. He's not here. He was never here. She eventually told the words herself in a whisper.
"Kathryn..."
Yet, he hadn't left either. Kathy turned around with an annoyed look on her face. She dreamt of slapping the plump smug that once begged her to kiss.
"Why are you here?" Kathy wondered, more to herself than her hallucination. He didn't utter a response as he approached. She blinked to see something different in this vision. She could see her reflection in the crystal blues, almost glistening that matched the twitch of his smile. He almost seemed sad, an exact match of what she's feeling. She could almost feel the coolness of his breath that could've come from the air conditioner. His hand reached towards her, an inch from twirling the curls between his fingers. She didn't react, only watched for she knew the truth.
"You can't be here."
"It's alright," he uttered. Her eyes closed, listening to his hypnotic voice. "He's not going to hurt you, tonight. You're safe here."
How could she feel safe when her sanity was slowly dwindling away? The Joker kidnapping Jenny had made Kathy's mental condition worse. This version of Jonathan Crane didn't have the sass and sarcasm, Kathy was used to seeing. This Scarecrow appeared sincere and deluded her into thinking that she was well prepared. There was no telling what's going to happen tonight. Jenny could be lying dead somewhere for all to see. Maybe that's what her mind was trying to tell her, sparing the punchline. It's almost as if Jonathan was really there.
What felt like hours was actually minutes. By the time she opened her eyes, Scarecrow was gone much to her relief. Taking a deep breath, she entered a stall to relieve herself before coming out to wash her hands. As she dumped the paper towel into the trash bin, her hand extended to push the door open.
Her shoulder collided against the door and her wrist extended. Kathy pushed the door with all her might, but the door refused to open. It's like the weight had been added to the other side, blocking her way out. This wasn't good.
Kathy pounded and screamed for help but no such luck. She was trapped inside the bathroom, while a suited man with the maintenance keys in hand was watching the struggle from the outside.
~000~000~000~
"So you know?" Harvey asked.
Rachel nodded, "Mm-hm. Remember how you said that if you were sneaking out at night, someone would've noticed?"
Harvey couldn't help but laugh at how his choice of words threw back at his face. "Uh, yeah." Her stone-cold face ushered the attorney to explain himself, a sinner confessing his sins to a priest.
"Maybe it's better if you tell me what you think you know," Harvey offered, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
"Harvey, please, don't talk to me like a defense attorney," Rachel begged with the exhaustion in her voice. "I first thought you were the Batman or having an affair-"
"What?" Harvey knitted his brows together at the ridiculous accusations.
"But then I saw you driving to Arkham. They say you were checking in with Arkham about the alleged criminally insane, but it's not true, is it?"
Harvey huffed, casting his eyes down with his hands on his hips. There was no way of fooling this woman, was there?
"You're seeking help from Kathy."
"If it makes you feel any better, I haven't told anyone..." Harvey knew that it didn't make a difference to Rachel whose straight face said it all. "...Although there were some who had witnessed my mood swings first hand." Some who didn't deserve it.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Rachel asked.
"Because I thought I'd have it under control. Plus I didn't want you looking at me the way you are now."
"Like what, Harvey?"
"A man who has lost his marbles!" Harvey raised his hands in the air dramatically. "I can't have you think badly of me, too."
"Harvey," the woman's gentle voice sent goosebumps throughout the man's body. His face twitched as she cupped his face, caressing the cheek with her thumb.
"I don't think of you that way at all," she whispered. His eyes hesitantly met hers. "In fact, I'm very proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to admit one has a problem. But now Vicki knows. She might twist it around just to make you look bad."
"Yeah, well..." he paused, biting his lip, in a debate on what he should say next for it might cost him. "I'm not proud of it," he admitted. "I shouldn't have to deal with it, but... I knew that it's going to have to come out sometime. The mob will use it to their advantage, maybe not. I'm sure that the Joker would. Dr. Knightly did say that he loves to pick people's brains."
"Well, if they do..." Rachel grasped his hand, smiling softly at him, "we'll be ready."
Harvey blinked, "You're not afraid?"
The woman scoffed, "Harvey, I live in this insane city all my life. Nothing scares me anymore... except you."
Harvey sighed, nodding his head in agreement. He knew it. He can't really blame her.
Rachel forced him to look back at her by tilting his chin, "I'm not afraid of you. I'm only afraid of losing you."
The man's apple bobbed at the woman's words. Small words but held a powerful meaning. What had he done to deserve her?
She hugged, "We are going to get through this. You'll get better, the city's evil will be stomped below the concrete and Jenny will be home safe before the night is up..." As Rachel kept babbling how they were going to make this city a safer place, he couldn't help but plant a soft kiss to her lips which she accepted. Some patrons stopped and stared at awe at the sight. Those two had become the 'it' couple of Gotham. Where's the action between the billionaire and the doctor?
As Harvey kissed her, he thought to himself, 'There were no other women like Rachel Dawes.' Yes, there were some, but Rachel... She was all that mattered in his eyes. She was Rachel Dawes, the DA Devil and the second-best attorney in Gotham, inferior to himself. He didn't want to lose her. He knew what he must do to seal the deal.
"You know I have been thinking a lot of things," Harvey broke the kiss.
"Like what?" Rachel asked, licking her cherry lips.
"About life. How life is a precious gift."
"It most certainly is."
"And that we should never take it for granted."
"I agree."
"I mean... It makes you think about things you can't stand losing, and about who you want to spend the rest of your life with."
Rachel grinned, "That's a pretty big commitment."
"Well, not if the mob has their way," Harvey stated with a teasing grin.
Rachel's face fell, "Don't do that."
Harvey slowly nodded and mumbled his apology. He looked back at Rachel, his eyes no longer show teasing, "Alright, let's be serious..." He slowly got down on one knee and grasped his love's wrist, ignoring the puddle beneath that soaked his pants. Rachel panted lightly, staring down at Harvey with expectance. She knew what he was going to do.
~000~000~000~
"How..." Vicki paused to clear the tickle in her throat, "How did he get my... hair? Stalker or..." she trailed off, massaging the base of her neck.
"Who knows. Maybe your fans are more than just lowlives, aren't they?"
Vicki opened her mouth to speak but let out a cough instead. Bullock made a joke of Vicki having a frog in Vicki's throat or a cat getting her tongue, but the jokes slowed as all three small the smoke seeping from the glass. Allan was the first to react as Vicki grabbed her throat before she collapsed onto the ground.
"Call the medic!" Sarah cried. Bullock couldn't keep his eyes off the glass so Sarah took matters into her own hands and reported the incident herself. Allan tried to keep Vicki calm with soothing words but the stammer in his voice proved unsuccessful. The fear in Vicki's wide eyes showed that this morning's news report was her last.
~000~000~000~
Throughout the ride to the state's protection unit, Gordon and Loeb had no conversation. They sat there in silence, listening to the thumps and the Swat officers talking. None bothered to look at the windows for they hardly have a view because of the tint.
"You all won't survive without me."
Gordon huffed, enjoyed the silence while it lasted.
"One cop dead, how many more must you endure to see the truth?"
"Do you even know the man's name, Loeb?" Gordon challenged. The former commissioner didn't respond. The new captain answered for him, "Brian Douglas, and he didn't have the badge at the time of death."
"No, but he wore the vigilante's mask instead. He died playing dress-up."
"He died believing that there is still hope for this city."
Loeb scoffed, "Hope? In this city? It's all long gone now when the mayor placed you in charge of the police department."
"I never asked for it."
"But you didn't decline the offer either," Loeb huffed, staring at the blank view. "You won't last very long... The place used to have both."
"Both of what?"
"Law and order. You all uphold the law, but you can't claim a city without the other. You have that district attorney, but he isn't cleaning streets. He is digging graves for a bigger war that's about to come - same as that clown and the vigilante. There is always the one who will come to take charge whether you like it or not. No president, no queen of England can control Gotham City the way they do."
"The mob doesn't own Gotham."
"You think the mayor owns the city? Bruce Wayne? That doctor? Little did you know..." Loeb shook his head in deep thought as the car drove halfway across the city's bridge, "little did any of you know. There is someone bigger than the mob, watching from its shadow perch, ready to make its move. You'll see..."
Gordon was confused by Loeb's words. What exactly did the former commissioner mean 'someone bigger than the mob'? "Is there something you wish to disclose, sir?"
Loeb continued to enjoy the tinted view in silence.
Gordon's phone buzzed in his pocket. The captain pulled it out to see a text message from Ramirez. Gordon was glad that he made the right call to stay with Loeb for one reason only.
THE SALIVA DNA TESTED POSITIVE FOR LOEB
- A. RAMIREZ
Gordon raised his head to meet the driver's gaze from the mirror, telling him the news. Before he could, he felt a sudden shift against the door, piercing glass hitting his face. His arms raised to block more damage. He felt the weight against his shoulder - the former commissioner. He blinked to see all a blur, his glasses fell from his face by the impact. There were screams, screeches, bangs, and gunfire echoing outside.
A van crashed against their vehicle, but it was no accident.
~000~000~000~
"Are we ready to begin?" Fox asked Bruce Wayne. With the preacher gone, the CEO took liberties to speak the vigil himself. He had a bible and verse at hand, ready to start.
"Have you seen Nancy?" Bruce wondered, scanning his eyes around the rooftop.
Fox furrowed his brows, "Who?"
"Kathy! Where is she?"
"Isn't she with you?"
"She said that she had to use the restroom, but that was twenty minutes ago."
"I think its best if you sent a woman to check. The nearest one Dr. Knightly could be is-"
"I know where the nearest one is," Bruce headed towards the door. "Get started without us!"
Fox sighed, gazing at the bible before looking up at the nightly heavens. No doubt, he mouthed a prayer to make it through the night.
~000~000~000~
It didn't take long for Lacey and Nathan to hear about Jenny's vigil on the news. Lacey was hurt to hear that she wasn't invited or informed despite having the day off. Both blondes agreed to attend the ceremony for respect. Little did they know was that they should've stayed at the ice cream place, but no one bothered to give warning. The only issue they have was the amount of security blocking anyone from coming in without an invitation.
"Ma'am, you can't go..." the brown-haired officer recognized the troublemaking vixen last year. The one he and his partner were happy to arrest. "Well, well, well..."
"Oh no," Lacey grumbled.
"You can't stay away, can you?"
Nathan knew where this conversation could be going. Just how many creeps did Lacey make acquaintance with? Nathan spotted a van dividing the crowd, heading towards the back. One guard allowed it inside because the driver was holding a police badge. However, the car didn't look official - all white with dark windows but no sticker to claim its from the department. Something didn't sit well for the boy. There was an old saying that kids and animals were the best judges of character. Nathan's instincts told him that something shady was going on. Officer Charlie wasn't paying the boy any mind due to height, neither did Lacey. Nathan noticed nobody guarding the front doors directly, just keeping the crowd away. He glanced up at both Lacey and the officer before making his decision to disappear.
"Listen, I'm not here to fight, Charlie," Lacey stated, holding back the attitude, "but I have a friend who is-"
"Yeah, yeah, we all know!" The officer dismissed her claims with sass, "That being said, you can't go in. Now beat it before I arrest again."
"For what?" Lacey challenged.
"Preventing an officer from performing his duty," Officer Charlie replied, the smug crossed his face that Lacey was tempted to punch.
"Fine, I'll call Kathy Knightly - my friend, the woman in charge of the vigil," Lacey pulled out her cellphone to dial the doctor on speed dial. "She'll tell you to let me in."
"Yeah, you do that," Charlie looked away from her, dismissing her entirely.
"I will! While I'm at it, could you do your civic duties by watching Nathan for me?"
"Nathan who?"
"Nathan, my..." Lacey trailed off to look down and see no boy in sight. "Nathan?" She called but received no response or find him in the crowd. "Nathan?!"
...
Nathan took the shortcut around the building to where the parking garage gate could be. He hid by the dumpsters to stay out of sight. Undoing the buckle of his backpack, he pulled out a remote control tank, Lacey gave him at the toy shop. Switching it on, Nathan steered the mini tank out in the open for the guard to see.
"What the hell?" the guard wondered. He watched the toy spin around in circles before shifting back and forth, luring the guard out of his post. When the guard was far away from the gate to pick up the toy, Nathan hurried inside, ducking under the gate undetected by the smiling guard.
"Cute," the man uttered, shaking his head.
Nathan ran down the ramps towards the elevator, knowing that's where the van could be going, keeping his posture down to the cars' hoods to avoid being seen. By the time the SUV was on sight, the boy crouched down by a seismic block to see the action up close.
"Evening, Sir," a security officer by the elevators greeted.
From the look on the husky cop's face, Wuertz didn't seem happy to be here - afraid almost.
"What brings you here?" the guard asked.
"Just heading up the roof with some pals," Wuertz replied, keeping his hands in the air while holding his badge.
The security officer squinted his eyes in confusion, not just by Wuertz's words but how he was standing - the cop was clearly distressed about something. "Um... I thought all undercover cops were checked off at the rooftop."
Back doors of the van slid open, greeting the guard and the hiding boy by an unfriendly sight. Nathan had to cover his mouth to prevent himself from screaming. Seven armed thugs who either had clown masks or war paint over their faces, while their leader graced his presence with the same cheap makeup and purple suit. Nobody missed the thick shotgun in the Joker's gloved hand.
"Yeah, we decided to lend the boys scouts a helping hand," the clown flashed the yellow teeth at the guard's way who looked like he was about to pee himself.
"What the-" Before the guard could finish his sentence or draw his own weapon, the Joker killed him off by a single shot in the chest. Nathan quickly ducked behind the block, muffling the screams. The boy hoped and prayed the guard outside heard that shot for the unknown patrons by the entrance didn't. He blinked the tears and kept the hand over his mouth as he listened to the Joker's laugh and watched one thug nudging his gun at Weurtz's way, silently commanding him to push the elevator buttons upstairs. The doors opened, allowing all nine men to enter. The smile, that shall haunt the boy, had never left his face as the doors closed.
Nathan hurried down to the wounded officer, nearly puked at the smell of blood. The man's lids opened with no life left in them. The eyes that Nathan knew all too well from his bastard father. The officer was killed in action. Rifling through the man's person, Nathan found a walkie talkie and didn't hesitate to speak the warning.
"Attention, cops! The Joker is here! I repeat! The Joker is here! He is coming up to the roof now! Hurry!"
It didn't take long to receive multiple responses, most of them were questions about the boy's identity and how he managed to get a hold of an officer's talkie.
One man in the line of communications did receive the message, leaving no response for the boy. Time was on the essence. He must hurry to keep Harvey Dent and Kathy Knightly out of harm's way. Then, he will suit up and fight the Joker face-to-face.
Nathan gazed up at the elevator, then lowered his eyes at the arrow buttons.
~000~000~000~
"Rachel Dawes," Harvey began.
"Yes, Harvey Dent?" Rachel asked with a small smile.
"Would you do me the honor of becoming my-" Harvey was cut off a ringing shotgun. It echoed from outside or above, neither knew where. The fired shot silenced the world around them, except for the pounding hearts inside everyone's chests.
...
Kathy pulled out her phone to call Bruce, who picked up immediately. No greeting, just a simple question.
"Where are you?"
"I'm locked in the woman's bathroom," she replied with haste. "You need to come get me!"
"Where's Harvey?"
"I don't know! Come get me!"
BANG!
Kathy screeched at the noise above her. "Bruce, what's going on? Where are you?"
Bruce didn't respond to her, only the sound of his heavy footsteps on the tiled floors. Kathy shouldn't be asking the questions for they were obvious.
The Joker has arrived.
Bruce could be finding his emergency suit to put on.
"Okay, Bruce," Kathy whispered, "put on the uniform and come get me. He might have my sister-"
"Stay put," those were the last words he said before hanging up, ignoring the yelling protests of Kathy. She screamed and banged the doors violently.
"You bastard!" Kathy cried, dropping her phone onto the floor. "That son of a bitch has my sister! Bruce!"
She punched the door one last time before sliding against the door, her knees meeting the floor. Tears leaked from her eyes as her mouth exhaling gasping breaths. It's official. No one was coming to her rescue.
"So much for not being the damsel in distress..." he uttered inside her mind.
As much as she hated to admit, her subconscious was right. The only person who could save her was her. She must get out of here on her own, but how?
Her eyes met the ceiling, specifically an air vent.
"Hold on, Jenny," Kathy uttered quietly, pulling herself back on her feet, keeping her eyes locked on her way out. "I'm coming for you."