Chapter 5: Searching

The figure stood expressionless, impassive and alone. His mask was on and his clothes were torn. There was blood everywhere. Bruce tried to call out but found that he couldn't. His voice wasn't working. That terrified him.

"You left me to die." The figure said, his tone indicating nothing.

"You would rather have gone and saved her than me. I thought you cared for me." The figure said.

Bruce wanted to say that he had cared for the figure, that he still cared for the figure. But his voice wasn't working.

"You let him kill me, and when you had the chance, you did nothing. You didn't avenge me." The figure said turning around.

Bruce would've screamed then if he could. The figure's mask was off, not on, and there were holes and tears in his skin. Bruce could see half the figure's face; it was burned off at the edges.

"You let him kill me. I went there for you, Bruce." The figure said. "I went there for you, and you abandoned me."

The figure started walking toward him, a gun in his hand. Bruce heard the gun cock, he saw the figure point the gun at him. He wanted to close his eyes, but he didn't. He owed the figure that much.

"You don't deserve to live." The figure said.

Bruce blinked awake at the sound of an alarm beeping. He turned his head and saw that it was his phone. The screen was flashing telling him that it was six am. He must have fallen asleep. He grabbed his phone and switched the alarm off.

He turned around when he heard the door open. Alfred walked in holding a cup of tea, the man handed it to him and said. "You were talking in your sleep again, Master Bruce."

Bruce took a sip of tea and sighed. "What was I saying?"

Alfred said nothing immediately, merely grimaced, and that told Bruce all he needed to know.

"I'm not going to a therapist, Alfred." Bruce said. He hated therapists.

Alfred sighed, then nodded to the screen. "Something's happening."

Bruce turned to face the computer screen. Something was indeed happening. He hit a key and a series of images came up. "I was right." Bruce murmured to himself.

"About what?" Alfred asked.

Bruce looked at the screen and flicked through the images. "The White Portuguese is linked to Manchester Black."

"The vigilante?" Alfred asked.

"Yes." Bruce said.

"But that makes no sense. The man doesn't like water." Alfred said.

It was true, Bruce had once dragged the man onto a boat and set off from Gotham Harbour, Black had been screaming by the time they'd gotten halfway to Metropolis. Bruce hadn't even needed to throw him in the water, as he'd planned.

"I know." Bruce said.

"So, why has he got a ship like that?" Alfred asked.

"I don't know. I don't think it's his." Bruce said, he hit a few keys and brought up the news article about the sinking of the White Portuguese. The ship had been carrying a bunch of material that had disappeared, and its crew refused to say who had saved them.

"Whose ship do you think it is then?" Alfred asked.

An image of Bruno Mannheim appeared on the screen. "His." Bruce said, turning to face Alfred.

Alfred frowned. "Why would the Mayor of Metropolis want to use Manchester Black's name for a ship?"

"Because he's still in the game. Black owes Mannheim a favour and this is the best way to pay it off. Mannheim can claim he's clean, but a rot like that never goes away." Bruce said. He didn't mention that he'd been tracking Mannheim's finances for months now, and the man was getting a cut from the family business.

"I see." Alfred said. "And what do you plan on doing about this?"

"I'm going to have a conversation with him." Bruce said, he turned around and started typing away, bringing up a news article that mentioned that the Mayors of Metropolis and Gotham were meeting together for a gala dinner later on in the evening.

"As Batman?" Alfred asked.

"No, as Bruce Wayne." Bruce said.

"And what will Bruce Wayne talk to him about?" Alfred asked.

Bruce turned around and smiled. "About how I want to diversify Wayne Corps portfolio, and if he knows anyone who might be able to help." It was a risky move, especially with the shareholders getting antsy about profits. But it was something he had to try.

"And do you think he will bite?" Alfred asked.

"He will if I make a sizeable contribution to his campaign fund." Bruce said.

Alfred laughed. "Very well, Master Wayne."

Alfred looked as if he wanted to say something else, but then he pulled out a little post it note and said. "Ms Gordon phoned whilst you were sleeping, she asked me to give you this."

Alfred handed him the post it note and Bruce read it.

Check your email.

It's important.

Bruce put the post it note on the table, picked up the cup of tea, took a sip and then put it back on the table and brought up his email. He clicked on the email from Barbara.

A series of images appeared of a rather good looking man with black hair and a solid jaw. "Is Ms Gordon trying to make you jealous?"

Bruce snorted. He ignored the comment and read the words in the email.

This is Clark Kent, he's a journalist with the Daily Planet.

He's been snooping around your profile on the web.

I don't know why, but I think you should check him out.

Have provided images and some basic information.

Bruce looked at the information she'd provided. His name, his age-a full decade younger than Bruce- his job history-inconstant- and his current location. Not for the first time, Bruce was happy Barbara was on his side. They might not see eye to eye on everything, but at least she and he were friends.

"Who is that?" Alfred asked then.

"Clark Kent." Bruce said.

"What does he want?" Alfred asked.

"I am not sure." Bruce said. "But I will find out." And when he did, he'd have a conversation with Mr Kent. He was used to people trying to spy on him.