*Chapter 7: Criminal Files*

At the GCPD the next evening, Jim and his partner, Harvey Bullock, waited by the light with a Bat Symbol. But, they are not alone. A new guard named Ben Vanover climbed up on the ladder to meet with him. The man has blond hair and green eyes. He is in his early thirties.

"What's happening tonight, boss?" Ben asked.

"Nothing serious, but Batman told me something about a criminal who sets the apartment on fire three years ago where Ms. Harlow lived." Jim said.

"What's the big deal? The guy can't be in this city, right?" Bullock said, smoking his cigarette. "We can't do anything about what happened in that broad's hometown." Jim shot him a glare before turning to Ben. Then, the Dark Knight appeared.

"You find anything Gordon?" Batman asked.

"Cash and the others are looking into it. And tell me again about the fire?" Jim asked. "Who knew this wasn't an accident?"

"Mad Hatter." Batman said. "He told Mia about what really happened after she was drugged. I looked at the news about that day and they couldn't find the cause of the fire. Someone caused it, covering his tracks."

"But how do you know if Tetch is telling the truth?" Bullock asked. "He seems to know about it."

"Hatter isn't the suspect, but he is aware of the man. Whoever it is, he will be stopped." Batman said. Jim and the others walk down the elevator to get inside the building.

XX

"This one is from weeks ago." Cash said, looking at the screen by the desk as everyone watched. It shows a map of Gotham City and a location where the last fire happened. "No one was dead, but injured. Thought Firefly was involved, but he wasn't seen for a long time since Batman locked him up at Blackgate."

"No evidence?" Jim asked.

"None." Cash said. "But, we will find out who is causing the fires. It may take a while, but we will contact you when we do." Batman gave a man with a hook a nod. Not only he will search for the murderer of Walter Harlow, the GCPD will help him. Mia will find the answers. But until the man is found, she has a lot to learn about other criminals in Gotham since she is a part of the Bat Family.

"So, he's out there somewhere." Mia said, pacing back and forth in the Batcave with Axel. "This fire happened in your city weeks ago." Batman is typing on his Batcomputer, bringing up the files of his enemies to show Mia and Axel. The woman stopped pacing to see a file of Mad Hatter, aka Jervis Tetch. Axel shuddered by the image of the man wearing a hat.

"Creepy." Axel said. "Was he worse in person, mom?"

"He's insane, but yes." Mia said. "He is obsessed with Alice in Wonderland, and believed he is the Mad Hatter." She taps her chin. She still wonders why this madman wanted her to find the one who got her husband killed. "He said something about Alice. He killed this woman who isn't really her. Did he?"

"He has." Batman replied. "Not only he uses masks or hats to mind control people, he is a hypnotist. Axel, if anything looks suspicious wherever you go, like seeing men wearing rabbit masks, stay away." Axel nodded. Batman shows them the rest of the criminals. Two-Face, Penguin, Firefly, Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze, and Joker. Mia caught the image of the Joker. That smile on his face gives her goosebumps. "I am going to give you both something if anything happens to one of you." Batman spoke, walking over to his table with gadgets. He picked up two devices in a shape of bats. A button was in the center.

"What is it?" Axel asked, taking one.

"A device you use to contact me whenever there is trouble. Hold the button down, and I will hear your alarm." Batman said. "Try it." He backed away from the boy. Axel pressed the button for three seconds. Batman's left arm is flashing red, and sounds of beeps were heard. "Place a bud in your ear." Batman instructed. Axel puts on the earbud as Batman presses something on his arm. Mia was amazed by Batman's devices to use wherever he goes. His cowl has detective mode, his gloves have hidden buttons to hack or communicate with allies.

"Can you hear me?" Axel asked, pressing the bud. Batman pressed his finger on the side of his head and nodded. "Whoa, this is so cool!"

"Use it for emergencies only." Batman said. "It is also a tracking device, wherever you could be, I will find you right away." Mia smiled. She was given the device and place it in her purse for safekeeping. "The GCPD will contact me if they find anything. I will let you know if there are any updates." Batman told Mia.

"Thank you, Batman. I appreciate it." Mia said. "Maybe I could be a detective like Jim suggested. You and I can solve cases together since this is our first one."

"It'd be too dangerous." Batman told her. Mia couldn't argue with him. Besides, this is only the beginning. As Axel walks up the steps to the manor, Batman stared at her. "Listen, I've been meaning to ask you." He said. He removes his cowl. "I...really had a good time with you the other night. If you don't have plans on Valentine's Day, I was wondering if you like to come here for dinner."

"Like as...a date?" Mia asked. "Wait, are you asking me as Batman or Bruce?" The man gave her a small smile.

"Can it be both?" He asked her. Mia chuckled. "What do you say? Friday night?" Bruce asked. Mia gave it a thought. It has to be a date. Does Bruce/Batman like her? Maybe he wanted her all to himself since the last invite was with her son and Tim joined for dinner. Perhaps it would be good for Mia. And Bruce could use one night off since Robin and Batgirl have been fighting crime together for him on certain nights.

"I would love that very much." Mia said, hiding her blush. Bruce smiled at her. Mia started to giggle.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"Nothing. It's just...now I really owe my son fifty bucks." Mia said, laughing. Bruce chuckled a bit.

Ben walk pass the cells with criminals throwing insults at him. Some of the thugs worked for either Penguin or Joker. Ben ignored their comments as he reached the interview room with his boss looking through the files.

"Boss, you can go home and rest for the night. I can take care of the case." Ben said.

"Nah, I'll be fine." Jim said. "Hey, now that you are here, shut the door. I think I've found something." Ben shuts the door and walk over to the table with files all over. Jim picked up a photo of a man with a mustache. "I could be wrong, but I remember seeing him in the papers weeks ago." Jim said, bringing out the newspaper of the fire happened in Gotham weeks ago. He got out the magnifying glass. Ben squinted his eyes to see the same man standing by the burning building, only showing the side of his face with no emotion. "Look at the back of his coat." Jim pointed out. "Looks like a Penguin symbol. He works for Cobblepot."

"If this is the right guy, we must be certain." Ben said. "Who is he?" Jim brought up the file of the man's crimes. Ben looked over the file and smirked. "Guess we have to catch the bastard."

"Here." Mia gave her son fifty dollars before walking to the kitchen. Axel laughed and followed his mother and sat by the counter. "Yes, it's a date. On Valentine's Day of all days."

"Just the two of you, huh?" Axel asked.

"Is it okay with you?" Mia asked, turning to him. "Like, if you want me to cancel-"

"No. I'm just saying that...maybe he likes you." Axel said. "Do you like him?" Mia smiled a bit. She's not going to lie. Bruce Wayne is a gentleman and respects her since that day they met. Yet, she does like Batman too. They are one of the same. But, she is dating Bruce.

"I like him. I admit. But, I'm not in love with him." Mia told her son. "We only met almost a week ago." She looks down at her empty ring finger. "Besides, I guess it's a wake up call. Your father would want me to move on."

"You always say that." Axel said. "I only want you to be happy. To be honest with you mom, I think Bruce is the right guy for you to date. The other guys suck." Mia holds back her giggle. "Just don't rush into things like you wanted to marry him."

"Axel!" Mia laughed. "It's too early to think of marriage. Sounds like you want me to be with him because he's the Dark Knight." Axel laughed. "Anyway, will you be okay Friday night?" She asked. Axel nodded. "Okay then. Now, enough about me, how was school so far?"