Bruce slammed his hand down on the console. The computer beeped in protest. "Where the hell are you!?"
He ran his hand over his sweat soaked head. He'd been breaking down doors for the last two days but to no avail. No one knew anything about the Joker's plans. While his brother almost exclusively used mental patients in his gang, there were times when he needed, at least, some men, who were clear-headed. Unfortunately, he could bring in those professionals from outside Gotham.
With Superman successfully protecting Metropolis, many criminals had been put out of business, migrating to other locations, including Gotham. Keeping track of all of them was an impossible task. Even the underworld, was bouncing back from Joker's reign of terror. Though far more tempered than they used to be, it would be some time before they were more than a basic threat. There was a new underworld emerging. One full of masked villains and killer clowns. He wasn't sure if Gotham was ready to face this new enemy, but they would have to get ready, because the madness was spreading… just as the Joker had said it would.
"Alfred!" Bruce bounded up the stairs, "Alfred!"
"Master Bruce?" the old man approached with a keen eye, looking him over.
"There you are." He rolled his shoulder, trying to let the tension drain. He knew Alfred was worried about him. Not just for the physical toll his interactions with the Joker caused, but the emotional ones as well. "Anything in the chatter?"
"Nothing that points to Master Jack. The usual talk and some speculation. The common criminal element is aware of the Joker's latest and are correctly assuming that this is only just beginning." He paused, "You look exhausted. I don't suppose rest is in the plan?"
Bruce scoffed. "I'll cat-nap when I get the chance."
"I'm sure you will," Alfred offered with half a smile.
Bruce gave him a look, "I really don't have time for that, right now."
Alfred shrugged, "Cats can be very relaxing."
"Let's stay on track, shall we?" Bruce motioned to the drawing room. "I've got a little girl in imminent danger and a pissed off brother. Not a good combo."
"You really think that he would kill that child?"
"I just don't know, Alfred, but something tells me that his killing her is the least of our worries."
The old man frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Jack had something in mind when he took her. And, you know how he feels about the GCPD. I've tried to engage him at his usual haunts. But he's dropped off the map. And when he does that…"
"He's not interested in playing with you."
Bruce nodded, "Pretty much. I'm concerned that he intends to involve Emily in whatever plot he's cooked up against the GCPD. And, I'm more concerned that she will go along with it."
Alfred's eyes questioned.
"I don't think she's well." Bruce rubbed the back of his neck. "I did some digging. Children's authorities had been called-in twice to investigate suspected abuse within the last three years. If there were three incidents, there were more. It explains her reaction, or lack of reaction to Jack. For her, he might have been the lesser of two evils." And that, had to be the most tragic of all the aspects to this case. "Neglect and likely abuse. Perhaps, severe. It might be why her mother and the boyfriend were killed."
Alfred's eyebrows rose to his hairline, "You believe, he was defending the child?
"In his own way, yeah, I think it's possible. It wouldn't be the first time, he helped someone rather than hurt them." Bruce took a deep breath, "Unfortunately, his idea of help is morally questionable at best."
"And at worst, two people end up dead."
Bruce practically stumbled into the nearest chair. "I can't shed a tear for them, Alfred. Not after what I learned. I'm not saying it was right. Especially, if he involved that child but…
Alfred frowned, "Be careful, Master Bruce. Be very careful. That is a road, you don't want to travel. Especially, with the Joker whispering in your ear. You must remember that. No matter his true name. He is and always will be, first and foremost, The Joker."
"You think, I would forget that? I will never forgive him for Rachel." Bruce leaned back in the chair and let his head fall back. He closed his eyes with a sigh. "Sometimes, I see hints of who and what he should be, would be, if not for a single act of cruelty. It breaks my heart. Even knowing what he is, knowing that he will never change. What else can I do? What else!" his voice a frustrated growl.
Alfred could only stand there. "I don't know"
o-i-o-i-o-i-o
Emily, red crayon in hand, carefully drew another line straight down. She loved to draw. Mister J had given her, her own set of crayons to use. The big set of ninety-six. He told her; she could draw as much as she liked. She smiled lightly. This was so much better than the hospital. They told her, they only wanted to help her feel better. What they really wanted, was for her to tell them what she knew about the Joker.
The people around her didn't think she was smart enough to understand what they were really trying to say, but she did. They thought that the Joker had done bad things to her. She knew what those bad things were, Glen had already shown her. They asked her lots of questions about what happened that night, but she had nothing to say. They didn't understand. They never would.
Mister J understood, and he had helped her. No one else had helped, not even her mother. Glen would never hurt anyone, ever again. She was so grateful. Now, he would teach how to make sure no one else could ever hurt her again. She would never betray him. Her legs swung lightly to and fro as she colored-in the image of Glen on the floor.
The door swung inwards with a blam! as it hit the wall. "Emily! Sweety! Pumpkin! Darling!" the Joker announced, as he swept into the room. He lumbered over to the table where the little girl sat and plopped down in the chair across from her. He put his elbows on the table and leaned his face into his hands. "Whacha doin?" he asked with a grin.
She giggled, "Nothing much. Just coloring." She ran her hands over the purple frilly dress that Mister J had brought back with him. "Thank you for the new clothes. Very pretty. Purple must be your favorite color."
"Sort of," he offered. "Nothing but the bes-tah for my newest little minion. We gotta get you up to speed. You ready to play a game?
"Yeah!" She nodded enthusiastically.
"That's good. Because, I have a very special part for you to play. My minions have to do a good job. Think you can measure up… or else?"
"I know or skkkittchh," she made a sweeping motion across her throat to go along with the sound. "Just like Glen!"
Joker snorted. He was really starting to like this kid. Not only was she not afraid but so far, she had no objections to any of the actions he'd taken. Including murder. It was rare to find such purity of spirit. It was too bad, he couldn't keep her. It might be interesting to see what he could turn her into, with the right education. If she lasted that long, which was unlikely. Even if, everything went to plan, it would be the end of the road for their little game. She was a liability and that couldn't stand. But until then, why not just see how far she was willing to go. It would be fun.
"Soooo, Emily. You like fire?" Joker gave the little girl his best grin.