A Matter of life and death Chapter 5
By Marcie Gore
Summery: Dick is kidnapped by a vengeful ex employ of Bruce's and his
Situation is growing worse by the hour. WICKED Laugh!
Bruce rides home in silence. He can't tell Alfred how desperate Dick's situation has
become, not yet. He's still haunted by the sight of his bloody beaten son himself. He's
almost afraid of how the elderly man will react.
It's not that he's fragile, he's not in anyway. He just feels the need to protect the
man who is like a second father to him. Alfred loves Dick like a grandson, and Bruce
knows how hard it was for him to view that tape. He must not let Alfred view it.
Finally they get to the manor. Bruce tells Alfred that Dick may be in poor physical
condition because of the treatment he's receiving at the hands of the kidnappers. He also
tells him about the videotape. Alfred insists on seeing it. Despite his own feelings Bruce
allows him to view the tape.
The two men go to the Batcave. Bruce analysis's the tape frame by frame, searching
for clues to Dick's whereabouts. Alfred Sits frozen in place like Bruce did earlier. As the
tape progresses Alfred Clenches his fist.
Bruce magnifies e area around a window that can be seen on the tape. The area looks
like the land Wayne enterprises purchased for a housing development just outside of
Gotham. The project had to be abandoned because the soil was found to be contaminated
with PCBs .as far as he knows there are no buildings on that property though. He calls the
head of the clean up crew on the project and asks if there have been any trespassers IN
the last 24 hours. He Says no one has been there.
Alfred feels he needs to be alone and goes back to his room.
For the first time since the kidnapping Alfred allows his British reserve to break
down, and cries on his bed. He thinks about the sweet little boy who put the light back
into both of their lives.
After Bruce finished down stairs he goes back to the main part of the house. He takes
refuge in a special room. He goes to Dick's childhood bedroom. First he sits in Dick's
desk chair. . Then he lays across Dick's bed. He can almost feel him here, hear his
laughter.
He looks at an old photo album he started the day Dick first came to live with them at
age 9. The first photo was a formal father/son portrait. Dick looked so uncomfortable in
that suit and tie he laughed. The next is one of Dick turning cartwheels in the yard not
long after that. There's one of them wrestling in the gym. It'd started as a training
exercise and turned into a tickle spree. It only ended when Dick accidentally kicked
Bruce in the face, leaving him with two black eyes.
One of the last photos was Dick's high school graduation he was so proud when HIS
boy was named valedictorian. After that there was only the odd picture taking occasion.
Not long after that Dick left home under not so pleasant circumstances.
Bruce would always regret the harsh words that had passed between the two men.
They are much close now, but there was still lingering damage to the bond they once
shared. He regrets the time he missed with his son, especially now. Tears fall down his
check as he closes the album. He promises the young man in the pictures he will do
more to heal the rift between them when he finds him and brings him home. He would
give his life to do it if he has to.
Alfred tells him they have received another envelope with no return address or stamp.
There is another note allegedly from Dick.
Dear Bruce, I'm ok the beating I received yesterday wasn't as bad as it looked. I'm
not in unbearable pain. They said they'd do A LOT worse to me if I tried to escape
again. If you don't bring the money on time and alone, then the pain will be unbearable. .
They said they could make it so no one ever found my body. The guy named Joe really
seems to hate you for reasons you know well, but he won't kill me unless you provoke
him. Please come alone!
I know neither of us says it much but I love you so much. You and Alfred have tried
so hard to create a real family for me, for that I will always be grateful. Dick.
The handwriting was defiantly Dick's, but most of the words sound forced
and dictated to Bruce. His handwriting was shaky like he was weak. The ink starts
to smear half way through the note. The handwriting seemed to suggest he can
barely hold a pen right now.
He wonders what kind of conditions he's being held in. What other ways did
Dick pay for the escape attempt? Is he still paying? Worst of all is he even
alive? Did that psycho kill Dick after the note was written?
Suddenly the phone rings, despite himself, Bruce jumps. Alfred picks it up on
the 2nd ring. "Wayne residence. Just a moment Sir I'll get him.
Master Bruce, It's the coroner's office," Alfred lowers his head sadly.
"Yes I will come to the office as soon as possible," Bruce says. "Alfred the coroner
wants me to come the office to identify a body that was found near Dick's wallet. In the
woods."
TBC
By Marcie Gore
Summery: Dick is kidnapped by a vengeful ex employ of Bruce's and his
Situation is growing worse by the hour. WICKED Laugh!
Bruce rides home in silence. He can't tell Alfred how desperate Dick's situation has
become, not yet. He's still haunted by the sight of his bloody beaten son himself. He's
almost afraid of how the elderly man will react.
It's not that he's fragile, he's not in anyway. He just feels the need to protect the
man who is like a second father to him. Alfred loves Dick like a grandson, and Bruce
knows how hard it was for him to view that tape. He must not let Alfred view it.
Finally they get to the manor. Bruce tells Alfred that Dick may be in poor physical
condition because of the treatment he's receiving at the hands of the kidnappers. He also
tells him about the videotape. Alfred insists on seeing it. Despite his own feelings Bruce
allows him to view the tape.
The two men go to the Batcave. Bruce analysis's the tape frame by frame, searching
for clues to Dick's whereabouts. Alfred Sits frozen in place like Bruce did earlier. As the
tape progresses Alfred Clenches his fist.
Bruce magnifies e area around a window that can be seen on the tape. The area looks
like the land Wayne enterprises purchased for a housing development just outside of
Gotham. The project had to be abandoned because the soil was found to be contaminated
with PCBs .as far as he knows there are no buildings on that property though. He calls the
head of the clean up crew on the project and asks if there have been any trespassers IN
the last 24 hours. He Says no one has been there.
Alfred feels he needs to be alone and goes back to his room.
For the first time since the kidnapping Alfred allows his British reserve to break
down, and cries on his bed. He thinks about the sweet little boy who put the light back
into both of their lives.
After Bruce finished down stairs he goes back to the main part of the house. He takes
refuge in a special room. He goes to Dick's childhood bedroom. First he sits in Dick's
desk chair. . Then he lays across Dick's bed. He can almost feel him here, hear his
laughter.
He looks at an old photo album he started the day Dick first came to live with them at
age 9. The first photo was a formal father/son portrait. Dick looked so uncomfortable in
that suit and tie he laughed. The next is one of Dick turning cartwheels in the yard not
long after that. There's one of them wrestling in the gym. It'd started as a training
exercise and turned into a tickle spree. It only ended when Dick accidentally kicked
Bruce in the face, leaving him with two black eyes.
One of the last photos was Dick's high school graduation he was so proud when HIS
boy was named valedictorian. After that there was only the odd picture taking occasion.
Not long after that Dick left home under not so pleasant circumstances.
Bruce would always regret the harsh words that had passed between the two men.
They are much close now, but there was still lingering damage to the bond they once
shared. He regrets the time he missed with his son, especially now. Tears fall down his
check as he closes the album. He promises the young man in the pictures he will do
more to heal the rift between them when he finds him and brings him home. He would
give his life to do it if he has to.
Alfred tells him they have received another envelope with no return address or stamp.
There is another note allegedly from Dick.
Dear Bruce, I'm ok the beating I received yesterday wasn't as bad as it looked. I'm
not in unbearable pain. They said they'd do A LOT worse to me if I tried to escape
again. If you don't bring the money on time and alone, then the pain will be unbearable. .
They said they could make it so no one ever found my body. The guy named Joe really
seems to hate you for reasons you know well, but he won't kill me unless you provoke
him. Please come alone!
I know neither of us says it much but I love you so much. You and Alfred have tried
so hard to create a real family for me, for that I will always be grateful. Dick.
The handwriting was defiantly Dick's, but most of the words sound forced
and dictated to Bruce. His handwriting was shaky like he was weak. The ink starts
to smear half way through the note. The handwriting seemed to suggest he can
barely hold a pen right now.
He wonders what kind of conditions he's being held in. What other ways did
Dick pay for the escape attempt? Is he still paying? Worst of all is he even
alive? Did that psycho kill Dick after the note was written?
Suddenly the phone rings, despite himself, Bruce jumps. Alfred picks it up on
the 2nd ring. "Wayne residence. Just a moment Sir I'll get him.
Master Bruce, It's the coroner's office," Alfred lowers his head sadly.
"Yes I will come to the office as soon as possible," Bruce says. "Alfred the coroner
wants me to come the office to identify a body that was found near Dick's wallet. In the
woods."
TBC