Well, sorry this is so short, but more is on the way, I promise!! -krtshadow

Chapter 4: The Man Upstairs

The Wayne Industries office complex occupied an entire downtown skyscraper, filled with hundreds of people busily taking care of Bruce's business. I parked my motorcycle in the parking garage and headed over the walkway over the street to the front entrance. The lobby was teeming with people in business suits, carrying briefcases and talking urgently into cell phones. I maneuvered my way through the crowd until I reached the elevator. I joined a small group of people boarding the elevator and moved to the back of the car. I was definitely going to be the last one off. Bruce's offices occupied the top floor, and not just anybody went up there. I listened with interest to the chatter of the people around me, who were chatting about things that I knew nothing about. One man was complaining about the current discount rates, another was praising the FDIC for a rate change and yet another was arguing with two or three others about a bill that was up for vote in the Senate.

The car stopped occasionally to let people off, and soon there were only about four other people in the car, all looking very important. I stood out like a sore thumb, dressed in jeans, a black T-shirt, and my leather jacket. One man in particular kept shooting me strange glances. I ignored them and continued to gaze into space. As three more floors passed, he finally reached the point where he was quite sure that I didn't belong. "Excuse me, these floors are mostly administrative offices. If you tell me where you're going, I'll be happy to help you find the right floor." The tone of his voice implied that it was about thirty stories down.

I glanced at him and wondered if I'd been dressed up in a business suit if he's have said anything. Probably not. "Actually, I know exactly what floor I'm headed to. But I appreciate your offer."

The man was clearly skeptical. I didn't feel the need to elaborate, but he kept on pushing, as two of the other men left the elevator at the 48th floor. "I'm sorry, but you must be mistaken. I work with Mr. Fox on the next floor, and I'm quite sure that there was no appointments scheduled for this time slot."

"My appointment is with Mr. Wayne." That managed to shut him up, and he left the car hurriedly at the next stop. I pushed the button for the fiftieth floor and leaned my head against the wall. I really didn't know what I was going to talk to Bruce about, other than my father. I felt a little uncomfortable talking too much about that situation until I got a chance to actually confront Dad. Other than that I couldn't imagine what Bruce wanted to talk about, and I also couldn't understand why I had to come downtown for this. In my opinion, a chat in the cave or even the manor would have suited just fine.

The car stopped and the door slid open. The secretary looked up and asked, "Tim Drake?" I nodded my assent and she stood and walked towards a heavy oak door. "Right this way, please. Mr. Wayne asked that you be shown right in." I followed her through the doors.

Bruce's office could only be described as palatial. Full-length windows hung with heavy drapes surrounded the huge office. A bedroom and bath were attached, and the carpet was of the type found in hotels that surpassed even the five star rating. In the center of the office was a monstrous oak desk. Small trees, valuable paintings and strange sculptures were cleverly placed around the room, adding to the ambiance that simply shouted "OH Yeah, I'm Rich"

As amazing as all this was, what instantly caught my attention was Bruce. He looked like he was concentrating very hard. In his hand he held a putter and at his feet were about fifteen golf balls. He had a putting green mat down and he was aiming his balls at a Wayne Industries coffee mug turned on his side. Golf balls littered the entire area and as the secretary and I paused in the doorway, he stroked the club, sending a ball about four feet past the mug and as many feet wide. I noticed that there were no golf balls actually in the mug. I had to exert a lot of self control to keep from chuckling. But I couldn't laugh, the secretary wouldn't understand why I thought it was funny that Bruce missed the putt. I couldn't tell her that this was the same man who could throw a batarang and hit a quarter inch target ninety-nine times out of a hundred. And that the one time that he missed it would likely be only a hair's width away.

The secretary politely cleared her throat and announced, "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Wayne, but you asked that Mr. Drake be shown right in."

Bruce turned and gave me a huge grin. "Tim! So glad you could make it. Come right in. Thank you, Sandra." He walked forward, shaking my hand fervently. Freaky, to say the least.

"You're welcome, sir. Can I get you gentlemen anything to drink?"

Since I was feeling slightly uncomfortable with the smile on Bruce's face, I shook my head and thanked her. I didn't particularly relish the idea of having to deal with Bruce the playboy anymore than absolutely necessary. It was just too strange.

The second the secretary left the room and closed the door behind her, Bruce lost his grin and straightened to his full height. He moved toward the desk and motioned me to have a seat in front as he sat in the high-backed executive chair behind. "Thank you for coming, Tim. As you know, we have a few things to discuss."

I was amazed at my own reaction to him. Three years ago, I'd considered this man part father, part sensei, and part leader. As such I'd had so much awe that I had had a hard time dealing with him. I'd always felt very insecure and nervous when we'd talked then. It was different now. I was an adult, and while I still held the man in the highest regard, my reaction to him had changed. He didn't really frighten me anymore, although I still considered him the most dangerous man in the world. I sat and actually relaxed into the very comfortable chair. "Yes, although I'm not exactly sure what they all are yet. Also, why this had to be done here."

He answered my questioning glance. "The cave is almost constantly inhabited. Some of the things I need to tell you and that you need to tell me should be kept totally private, unless you want to share them."

Well, now my curiosity was peaked. "The walls have ears, in other words. So, what's the first topic?"

"Jack Drake."

Ouch.

TBC…