Chapter Four
A/N: Yet another chapter in the story that I once vowed was not going to last more than one chapter. :O
Several weeks had gone by since Barbara and Alfred had last visited the Clocktower. Barbara was now sitting at her computer in the midst of a high-tech nerve center, the massive gears of the clock sat at the end of the hall. She began the process of getting to know Helena's past by hacking into the New Gotham PD computer and running a criminal background search on her. Kid's a hellraiser, Barbara thought as she looked at the file. Kid's got a rap sheet a mile long. Priors for shoplifting, underage drinking, truancy, running away. Barbara shook her head in bewilderment. She didn't used to be this way … her mother's death must've really hit her hard. She then hacked into the school system's computer and looked up her educational records. Decent student … when she's THERE. So help me, that's going to change.
"SIT UP STRAIGHT!" barked Ms. Lockwood at Helena. Helena sat sulking in the passenger seat of Ms. Lockwood's car with her arms folded across her chest and an angry faraway look in her eyes.
Ms. Lockwood drove. She was a rotund woman in her late forties with a double chin. Her salt-and-pepper hair was topped off today by a black pillbox hat.
"BITE ME!" Helena shot back at Ms. Lockwood. As far as she was concerned, this was but another foster placement -- another foster placement that was certain not to work out.
Ms. Lockwood stopped the car, struck Helena on the chest with the bottom of her fist, and slammed her backwards into her seat. "You better not talk that way around Miss Gordon," said Ms. Lockwood as she waved a menacing index finger in Helena's face.
She'll be just like the rest of em, Helena thought. She'll quit when the going gets rough.
The car pulled up in front of the Clocktower. As Helena and Ms. Lockwood (who was carrying a black duffel bag in one hand and a black leather briefcase in the other) got out, the sight of Alfred Pennyworth -- in black morning coat, black slacks, and starched white linen shirt -- standing at the door greeted them.
"You are the social worker, I presume?" said Alfred to Ms. Lockwood.
"Yes," Ms. Lockwood replied. "And you are…?"
"I'm Alfred Pennyworth," Alfred replied. "I am the butler."
A butler … on a schoolteacher's salary! Ms. Lockwood thought acidly. What is wrong with this picture? "I'm Eleanor Lockwood," she said as she extended a hand in greeting.
Alfred shook Ms. Lockwood's hand. "The pleasure is all mine." Alfred paused. "Miss Gordon is expecting both of you upstairs."