"The Batman?" Kim looked towards Johnny with a cocked eyebrow. Johnny breathed a bit heavily before his eyes soon closed and fell back to sleep.
"What's a Batman, some kind of monster or something?" Ron asked.
Aunt Caryl looked towards Cpt. Gordon running her hands through her short black hair and showed signs that Kim had poked a sensitive nerve. Kim could tell due to her Aunt's facial expression and the audible 'sigh' from Gordon who rubbed the bridge of his nose. Dr. Burton had kept to a nearby corner where most of the medical equipment was. Ron had exchanged a look with Kim and even Rufus crawled up to Ron's shoulder. Aunt Caryl took a deep breath and paused for a second before an expression of concern grew to confidence. Her eyes darted right towards Gordons'. She nodded and Gordon took a deep breath. Kim recognized it as a breath of acceptance.
"No, though your choice of words isn't exactly inaccurate. The Batman is something else," Gordon took a moment to look at Caryl with a small scowl, a look of disapproval for something unknown. Caryl shared the facial expression almost turning away. "Comparable to such things like the Chupacabra and the Jersey Devil, and like them, he apparently has secluded himself to a single area, Gotham City. With hardly any sightings or evidence to pin him against these beatings, I think he is a complete myth that everyone is making-"
"You call this a myth Gordon!?" Aunt Caryl furiously pointed towards Johnny. Kim took a step back as his Aunt who began to chew through Cpt. Gordon. Rufus chirped and retreated into Ron's pocket.
"Hundreds of people, men & women being carried into Gotham General Hospital, beaten to a pulp! Even some of your own officers have been out for days, weeks even with similar injuries! That should be more than enough evidence for you, let alone raise suspicion of his existence!" She yelled.
"Caryl, think logically, please? Do you really believe that there is some guy out there dressed as a giant bat, going around at night beating up criminals? It's ridiculous, crazy-talk! You and I both know how easily corruptible the officers here are. They could easily be making the whole thing up, that way it corresponds to the beatings of the criminals." Gordon argued.
"That's because it does! Gordon, will you look around at what's been happening, corrupt cops and criminals are the Bat's target!"
"Enough!" Both adults looked towards Kim as her face was red with frustration. Even Ron was taken back by it. Kim had just about had it, she couldn't help herself and forced her Aunt and Cpt. Gordon to cease their arguing. She understood that this Batman was causing trouble, just like Prof. Dementor and Monkey Fist had a way of causing trouble. But even they hadn't gone to the trouble of brutally beating down cops. Just enough to get them out of the way. Kim's fist clenched tightly in her hand as a familiar dark feeling crept down her spine. She tried to fight it off, but it was stronger than ever. Ron provided a rather brave distraction.
"Let's see what Kim and I can do. We handle bad guys daily. Maybe we can-"
"Absolutely not!" Gordon fired back. He was preparing to say something else by the sharp, quick inhale of his breath. Only to be interrupted by a quick knock on the door.
"C-Come in!" Dr. Burton Awkwardly announced.
The door slowly swung open as a larger man entered the room. He was rounded out and wore a large gray overcoat that contrasted with Gordon's brown. Inside his mouth was a toothpick that he chewed at. Turning around, closing the door tightly, and locking it. His gray fedora matched his jacket and kept most of his body concealed except for his short black combed hair on his neck. As he turned around his facial hair was slightly stubble and a scowl seemed to have permanently burned to his face. His yellow shirt and red tie stood out the most from his build. He turned towards Gordon first. His New Jersey accent flourished.
"Wanted to knock first this time, seems like you two argue like an old married couple nowadays… and Caryl what are your kids doing here?"
"Not funny Bullock. Kim, Ron, meet Detective Harvey Bullock. He's Gordon's detective and right-hand man. Bullock, meet my niece and her friend." Aunt Caryl scoffed. Bullock just looked towards Gordon, who gave a head nudge towards Kim and Ron. Bullock looked towards Kim and Ron a bit puzzled and just shrugged it off. He didn't care, he had a job to do. He walked towards Gordon only to stop to examine the rather beaten down Johnny on the stretcher.
"Jesus Christ,"
"I know Bullock, not a pretty sight."
"I can see that. I just got back from the crime scene we picked this guy up from. Trying to find anything we could have missed that can help us. Now I know you've been saying around town the Batman isn't real,"
"And…?" Gordon asked, keeping his pockets full with his hands.
The group stood silently as Bullock moved his overcoats' left flap slightly out. Kim immediately saw him taking out a small envelope. Bullock now looked at her with glaring untrustworthy eyes. He lumbered straight towards Cpt. Gordon and Caryl, and slowly opened it. Kim snuck behind Ron to the left where Dr. Burton even was denied a look at what was to come.
"Well, I found this."
Bullock dumped a small metallic black object out from inside of the envelope. Kim then was able to get a good look at the object as she snuck next to Ron. It was small, easily able to fit comfortably in Bullock's hand. A small circle consisted of its center where two small sharp prongs stuck out on one side. Two curvatures followed on both ends, fanning out in the shape of dragon wings with a smooth curve and a sharp finish. The wings were folded down inwards & clasped together. Kim noticed how sharp it was only at the tips of each wing while the curves were slightly thicker. Distinguishable only by a slight light gray color from the rest of its dark metallic black. Bullock suddenly put his large fingers around one end of the wings flicking the thing around. Gordon and Caryl both watched a bit puzzled. Kim understood what Bullock was attempting to do. She slowly walked towards the group of adults as Bullock continued to flail the black object in his hands.
"Detective Bullock, mind if I take a look at that?" Kim asked with her hand out.
Bullock then held the object tighter intending to keep police evidence out of the hands of children. He felt a hand suddenly place itself against his shoulder. Aunt Caryl confidently nodded towards Bullock who followed up by giving Kim the strange-looking device. Kim felt how heavy it was, running her fingertips softly onto it. It was lightweight, metallic with sharp ridges and points. The corner of her eye-catching sudden concern and maternal safety features her Aunt displayed. Ron got close as well with Rufus sniffing the device on his shoulder as Kim already had moved the object closer to the two of them. She suddenly reached into her pocket and pulled out the Kimmunicator. Wade appeared yawning slightly. It was in fact 1:00 A.M. back in Middleton. Kim nervously smiled back towards Wade seeing he was in the middle of sleeping, she was lucky he was a light sleeper.
"K-Kim? Do you know what time it is?" Wade slowly asked.
"Sorry Wade, but can you take a quick look at this item we found."
She held the object at a good distance in front of the built-in camera of the Kimmunicator. Wade computers started to light up all around him, casting their neon blue fading light against his exhausted face. On his main screen, the weird device in Kim's hand suddenly was enwrapped with a neon green grid, lines matching its shape in both horizontal and vertical directions. It only took a few moments for the grid to blink twice and a 3D rendered image began to rotate until it stopped after 3 rotations on his upper right screen. It showed a series of metal compositions but one stood out to Wade. His tired face looked towards the device and squinted carefully, his eyebrow lifted up. The image shown before him was a honeycomb lattice pattern of lines with each line connection showing a ball shape. Kim noticed this and looked at Wade, hoping for a reply soon. Wade curled his fingers around his chin, licking his lips focusing.
"Okay… unusual. This device is pretty hardcore. There are traces of Tungsten, Titanium, and Graphene."
"Graphene? Never heard of that one." Kim replied.
"That's because it's relatively new. Graphene was discovered in Manchester back in 2004. Two scientists discovered it by cleaning a graphite stone with scotch tape. It's an allotrope that's one atom thick, two-dimensional, and considered the strongest raw material in the world, much stronger than diamond. However it's not cheap, roughly 4 inches of the compound is roughly about 850. Quite an extraordinary discovery!" Dr. Burton for the first time smiled and adjusted his thick glasses slightly. Obviously proud of himself.
Wade nodded in agreement. Kim was a straight-A student, though Wade's Genius intellect always did annoy her. Wade pressed his keyboard to show Kim the exact screen he was looking at. This device had three layers and a weird mechanism. Fully mechanical and not electrical so the device had no way of jamming. Simple in design and easy to follow. Kim suddenly held its left folded wing and started to shake it around. Aunt Caryl shoved Gordon and Bullock away from her carefully going towards Kim.
"K-Kim honey I don't think you really should be-"
As if on cue, the device suddenly snapped to life. Both of its razor-like wings sprung upward. Stopping when both wings were extended outwards. Kim jumped almost as the device reacted in her hand. Ron even got too close and it nearly hit his nose, thankfully he was near its thick top center rather than near its razor-sharp points. Kim fingertips gracefully caressed its metal. Smooth, cold, and now surprisingly light. Kim moved it about between her fingers. It was fairly easy to maneuver almost like it was meant to be thrown.
Kim turned around facing the wall farthest from everyone with the least equipment and shifted her feet slightly. Her left foot leading pointing towards the wall while her right foot was pointed towards her right, both knees slightly bent with her left arm extended out towards the wall, and her right slowly arching up. The tip of the bat-like object was being softly pinched in between her pointer finger and thumb. She focused on a particular spot and took a deep breath, and exhaled only half of that same air. Ron stepped behind her looking scared, While Aunt Caryl and Cpt. Gordon both reached out to stop her. Kim drowned it out as noise as she focused. Time seemed to slow down. Her heartbeat thumping in her head rhythmically. In an instant, her right arm swung forward. Her torso twisting to the left and the bat-shaped object flew out of her hand, spiraling fast as in no time stuck its right-wing into the wall. The room was silent for a few good moments before Kim's shoes broke said silence by stepping closer to the bat-shaped object. She forcefully yanked the object out of the wall, taking a brief moment to look at the 3-centimeter deep hole it left with just its wingtip.
"It's like a ninja star or something," she commented.
"Oh! I know how to throw those, simple." Kim knew where Ron was going with that statement. She recalled that He was invited to attend the Yamanouchi School, a secret academy for training people in ninjutsu back in Yamanouchi Japan. Ron was chosen but on purpose thanks to him being blessed with Tai Shing Pek Kwar, or "Monkey Kung Fu." Though Kim remembered that like all classes he ends up taking, barely passed. What Kim failed to notice in time was Ron had taken the bat-shaped ninja star and threw it himself. The way he threw it was vastly different, using his right arm and curved it right by starting on his left side. His legs spread wide as his arm quickly swung out. The object flew along a complete curved path this time redirecting itself right back towards Ron, able to complete its curve close from impact to the same wall Kim had successfully thrown at. Ron's eyes grew wide and hollered his signature scream as he ducked at the last possible second. The bat object grazing his hair and cut a few follicles off it as well. The object impaled the wall as it flew past the remaining 4 adults. The emotions of shock and annoyance grew quickly on their faces. Bullock's massive fingers rubbed the bridge of his nose and frustration practically steamed from Cpt. Gordon's face. Kim then walked past the others and retrieved the Bat-like object from its perch, stuck to the wall. She still had Wade on the other line of the Kimmunicator and despite all the recent action was able to see everything.
"So it's like a Ninja star but a boomerang, and it's shaped like a bat. A Batarang?" Ron sheepishly asked, his hand feeling his scalp for anything missing or bleeding.
"A Batarang. Really Ron?" Kim asked.
Aunt Caryl had noticed and stepped between a frightened Ron and an equally annoyed Kim. Caryl had put her hands on opposite ends of Kim and Ron's shoulders. Eyeing to Kim that what Ron had done was a bit foolish. Kim was used to it sadly.
"I think you two ought to get back to the hotel now." Aunt Caryl said.
"Agreed." Cpt. Gordon finally said after a brief sigh.
The last thing he wanted for was any of these "kids" to get hurt with a very important piece of evidence. Before anything was said another officer had entered slowly. It was Officer Howard Branden. Branden was the leader of the Gotham City Police Department S.W.A.T Division, and now is additionally Gillian's right-hand man. Though no one calls him by his first name, as he prefers his last name be used instead. He always wore an Officer's cap with GCPD on its front, facing forward. The hat barely revealed any of his brown short hair. The shadow casting over his face seemed to reminisce the consequences of a constant sneer on his face. His eyes were an icy blue and his blue uniform was covered with S.W.A.T gear and many black pouches & pockets. Gordon looked towards Branden with a bit of a sneer himself, as did Aunt Caryl who stepped in front of both Kim and Ron. Both of them knew that Branden was in no way shape or form a good cop. He liked playing 'Bad cop' too much, and no matter what could have been said and proven, there was no possibility of him getting fired or laid off by Commissioner Loeb. Rufus had emerged from his pouch right when Branden entered. Kim looked towards her Aunt with confusion. Bullock quickly stood in front of the bat-shaped object. Obscuring it from Branden
"Hey, Gordon,"
"Yes, Branden?"
"Loeb wants to see both you and Caryl in his office, pronto." Branden scanned the room noticing the two unidentified individuals that were lurking behind Caryl. His sneer became more evident.
"Who are the Kids? They're not supposed to be-"
"They're with me Branden, tell Loeb we'll be right there." Gordon immediately interjected.
Branden then remained silent as he just shut the door behind him. Gordon looked towards Bullock and spoke something under his breath. Kim couldn't really hear what he said, what she could see was Bullock just nodding towards him. He walked behind Dr. Burton who had remained silent since his monologue on Graphene. He just simply kept attending to the patient as he still was asleep. Ron was very fortunate that the bat-like object didn't hit Johnny. If it did, it could spell trouble, something Kim couldn't get him out of. Bullock suddenly stood behind Kim and Ron. Aunt Caryl waited a bit till she silently whispered towards Kim.
"Bullock is going to watch over you two while Gordon and I go speak with Commissioner Loeb. Do not leave his side. With Branden back, S.W.A.T might be acting up again."
Kim just nodded as Aunt Caryl walked towards the door, with Gordon holding it open for her. As both of them left the room there was an awkward silence after Kim placed the so-called "Batarang" on a small table next to some medical equipment. Ron continued to feel his scalp one last time, Kim just looked towards Dr. Burton, seeing if he was doing anything that she would think her mother would do back at the Middleton Hospital. Bullock was twirling his thumbs whistling for a few seconds before he spoke.
"So uh… Where ye from?"
Batman had successfully infiltrated Blackgate multiple times to the point he memorized where he was simply from crawling around in the ventilation shaft. He was curled up in a ball-like shape as he carefully moved as silently as possible throughout the complex. While he weighed nearly 200 lbs. with the suit on, he could still silently crawl about inside the ventilation shaft. The mask over his face showed everything below and beyond the complex a few rooms forward. He took mental note of every officer he saw with his vision enhancement setting. Which allowed him to see people through walls and highlighted possible objects of use with an orange hue. This was originally programmed by Bruce when he wore the mantle of Batman before sharing it with Ben. It also kept track of everything that belonged to Ben, batarangs, smoke pellets, etc. Every person who kept track of it would also take note of their heart rate in beats per minute. Batman crept forward noticing two Officers below him. One other useful tool embedded towards his ear was the ability to hear conversations from 500 feet away. Batman was right above these two officers who continued their conversation and recorded how pissed Commissioner Loeb was. Batman hated Loeb. He was the center of all police corruption, right next to Branden.
Batman had no time to waste and was on his way towards the interrogation room. Where a familiar man was being questioned by other officers. His name was Ricky "Loose Lips" LeBlanc. A common criminal who was a gun dealer on the streets. Batman put him behind bars on his first outing in the city, but thanks to corruption in the police force he has had a much lighter sentence than what he deserves, and even sometimes got out on parole. He is constantly traveling between the GCPD building back in Gotham and here in Blackgate. Mainly to provide Branden's men with more, "Manly" firearms. Military-grade assault rifles, shotguns, and long-range snipers specifically in .50 caliber. Ricky never was one to cooperate with anyone trying to interrogate him, except when you were on a rooftop. Batman had made Ricky rather terrified of heights after a few run-ins.
Batman then stumbled upon something he recognized. A Batarang in the middle of a medical room. He growled to himself for making such a careless mistake to leave something as precious as that for the cops to find, but how did they get ahold of it? Looking more closely he also recognized the man on the stretcher, Johnny being aided by Dr. Burton. He didn't have any second thoughts. Until He saw Kim and Ron with detective Bullock.
"Damn she is close to the Batarang too. I've got to find a way to retrieve it back before she takes it. What is she doing here anyway?" He whispered to himself.
Batman decided not to ponder on it since she was related to Caryl. She practically worked here. He crawled slowly until he noticed a ventilation duct that was above the Batarang, but also above Kim, Ron, and Bullock. He grabbed both sides of the ventilation duct and pulled softly applying more and more strength to the pull. Thankfully there was no noise yet. But made things much simpler. He had soon opened the door. And softly said,
"We should let Johnny be for a little while. You know, let him get some rest."
Bullock only walked forward and Kim and Ron followed towards the door as Dr. Burton had already walked out the room. Batman then pulled harder at the duct as they walked further away. The screw holding it in place then snapped shortly after the door shut. Batman waited a few seconds before dropping down into the room. Using his cape to land silently as not wanting to startle a sleeping Johnny. Without hesitation, his hand reached for the Batarang and returned it to its utility pouch with the rest of his collection. His legs shot him back upward towards the shaft and he carefully placed the duct back. It now looked as if he were never there. He then crawled back towards the interrogation room which would be further north. Relatively close to the locker room for the men. He immediately held down his comlink earpiece next to his right ear. The button allowed for multiple visions and had a built-in comlink. This allowed a restricted frequency right back to the Batcave. Where Alfred would always be waiting by the Batcomputer.
"Alfred, the GCPD managed to pick up a Batarang I dropped back at my latest thug encounter with Johnny Caprice. I need you to get started on another schematic just in case they were able to study it."
"Hmm, yes that would be troublesome if those GCPD corrupt cops you keep talking about got ahold of that kind of intel, you did retrieve it did you?"
"Of course."
"Very good, any ideas for one of these new Batarangs?"
"Surprise me," Batman said with a sudden pause.
"I'm sorry for the way I talked towards you back at the Batcave."
"Oh that is alright Master Ben. Bruce and I are just looking out for you, 25 years of age is early to take on the mantle of the Batman," Alfred replied with a softer tone.
"Thank you, but I'm doing quite well," Batman replied.
Batman's fingers left his comlink and furthered his crawl. Taking a quick right he found himself in the lounge outside of the interrogation room. It was empty and the officer was inside of the room alone with Ricky, perfect. His right leg soon pushed against the duct that was blocking his path on the left side of the room. Pushing hard the duct broke off and landed on the ground. He looked towards the room where only a small table and a chair, occupied by a cuffed Ricky LeBlanc, and another Officer were talking. Both were illuminated softly by a single lamp in the corner. As Batman crept closer his detective vision was able to pick up their conversation, He ignored it, for the most part, taking note of the bulletproof glass that stood between him and his target. No problem. He then reared back until he heard a shift in the conversation topic. Batman could see the smug smile on Ricky's face.
"Aw, come on officer. How about we make ourselves a little, trade eh?" Ricky advertised.
"Like what? What could a low-life like you possibly offer me?" The officer asked. His arms were crossed and his gun by his side. Standing right in front of Ricky, completely taking up Ricky's attention. This was the perfect striking moment for Batman, but he waited. Like a tiger stalking on its prey and waiting for the right moment to pounce. He just wanted to see how much information "Loose Lips" would let out. Maybe Ricky was about to have a better day than previously planned. No need to interrogate if he boldly spews the information out loud.
"A big score and a chance to get out of Gotham, and some juicy stuff about your pal Loeb." Ricky was relaxed leaning back on his chair with his right leg perched onto his left knee, that same greedy grin on his face. The Officer looked at Ricky with a cocked eyebrow. A sale was pitched and now he was interested.
"What kind of score? And Juicy stuff on Loeb, Seriously? Branden would have my ass on that one. What makes you think I'd turn tail on them?" Ricky just chuckled to himself using body language to help further his advantage on the officer. Batman knew plenty on Loeb. Corrupt, Black Masks' errand boy, overweight, though more information was not unwelcomed. He stood and eavesdropped.
"That's the thing. Loeb has run his course with Black Mask. I hear he and his new contact got big plans, plans with a lot of mo-law involved, and the best part? No Gotham!"
New contact, money, & a big plan to get out of Gotham? Batman was getting the motherload of new information. If the drugs stashes he was after are still in play, that would mean that Black Mask was planning to make his final moves before he would possibly meet up with this new contact. Though no official word was given out on what would happen to the industrial steel mill Black Mask owned. But right now Batman's nerves were beginning to go on edge. Sooner or later someone was going to walk into the lounge and his stealth would be compromised. He had to pounce if not now, then very soon.
"What do you mean?" the officer asked.
"Loeb is out, and Black Mask is taking care of any loose ends that need to be tied up so he can leave Gotham in less than a week I hear. Packing his shit and gettin' the hell out." Ricky animated himself to where he tossed his hand to the right with his thumb extended outward in the same direction smiling all the way. The officer was interested and near hook, line, and sinker. Batman decided that no more information should be heard by the officer and punched the glass hard.
The glass shattered instantly; Batman's fist opened up and grabbed the officer by the collar and tie of his shirt quickly being yanked backward. Both Ricky and the Officer took a second to panic. Ricky fell over off his chair onto his back. His eyes shut to avoid any glass shards while still cuffed by both his wrist and feet. The officer was frightened and desperately reaching for his gun, but Batman's hand grabbed the back of his head and slammed it onto the table breaking in two upon impact. The unconscious officer fell with a busted nose that bled onto the cold floor. Ricky finally opened his eyes to find the officer by his feet and the sound of the gun sliding to the far left corner of the room, the only thing in his way was a silhouette of a tall muscular man with pointed ears that went straight upward and a pair of narrow, white soulless eyes. A silhouette Ricky had no problem remembering as terror and fear consumed him. Ricky began to flail about trying to distance himself from Batman screaming, but Batman's hand seized his throat, hoisted him above the ground where his feet dangled and rammed him against the same wall he crawled towards. Batman then got his attention as his left fist slammed into the wall, punching a hole into it. Time to get "Loose Lips" talking.
"Oh God! Not you again! What do you want now!?" Ricky asked his voice raspy from constricted airflow to his lungs. With Batman slowly squeezing his throat, Ricky struggled as he was held up a good 6 inches from the ground. His feet were desperately flailing about until Batman spoke.
"You just gave this Officer some intel on both Black Mask and Loeb. So talk!" Batman only ever yelled with his voice alternator when interrogating, because when it comes to fear, it worked rather well. Though to anyone hearing it constantly sounded like someone had a sore throat.
"N-no way, you've caused me enough trouble with some of my deals going south, you're the reason why I'm bending over for Loeb!" Ricky glared down as he struggled more. Batman though had planned for him to resist.
"Then how about we take a trip outside to the rooftop then? It has a good view of Gotham Harbor." Batman watched as determination broke into terror and panic.
"Alright, alright you win! D-don't take me to the rooftop, please! B-Black Mask, he is tired of it all, the crime-war, Gotham's bullshit, even you! So he had a contact on the outside that can provide him business. He sold the last of his drug stashes and is preparing to leave. But he has to tie loose ends, get rid of anyone he personally talked to if they weren't on board. The rest were either on board or already betrayed him, and Loeb was one of em'."
"That's useless to me, so start giving me something you haven't told anyone else!" Batman's grip intensified. He watched as Ricky gagged for air. His legs kicking about. His voice was crackly and weak.
"L-Loeb wasn't pleased with Black Mask leaving. Was going to reveal his plan to my boss should the partnership go south! C-Cobblepot would do anything to get a full grip on Gotham! Black mask set up caches of his drugs as diversions for Cobblepot's men!"
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, AKA the Penguin. The Cobblepot's were a long-time competitor and rival to the Wayne's for the longest time, before Ben or the Batman even got involved. The Penguin was a sufficient crime boss that was laughably short and fat with a long pointy nose, just like a beak on a penguin. He was picked on as a kid for such a stature; needless to say he got the last laugh being one of the big 3 crime bosses in Gotham. But to anyone who wasn't Batman, he was just a businessman. He was very good at hiding his tracks. Making it nearly impossible to pin any crimes against him.
The pieces now started to fall together. Black Mask has a plan to leave Gotham, and so far all of his other partners were on board or walked away to another crime lord, all had taken action. Except Loeb has quite the amount of dirt on Black Mask. He warned Roman Sionis that he would leak his plans to the Penguin. Turning the tides over control of Gotham's underworld in his favor. Sionis probably has little power already now, so he and his gang had to be vulnerable right now. Sionis has no choice but to remove the problem, but how? Roman could kidnap Loeb and torture him, it was a favorite shtick of his. Would he go as far as to kill his longtime partner? Either way, tonight's game plan has changed, and Batman had all the intel he needed.
"Good, now say goodnight." Batman's left arm smashed into Ricky's jaw, knocking him out cold. His motionless body fell next to the Officers who was still unconscious. Batman soon softly opened the door to the lounge and climbed back up towards the ventilation shaft. Reaching Loeb was going to be tricky. Aside from the doorway, there was only one way into his office and that was by a small air vent, which was a few floors up. Batman had then taken a left upon entering the same tunnels of the shaft he had taken prior and come across the elevator. He waited as it was passing upwards carrying who knew what. Batman waited for it to come down again and jumped on top of it. Where it slowly came to a stop on the floor he was just on. He remained still not wanting to move, or breathe. The same move he made against the deer he took down all those years ago.
He felt the elevator doors move beneath him, opening and closing until it slowly went up towards the floors he was going towards. It was convenient but it could spell trouble; His mind was not ignoring the possibility of it being Black Mask on that elevator. He had broken onto this floor once before. The duct to the shaft he crawled towards was already broken off and lying against the left side of the ventilation wall. He crawled past it and took a left turn, straight towards Loeb's office. He stopped as the vent opened up slightly. Perfect for getting breezes down the hallway right of Loeb's office and for peeking through. He waited for anyone to take a left towards the office.
That's when Caryl and Cpt. Gordon stepped into view. He continued with them, both of them were talking about their thanksgiving dinners and trying to predict whatever Loeb wanted to talk to them about. As a corrupt commissioner, Loeb was the perfect tool to have in the pockets of a crime boss. But if Loeb was good for anything, it was that he kept everything documented in a private room on a computer behind his office. As if he had died as a scientist in his past life. If there was any more information on this outside contact of Black Mask's it was there. He kept pace with Gordon and Caryl seeing if they knew anything. He eliminated any further distractions by turning off his detective vision.
Caryl and Gordon silently entered Loeb's office, Gordon shutting the door as he watched Loeb flicking the toothpick he had in his mouth onto the ground. Caryl couldn't help herself as she scowled, she had every right to. Gillian Loeb was a large round stocky man with a nearly complete receding black hairline. The only strings of hair on top of his balding head were covered by his massive commissioner cap. Loeb may appear stocky in appearance thanks to his rather deceiving uniform, but he was nowhere near fit. His face showed signs of aging wrinkles and fat. His blue jacket was decorated with a small American flag pin and his officers' badge hides his black tie and white shirt. His voice was stern, as Loeb was not the type of man to be annoyed. He wanted people's full attention when he spoke. Though one thing was set in stone, he was a jackass.
"About time you two showed up! What the hell were you two doing?!" Loeb shouted.
"Cut the crap Loeb, what do you want?" Caryl already held back much anger for taking her away from her family on the one night she requested to have off. Loeb practically made her a slave to Blackgate. She would joke that she would live much easier if she kept a cot in her office and slept there. Loeb's teeth gritted against Caryl.
"Yes, Commissioner?" Gordon asked.
"You two have been a pain in my ass and I should seriously fire you both for not doing what I pay you for!"
"Excuse me, I do my job you fat son of a-"
"Easy Caryl." Gordon stopped Caryl by placing his hand on her shoulder, instantly being brushed off by Caryl in aggravation.
"Watch your tone Caryl, 3 years bending over for me to get where you are can easily come tumbling down you know." Caryl's eyes shot out enraged. Gordon stepping in front of her as she attempted to move in bearing tooth and claw. Gordon stared into the smug face that Gillian wore.
"Gillian get to the point."
"You two are slacking off and I won't have it any longer! Gordon you haven't gotten crap against this Bat-guy, you just going to let him walk around and beat the daylights out of my men?! Get out there and deal with him already!"
"Commissioner, we just recovered something that might give us some clues, as for the public is concerned there is no such thing as the Batman." Gordon fired back, with hiss added to his tone as he just stood with his hands in his jacket pockets. Gillian's eyes perked up and he just nodded in response. His eyes closing and leaning back in his chair until his mouth opened.
"Caryl, did you take a look at the victim yet?"
"Yes commissioner, it's Johnny Caprice again. After what happened tonight he claims to want to come clean after a brutal beating from the Batman."
"Caprice again? Wasn't he just accused of assault not too long ago, I thought you cleared him to go back out there! More and more of your same patients come crawling back here telling tall tales of this Bat-freak! Fix it, now get out!" Gillian just rotated his chair around and reached for his drawer. He reached for his cigarette and lighter attempting to light it. Caryl bore her claws one more time before Gordon pulled her aside shaking his head.
"Forget it, Caryl. Let's get back downstairs." Caryl snarled as she stormed out in front of Gordon. Gordon told her to go downstairs as he stood and inside Loeb's office. His teeth glaring.
"For God's sake, Gillian can't you treat people with some respect?" He slowly shut the door as he pursued Caryl back towards the elevator.
Batman had stayed in the vent observing the whole conversation through and reactivated his detective vision. With the tone used, there was no need to use it, you could hear the screaming from outside the office. He sighed as he walked closer towards the severer room that Loeb had, it wasn't far away from his office and not in the schematic he downloaded on his first voyage to Blackgate. Batman moved forward he did feel some sympathy for Caryl as she shared the philanthropist views that Bruce did. To see her get chewed up by the things Ben did during the evening felt wrong, it was wrong. Batman brushed those thoughts aside. Bruce and Ben did occasionally switch spots, having Ben run some things at Wayne Enterprises while Bruce wore his own cape and cowl a more classic comic book-like design of the Batman.
Batman had finally entered this small room with nothing more than a blue light hanging over a small desk and a laptop. This room was once a separate interrogation room, however since most small-time interrogations occurred back at the GCPD headquarters in Gotham City, this room was used for Gillian's private use. He opened a pocket in his utility belt pulling out a small gun-metal gray USB and slid it inside the USB port on Loeb's laptop. With a simple push of a button, the USB started to download restricted data and information from the laptop. The USB was actually vertical with the direction of the laptop keyboard rather than horizontal like traditional USB drives. This provided a small amount of protection with its design so it wouldn't snap off from quickly pulling out of the computer it is linked with. Batman checked over his shoulder to see if anyone was currently on their way towards the room. Luckily it was just him, the laptop, and all of Loeb's dirty little secrets.
Loeb was still having trouble lighting his cigarette and began to boil over. It wasn't until there was a knock on the door that his deranged emotions were checked, and he focused on his new visitor. Branden slowly walked in and shut the door behind him. While Loeb and Branden were both corrupt they could talk and trust one another in the field and Loeb allowed for some of Branden's more questionable acts to go unnoticed. Branden simply chuckled as he pulled a lighter from his back pocket and tossed it to Loeb. The lighter hit his desk with a small 'clunk' and was quickly snatched up. The tiny flame finally heating the end of his cigarette and Loeb quickly inhaled the first puff.
"Jesus, what the hell you gotta do to get a functioning lighter these damn days?"
"The only good ones nowadays are those Zippo lighters. What was that screaming and hollering all about?" Branden asked. He took out his phone and looked at the screen his eyes glancing back at its white-blue-ish glow, and would quickly revert back to Loeb.
"Gordon and O'Malley. Those two are doing their damn job. That Gordon, he's so clean that it's revolting like he believes he is better than us. Need to have some of your men go down there and beat some sense into him."
"Oh come on, Gordon is a good cop. In hindsight think of it as a publicity balancing act for us to keep doing the things we love and he can help regain some trust from the public not having any kind of investigation."
"You mean like you cheating on your wife with those 23-year-old whores back at the bars?" Loeb fired back snickering to himself. Puffing out two more smoke clouds with his cigarette.
"Hey if you dealt with a saggy bitch of a wife like mine every time I went home and you had a pair of C-cup tits flash you. You would do the same."
Branden just rolled his eyes and checked his phone again this time he just scowled at it and didn't even give a second look towards Loeb's large direction. Both men were annoyed with one another but their mutual respects were at the same level. Loeb finally glared him in the eye and leaned forward, giving Branden the tell-tale sign that he wants his undivided attention. Branden only listened half of the time seeing as some of Loeb's tasks were out of sheer anger and corrupt revenge, and frankly wasted Branden's time.
"Look I need you to find anything on those two. Gordon is too clean for the payroll, I swear he lords his integrity over the rest of us and enjoys it. I need you to find out if there is any kind of juicy secrets between Gordon and O'Malley. Gordon is a man of principles but easily suffers from Lancelot Syndrome, it's when you can't but help out pretty women outta' a jam. Let's be honest here, O'Malley is a F.O.S." Loeb replied with a sly smile on his face that could be plastered on a dealing scumbag and there wouldn't be any differences.
"Uh, A what sir?" Branden asked.
"Fuck-on-sight. She's Curvy, well-endowed, and most importantly single. Not a day goes by when one of the other cops gives her a whistle and checks her out. Those two have got to have something and I want you to find it." Loeb practically smiled and turned spun his chair, dirty fantasies roamed his head. Branden just scowled and it suddenly turned into a smile as Loeb was facing away. His smile faded as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.
"Actually Loeb, I was thinking, Gotham just isn't right for me anymore. I was going to request I transfer out somewhere. Leave the devil woman behind with the kids and live the life I deserve, let's be honest everyone in Gotham is upset with their lives. Even some of the high-class citizens. I want out of this city." Loeb just looked Branden dead in the eye. His anger seeping from his wrinkled face. Branden just stared down at him back as Loeb stood from his chair. His cigarette was removed from his lips and with the same hand pointed his index finger. His teeth gritting as each low tone enraged word came out.
"I don't know what you think you're up to, but you better put a stop to it here Branden. You're not going anywhere! The only kind of break you will be getting is from the sluts that keep banging you when you're out of the job! Now there is no more talk of this crap understand! Get to the task I asked you to do already goddammit!"
"Now, now Gillian… there is no reason to threaten your best officer is there?"
Gillian's eyes shot out wide and he quickly turned around. The door to his office closet was slightly open and nearby was a man standing roughly 6' 1" his white suit with micro gray stitching that smoothly followed the shape of his sports jacket and pants were completed with style. His silver tie stood out from his white vest that matched perfectly with the jacket and pants. His black shoes clip-clopped slowly as he walked right towards Loeb's perspective right side. His black gloves adjusting his tie as his hands dropped to his sides. However, nothing compared to what was covering his face. A full-headed mask carved and shaped like a closed skull with the teeth metallic silver the only color on this mask was the piercing blue eyes that stared right at Gillian's own brown eyes. Theoretically speaking, the Black Mask had entered stage left. For the first time in a while, Gillian was terrified.
"S-Sionis? What are you doing in here?!" Underneath the teeth of the mask, Roman smiled.
"Think of it as my 'orevuar Mon Ami' to you specifically Gillian, and Branden is right on both accounts. Gordon brings the good reputation for the P.D. and Gotham is getting sullied to where nobody is winning, and it's time to get out while the winnings of the world out there are ripe for the picking,"
Black Mask walked left to right, almost like a pendulum. His hands also were animated along with his words. Branden just stepped back and towards the side close to a small shelf on the left corner of the office near the door. Loeb just tried to stay in control of himself and watched Black Mask walk around the back of his office. Branden looked out the office window that was always closed by the blinds. No one was in sight. Black Mask just watched his feet step towards each corner of the room, Left, right, left, right. His eye perched and looked at Gillian again.
"But that ain't the only reason why I'm here. Oh no, no, no, the reason why I'm here-" His finger waved towards Gillian who was completely focused on it, too focused in fact to notice that Black Mask had broken his walking pattern and shoved Loeb back into his office chair. Branden pulled his pistol out and pointed it directly at Black Mask who hardly blinked at the barrel of Brandon's Smith and Wesson M 9. Black Mask put his face personally close to Loeb's who was quivering almost with fear and confusion. Not reacting towards Black Masks' own personal Browning M1911 slowly being pulled from the waistband of his left side and aimed directly under the fat of Loeb's chin. The cold steel inserted itself against Loeb before Black Mask spoke again.
"Is to remind a certain fat fuck, where his place is," he growled.
Batman's USB started blinking its blue light. The information that Loeb had been keeping secret was now his. He inserted it into his arm pad and quickly pressed keys to access the information remotely on that pad. He swiped through files that the GCPD had. Criminals, employee personal information, data charts, all seemed normal except for a small file on the left corner under the name "private". Batman's finger instantly tapped the screen and pulled it up. Information all about Roman Sionis, Carmine Falcone, The Penquin, yet nothing was new. He checked the dates of when they were last opened and found a folder on activity that was accessed just two nights ago. Batman pressed it and scanned through the documents searching for anything new. His eyes browsed for a second until it opened the most recently created file and opened it. It read a statement in Loeb's words, the majority of it all old information, except that last line which read…
-Black Mask has been recently discussing with his most trusted compatriots about some insane plan to book it out of Gotham. Why? I don't know, but with city hall about to be out of my pocket, Roman can't pull a stunt like this. It would cause everything I've worked for to come crashing down rapidly! My plan to Blackmail him could go under anytime as he has some sort of taste for Caryl O'Malley, thanks to her clearing some of his best men. Who is this Lipsky guy that Roman spoke to recently, haven't heard about him and why is he so much more important than the rest of us? If he goes through with it I will have to talk to Loose Lips about getting in touch with The Penguin-
"Lipsky, What could that mean?"
Batman closed the file and immediately went to his comlink to contact Alfred back at the Batcave while turning Loeb's computer off as if Batman wasn't ever there.
"Alfred I have what I need. Black Mask has a plan to leave Gotham and he doesn't want anyone following his trail. These recent drug stashes were a ruse to keep everyone off of him and to get rid of everything he owns. But I have a lead, look up the word 'Lipsky' and see if you can find anything."
"On it sir." Alfred instantly replied. There was a small pause and some mouth noised from Alfred as Batman stood and waited by Loeb's Laptop. He was diving deep into his memory to see if Lipsky was code for something and just missed its meaning. No, it couldn't be that the way it was typed out suggested it was a name.
"Hmm let's see there is a Jeff Lipsky a famous California photographer, not very likely, nor would David Lipsky a famous author have anything to do with the Gotham crime lord. Hmm, that is odd,"
"What is Alfred?"
"There are two more Lipsky names, Eddie Lipsky and Drew Lipsky. Both have been arrested on multiple occasions, while Eddie remains behind bars in a South Dakota penitentiary it seems that Drew has managed to escape nearly every time."
"We will start with Drew, any aliases, personal information you can dig up?" Another pause as Alfred hummed to himself.
"No nothing sir. No other government records, nothing on taxes or the arrest warrants or paperwork, not even a photograph. It could be false information but it seems Drew Lipsky doesn't even exist." Alfred said.
"That can't be right, how can you have a name tied to previous charges but no other information? There must be something. I could try Eddie Lipsky, but they could just share the same name and be criminals as a coincidence. There is no need to interrogate him if it turns out to be a waste of time." Batman asked.
"It could be a lie from Loose Lips," Alfred suggested.
"Ricky wouldn't dare lie to me. If he did I'm taking him to the top of Gotham Tower and dropping him. Plus the way his behavior was suggested he was telling the truth. There must be something we missed."
Kim waited with Bullock and Ron at the bottom of the elevator for Gordon and Aunt Caryl. Kim just kept tapping her fingers on her arms that were crossed over her chest. Ron continued to play a game on the Kimmunicator with Bullock still chewing on a toothpick he pulled out from his pocket and would sometimes glance over Ron's shoulder watching him play. The constant beeping of the Kimmunicator annoyed Kim. She was too busy trying to think everything through. The Batarang was comprised of some expensive materials so only some of the high-class citizens she would know could be this "Batman". The seniors couldn't pull it off because both had to be in peak physical condition. Junior is too much of a buffoon, though there was that time when Shego was his mentor. There was no way he could have learned that much to be someone of Batman's supposed caliber. A small ding interrupting her thinking and elevator doors began to open up. Kim watched as Caryl just continued to massage her nasal bridge and stormed out of the elevator. Gordon slowly walked out, his jacket close to the closing elevator doors. Kim knew something was wrong from the very start.
"I just want to rip that fat head off of his flabby shoulders!" Caryl screamed. Steam was practically blowing out of her ears.
"Forget about it Caryl, soon Loeb will be out of our hair with the recent political changes about to happen," Gordon replied.
"Political changes? Kim asked.
"Yeah, Loeb has the majority of City Hall in his pocket. However Harvey Dent is growing really popular among the city, If he wins this upcoming election as district attorney he will be able to easily snatch up crooks left and right, the guy is only 32. This is something Loeb can't have." Bullock exclaimed. Kim pulled out her Kimmunicator and pulled up a web browser. Typing in Harvey Dent. She read that Harvey was considered one of Gotham's brightest individuals and was also thought to be untouchable. Bringing in some of Carmine Falcone's right-hand men, which also explains why in the Gotham underworld he is third in power behind Black Mask and someone else called the Penguin. Who was the Penguin?
"The Penguin who is that?" Ron asked quietly, Rufus had crawled up his shoulder and read the article as well. Kim sometimes struggled to see who would do better intellectually between the two. For a naked mole-rat, Rufus was pretty smart. Kim just held her finger to the article and a few other options appeared the one she tapped reading "Save".
"Don't know, I will see if Wade can pick up anything on him, as well as our Batman."
The cold barrel of the Browning M1911 rubbed against the thick neck of Loeb as he started to sweat bullets nervously. He glared at Branden who still pointed his Smith & Wesson towards Black Mask. The crime lord chuckled as the gun slowly left Loeb's personal space and observed the commissioner breathe heavily holding his neck with his thick hands. He growled towards Black Mask to himself. He finally stood up and tried to hold the floor in this conversation. Branden kept his iron sight at the chest of Black Mask who only stood in front of Loeb letting the man rant on.
"Sionis what is the meaning of this? Haven't I always come through for you in a pinch?" His arms were waving wildly and pointed straight at Sionis as if he were accusing him of a crime personally afflicted towards him.
"You may have Gillian, but you've also crossed the line. Things have changed dramatically." The M1911 soon pointed at Loeb's head which immediately looked towards Branden with both fear and anger in his expression. Expecting Braden to shoot Black Mask, but he didn't. Technically speaking Black Mask is in charge of both of them. Black Mask only glared at Branden for a few seconds, his blue eyes seemed to pierce his soul. Something Black Mask cherished in his victims. Just as expected Loeb clasped his hands together and was prepared to beg for mercy. Instead, he couldn't get the words out, but Black Mask withdrew his handgun placing it back against his holster around his waist.
"Listen, Gillian, I can overlook this little mishap just this one time. No need to have your guard dog all angry, we're pals we can work this out, right? " Black Mask glared at Branden again, with no reaction to greet Black Mask in return. Behind him were three doors at the back of Loeb's office. His closet to the left, the private room which only he had the key to open up towards in the center, and a secret getaway hallway towards the Helipad outside to his right. Black Mask walked towards the door to his right. His black gloves quickly fixing his tie once again and pulling his sports jacket back into place. He looked towards Loeb one last time. He opened the door and looked towards both men
.
"Now come on, I ain't got time to waste. My ride outta here leaves in 3 days. Meet me topside." He slowly closed the door and simply walked across the hallway. He took a look at his watch and he started to speed up into a slow run. Loeb just looked back at Branden who just looked at Loeb confused. Branden took the time to put away his pistol and pulled out his phone one last time as he felt it vibrate in his pocket. He pulled up a text messaging application and pulled up Gordon's name.
Gordon's phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket. He took it out opening it and looked as Branden's name came up. Gordon just scowled as mostly Branden would just leave abruptly and Gordon would be in charge of his monkey-like officers. Mostly Gordon knew that Branden would leave early to go out drinking and catch a stripper by the downtown clubs. He was surprised to read the message and understand its contents.
-Hey Gordon, I gotta split. My kids puking up a storm back home and my wife's freaking out on me, gotta shut her up. I will be taking the next chopper.-
Gordon for the first time looked at his phone with Branden at the contact and had a small smile. Guess Branden really can be a good guy when his kids were involved. Gordon just rejoined the group and noticed Kim looking towards him.
"Is something wrong Captain Gordon?" she asked.
"Looks like Branden has got to leave to take care of his sick kid."
"Must be something he ate." Ron jumped in.
"Doesn't really make any sense, Branden isn't like this at all." Gordon began to rub his chin. Branden was in no way a family man. So why would he leave now to take care of his kid? Even if he were telling the truth, he couldn't just up and leave. Not even Gordon himself could do that, though it was for his sick son.
Branden put the phone in his pocket and watched as Loeb rose from his chair and wiped his forehead with his forearm. Reaching for his cigarettes again and his old lighter Loeb needed to smoke out the stress and calm him down. Black Mask practically made him die of fright. Sure they were accomplices but Black Mask had way more power. Loeb understood that power for the first time again. He again was having trouble lighting his cigarette and grunted in anger as the lighter refused to work, turning slightly towards his right. The spark was there but the flame was not. However, another kind of spark was about to be lit.
"Hey Branden toss me that lighter again would ya? Mines don't seem to work any-".
Loeb was suddenly cut off by a loud bang. He froze, the cigarette and the faulty lighter fell to the ground first, then blood. Droplets fell from a long red stream from above his officer's cap that was divided into two streams by his pale nasal bridge. A clean bullet hole was all that was anew on Loeb's forehead right at the center of the cranium as parts of his brain started to slip out. Smoke was seeping from the barrel of a Smith and Wesson M 9, with Branden's left hand holding the gun. All that was left was a little smirk he wore. Then Loeb's body was taken by gravity and fell head first, hitting against the corner of his desk causing a bit of gray matter to land on Branden's shoe. In disgust he shook it off and sprinted for the same door Black Mask went through. He slammed the door shut and sprinted down the hallway.
Branden soon ran out to a helipad that was leading out towards the lights of Gotham Harbor. A storm began to brew again over the city as a black helicopter was prepared for takeoff. The wind the storm caused blew Branden's hat off of his blonde hair. He didn't bother to retrieve it as he ran straight for the chopper's open door. He hopped inside the cabin with leather seating, sitting in front of Black Mask who looked at him in the eye. Branden buckled himself up after turning off all the technology he had on him. He also noticed a few other thugs who were fully decked out some he recognized as his own men, others he hardly knew. But everyone in that chopper was under Black Masks thumb. Branden could barely hear the Gotham Crime lord over the gyrating blades above both of them.
"Is it done?" Black Mask yelled.
"Loeb is out of the picture permanently!" Branden yelled back over the helicopter blades, accepting one of the pair of headphones from one of his men. Black Mask gave the pilot thumbs up. The pilot simply nodded back and began to lift the helicopter from its pad and slowly turned towards Gotham cities industrial district. Branden had given one last scowl towards Blackgate, if all went well that would be the last time he would ever be there, or ever see his wife and kids ever again.
"So, when do the guys & I get paid? We've done everything you've asked!" Branden yelled into his microphone on his headset. Most of the men associated with him looked at Black Mask awaiting his answer.
"You'll all get your pay, but we got to do one more thing first. Get out of Gotham, there is one more thing I gotta do, and that's phone a new friend of mine! He will be able to make us vanish off the face of the earth. No more Gotham, New lives, a fresh start, big pocketbooks, and most importantly no more Batman!" Black Mask looked out to the harbor of the once city he had control over. It's rotten sewers, annoying officers, competition, but most importantly the Batman was now no longer a concern. The helicopter soon flew off into the stormy distance.
The bang of the gunshot was heard all around the complex. The sound coming from both one floor up and one floor down from the new crime scene. Batman's head turned sharply as the shot ran through the vents and into the private room. His eyes went wide he knew that meant trouble. There was no firing range in Blackgate. Stealth no longer was an option the shot could have been a misfire, but Batman had everything he needed, he could escape without using any kind of stealth if necessary. Batman kicked the first door down and sprinted towards the next jumping up bending his right leg inward with his left leg leading out. The boot kicked through the locks of the second door, causing the door to swing so violently that one set of hinges broke off. Batman landed on his left knee with his right leg stabilizing him. His right hand stabilized his torso and his left arm was extended outward, prepared to engage anyone that could interfere. His eyes opened and scanned the room; no one was there, no one living that is.
The shot echoed above the ventilation shaft near Gordon and Kim. Bullock, Gordon, and Caryl's eyes shot out wide as the sound hit their eardrums.
"That was a gunshot!" Bullock screamed.
"G-Gunshot, Here? That's not possible!" Caryl argued. Kim and Ron both shared the shocked expression as well as Rufus who looked around sniffing about. Smelling the scent of smoke & fresh-spilled blood. He hopped off of Ron's shoulders and went for the stairs. Ron looked towards Rufus who scattered away.
"Rufus! Where are you going?" Ron yelled. Rufus chirped about towards the stairs. Kim's shocked expression turned into a compliant stare as she immediately ran towards Rufus. She waved the rest of the group on as Ron soon followed, then by Gordon and Caryl simultaneously, with Bullock behind. Kim followed Rufus as he hopped up the stairs, Gordon leaped in front of Kim as Rufus had come to a stop scratching at a door. Caryl watched and noticed something as Gordon used his weight to bust the door down. This was the same floor they just got back from. The only gun on this floor would be Loeb's personal revolver in his office.
"Damn it, I'm too late."
Batman looked at the now pool of blood that came from Loeb's head atop his carcass. He stepped over the body and the blood not wanting to contaminate anything on the crime scene. He instantly pressed his detective vision and held it there. Once in detective vision and when the button to activate it was held, it instantly scanned the room for anything he could see, slowly walking around to get everything in the room caught by the scan. It then saved and the scan ceased. Batman noticed a few things first. A clean headshot was obvious. Loeb's brain matter was scattered everywhere. Batman even stepped on a sliver of it. He looked around, trying to playback the scenario. Dark blue holographic images of what represented both Loeb and the shooter were depicted in Batman's vision, visualizing an attempt to replay the crime scene. Batman noticed something on the floor, a shoe print facing towards the right door and it had one last print before it faded out at the entrance of the door. Loeb must have been facing away from the shooter during the kill. The only problem was that a small section of the shoe was imprinted by Loeb's blood. Batman wasn't too worried he's scanned hundreds of shoe prints, so there had to have been a match in the database back at the Batcave. Batman then started to look around for something else. Blood was on the corner of the desk, which further confirmed that Loeb fell backward. This theory was solidified by this result of his body's position with Loeb's chest facing the ceiling. Batman had the unique knowledge to put together a crime scene with only the bare minimum. All he needed now was the one thing a murder by firearm always had, the bullet casing. It had to have been here somewhere. He looked around and found something by Loeb's bookshelf on the left wall. It was a shell casing, the perfect thing Batman needed. However it was covered in blood, and couldn't find any trace of a fingerprint, but he did find the caliber. Batman rolled the bullet around in his hand playing with it in his fingers.
"9 millimeters. That rules out Sionis, his favorite killing pistol is his Browning M1911 & which is a .45 caliber. There would be a much bigger mess, plus the shoe print would be much more obvious." There was no way Black Mask killed Loeb. He was super paranoid, taking caution in every way, which probably is what kept him as a crime lord all this time. Loeb was best removed from the story altogether. So Loeb needed to die for Black Mask's plan to work, but he wanted nothing to do with the actual murder, so he had to have someone else do it. It wouldn't be Lipsky because Sionis would see that as too risky. This Drew Lipsky is too important to him right now to be caught. And getting a thug to kill Loeb wouldn't work because of the extra security in Blackgate. Black Mask must have spoken to someone close to Loeb and his whereabouts, which meant someone from the inside.
"A mole." Batman hissed to himself putting the pieces together mentally.
Batman placed the bullet down on the desk and looked towards Loeb's body. His mind went ablaze with scenarios and possible culprits. He stood in front of the desk facing the 3 back doors. Another corrupt cop down, but not in the way of Justice. Murder is murder. However with the shoe and the bullet he should have enough information to narrow out the suspects to a reasonable small amount. A 9mm bullet was perfect for suspecting a fellow officer as the killer. There are only a handful of pistols that were chambered in 9mm and used by GCPD. They were the STI Lawman, CZ P-09, and the Smith and Wesson M 9. Every officer has their handguns registered should they get lost or stolen, with the database back at the Batcave the murderer would surely be on there. With the pistol identified, and the shoe size being able to be reconstructed and re-proportioned to the accurate body size, Batman had everything he needed to root out some possibilities. This kill was also fresh, so if he were to hurry quickly he could find the culprit and there wouldn't need to be an investigation, which way could he have-
Batman was pulled back into his reality as the door was swung open. He swiftly turned around, his eyes slightly opened then narrowed with anger. Gordon had busted down the door and Caryl was behind him who both fell to the ground. Batman was prepped for anything now. His left leg moved behind his right, and his torso arched forward slightly. Making sure his chest armor was facing his unexpected guests. Followed shortly behind were Kim and Ron who both look toward Batman in shock. Batman's fists clenched as he whispered "Shit" to himself.
Kim and Ron gasped, Rufus had screamed and retreated to Ron's tux pocket and Bullock nearly crashed into them. His scowl replaced with horror as he saw Loeb's lifeless body. Caryl had screamed and closed her eyes and Gordon drew his pistol. A Beretta Model 92's cold steel barrel now pointed towards Batman's chest. Ron could barely hold back chunks at the smell and sight. Kim couldn't believe her eyes. Loeb's body laid lifeless as a picture was painted in her mind. Here stood the culmination of Gotham mythos, the man who was never seen without being knocked to a pulp and unconscious. The Legendary Vigilante himself Batman, now responsible for the death of Commissioner Loeb.
"Batman, you're under arrest for the murder of Gillian Loeb!" Gordon cried out.
"Gordon, put the gun down." Batman scorned.
