Gordon sat silently across from us for a moment, then finally picked up a pen and said, "When was the last time you saw your mother, Miss Elwood?"

Tears were in a steady stream down my face and I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Bruce held my hand and gave it a squeeze before saying, "The last time we saw her was two days ago. She had left to spend a few nights with some friends in town."

Gordon nodded, "What were the names of the friends?"

"Genna and Mark Jones."

"Is it common for her to spend the night at a friend's house when she's visiting someplace else?"

Bruce shrugged, "I'm… not too sure."

Gordon looked at me, "Do you know, Miss Elwood?"

I nodded and finally managed, "Yes…. This is normal."

Gordon nodded and wrote down my response, "Were the Jones's good friends with your mom?"

"Yes. Our families have been close for many years."

Gordon frowned, "I'm so sorry to inform you, Miss Elwood… but the Jones's have been missing for twenty-four hours."

I gasped, "What?"

"Genna and Mark Jones had several appointments that they missed. When tried to be reached there was no answer on their phones or at their house."

"Oh my God," a new wave of tears came through me, "Does… does James know?"

Gordon shook his head, "We haven't been able to get in touch with James. He's out of the country at the moment." I nodded, and Bruce pulled me in closer. Gordon cleared his throat, "Miss Elwood… we believe that your mother and the Jones's were abducted by the Joker and that the Jones's are being held hostage. Do you have any idea why the Joker would be targeting you?"

My heart stopped and I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't say anything. Jonathan cleared his throat and said, "It… it could have something to do with Bethany's relationship with me."

Gordon nodded, "I did hear about the death threat made towards Miss Elwood that was found in your office."

Bruce frowned, "You knew and didn't do anything about it?"

Gordon held up his hands in defense, "We were called and we put extra police units out around your house, your apartment building, and Crane's house."

"Extra police units in response to a death threat?" Bruce sounded angry.

"Master Wayne," said Alfred, "Surely the Gotham City Police are doing everything they can to protect Miss Elwood given that they do not know where the Joker is."

"The threat was against Bethany," said Jonathan, "Why would the Joker go after someone else?"

"Why does the Joker do anything," Gordon asked. "Speaking of knowing the Joker, where were you two nights ago?"

"H-He was with me," I said, "Jonathan has been staying at Wayne Manor after the Joker attacked us on the bridge."

"He wasn't there last night."

I shook my head, "No."

"Why not?"

I was quiet for a moment, but Jonathan replied, "The deal was that the Joker would harm Bethany if I didn't tell her… about my past."

"Your past?"

"As… Scarecrow."

Gordon looked shocked, "The Joker wanted you to tell Bethany about your past?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"So… you told Miss Elwood about your criminal past and then left?"

Jonathan cleared his throat, "I um… was… forced out."

I looked down as a feeling of guilt built up in my chest. Gordon set his eyes on me, "Is this true, Miss Elwood?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Where were you today, Miss Elwood?"

"Today?"

"Where were you with Crane?"

"The airport…. I was going to go back home."

"Why were you going to do that? Without your mother?"

"I was upset about what Jonathan had told me… and she wanted to be here more than I did, so I figured she would get over it quickly."

"Why were you at the airport, Mr Crane?"

Jonathan shifted in his seat and said, "I was trying to get Bethany to stay…."

Gordon nodded, "Ah… got cha." Gordon shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Well… I would appreciate it if you could stay in town for a bit longer, Miss Elwood… that would be greatly appreciated."

I looked at him and nodded, "Um… yeah… I can… do that."

Gordon nodded, "Same with you, Crane… no skipping town."

Jonathan scoffed, "Couldn't if I wanted to."

"Damn right." Gordon set down his pen and sat there in silence for a moment. Then he said, "Bethany… I'm so sorry for your loss. I… can't even begin to imagine what you're going through. Please know that… we will be working non-stop to hunt down this maniac. In the meantime, I will have an officer stationed at Wayne Manor or the apartment complex you're staying at, whichever you feel most comfortable to add a level of protection…. We'll get him… I promise."

I nodded and stood with Bruce and Alfred and let them lead me out of the police precinct to their car. Getting in, we waited for Bruce for a moment, then they drove off back to Wayne manor. Getting out of the car, Bruce wrapped his arm around my waist and held me to him as he walked me upstairs. Stopping outside my door, I turned to him and said, "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Bruce nodded and led me down the hall to his room. Entering the dark room, Bruce led me forward to the bed. Stopping me just short of the bed, he turned me to face him, and he gently and slowly lifted my shirt over my head. Tossing it into the floor, he reached behind me and removed my bra. He didn't glance down to my chest, instead he cupped my face in his and with his thumbs, wiped away the trail of tears on my cheeks. He moved his hands down to my pants and undid them, pulling them down, helping me step out of them. With me standing in only my underwear, Bruce walked past me and disappeared into his closet for a moment before coming out with an undershirt. He rolled it up and stuck his hands through the shirt sleeves and, like a child, helped me into his shirt. Once I was dressed, Bruce pulled back the covers on his bed and helped me in, tucking the sheets around me. He left to change himself, and he got into bed as well. I waited for him to roll over and try and cuddle, but instead, he reached for my hand and said, "I'm right here, Bethy. If you need anything, I'm right here." Letting go, he rolled over and we both tried to go to sleep.