Bruce's POV
Sitting in front of my computer in the Batcave, my eyes swept over the report Gordon received form Arkham about Crane. I learned that he's never missed a meeting with the assigned therapist he was working with for the rehabilitation program; that he has never been late to a shift, no matter how small or degrading they were; he has complied with the separation clauses in his contract to not visit or communicate with inmates; over all he's been a model candidate.
However, there was a note added to his most recent visit with his assigned counselor: in risk of relapse.
I furrowed my brow at the note and turned back a page to read what they had talked about. They spoke about his process, his time at Arkham, his job now. Then they moved to recent events, talking about Crane's abduction by the Joker, his relationship with Bethany, and the recent murder of her mother. Crane seems to blame himself for what happened saying, "If I'd only told her about me sooner, but I couldn't risk losing her. Now she's gone forever." When asked if she wanted to see him again he replied, "She wants to break up with me. I don't know that I can blame her."
Sitting back in my chair, I continued to read the notes from the session, debating on how or what to do next. Do I talk my friend into going back to Crane if only to help with his recovery and maybe even more? Or do I keep this secret and hope she'll stay in my bed? I can't lie to myself that I've grown accustomed to having Bethany in my arms every night, getting to hear her moan just for me as I touch her in the right places, fuck her at the right angle. Hearing my name come out of her mouth has been surprisingly intoxicating… I'd do anything to please her. But does that mean ultimately giving her up? Sending her into the arms - and bed - of another man?
I ran my hand down my face and sighed deeply. As much as I disliked Crane, he didn't pose much of a threat while he had stayed here. Instead, he spent most of his time making sure Bethany was looked after. Could I bring myself to help and enemy?
"Any luck, Master Wayne?"
Turning in my chair I saw Alfred holding a tray as he entered the platform. Setting it down I saw tea. Turning back to the screen I said, "Maybe."
Coming over, Alfred handed me a tea cup, then sipped from his own, "Crane is at risk of relapse? That's not good."
"No… it's not."
"What are you going to do?"
Turning to look at him I asked, "Like what?"
Alfred was quiet for a moment then said, "I don't like Crane. I don't fully trust him, knowing who he really is."
"But?"
"But he seemed to have genuinely changed with Miss Ellwood. He seemed to really care about her and her well being. If she had ended her relationship with Crane, and he was taking it negatively perhaps… closure on his part would help. Suggest Bethany talk with Crane, give him the ending he can live with."
"End things once and for all?"
"Well it's what you want, isn't it?" He looked at me, but I looked away feeling embarrassed and a little ashamed, He continued, "You can't force her to love you Bruce. These nights you two have spent together aren't genuine. She's using you."
I nodded, "I know."
"Then you should also know that, no matter what, she may choose to leave Gotham… forever."
My chest tightened at the fact. It was a fact. If given the choice, I knew that there was a chance Bethany would go back across the pond to England and I would lose her forever. Looking at the screen, I frowned. I also was aware that asking her to talk to Crane would give him a chance to get under her skin again, and I would in fact, be sending her away from me. It all came back to that initial question, could I stand to see her love another man? Or make it so that if I couldn't have her, no one could.
"Closure would be good for both of them… don't you think?" I asked, taking a sip of my tea.
Alfred was quiet for a moment, then said, "Yes, I believe if would be."
I nodded slowly, "Then that's what we'll go for."
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Master Wayne? She's in such a delicate state as it is…. Do you think having her speak to Crane is a good idea?"
I shrugged, "I don't know what is a good idea, Alfred. I just know that… this could help her… move on from part of what happened here."
"And if she chooses to leave?"
I was quiet for a long time, then finally I managed, "Then I'll let her go."
Alfred didn't answer. He rested his hand on my shoulder for a moment, then took my near empty cup of tea and returned it to his tray. Picking it up he said, "Don't forget to go to bed tonight, Master Wayne…. Superheroes need their rest as well."
I nodded, "I will…. I want to take another look at this bomb signature before calling it quits tonight."
Alfred nodded and headed into a dark corner of the cave and heading back into Wayne Manor. I closed the file on Crane and brought up the files on the bombings that I had collected as Batman and other files that Gordon's team had made up. There was nothing out of the ordinary for these bombs, all containing materials you could find at any store. The only strange detail was a single yellow band that seemed to hold the device together. I was currently searching the criminal database searching for any known bomb builder that had a similar signature, and so far nothing was coming up.
Looking at the an image of the yellow material I felt the familiar sense of frustration come over me at being stumped. The Joker hasn't come out of hiding since murdering Bethany's mother. It was like he was luring Gotham into a sense of false security before striking again. That was why Batman needed to find the bomb maker before another building was blown up. Highlighting the yellow band, I sent the computer on a useless search to identify the exact color of yellow that was used, hoping to add it to the ever growing list of minute details that added up to nothing.
Setting the search on auto, I stood to leave the cave, but almost right away the computer beeped letting me know that it has identified the exact color used. With a heavy sigh, I turned to record the information, but found that it was a custom made shade. I paused for a moment at the information, and sitting back down, I clicked on the information file that the computer had pulled up. It was a custom made color of yellow called HaHaYellow made for a man named James Perkins, who was a known bomb maker in Gotham. I frowned, Perkins should have been in Arkham or Gotham City Jail, not making bombs. The fact the color was clearly linked to the Joker was not surprising, but I left nothing to chance. Getting up, I put on my batsuit and got into the Batmobile, driving out of the cave and into the city. I parked near the police building, and scaled the building stopping at the Commissioner's office.
Tapping on the window, I startled the occupant, and Gordon opened the window, "What are you doing here?"
"The color of the band used to hold the bombs together is custom made for James Perkins."
Gordon frowned, "James Perkins died in his cell three days ago."
"Did he?"
"Yes…. His mouth was twisted into some kind of clown smile. It looks like the Joker got to him."
"With Perkins dead, he might not be making bombs anymore."
Gordon sighed, "What's worse? A Joker with a bomb? Or one without?"
"Both."
