Alex's hands shook as she followed the guard to the visitor area. The guard even seemed on edge as he nervously fidgeted with his uniform. When the guard had informed her that Carmine Falcone had asked to see her, she'd nearly passed out from fear alone. Why did a crime lord want to see her? Was this a plan from Jeremy? Refusing to meet a respected crime boss of Gotham wouldn't do her any favors. Besides… from what she could remember Dr. Crane and Falcone were working together in the movie; maybe that was why he wanted to see her.
Taking a deep breath, Alex opened the door and walked inside, clenching her hands and looking around the room. The man sitting in front of her wasn't the one she remembered. Not only did he look like a completely different person, the way his presence took up the room was a completely different vibe. The Falcone of the movie had been a fiery and greedy man. This man had a sharp gleam in his eye as he studied her. Falcone got up from his seat and held out his hand.
"Carmine Falcone, and you must be Elizabeth Arkham," Falcone said calmly with eyes still watching her… appraising her.
Swallowing her fear, Alex shook his hand and smiled awkwardly unsure of what she should say. Falcone gestured for her to sit down, and she happily took a seat. Her legs had gone a bit shaky. Hiding a sigh of relief, she noticed a bald, lanky man waving at her from behind Falcone. She hesitantly gave him a wave back. The shock of seeing a different Falcone had clearly shaken her enough not to notice this stranger. Who was he? And more importantly how dangerous was he?
"That is my bodyguard for today, Victor Zsasz. Don't worry about him. I brought him because he can keep a secret."
Victor pantomimed locking his mouth with a key before "fumbling" with the imaginary key and dropping it. Falcone quietly watched with a mixture of amusement and frustration. Alex chuckled to placate him. She remembered the psycho named Victor Zsasz although the movie version of him had also been different. Much less playful. She doubted that this one was any less dangerous though. Best to keep him happy. That way if Falcone told Zsasz to kill her he might make it quick.
Victor's face brightened at her laughter, and he explained cheerfully, "I'm taking a drama class."
Falcone took a deep breath before he continued as though Victor hadn't spoken, "I came here today to give you an apology. Your father was an old friend of mine. When Jeremy informed me of your health, I believed him. I should have checked on you personally to make sure that he was being truthful."
"Considering I don't remember anything, I'm not sure if he would have been wrong. There are quite a few stories about me… and they aren't particularly pleasant."
Falcone gave her a smile and replied, "I should have checked regardless, but thank you for your honesty. How are you doing now?"
"Aside from the memory loss, everything seems dandy. Sir… if you don't mind me asking… was checking on my mental state your real reason for coming here today?"
Falcone's face relaxed with approval, and he said, "It was… and to me you appear to be in sound mind. It almost makes one wonder… how much of a role your brother played in you being sent here… And I would like to give you a gift. As a gesture to my late dear friend and an apology to my new one."
"A gift?" asked Alex with some trepidation. How much should she ask for and what would he ask in return?
Seemingly reading her mind, Falcone reassured her, "No strings attached. If it's something I can get, then it is yours."
"I'll also help," Victor piped up cheerfully.
Alex carefully monitored her breathing as she thought about his offer. From the way he had said it, she believed that he didn't expect anything in return… this time at least. What would be most useful to her? Something that Falcone alone could give her.
"Well… there is one thing."
"Ooooh! What is it?!" Victor asked excitedly.
Falcone held up a tired hand to quiet the psycho hitman before gently asking, "And what would that be, my dear?"
Alex gathered up most of her remaining courage and replied, "In order to protect myself, I might need more proof of him being an unfit conservator… and a reason to keep him away from me once it's over. I don't want to get free only to be put back in his care later. If you hear about him doing anything… criminal, could you send that information to the DA? I want to make sure he doesn't get away with just a slap on the wrist."
"Oh, don't worry, dear. One way or another I will ensure that your brother will never touch you again. That is only to be expected."
Victor pantomimed getting shot in the knee as Falcone looked on wearily.
Falcone turned his attention back to her and said, "I will have my people investigate your brother. Quite frankly… I'm quite curious myself."
As Falcone stood up to leave, Alex also got out of her chair. Falcone took one of her hands in his and said, "Don't be afraid to ask me for help should he come looking for trouble. I have allowed this to carry on far longer than I should have. He looks so much like your father… Nevertheless… I will deal with him if need be."
Alex nodded, and Falcone let go of her hand and walked out the door. Victor gave her a wink as he followed Falcone out of the room. After the door closed behind them, Alex leaned against it and breathed out a sigh of relief. Her nerves were fried. At least she was in one piece. Breathing in deeply, she stood up straight and left the room. The guard walked more stiffly as he led her back to her room. Alex appreciated the silent walk as it gave her time to stew over her thoughts.
Both Falcone and Victor had been incredibly different from what she remembered. Comparing the other Falcone to this one was like comparing an irate badger to a cold-blooded wolf. A small shiver went up her spine as she realized that she could no longer solely depend on the movie that she remembered. This Falcone wasn't likely to work with Dr. Crane to help the League of Shadows… The main plot Batman fought against was the League of Shadows' plan to destroy Gotham. That old wolf seemed too shrewd to be taken advantage of that easily.
"Miss Arkham!" Dr. Crane called out, and Alex stopped dead in her tracks. Dr. Crane dismissed the guard as he approached. After nervously glancing around the hallway, he motioned for her to follow him. Alex followed while watching him. This Dr. Crane was slightly different from the movie version as well. The movie version had been more reserved, more stoic. Or perhaps this was because of who he was dealing with. The other Falcone didn't seem to be as much of a threat. After Alex followed him into his office, Dr. Crane quickly closed the door behind her.
"Did he threaten you?" Dr. Crane asked, and although Alex appreciated him asking, she doubted his sincerity.
"No. Mr. Falcone was an old friend of my father's… or so he says. He offered to help me."
The underlying tension in Dr. Crane's body seemed to disappear at her words. Running a hand through his hair, he said quietly, "Carmine Falcone and Victor Zsasz… are two very dangerous individuals. You should treat them with caution."
"I'm aware… Even an amnesiac knows about the Gotham mob."
Dr. Crane chuckled and said, "I suppose so… Did Mr. Falcone mention how he wanted to help you? As tempting as his offer may be, your brother is looking for any way to discredit you. Having a mob boss as your accomplice doesn't seem to be a wise move."
"I'd agree… if this wasn't Gotham. I asked him to look into Jeremy's bad habits. I know that proving him unfit is only half the battle, but… I need to feel prepared in that court room. And I need people to see him… the real him."
"Exposing him for the monster that he hides… how altruistic of you."
"No… I want revenge. I want him to feel as I did when he had his hands around my throat. Helpless… and alone. I don't know what Elizabeth was like, but I have no such attachments to that monster."
"You're speaking as though 'Elizabeth' is a separate person."
"She might as well be. I don't have any memories of my former self. This is my new start." Alex's heartbeat quickened as she checked to make sure he wasn't suspicious of her words.
Dr. Crane leaned against the bookshelf and crossed his arms. Once again, Alex could feel him studying her, and she forced herself to stay calm. Even if he did think she was strange, he would never think that she was someone from another world. Even she had trouble believing it.
"Is that why you're afraid of me? Because you don't remember the times you've been here before?"
Alex nervously adjusted her shirt sleeve and hesitantly replied, "I'm not sure who to trust. As far as I know… no one tried to help me before now. The reason I came here was because I 'jumped' from a window. But after what he tried to do to me here, I can't help but wonder if that was a lie."
Dr. Crane gave her a thoughtful look and said, "Suicidal attempts were not unusual according to your case file. Now… I think differently. Due to your brother interfering with your prior treatment, I never met with you prior to now. Even so… I do regret not helping you sooner."
Alex shrugged and replied, "Well… it's not like you knew he was shady. And I don't really know who I was before the fall. I don't know if I would have even let you help me. I… I'm not really afraid of you specifically. I'm just not sure of who to trust or why you're even helping me. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate it, but… I'm not entirely sure what you expect from me."
Dr. Crane adjusted his glasses and asked her in a confused tone, "Expect from you? The only thing that I want from you is your well-being. Although I couldn't help you before, do I seem so untrustworthy that you believe I need something from you?"
"Uh, no… it's just… I'm sorry," Alex apologized, looking down at the floor. Had she been wrong about Dr. Crane? Falcone and Zsasz weren't the same, so it's possible that his motivations weren't entirely the same. While he was definitely still suspicious, he'd never tried to hurt or threaten her. If anything, he'd been supportive at every moment she'd needed him.
The feel of something touching her hand brought her out of her thoughts and made her look back at Dr. Crane. He gently held onto her hand. His pleading expression caught her off-guard, and she felt a small pang of guilt in her chest.
"It's perfectly understandable that you wouldn't trust me given your circumstances. However… you and I are working together. There needs to be some level of trust between us. I'm more than willing to earn that trust… but I need for you to give me that opportunity."
Words became jumbled in Alex's head, so she just nodded. It wouldn't hurt her to give off the impression that she trusted him… especially if he was the bad guy. Underestimating your opponent could be dangerous, and she needed the element of surprise.
"Thank you," he said as he let go of her hand and gave her a smile. "Now while I have you here… I heard that there was another 'incident' with Miss Thorn."
"She tried to start another fight with me… It's honestly just juvenile."
Dr. Crane chuckled and asked, "Some people never grow out of that stage."
"Unfortunately… Thank you, Dr. Crane… I wouldn't be this far without you."
Dr. Crane tilted his head and replied, "I doubt that, Miss Arkham. You are quite capable… Now I believe I've taken up enough of your time. I'm sure your friends are worried. It's not every day that we get a crime lord visiting one of our patients."
Alex nodded and said goodbye. If Franny and Pam had heard about Falcone looking for her, then they'd definitely be waiting to hear about it. After she left Dr. Crane's office, she peeked back to see him looking at his hand in confusion. Swallowing any questions, she headed back down the hall. That was a question for another day.