A Circus Boy Returns Home
Part 3: Seeing Red
Tim went to pack a bag, but without knowing where Dick was going, which route he was taking to his final destination, Tim would not be able to follow him. He knew Dick was going to the circus, but where was the circus? Everyone knew that the circus would winter in Florida, but where in Florida. He didn't even know if the circus was on tour. Maybe there was a clue in Dick's room, but he didn't have the right to violate his brother's privacy.
'Maybe if I ask Barbara,' Tim thought. He went to knock on her and Dick's door, but saw Barbara carrying a bag and a crying baby in her arms. "Barbara, where are you going?"
"Nowhere it seems," her voice sounding more cutting than she meant it to be. "Hold her, please."
Tim took Haley from Barbara. Haley stopped crying the moment she was in his arms.
"Hey, it's okay little one. You miss your Daddy already? He'll be back."
Tim watched as Barbara went back to get another suitcase. Once she had acquired that case, Tim watched as she breezed by him without looking at Haley.
"Um, Barbara . . . ." Tim raced after her carrying Haley in his arms. "Aren't you forgetting someone?"
Barbara halted in the middle of the hall and Tim almost ran into her with Haley.
"Would you mind taking her to the car and placing her in a car seat?" Barbara said, making her voice sound sweet.
"Um, sure." Tim was aware that Barbara was on edge even though she tried to hide it. Maybe she wasn't the best person to ask right now as to where Dick went. Then, Haley started to fuss. "I don't think she wants to leave."
"That's not up to her," Barbara stated. "Dick suggested I take Haley to my father's place so he can spend time with his grandchild."
"And you don't agree."
"He doesn't have the time, he's a cop,"
"You don't think he would make time for his grandchild?"
Barbara glared at Tim, her eyes flashing red, then quickly changing back to blue. Tim thought he imagined it at first. He got the feeling that this was not Barbara's normal way of being. Come to think of it, she hasn't been herself for at least a month. 'Why didn't I notice it before.'
"Are you bringing my child or not," Barbara said. "I have to be at my father's in an hour."
Tim carried Haley behind Barbara.
^I don't want to go,^ Haley's voice popped into Tim's head.
^I don't think you have a choice,^ Tim replied. ^Your grandpa Jim wants to get to know you, but he doesn't have a link with you or your Mom.^
^She's not my Mom,^ Haley said.
^Sure, she is.^
^She may have birthed me, but something isn't right. She has not been the same since . . . ^
^Since what, Haley?^
"Put her in the car seat," Barbara stated.
Tim hadn't been aware that they had reached the garage. "The car seat has to be turned around. She's got to face the back of the seat."
"Oh, what am I thinking." Barbara turned the car seat around.
For a moment, Tim got a glimpse of the old Barbara. ^Since when Haley?^
^I don't know,^ Haley fussed. ^I felt her change.^
"It's okay, Haley," Tim comforted her. ^I'll look into it.^. Then placed Haley in her car seat.
^Thank you, Uncle Timmy,^
"When will you and Haley be back?" Tim questioned Barbara.
"Maybe in a few days," Barbara answered. "Dick's probably right, I need some time with my father. And Haley can get to know her grandfather."
"That's the spirit."
"What will you do with Dick gone, away?" Barbara's voice became sweet, even seductive.
"I'll think of something," Tim replied., trying not to notice the change. "It's not like I don't have anything to do."
"True," Barbara replied. "I'll see you soon. I'm going to stop by the clock tower later. Maybe you can come by there. There are a few things I might pick up."
"Maybe," Tim said without committing himself.
Barbara's eyes flashed red one more time as if annoyed, but they appeared to have a hunger about them. She licked her lips as if in anticipation at getting Tim alone. The baby started crying, again.
'Stupid brat,' Barbara's thoughts became dark. 'Maybe I have what I need for now, and there will be another time. This mind is fighting me. It is good that I shielded her from them learning the truth. It was bad enough that I had to possess a human female who was pregnant. Hopefully, it will be all over in a few dasy.'
"Barbara, are you all right? You spaced out there for a moment and your eyes . . . "
"I'm all right," Barbara said quickly enough. 'He noticed. That may be a problem. Come by the Clock Tower tomorrow while my father is watching Haley, so we can move some of my things back to the Manor."
"Okay."
"Good." Then Barbara got into the car and drove out of the garage and down the drive to Gotham. 'That was settled. Now, I can feast.'
Tim watched as Barbara's car left the Manor grounds. He lost sight of the car as it turned the corner and went down the highway toward Gotham. Haley's words disturbed Tim. What did she mean that her mother wasn't the same since . . . Since, what? It's obvious something happened during Barbara's pregnancy to cause Haley to believe her Mom had changed in some way. And what was up with those red eyes? And that voice. There was something in that voice that sent chills down Tim's spine. Dick was supposed to be gone for a week. Sometimes he goes for a month. That gave Tim time to do research and if something was really wrong, it gave Tim an excuse to go find Dick and tell him about Barbara. He knew all he had to do was pick up the phone and Dick would come home, but there wasn't any evidence to substantiate his claim that something was terribly wrong. Going after Dick made more sense once he knew where Dick was heading. He might be able to persuade him in person, just as he did when he was 13. For now, he was going to have to wait, and see. Waiting wasn't really one of his strong suits, but research was. He'll start by researching on where the circus was heading. He should be keeping an eye on Barbara, but he couldn't be in two places at once. Maybe he could get some help. It was going to sound like he was spying, but he needed to get down to the bottom of what might be going on. And he did see Barbara's eyes flash red, twice A feeling of dread came to him, and he hoped it wasn't what he was thinking. Dick's daughter's life was on the line.
Continues with Part 4