It has been far too long since I've updated and I apologize for that. I won't keep you from this so on with Batman: Telltale Series chapter 2.
Wayne Manor
5:00 AM
Alfred Pennyworth walked through the familiar hallways of Wayne Manor billions of times before, but this walk in particular seemed different. The breaking news was now being broadcasted on every station on television telling that Thomas and Martha Wayne were corrupted. Not only that, but rumors were being spread that their son Bruce Wayne could be just as corrupted. Bruce had stormed out of the living room the night before and still had not returned. Dick however had gone silent after Bruce had stormed out only showing a few stray tears that were rolling down his cheek. That was when Alfred had turned the T.V off and sent Dick off to bed, and now here he was very early the next morning. The butler slowly opened his youngest charge's door and saw that Dick's pillow was on the ground and he was sitting at the window seat staring out at the rain that was coming down.
"Master Dick?" Alfred asked and Dick immediately got up from where he was laying and his shoulders rose and got stiff.
"Sorry Mr. Penny…Alfred. I couldn't sleep," Dick said staring at the floor. Alfred then came over getting to the boy's eye level putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Nonsense young sir; none of us got a good night's sleep last night," he told the boy.
"Did Bruce come back?" Dick asked.
"I'm afraid not sir, but I have a pretty good idea where he is. In fact, I think it may be a good idea to go and try to cheer him up; well as much as we can. Unfortunately he's not taking the news about his parents lightly; neither of us are." Alfred said looking away from Dick for a second before looking back at him.
"Okay," Dick said and after getting on a sweatshirt and grapping an apple for the road, the two were off in the limo. On the way to their destination, Alfred noticed through his rearview mirror that Dick was still staring out his window while taking deep breaths and tried getting rid of a few tears.
"Don't you worry about this sir. Master Bruce and I will deal with this," Alfred said but Dick didn't move an inch. At last they made it to an old alleyway where they saw Bruce looking at the ground at something golden. Alfred kept the car running and grabbed his umbrella, a newspaper. Afterwards, he got out to open the door for Dick who started to look around at his surroundings.
"What is this place?" Dick asked.
"I believe Master Bruce is the one who should answer that," Alfred whispered looking at Bruce. His hands were in his pocket as he stared at the golden plaque ignoring the drops that had covered his body. Dick now got up under the umbrella and the two walked over to Bruce, shielded from the rain. "I thought I might find you here. The news was devastating; for all of us," Alfred said and handed Bruce the newspaper with his family name plastered on the front page. "I'm sorry but this isn't going to go away anytime soon," he continued as Dick stared at Bruce as he read the hurtful words.
"Tell me all of this is a lie!" Bruce demanded.
"I wish I could Bruce. But I can't," the butler said and gave a small sigh. "This day has been haunting me for nearly two decades."
"Tell me everything you know about this Alfred! Forget all that was said in the papers! I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me everything you know!" Bruce shouted throwing the paper on the ground and stepping closer to Alfred.
"The true is…they were billionaires Bruce. You can't just have that kind of wealth without making moral compromises; it's just not possible," the butler admitted.
"What about me?!" Bruce shouted and went wide eyed when he noticed the small boy behind Alfred who was shaking. "Money has never corrupted me," Bruce said now using a softer tone.
"And I'm proud of you for that, but your father, Hamilton Hill, and Falcone were partners. They controlled Gotham and nothing happened without them knowing," Alfred continued.
"And I'm the last to find out. I expected irregular accounting but to actually work with Hill and Falcone?"
"Your father was a good man Bruce, but all this was his undoing. I want you to know that I had my suitcases ready. I couldn't stand to be around your father anymore! And then, they were killed…and I just couldn't walk out and leave you all alone. I did all this out of love for you Bruce. I hope you can forgive me," Alfred pleaded.
"How could I ever hold this against you? You and Dick are all I've got left." Bruce said catching both Dick and Alfred off guard.
"Thank you Bruce. I won't let you down again," Alfred said and Bruce turned his attention to Dick who had gone back to his shy, nervousness face.
"I'm sorry I stormed out," Bruce told Dick.
"It's okay. So…this is the place?" Dick asked. Bruce hesitated but still gave his answer.
"Yes. This is where it happened." Bruce said and took Dick's hand guiding him down the alley towards Wayne Memorial Auditorium. "That auditorium use to be a movie theatre. There was a movie I really loved and my parents always took me there to see it. I can't tell you how many times I saw it. Had it memorized word for word. How long did that movie play there?" Bruce asked Alfred.
"Only when you wanted to see it. Your mother arranged for the special screenings herself," Alfred said.
"I never knew that. She was always so good to me," Bruce said and continued. "We cut through this alleyway and then a man with a gun appeared. My father stepped in front of me and my mother. He was trying to protect us."
'Hold it right there Wayne!' Joe Chill said holding a gun at the family. Thomas Wayne proceeded to push his wife and son behind him.
'Bruce, Martha stay back,' Thomas Wayne told his family.
'You can have whatever you want!' Martha Wayne said starting to sob and putting her hands around her son.
'Nothing personal Wayne; it's just business," Joe Chill said.
'Please, you don't have to do this.' He said and Joe Chill took the safety off the gun. Without thinking, Thomas tried to disarm him but Chill fired a shot right at Thomas's chest making him fall to the ground.
'Tell Falcone…he's making a mistake,' Thomas said only for Chill to shoot him again.
'Thomas!' Martha shouted and suddenly Chill aimed the gun at Bruce. 'NO!' Martha screamed getting in front of Bruce and Chill shot her too in the chest. Young Bruce felt his breathing stop and was unable to move from where he stood.
'Bruce…Bruce," His mother mumbled and let out the last breath she'd ever take. Meanwhile, Chill took Thomas's wallet and yanked his mother's pearls off her neck. The white pearls went everywhere as Chill loaded his gun once more but fled when he heard police sirens in the distance.
"Bruce…Bruce!" Alfred said bringing Bruce back to reality. "Are you alright?" He asked. When Bruce didn't say anything, Dick squeezed his hand.
"M-Mr. Wayne?" Dick asked.
"It wasn't a mugging." Bruce whispered but was still heard.
"What?" Alfred asked confused.
"My parents were assassinated. And Falcone is responsible for it. We need to go right now. I'll meet you at the house," Bruce said and started walking away.
"Bruce, what's this about?" Alfred asked.
"I'll tell you when we get home but we have to hurry," he answered and walked out of the ally.
Break*Break*Break
Wayne Manor
8:00 AM
Bruce had called Harvey right away asking him to meet him at the manor as soon as possible so they could talk. As soon as Harvey got a free moment, he came right over. "Bruce what's going on? Why couldn't we talk about this over the phone?" He asked after Alfred had let him into the manor.
"I need to see Falcone right now," Bruce said as they walked into his study.
"Whoa hold on Bruce. Falcone's the reason you're in this mess to begin with. Why would you want to talk to him?" Harvey asked.
"Because I think Falcone had my parents murdered," Bruce admitted.
"What?!" Harvey and Alfred said. They all walked into the study where Dick was sitting in a chair with his hand folded and Bruce closed the door once everyone was inside.
"Listen, I went to Crime Alley earlier today to think about everything. I remembered from that night that my father was talking about Falcone before he was killed," Bruce told him.
"Bruce, that's terrible," Harvey said.
"That's why I have to see Falcone; just to be sure but I'll need your help," Bruce said.
"Of course I'll help. But seeing Falcone like this might land us both in hot water. I don't think I have to tell you how many rules we'd be breaking. I'll call the lieutenant and pull as much as I can. It may not be enough but I'll…" Suddenly everyone froze when the home telephone rang.
"No. No please not now!" Dick shouted jumping out of his seat and out of the blue, he started breathing short gasps while backing up from everyone. All of a sudden, he started grabbing his throat and started coughing harshly.
"Bruce he's having a panic attack!" Harvey said. Alfred ran out of the room to answer the phone out of hearing range so they wouldn't have to continue to hear it ringing. Harvey had now walked towards Dick trying to calm him down.
"Listen to me Dick…" he said.
"No!" Dick shouted waving his arms around so Harvey couldn't touch him and continued coughing. Harvey still went over and grabbed Dick's flying arms while Bruce guided him backwards towards a chair. Once they got Dick seated they both forced Dick to put his head between his knees.
"Dick, I need you to relax and breathe in deep breaths okay? In…out…in…out." Bruce said while rubbing his back in rhythm to him saying in and out. Harvey on the other hand was trying to hold Dick still so he wouldn't fall.
"I can't! I can't go back there again!" He continued shouting.
"You're not, I promise you. Now I need you to start taking deep breaths with me. In and out Dick," Bruce told him.
After a moment, Dick started letting out shaky breaths to the rhythm of Bruce's hand going up and down his back. "In…out, atta boy." Bruce said and Dick took a deep breath before letting it all out slowly.
"There you go." Harvey said as he helped Dick sit up in the chair laying his head back. Just a moment after Dick's breathing went back to normal, he started crying. Bruce took this opportunity to cup Dick's cheek and clear the tears away.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wayne! I'm sorry!" Dick sobbed.
"It's okay Dick its okay. You just had a panic attack, that's all," Bruce said. That's when Alfred came back in signaling Bruce who held up one finger at him.
"I didn't mean to have one," Dick continued.
"You just got really scared. That's what a panic attack is. You really can't predict when it's going to happen," Harvey explained. Dick shrugged his shoulders and apologized again.
"Dick it's alright; really." Bruce said. Dick took one more deep breath before he closed his eyes and rested on the chair. "Listen, I'll be right back okay? You stay here with Harvey and Alfred." Bruce said and Dick nodded while slowly closing his eyes. "Good boy," He said patting his head and left the study and went to the kitchen to take the dreaded phone call.
"Bruce Wayne."
"Hello Mr. Wayne. This is Lindsey Ellis speaking. I'm sure you remember me as I'm Richard's social worker," She said on the other line.
"Yes Ms. Ellis, how may I help you?" Bruce asked even though he already knew.
"I'm calling due to the certain allegations that have recently come out on the news. The ones involving your parents working with crime bosses. As you should know already, Gotham Social Services is very strict about the well being of the children in our care. We only accept the absolute best for our children."
'Oh you want the best for him alright. Placing an innocent child in a detention center is the perfect place to send a boy who just went through a traumatizing event.' Bruce thought to himself as he rolled his eyes.
"With that said, we can't ignore these allegations about your family. A crime boss is not an ideal person to look after an orphan child. However as nothing has been fully proved besides that offshore bank account, we can't prove that you're following in your family's footsteps. However let me give you the only warning I'm going to give. If the police find out anything about you being just as corrupt as your parents, we'll have no choice but to remove Richard from your care permanently. Are we at an understanding Mr. Wayne?" She threatened.
"Yes Mr. Ellis," Bruce said.
"Good. So for Richard's sake I pray nothing more comes up. One more slip up and you'll lose him for good with no second chance. I don't care how much money you have or who you're friends with. He goes right back into the system. Have a nice day Mr. Wayne," She said and hung up as did Bruce. He then made his way back towards the living room where Harvey had just put his phone down and Alfred was watching over Dick who was still sitting in the chair.
"Well?" Harvey asked when he saw Bruce enter as Dick sat up quickly.
"They can't prove that I'm an 'alleged' crime boss and just gave us a warning. We need to get as much information about my parents and Falcone as we can before any more information gets leaked somehow," Bruce explained.
"Absolutely. I just got off the phone with the lieutenant and if we leave right now, he'll give us ten minutes with Falcone," Harvey said getting up from where he was kneeled. Bruce then came over to Dick.
"Harvey and I are going out just for a little while. Alfred will be right here if you need anything alright?" He said and Dick nodded looking down at the floor. Bruce noticed this and made his chin rise up so he could look at him. "Hey, you're still staying with me. That phone call was just a warning. Understand?" Dick just nodded again and laid his head back down. Bruce patted Dick's shoulder and he and Harvey set off for the GCPD.
Break*Break*Break
GCPD
8:57 AM
"I hope you know what you're doing. I'm telling you if this goes wrong, we're in for it," Harvey said as they walked through the hall of the police HQ.
"I get that Harvey and I really appreciate it. This means a lot to me," Bruce said.
"I know it does Bruce," Harvey said and the two found Jim Gordon waiting for them at the entrance to the infirmary.
"Gentleman, we finally put Falcone is his cage. And thanks to the information you gave me Bruce, he's not getting out for a long time," Gordon said.
"Whoa hold up. What information?" Harvey asked.
"Sorry Harvey, I meant to tell you. I did some digging and found some dirt on Falcone," Bruce said.
"It was a catalogue of Falcone's entire empire," Gordon explained.
"Is that a fact?" Harvey asked crossing his arms and looking at Bruce giving him a look.
"Yup. It's the main reason why I'm letting you get to see him but ten minutes is all you're getting," he reminded.
"That's perfect Lieutenant," Bruce said and Gordon walked the two to Falcone's room. As they were walking, a police officer walked by. She was in her late twenties early thirties with short black hair.
"Good job bringing in Falcone. Let's hope that son of a bit** won't get off again," she told Gordon.
"He won't Renee. Not this time," Gordon said.
"Mr. Wayne? Sergeant Renee Montoya. I just wanted to say, some of us police still support you; regardless of what the media says," she said.
"Thanks sergeant. I appreciate that," Bruce said and the group continued walking.
"We're keeping Falcone in the infirmary. I'm not sure why, but I could tell Batman wanted to kill him but he didn't. I'm almost convinced that he cares about doing the right thing and bringing criminals to justice," Gordon said.
"If that's true, then Gotham's lucky to have him," Bruce stated.
"Yeah, it's great to know that he's watching over the city," Harvey said. At last the group got to the room where Falcone was with two police officers standing guard. They got out of the way once they saw Gordon.
"Alright, Falcone's inside. Remember, ten minutes is all you can get so say whatever you have to say quickly. We'll be waiting out here," He told Bruce. After giving Harvey a quick nod, Bruce walked inside and closed the door behind him. Falcone was in a light blue hospital gown with all kinds of tubes hooked up to him.
"What the hell…Bruce Wayne? You must have paid off the guards or something. My wife can't even see me. But I'll be out of here in a week or so," Falcone stated.
"You and I need to have a little chat Falcone," Bruce said.
"You weren't this eager the last time we talked. But I knew you'd come around; especially after the press sunk their teeth into you. You're your father's son alright. Tommy and I were as close as brothers; we practically were," Falcone said.
"That is until you hired Joe Chill to murder them!" Bruce said and Falcone gave a quick laugh.
"So that's what this is about? The pup digging up a twenty year old murder…"
"Two murders! And they were not forgotten," Bruce said clenching his fists together.
"Hey calm down. I told you, you and me are like family," Falcone said.
"We are not family Falcone. I'm nothing like you."
"Whatever you say. But if you're anything like Thomas Wayne, then you and I have a lot more in common then you think. Your father, Hill, and me…we all ran this city; still do," Falcone explained and clinched his teeth and shut his eyes tightly. "Damn I can't think straight with all this pain. Help Uncle Carmine out and give me some of that morphine on the table," He said. Bruce hesitated for a seconded but proceeded to give the morphine to Falcone. "It be so easy to put all that morphine into me; enough to kill an old dog like me. But then you'd never know the whole story," Falcone said now smiling through the pain.
"I'm not a murderer," Bruce stated.
"No you're not," He said and that's when the morphine started easing his pain. "Much better. Thank you kid. That little gesture reminds me of your mother. Thomas may have been the doctor, but Martha…she had the human touch."
"That is until you hired an assassin to kill them both," Bruce said.
"You really think I hired Joe Chill? Sure I worked with him a few times, but I never called for that hit on your parents."
"Well then who did?!" Demanded Bruce.
"You can't trust anyone in Gotham; especially the ones you call friend. Your parents learned that the hard…" All of a sudden, two gunshots were heard that went through Falcone's heart and forehead. Bruce quickly turned around and saw Renee holding a gun that was still smoking.
"They're waiting for you in hell!" She shouted over the piecing sound of the monitor. Bruce ran over and tackled her to the ground just as Gordon came rushing in with Harvey close behind.
"What the hell?!" Harvey shouted and looked at Falcone and then at Renee.
"The bastard had to die!" She said. It was then that Bruce noticed that there was something wrong with Renee's lip. It almost looked like an oddly shaped vain.
"Hands in the air!" One of the officers told Bruce over the piercing sound.
"STAND DOWN! Get a doctor! Secure this floor! No one gets in or out. Go! GO!" Gordon shouted.
Break*Break*Break
GCPD
10:37 am
"We are deep sh**." Harvey told Bruce and Gordon walking into the interrogation room. After taking down Renee, she was sitting handcuffed in an interrogation room. Shortly after she was taken down, she became unconscious. "I bought us some time but it won't be long. Word is gonna get out sooner or later," Harvey then slammed his fists on the table. "Why would she do something like this?! We were this close to having Gotham's biggest crime lord in our grasp!"
"I don't-I don't know. I hardly recognized her when she burst in. She seemed so different from the woman we met in the hall," Bruce said.
"It's a disgrace! Another officer gone rogue," Harvey said.
"It just doesn't make sense!" Gordon screamed. "I know Renee. She'd never do anything to hurt the department."
"Dammit! How can I run up against corruption when the police are decorating the precinct with their prisoner's brains!? Ok ok, we gotta get out in front of this and spin it the best we can. Lieutenant, give a statement saying that we have the shooter in custody and are continuing our investigation."
"Slow down Harvey we need to get the fact straight first," Bruce said.
"The simple fact is she walked in and shot him!" Harvey snapped.
"Then we need the complex facts like how and why!" Gordon said and a police officer walked in.
"Lieutenant, Mr. District Attorney Sir? Falcone's layers are here," he said.
"Ah crap. I can delay them for a little while, but we still need answers. Bruce, see if you can get something out of her," Harvey said and walked out of the room with Gordon following him.
"Let me know what she says if she wakes up. I just have to know why she did this," Gordon said and left Bruce and Renee alone. Bruce took this opportunity to put his earpiece on in order to contact Alfred.
"Alfred?"
"One moment sir," He said and a minute later came back on. "I apologize for the wait Master Bruce. I wanted to get Master Dick settled in the living room."
"It's alright. How's he doing?" He asked.
"He and I made some cookies after you and Mr. Dent left to take his mind off of things. I also took the liberty of arranging a play date with Mr. West's nephew."
"You mean Wally? Did Barry and Iris get full custody yet?" Bruce asked.
"Yes sir they did; thanks to your help. Mr. Barry is taking Wallace to Central's Science Museum today and he called asking if Master Dick wanted to join them. I thought since Wallace and the young master became friends at the Wayne foundation charity ball two weeks ago, it would be a chance to further get his mind off of all that's happened today further as well as for you to do any further investigation. Mr. Barry also said Master Dick was welcome to stay for the rest of the afternoon," Alfred explained.
"That was good thinking on your part Al. Tell Barry I'll stop by and pick him up around six."
"Will do sir. How goes your investigation?" Alfred asked.
"Not good. Falcone's been murdered," Bruce said.
"Good God!"
"I'm going to confirm some suspicions of mine, but I need access to the bat-computer," Bruce said pulling out his phone.
"Connection secured sir," Alfred said and Bruce started to scan the Sergeant's face. On her neck was a very small hole that would fit a needle. Also coming from her lip were some of her veins that were dark blue and very visible.
'Wait a minute,' Bruce thought as he went back to the where the injection site was. Around where the injection site was some kind of dry, gray liquid. "Okay, that's definitely not blood. Alfred I think I found something and I need the computer to analyze the results I'm sending you."
"I'll see to it at once," Alfred said. All of a sudden Renee started to stir. She opened her eyes to see herself sitting down in handcuffs.
"What…what's going on? I've got this horrible feeling something bad has happened," she said.
"Sergeant I need you to think about everything you remember right after you and I met in the hall," Bruce said getting to her eye level.
"After we met? What are you…oh God. I shot Falcone. I thought it was just a nightmare," Renee said.
"I believe you were drugged sergeant. That's why I need you to try to remember everything you can," Bruce said.
"I…after we talked, I heard there was this sharp pain I felt. Then someone was talking to me about Falcone getting off. I'm always talking big about taking down thugs like Falcone but you have to believe me Mr. Wayne. I would never betray the lieutenant like that. I swear!" She said and tears started rolling down her cheeks.
"I believe you sergeant. Can you remember anything in particular about the voice or do you remember seeing anyone?" Bruce asked.
"No. I just remember the voice…it said something about a revolution. I don't know what it meant," Renee continued and that's when more fat tears rolled down her cheek. The door opened back up and Gordon and Harvey came back in. Once Gordon saw that Renee was awake, he ran over and took Bruce's place at kneeling in front of her.
"Lieutenant….I'm so so sorry. I've let you down," Renee said refusing to look at him.
"Did she say anything Bruce?" Harvey asked.
"Yeah. I found a fresh injection site on her neck. I think she was drugged and then she said something about a revolution," Bruce said.
"A revolution? What kind of revolution?" Harvey asked.
"I don't know and I'm not worried about it now," Gordon said.
"I was out of my mind lieutenant. You have to believe me," Renee cried.
"Of course I do. Hey! Get forensics in here!" He ordered one of the officers.
"Wait, if we're going to bring forensics in, then let's get Bruce out of here. The last thing he and Dick need right now are more false claims," Harvey said and Bruce nodded back at him. "I'll catch up with you later. Let me know how Dick's doing alright?" He said and Bruce left the room heading out of headquarters.
"Alfred I've got a lead. Send out the drones to search for Oz using the trace on his phone," Bruce whispered to Alfred.
"Right away sir."
"Bruce? What are you doing here?" Another voice called out. Bruce turned around and saw Vicki walking towards him. "My friends in the GCPD are telling stories about the GCPD being on lockdown. Know anything about that?"
"Sorry Vicki I don't have time for this right now," he said and continued walking out.
"Don't brush me off. Word is that there were shots fired near where Falcone was staying," Vicki continued.
"Oh really? Who told you that?" Bruce asked.
"So it's true?" she asked.
"What? No, I didn't say that," Bruce said and went to the elevator and pressed the button.
"Look, I've heard that you turned over some dirt on Falcone to put him in Blackgate for life a day after he showed up at your house. And then you just happen to be here during a lockdown. Please Bruce, let me help you. I can tell by the way you're ignoring my questions that something is going on. You can't afford to be in another scandal. Think of what Gotham Social Services will think when word gets out. I can keep your name out of what we print but you have to give me the scoop on what happened. Who fired the shots? A cop?"
"No Vicki. You've got nothing. Now please excuse me." Bruce said and walked into the elevator pasted her.
"You should talk to me. This isn't going away Bruce and this story will be printed whether you stonewall me or not.," Vicki said just before the elevator closed.
Well I'm going to stop here because this already is a long chapter and you guys who are still with me deserve an update. Also I have a really quick question. I'm planning on posting a Poison Ivy chapter on here sometime in the near future. I haven't written it yet but it's an idea in progress. What do you think? Do you want me to post that one first and then continue on with the telltale series, do you want me to finish telltale first, or do you want me to just forget about telltale all together? Let me know your thoughts.
LaurenHardy13