Chapter 7

Bane

Bane stood over the paper piled desk, everything seemed the same but there was a purpose behind it all. He looked through Commissioner Gordon's files that were locked in the bottom drawer of his office desk. That brought out his interest; Bane had dealt with all sorts of men in his career as a mercenary. Going through desks like this usually had contacts of call girls, alcohol and strange porn. But Jim Gordon had one thick leather bind folder, the case name was a Gerry Messner, a local Gotham City cop who was murdered a block from his home. The case was unsolved but from what Bane had found in the folder were lists of suspects with hand written notes about who said what involving so and so. As he read on he found that Jim Gordon had narrowed it down to three men, there was also a few other names. Bane had Barsad look into those names and discovered that they were decorated cops with questionable records of arrests and sudden promotions that made them all detectives. All were well paid by the Mob. Two of those names were supposed officers in the area the night Gerry Messner was shot and killed. They were first on the scene; from the paper work it stated that they were not far from crime scene when they heard the gun shots and raced to the alley, they didn't see anyone leave the scene nor any vehicle leaving the area. Jim Gordon made other notes, small things about everything at the scene didn't seem right, the officers statements didn't add up with the time they arrived on the scene and when they called it in. Bane wasn't surprised that this Gerry Messner was the father to Agent Kate Messner. Bane found her career choice questionable. Why didn't she become a Gotham City police officer, from what he knew about her from her own file and what he experienced, she would have climbed the ladder a lot quicker here, possibly even Commissioner. But instead she went a different route and that led her right to him.

The quick meeting he had with her a few days before didn't go as planned but Bane other ways making the pieces fall into place. For now he had Barsad with her at all times. He had complete faith that if anyone could get inside her head it was Barsad. His nature to lead others false was quite a talent that had come in handy more than once in their years of working together. Bane just had to wait and see. Barsad was truly loyal and had no problem when it came to sharing details about his conversations that he had with Agent Messner. She refused his offer of exchanging Commissioner Gordon for her own personal justice of the men who murdered her father. He remembered the surprise look she had on her face when he mentioned her father, he could see all the emotions that she tried to bury slip for a second or two. This was a piece that he needed. She'd turn soon. Everything had been planned out perfectly. Barsad just had to play her.

He remembered meeting Agent Messner for the first time. Barsad had heard that the FBI and Russian government were not far from their warehouse where they stored and assembled their illegal weapons. Pushing guns was never really his intent but the pay was enough to keep their league afloat. Even then Bane and Talia knew what needed to be done and what it would take. Dealing with such scum was beneath him but sometimes you had to forget that you had a code to follow.

Barsad had their team ready to take out the three black vans before they even reached the outer gate of the grounds. But Bane didn't want that just yet, he wanted to wait and see what these agents were capable of. The job was sloppy; they entered the building, tossed a few crates made a lot of noise. He stood alone in the dark and watched it all unfold before him. One of the agents burst through the door guns blazing. Putting his entire team on the line, then Bane's men followed the shots and opened fire on everyone. From where he stood he saw Agent Messner and her partner turn over a table and they took cover. The partner kept looking over and firing shots but all at the wrong time. Barsad saw him and put a bullet in his head just below the right eye. He had Agent Messner in the cross hairs but Bane waved him off. He wanted to meet this one. He signaled for the finale and the explosives went off, debris fell in all directions.

He found her face down on the floor; He wasn't sure if she was dead so to make sure he turned her over his boot and saw that she was still alive just groggy. He wanted to test her fear so he yanked her off the floor, and slammed her back up against the wall. She wasn't ready for a physical fight all she could say was "fuck you." If he could smile, he would've smiled then. He knew that this wasn't the end of her.

Kate

The past six days were no different from the first two days. Things outside the small conference room that she was held in for hours with no one but Barsad for company seemed bleak. She would stand by the window and look out to see absolutely nothing. Not a soul in sight, every now and then she'd see a few people in the streets then quickly run into the nearest building whenever they spotted any man in the tan or green gear, boots and a rifle or pistol turn the corner.

Today was following the same routine like the last few days. Barsad kept to himself and did his cop research. Kate knew exactly what Bane and Barsad were doing, she herself had done this a few times, Bane had Barsad stay with Kate at all times, except for when she was returned to her closet room. But this was a little different. Barsad wasn't really asking her questions about her life or anything else.

"How long has Bane been keeping tabs on me?" Kate finally asked as she sat herself down across from Barsad. "Since our first run in back in Russia." He replied without looking up. Kate expected as much.

"Why? You killed my entire team there. Why did he keep me alive?" she asked, that was the one question that always ran through her mind every night.

Barsad paused for a moment then looked up at Kate. "That night I put down your partner. I had you dead in my sights, All I had to do was squeeze the trigger and you've been sent home in a body bag." He said a straight face. Kate knew he was telling the truth. "So what happened?" she continued, "I waited for Bane's approval. It never came. Instead he wanted to see your face. He did, and then from there he tracked your every move." He said with silent for a moment, "Your work with the Cartel was impressive. But that's a different field and different rules." He said and leaned back his chair.

Kate sighed, "You wouldn't happen to have any cigarettes?" she asked, Barsad chuckled, "I never took you for a smoking women." He said and dug threw his cargo pants and came up with a pack of camel's. "That was the bloodiest two years of my career." said Kate as she took the cigarette and lighter that he offered. She took a long drag and closed her eyes, the smoke filled her lungs. She could feel her entire body fall into relaxation. That first drag was always the best; she exhaled through her mouth and nostrils then opened her eyes.

"Two years of dismembered bodies, all of them dead local law enforcers, DEA agents, FBI and border patrol dropped like flies." Said Kate as she took another drag, she looked up and saw that Barsad had lite his own cigarette. "Gang bangers flooded the streets, they knew who we were and never had a problem throwing their signs at us. I had more than a few come up in my face." she said and fell silent. Barsad sat there waiting for her to carry on.

"Bane doesn't handle his business with dismemberment or torture. Why is that?" she asked dropping her ash in a coffee cup. Barsad smiled, "He doesn't need to. He likes to keep it clean." He replied and took a drag. Kate thought about it, which was true. Unlike many others she's met in her line of work. Bane went in and handled it with on bullet, snapping a couple necks or single handedly choking them to death. He never left a big bloody mess.

"He waits until he has you figured out. Some men can be tortured with pain to the body, others by their mind. Bane knows that physically torturing you would be pointless." Said Barsad who stared at Kate, she knew then that he wasn't lying to her. "What does he want? Really want?" Kate asked and took the last drag of her cigarette. Barsad continued to stare back Kate, "If he really wanted Jim, he probably would have took me out there to draw him out. Instead he keeps me locked away. I know Jim he won't budge and he'll be the flea to drive your big dog mad. I'm beginning to think that Bane wants that. Not many go up against him." She said and waited. Barsad's smile returned. "No not many do. Bane likes to see what they can do. You're right. It's you he wants." Replied Barsad

Barsad

Another hour had passed and still they sat in silence. He checked the time on the wall desk, "Time to go. Bane would like to see you today." Said Barsad as he stood up from his chair and grabbing his special Desert Tactical sniper rifle. This was one of his favorites he had owed five others but this was the one he carried at all times, He saw Kate from time to time looking at it. It was a beauty indeed and he enjoyed how others reacted to it, the fear in their eyes was priceless especially when aimed. It had been awhile since he used it but maybe today's agenda might give him the chance.

He led Kate out into the hall and was met by a few of his comrades. They brought an olive bland coat, "It's a bit cold out there, and you'll need this." Said Barsad and held it out for Kate take. She took it and slipped it on, it was a bit big on her but that was all they had. The group walked to the elevator, Barsad was the first one in then Kate. He kept her at his side, She hadn't tried to escape in the last six days which he found odd but he wasn't about to let his guard down. He kept in mind their last incident and decided to keep a safe distance away from her head, she had broken his nose and wasn't about to let that happen again. If she were planning to escape she would execute at her first possible chance.

"Where are we going?" asked Kate when they reached the ground level and out into the lobby. Barsad only smiled again and opened the doors. Kate's uncertainty about the situation was all over her face. He could see that she wasn't comfortable. "A cozy place should be familiar to you." He said and followed her out into the street. He kept a close eye on her giving her side glances; he caught how she shielded her eyes from the sudden glare of the sun above. How she pulled at her coat from the cold. He had to make sure that there was nothing in sight that she could use to her advantage.

She didn't say a word as they walked across the empty street and over to the white windowless van that was parked just up ahead. Their destination was clear across town on the west side near the bridge. He found the address while looking through her father's case file; he had visited the place the night before. It was a nice two story home, small fence out front. There was a new family living there, he watched as the last light went out in the house before he made his way to small gate. He looked at this structure then to front yard, it wasn't too big he saw the fading grass and the flowers that were dying from lack of water. He took his time then ventured to the back yard. It wasn't any bigger than the front yard. The surrounding houses and other small businesses dwarfed the house.

He walked around the area and decided to walk up a couple of blocks to the alley where Kate's father was murdered. It wasn't well hidden, in fact as he stood there he could see that anyone at any corner of the street could get a good glimpse of anyone coming and going. Later he went back to the house and just looked. Seeing the home where she grew up was like walking into another life, he could imagine that if things hadn't turned out as it had. There's a possibility that Kate would have had a different life, probably college and non-life threatening job. He had looked into her record; she was a bright child in her earlier years. Parents participated in her school events; he found articles about the local church they attended and their family's contribution to a community fund raiser for the less fortunate families. He could see that she had a great childhood, until the day her father dead. She was nine years old, after that. He found from Jim Gordon's own records that she withdrew from friends, complaints from the school she attended that she had failing grades, a few school yard fights. Her high school records showed that she had dropped from a high achiever to a troubled teen; he noticed that Jim Gordon's records showed that he was the emergency contact and had become her legal guardian. Everything that they suspected about their relationship was dead on.

He let his thoughts return back to the matter at hand and glanced in the mirror to see Kate sitting quietly with one of his men beside her and the other across from her. She remained still and silent the entire drive. He kept their destination to himself; it was to be a surprise he wanted to see her reaction, returning to her childhood home. She kept herself bottled up; he remembered she had no family photos not even of her home. She had done a great job at trying to forget about the past.

They made the last turn onto her street. Bane was already there when the pulled onto the side walk right out front. Barsad jumped out first then went to back door just as Kate was getting out. "We're here." He said and gently nudged her shoulder in the front gate of her former home. Her face stiffened, her eyes glanced away. She seemed to freeze entirely.

Kate

"Why are we here?" she mumbled. Barsad grinned, "Bane wants to show you something." He said and grabbed her by the shoulder, she refused to move. "I don't care what he wants me to see. I don't want to be here." She snapped and yanked her arm from Barsad's grasp.

"It doesn't matter what you want." Said Bane; his harsh mechanical voice send chills through her body. He stepped out on the front porch of the house. Kate glared back at him, before she could say anything he was followed by a middle aged man and woman. She froze in horror as three small children trailed behind them at gun point.

"What is this?" she asked looking up at Bane who came down the steps keeping eye contact. Her voice betrayed her, all her fear leaked out. The family huddled together in the yard frightened by the sight of Bane and his henchmen with their guns. Barsad remained behind her, calm as ever. Kate glanced at the family; the children were about seven, maybe eight years old. They were small skinny girls, triplets by the look of it with dark brown hair and green eyes.

"Welcome home Agent Messner. Does it still look as you remembered?" asked Bane as he turned around and looked up at the house. Kate shivered, the words wouldn't come. Her mouth ran dry.

"What a small and lovely home it is. All the joy and comfort of love can be seen and felt through these walls." He said turning back around to see Kate. "Maybe not for you."

Kate bit her tongue, "What are you going to do?" she asked glancing again at the family. Bane followed her glance. "It must be nice, to have such a family. To lose one or the other must be devastating I imagine."

Kate shuddered as she understood the his meaning.

"Please, don't hurt them." Said Kate, her voice cracked as she felt the tears coming. Her heart had jumped to her throat, she couldn't move. All she had was pure fear. Not for herself but for them. They had nothing to do with any of this. Bane stepped closer to her until he stood towering over her. For once Kate felt extremely small and insignificant in his presence. Those emotionless eyes cut through her like a knife.

"Look at them. This harsh filth ridden world will rip the innocence out of them. Would it be kinder to spare them the pain and heartache this world has to offer, I am willing to save them that pain. Agent Messner you yourself know that pain too well." Said Bane as he waved his hand and the other mercenaries' forced the man from his family. Their screams and crying rang through Kate's ear.

"No Bane please.. No." Kate pleaded as she finally had the courage to move, she tried to pull at Bane's sleeve but Barsad grabbed her by the waist and held her back.

"Kneel." Bane commanded, the man had tears rolling down his cheek. He wouldn't kneel; instead he begged to Bane that his family had done nothing. Another came up and forced the man to his knees. His wife and children cried out. Kate tried to pull from Barsad's arms but he was too strong.

"BANE, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" Shouted Kate as she stomped on Barsad's foot and trusted her elbow upward into his face that was inches behind her. His grip loosened, she threw herself to the man still pleading for his life. Barsad was at her in seconds pulling at her shoulder. Everything was in full chaos, the children screamed, their mother shouting the words 'No, and please.' The gun men had his gun out and pressed to his temple. Kate was still trying to reach for Bane with all force.

"I'LL DO IT, WHATEVER YOU WANT!" Kate screamed at Bane, "I'LL DO IT. I'LL FIND HIM FOR YOU!" She continued to scream. Bane turned his attention to her and put up his hand. Everything came to a standstill. Kate was on the ground with Barsad holding back her arms. Bane kneeled down to Kate. "I'll do it. Whatever you ask, just don't hurt them." She said with tears pouring down her face.