Part Five
"Sure, the modern art museum would be fine, I read they have a big Cezanne exhibit up; might as well catch that."
"If you think you're up to it..."
Dick gave an exasperated teenaged look. "Let's go."
Jeff drove his old clunker, Dick quiet and seeming to enjoy just looking at the scenery rolling by after being cooped up for weeks in the manor. After they'd parked in the underground garage and walked up to the ticket window Dick pulled out a membership card, getting two free admissions. "Do you mind if I stop here for a second?" They were passing the information counter.
"No problem."
Picking up a phone likely there just for this purpose, Dick dialed and spoke with quiet authority. It still unnerved Jeff a little to hear Dick speak like the CEO in training he was being groomed to be. "I'd like a reservation for two at one-thiry, window seating, please...Under Wayne. Thank you." He focused on Jeff as they moved over to the entrance to the main galleries. "I thought you might like to get lunch in a couple of hours and I think I'll probably need a break by then."
"'Sounds good. C'mon, the Cezanne is through here."
Strolling through, avoiding the groups of school kids, Dick made a number of comments about the various paintings showing he knew exactly what he was looking at. Leaning a little closer to the tags and descriptions next to the paintings, Jeff counted at least six with the notation; 'Generously loaned for this exhibit by the Wayne Foundation'.
"Does Bruce collect himself or is it mainly his foundation?"
"Both. He usually buys them himself but then he makes most of them available for loan to museums through the foundation—it's some kind of tax thing I think, a charity deduction or something."
Christ, the man was rich. "That's nice of him, sharing this stuff with the public."
"I guess."
They moved on to the rest of the impressionist collection, the Van Goghs, the Monets, the Cassatts and the rest, gallery after gallery. The museum was a large one and after a couple of hours Dick was indeed ready for their lunch break. Much as he didn't like to admit it, he really wasn't back to his usual level of stamina, not even close and needed a break. Jeff started over to the staircase down to the basement cafeteria but Dick shook his head and led him over to the special elevator, the only one in the building with an attendant, and had them taken to the top floor. Stepping out onto the thick carpeting Dick gave his name to the receptionist sitting behind the inlaid desk holding a single orchid in what was likely a Steuben vase.
"Of course, Mr Grayson, down this hall and it will be on your left in about twenty-five feet, enjoy your lunch." She gave him a hopeful smile, which he either didn't notice or ignored.
"Where are we going?"
"Trustee's dining room."
Really, a hot dog would have been fine.
Dick watched his face as the host sat them by the windows overlooking the park, as requested and handed them each a thick, leather covered menu. "Enjoy your meal, gentlemen", and Jeff went a little pale at the prices as he glanced down the price list.
"It's my treat."
"That's not necessary."
"Oh, please, you're only here as part of your job; a class field trip, right?" Dick gave him a patient look. "Look, the simple fact is that I have more money than you do and, aside from that, we'll probably have our meal comped anyway. As soon as they realize who I am—okay, that was obnoxious but as soon as they realize that I'm Bruce's ward they usually waive the bill." He waited for the blank look to leave Jeff's face and when it didn't, went on. "He gives a lot of money to this place and is on the Board. They give him an occasional free lunch in exchange for him bringing in tons of donations every year."
"So they comp a multi-billionaire and the peasants have to pay."
Dick looked annoyed, a rare thing for him. "Spare me the social injustice lesson, okay? He donated over two million dollars to this place last year and managed to get his friends to give another twenty—and that's just this museum. This isn't exactly a free lunch when you put it in context."
Their food arrived, a chicken sandwich for Jeff (the cheapest thing on the menu) and crab cakes for Dick. Temper tantrum over, Dick was back to his usual affable self. "So have you heard anything about your appointment to Woods Hole?"
"Not yet. I still have to finish my dissertation and I've been set back because I'm..." He stopped, embarrassed.
"Because you're spending every day drilling stuff I already know into my head and keeping me company?" Dick was smiling, but he was also telling the truth.
"Yeah, well..."
The conversation dwindled as they ate their food and gazed out the floor to ceiling windows to the adjacent park. Their waiter came by to ask if everything was all right the busboy refilled their water glasses.
When they were alone again, Dick made a simple observation. "You think there are secrets at the manor, that we're hiding something."
"I, I don't..."
"Sure you do. Have you come up with anything new or is it the usual garbage about me being Bruce's bought and paid for piece on the side?" Despite the words, Dicks voice was mild, conversational.
"I was just curious, Dick—anyone would be. It's nothing."
Dick regarded him for another long minute as the busboy removed their now empty plates.
"Excuse me gentlemen, would you like to see the dessert menu?"
Dick answered without looking at the waiter. "No, thank you, just black coffee for me. Jeff?"
"The same, thanks." The man nodded and left, used to being virtually ignored when the diners were in an obviously heavy discussion about whatever.
"'Just wondering how the other half lives?" Dick was smiling, but clearly wasn't amused.
"Yeah, right. C'mon, you have to know that life on the hill isn't exactly commonplace. I was curious, that's all. And I signed a confidentiality agreement when I was hired, just like everyone who works there has to."
Dick gave the slightest nod. "So did you see anything that might make Bruce evoke that agreement?"
"Aside from the fact that Bruce likes girls? No. I was with you practically the whole time."
Their coffee was placed in from of them, forcing another brief pause and awkward silence until the waiter left.
"That's it?"
"Well, yeah."
Dick gave him another penetrating look, it was disconcerting until his features relaxed. "So, you up for a walk through the American wing?"
* * *
"So does he know anything or is he just suspicious?"
"'Suspicious."
Bruce leaned back in his chair. "You're sure?"
"Uh-huh. If anything, I think he's trying to get an eyeful of you and the lay of the month."
"...Watch the attitude."
Dick laughed, his 'I can't believe you're actually calling me out on this' laugh. It was infectious and Bruce couldn't help but smile; the kid was right but he had a reputation to maintain, didn't he? "Okay, so should we set him up with Woods Hole or let him worry for a while?"
"Let him worry for a couple more weeks and I was thinking; what if we set him up with that international research cruise Arthur is setting up through Scripps Institute? If the recommendation came directly from King Orin that would let him meet pretty much anyone who matters and, unless he completely blows it, should get him enough contacts and an impressive enough resume to get him a steady gig."
"Is he up to the work?"
Dick shrugged. "I dunno but I gave what he has of his dissertation to Garth and he thinks it looks pretty good."
"Fine. By the way, I spoke to Leslie and your school this afternoon; you can go back the week after next but you're still grounded for at least another month before you can begin to think about flying."
Dick looked just about the way Bruce expected he would with the mixed news. "This is good news, Dick. It beats the alternative, you know."
Dick's expression begged to differ.
Late that night, shortly before midnight, Jeff lay in bed unable to sleep again. The outing to the museum had gone well and Dick was clearly getting better. His job would be ending in a week or so and he needed to get the damn paper finished and turned in so he could get his PhD and start looking for a real job.
And he was still pretty sure about what he as pretty sure about and it was making him crazy. What was he going to do about it? Write an expose and tell the world that he thought he knew the real identities of Batman and Robin (and a couple of the Teen Titans and JLA members for good measure)? He was basing his belief on nothing more than circumstance and his own suspicious mind. And if he did what would the repercussions be?
For starters, he had no proof so he'd be eviscerated in the press and by anyone he passed on the street. The hero community was a tight one and beloved by just about everyone on the planet who didn't have a prison record. Robin in particular was incredibly popular and a major favorite all over the world.
Then there as the question of what Batman and his friends would do if he talked and it wasn't something he wanted to devote too much thought to. He just knew it wouldn't be pretty.
And then there was the possibility that if what he knew (okay, what he thought he knew) came out then it was possible that Dick and Bruce and their friends would be compromised, forced to relocate or change their identities or whatever. And if that happened then he would be personally responsible.
And he'd signed that confidentiality agreement.
Oh man.
And let's not forget that Wayne and Dick had been pretty good to him in a 'you're the hired help' kind of way. And besides that, Dick had lived through more crap than anyone should have to, let alone a kid of fifteen or sixteen.
Car accident, my ass.
Crap.
Just...crap.
TBC
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