This chapter is a little early. I started writing it after I got Familiar Manipulation and my 5 plus 1 Jason and Tim fic up. I just started writing, with the intent of having it at least started, but I ended up completing it today.
Hal pulled up to the café, Kyle staring out the window. They looked at the café for a few moments, taking in its quaint appearance. It was the perfect place to meet up, and there were plenty of people around to notice anything if something went array.
"You ready?" Hal asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Kyle sighed, unbuckling. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Hal could feel Kyle's uncertainty. He understood the sentiment. Kyle was opening himself up to someone. Something he already was having a hard time doing to begin with. However, Hal hoped that having this meet up, with someone who could relate, would open Kyle up a little. Give Kyle someone to help him find peace.
"Of course." Hal confirmed. "Out of all the people in Gotham, Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight excluded, he's the one I trust the most. He's one of the best people out there and I can't think of anyone better to help you."
Kyle shot Hal a soft smile. If Hal was willing to trust their contact, he could learn to as well. Kyle opened the door, taking a step out.
"I should only be an hour." Hal admitted. "Which is all I'll need to look into what I want to. Watch your surroundings and be careful. He should be here soon."
"I will." Kyle agreed, nodding.
Kyle shut the door and walked over to the café. Once he got settled in a seat, Hal started driving. Hal was nervous leaving Kyle there. He wanted to trust him, knew that he could. However, after being in such close contact with Kyle for so long, Hal was a little anxious not having him next to him.
On the other hand, Hal knew he couldn't bring Kyle with him. He didn't have the heart to. Hal didn't want Kyle to have any unsavory flashbacks being in the very place his rape took place. If Kyle could have one day away from the trauma, outside of whatever he and Dick discuss, than Hal could live with that.
Hal found the bar with no problem. The bar itself may not have been open, but there was a sign, lighting up to let everyone know that dining was available. Hal took the initiative, entering the facility.
As he entered, Hal did see someone behind the bar, cleaning some of the dishes. Hal approached the counter pulling out a small photo of Kyle from his wallet.
"Bar's not open." The bartender stated.
"I know." Hal replied. "I just have a few questions about something that happened a little more than a month ago."
"Alright."
Hal put the photo on the table, sliding it over to the bartender.
"Do you remember this man coming in?"
The bartender grabbed the photo, inspecting it carefully. He gave it a few looks, trying to recall Kyle's face.
"He looks a little familiar, but I can't quite place it." The bartender admitted. "We get a lot of people in, so unless you're a regular, I can't name anyone."
"I recognize him." A woman bartender recalled, walking behind the other.
"You do?" The bartender and Hal asked.
"Yeah. Name's Sherry by the way."
"Nice to meet you." Hal greeted.
Her attention went to the question at hand, looking at the photo one more time.
"I do remember seeing this man. Um… his name was Kyle if I recall correctly. He came in with Jason and Roy, a couple of our regulars around the time you're asking. Sweet guy. He's from Central City, which is why he's not here as often as his buddies Jason and Roy."
"Do you remember anyone watching him or taking an interest in him?"
"Besides me? I'm not sure. Do you mind if I ask why?"
Hal felt awkward with the presentation of that question. He knew he would have to answer it, but it was still a little hard to admit.
"When he came in, he was raped. Apparently, his drink was spiked and he was lured into the neighboring alleyway and assaulted. I'm trying to retrace his steps for later."
Both bartenders were horrified by the accusation. Not an uncommon reaction, given the other bartender couldn't really remember Kyle being there and Sherry being the only one to have a semblance of that night. Sherry bit her nail, as if trying to recall the night in question.
"Now that I think about it, I think I remember someone being rather suspicious that night." Sherry began to remember.
"You do?" Hal asked, relieved that something was starting to come together.
"Yeah. There was this chubby looking gentleman with receding hair periodically eyeing Kyle. He didn't say much. I remember giving Kyle his drink while he was watching Roy and Jason play pool. I turned away for a moment, to attend to another customer while he went to help break up the fight that Jason and Roy had gotten into. When I looked back I saw this man standing close to the counter and Kyle's drink and walking away when he noticed I was looking at him."
Sherry's face scrunched, trying to remember what happened next.
"After that, Kyle disappeared. I had no idea where he went. Though now that you've brought that to light, I guess that's where he was. Now that I think about it, Jason and Roy disappeared not to long after that. They were gone for about an hour and a half before coming back. They were going on about how Kyle was in the hospital for some kind of assault and were trying to find witnesses."
"And you're just remembering this now?" The bartender lectured.
"I'm sorry. It's just I stopped paying attention to the guy and I assumed it was battery so I guess I didn't put two and two together. Not to mention, it's been a little over a month."
Guilt erupted from Sherry as tears started to fall. With all of the details aligned, she was mortified by what happened. It happened and she was one of the few people who knew something. The only one to witness the beginning.
"I could have done something." Sherry tearfully regretted. "I am so sorry."
Hal knew she was distraught. She clearly didn't want this to happen, genuinely grieving for Kyle and the fact that she didn't do something sooner.
"It's okay." Hal comforted. "You didn't mean for, let alone know, this happened."
"But I saw the man taking an interest in him, and didn't do anything."
"Then do something now. I'm trying to get justice for him. If there's anything you can do that can help me do that, I would appreciate it. He needs it."
Sherry whipped her tears away with her sleeve.
"I will."
Hal left the bar satisfied with his results. They weren't very pleasing results, but it did give Hal an image of the external image of Kyle's attack. It also gave him a small sense of hope that the man who attacked him would be found.
Hal drove back to the café to get Kyle. He saw Kyle sitting with Dick, clearly in a better mood then he was when Hal had left. Honking the horn, Hal instantly caught both of their attentions. They bid farewell, as the duo separated. As Kyle entered the car, a smirk let Hal know to drive off.
"How was it?" Hal inquired. "Did you get something out of it?"
"I did." Kyle admitted.
Hearing that relieved Hal. He was proud that Kyle was able to get something out of it.
The duo returned from dinner pleased. They enjoyed the meal and where ready to spend the rest of the night in. After cleaning up for the night, they decided to watch a movie. While Hal managed to pull through it, Kyle passed out in the last half hour. He leaned against Hal, who wasn't bothered by being Kyle's pillow for the moment.
Hal flipped through a few channels, not quite ready to call it a night. What caught his eye was what the news had to say. The reporter, Vicki Vale, was standing before a crime scene.
"Just recently, Gotham P.D. apprehended the man believed to have stalked and harass several women as of late." Vicki reported, before the screen changed to the arrest for a moment. "He is known as Bueno Excellente and has been known for not only harassing, but as rumor has it, assaulting unsuspecting individuals. Would you like to say anything about this arrest Commissioner Gordon?"
"All I'll say is that we will be bringing him in for interrogation and from there a case." Gordon told.
"If it does get brought to trial, what can you say about witnesses?"
"We have several witnesses that have been disturbed by this man in one way or another and one anonymous source which we would like to meet and hopefully have them testify."
Hal turned the television off, done with listening to it. He looked over to Kyle with sympathy and dreed. While he brought Kyle to Gotham to do just as Gordon hoped, it was still troubling. The anonymous façade they've been using was normal.
He also recalled Kyle's distress. Hal decided to, at least try to, honor it. Maybe talk to Bruce to see if anything could be done. If nothing can, then they will move forward. For now though, he knew he would have to wait until morning. There wasn't anything he could do at that moment.
Adding Hal's thought process at the end to, at the very least, address Kyle's concerns a few chapters back.