AUTHOR'S NOTE: Happy Thanksgiving!

Chapter 22

Jumping out of the Batmobile, Batman strides over to the Batcomputer to begin a search of where Yarsmith could be. But before he can reach the 'computer, Alfred steps in front of him and stops the Detective.

"Master Bruce, I didn't want to page you while you were with the Commissioner, but there was a phone call while you were out," says Alfred.

"I think it can wait," states Batman, stepping around the butler, only to be stopped again when Alfred again steps in front of him.

"No, it can't, sir," replies the older man. "I believe that the phone call was from that man."

"Yarsmith?" demands Batman

"Yes," nods the older man. "He claimed to be one of Master Dick's teachers with a homework assignment. When I put Master Dick on the phone, he became quite pale and slammed the phone down. He won't tell me what that dreadful man said."

Nodding his head, Batman quickly changes from the costume and puts back on his shirt, pants, and tie. Dressed as Wayne, Bruce climbs the stairs out of the 'cave and rushes to the boy's room.

"Dick?" calls Bruce, as he taps lightly on the door before opening it.

Not getting a response, the older man steps into the room and, with only the lights from the hallway, sees a lump on the bed. Stepping up to the bed, Bruce sits on the edge and gently places a hand on the lump.

"Son?"

"He called me," comes the muffled reply, before the boy slips out from under the covers.

Pushing back the covers, the boy sits up in bed. Glancing around his room, Dick rubs his face with his hands.

"I can't believe I hid under the covers like a scared child," says Dick, kicking the covers back. "I just freaked when I heard his voice."

"What did he say?" asks Bruce, as he hears Alfred stopping in front of the doorway to listen.

"He said he wasn't done," comes the reply. "Then he started to describe what he was going to do to me. I slammed the phone down. I didn't want to hear it."

"He won't get to you," assures Bruce, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, but Dick jerks away from the comfort.

"Are you sure?" demands the boy, staring down his mentor and friend. "Twice, Bruce, twice! I don't feel safe any more. What's to stop a third time? Or more?!"

"Batman will catch him. We know who he is now and Gordan has police out there searching for him even as we speak," replies Bruce.

Nodding his head, Dick says nothing.

"Dick, would you like me to contact Leslie?" asks Bruce, mentioning a family friend and doctor.

"The doctor at the hospital took care of the injuries," replies the boy, pretending not to know what Bruce means.

"She called and offered to talk with you," continues Bruce, ignoring the boy's attempt to pass off the question.

Nodding his head, Dick glances away. "Maybe later."

Hearing Alfred clearing his throat from the doorway, Bruce and Dick both glance toward the much older man. "Perhaps I will call the police and let them know about the phone call?"

"That would help," replies the millionaire, nodding his head. "Thank you, Alfred."

With one last glance at the boy on the bed, Alfred leaves the man and child alone.