Chapter 7
Love and Chaos
The afternoon sunlight reflected off the white brick walls as Commissioner Jim Gordon walked down the narrow halls of the Gotham City Morgue passing closed doors with only shadows in the windows. It was eerie place to walk through but he became used to it over the years. Finally he stopped at the autopsy room labeled 14 and rubbed his temples as he waited.
Batman emerged from the shadows, his long black cape dragged behind him as he moved closer to Gordon. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Gordon asked. "The forensics team performed a head to foot search on the body and found nothing unfamiliar."
"Something is hidden in the blood." Batman said. "A missing link to our murderer's motives."
Gordon nodded and sighed.
"Alright, I'll wait out here in case there are any interruptions."
"I won't be long." Batman replied as he turned the knob and stepped into the bright room that smelt of emulsified oils from the prepared bodies that laid on the steel tables, blankets were covering the bodies as Batman pass them and headed to the table of where Ashley Whitehorn's body was stationed. He pulled the black off to reveal her pale blue face and glossy eyes. Long reddish brown hair covered her bare skin as he flicked on the overhead light to get a closer look at the postmortem injuries that was the cause of Ashley's death.
X and Y incisions were stitched on her bare chest and top of the forehead meaning thepathologist already did their work. Batman looked at the needle holes on the right side of her neck and saw something that appeared to a greenish color liquid. He removed a cotton stick from the medical table and lightly dab the cotton onto the flesh and got a sample.
Gordon entered the room. "Did you find something?" He asked.
"Yes." Batman said placing the sample into a compartment of his belt.
"The CSI detective who examined the body claimed that the victim was dead 3 hours before we discovered the body at the Gotham River Bed. Doctor Ryce Vicman stated in her report that our victim's cause of death was a cervical fracture to the neck."
Batman looked at the report that was next to the victim and scanned through the written report that the doctor printed out. "The victims neck was dislocated was described to be broken. The top seven bones were dislocated, damaged caused swelling in the muscle tissue meaning that Ashley died from asphyxiation." He flipped the paper and found a disturbing but yet insightful word that would help him track the murderer.
"Batman?" Gordon asked looking at the caped crusader who was standing there motionless.
"Botulinum Toxin was found in her system at the time of death. It causes a life threatening illness in humans and animals. It is a protein and a neurotoxin and can be used for bio terror warfare." Batman explained. "We need to find out where exactly was Ashley at the time of the injection. We are dealing with someone that has knowledge of cosmetics and neurotoxins." Batman placed the blanket over Ashley. "Ashley wasn't the final victim, there will be more. Have your detectives search the data bases of Ashley's credit cards, were looking for clinics that use Botulinum as a product."
Gordon nodded, before he could say another word Batman was gone.
00000
In the realm of Chaos home of Eris the goddess of Chaos, the dark haired deceiver was sitting on her stone throne that was made of skulls of men that have failed. She sipped a goblet of red wine as she piercing eyes looked at a figure walking closer.
"What doing here Venus?" Eris hissed. "You know I hate having unwelcomed company in my mists. So this better be good."
Aphrodite the goddess of Love walked the stone steps of her sister's realm. "My sister I wondering if you like to join me on a quest to destroy to an immortal princess and a mortal man that serves for Lady Justice."
Eris licked her lips. "What do you want sister? You want me to kill them, cut them into pieces, feed them to dogs or blow up a children's hospital to get their attention? I am very busy with my own work so make it fast or else I will throw you out of my realm of glorious chaos."
"I understand my sister. I want you to go Gotham City and create some chaos."
"I'm listening. Wait isn't Gotham where the Dark Knight lives . I've been keeping my eyes on his work and every time he wins that battles and makes me want to cut out his heart."
"Indeed , but destroying Batman is just a part of the plan."
"I'm not one to make plans." Eris stated. "I do things whenever and wherever I feel like it. What is the second part of the plan?"
"Has you know Diana princess of the Amazons has fallen into love with the moral known as Batman. She will be trial in two more days and sent way to rot into the pits but I want to play a few games with them, ruin a few lives and with your help my obsessed sister and create some chaos. I have two foul souls in mind that could help us with this plan. You need to break one of them out ."
"Piece of cake, tell me the name of this deprived slave we're going to use."
Aphrodite smiled. "The Joker,"
Eris laughed a sordid chuckle. "Of course what better way to bring chaos to Gotham then unleashing the agent of chaos that knows how to push the moral Batman to his limits? I accept this challenge sister." She looked at Aphrodite. "Only one question, what happens to Batman once his princess is gone?"
"You'll see, after all justice is blind."
00000
Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince got off the lift and stepped into a foot stadium size room that Veronica Geeland an anxious red haired heiress was holding her annual fundraiser for the rain forest which she just came back from spending three months studying and understanding the different creatures hidden in the deep heart of the forest. Diana looked in awe at all the sharp dressed guess, she felt uncomfortable only wearing a sleeves black dress and hair done up in a French bun. Bruce was wearing a tailor made suit , his hair was slicked back and his bright as he waved at his stuck up friends .
"Relax, princess, they don't bite." Bruce gave a small smile. "Much."
"How do you know all these people?"
"When you're a Wayne, your apart of the upper class, it's a tradition that my grandfather started and I have to carry it on, even though I don't really care for some of these polished greedy suck ups."
"So why got through with this Bruce?" Diana asked as he wrapped his arm around her back.
"It would be defiling my family's good name and everything that my parents were princess."
Bruce saw Veronica Geeland in the crowd wearing a green dress, her red hair touching her shoulders. "Excuse me, princess." He said walking away from Diana. He moved to Veronica. "Roni," He said smiling as he walked closer.
"Brucie," Veronica said giving him a friendly kiss on the cheek. "I was hoping I would see that handsome face of yours. So tell me what have you been up?"
"I've been busy 24/7 no time for play."
Veronica crossed her arms she looked at Diana. "Who's your date, another supermodel?"
Bruce gave her a dumbfounded looked. "No, Diana is a good friend of mine."
"Speaking of friends Brucie, have you seen Tommy?"
"Yesterday he and I had lunch together at the Rose Café."
'I saw him today, he looked out of sorts."
Bruce folded his arms showing interest. "What do you mean? Veronica, describe to me his appearance."
Veronica nodded. "Alright but we have to take this outside. Meet me on the terrace I saw have to say hello to a couple my father knows.
Bruce nodded.
00000
Bruce walked out onto the balcony; the night air was beginning to turn cool as he looked over at Gotham City.
"Bruce, sorry about that." Veronica said.
"You have nothing to be sorry about Roni, now about Tommy."
"I went to have breakfast with him this morning at his penthouse. He looked different sickly and frail, as if life was draining out of him."
Bruce arched an eyebrow. "Life?"
"I know it's crazy but I think is girlfriend has something to do with his current state."
"Rose?"
Veronica looked at Bruce with confusion her eyes. "Rose, no her name is Pamela Isley , she's a doctor specializes in women's makeup and perfumes."
Bruce placed his hand on the railing. 'I know Tommy's girl was too good to be true."
Veronica placed her hand on his shoulder. "We need to help him?"
"I know Roni, well find away to bring our old Tommy back."
0000000
Eris the goddess of Chaos walked into down the yellow brick hallways of Arkham, a place that reek of glorious chaos and pure evil. She loathed in it for that was what she loved.
She stood in front of the cell door # 312 and swiped the key card and stepped back as the door buzzed opened. She then walked inside the dim lit space and saw a man with green hair wearing a straight jacket sitting on a unmade bed playing a game of cards while mumbling words and curses to himself. He turned as her presence entered the room, she moved like a shadow circling him.
"Hello there," Eris hissed. "Want to play a game with me Jack?"
"How do you know my name?"
Eris smiled. "I know everything about you Jack; you've become sort of my hobby in my realm of chaos. As I recall you mention once to a certain two face creature that you were an agent of chaos? A loose dog that loves chasing cars in this grim city, isn't that right?" She laughed. "Aren't you tired of being trapped behind this walls don't you want to fill the gutters of his depraved city with the blood innocent. I know you lust for it."
The goddess of Chaos stood behind her agent of chaos and undid the straight jacket with a snap of her figures. She then handed him a switchblade. "I know that you think death is just something to laugh about Joker. I know that you love using knives , gunpowder and the occasional vial of acid on your worthless victims." She stared into his lifeless gaze. "I have proposal to make to you, Joker."
"I'm listening." Joker replied looking at the blade.
"I will release you out into the city , give you the freedom to create your madness and reign of terror on the worthless souls that walk on the crack filled sidewalks but I want to do something for me."
"I don't take orders."
Eris eyes turned black. "How dare you talk to me like this? I can destroy like bug but I'm giving you a chance because I like you." She licked her lips. "I like how your insane mind thinks and how you don't plan things, you just do what comes to mind. Just like me. But if you double cross me, I will rip your tongue and your voice box. "
The Joker nodded. "What do you me to you?"
"It's simple play the game of life and death on the hero of the city, the great Batman and see who wins the game. Now tell me what you will need?"
"I'll need a new suit, gun powder, few men and a volunteer."
"Volunteer?" Eris asked.
"To be my bait for luring, my sick little bat."
00000
Veronia hugged Bruce and then went back inside to her guests passing Diana who walked through the French glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony. She looked at the dark haired man that was standing near the railing as if he was made of stone. His expression was cold and eyes narrowed to the cement.
"Bruce, what was all that about?' Diana asked walking over to him.
"Nothing princess, it was just to friends talking about their friend that might be in trouble."
Diana moved to Bruce placing her firm hand on his shoulder. "Want to talk about it?"
"What is there to talk about princess, everyone I care about becomes a victim in this city." He moved in closer to her and placed his hand on her cheek. "Thomas Elliot is a good friend and a good doctor. This city can't afford to lose him." He took her arm looking at her with sorrowful eyes. "Diana, are you comfortable here in Gotham with me?" He asked.
"Yes," Diana answered.
Bruce leaned his head toward and pressed his lips onto hers letting the cool air surround them as they became embraced into a kiss. Then he pulled away and gave her a gentle nod.
"Bruce, where are you going?" Diana called out as he walked away.
"I've got work to do princess."
000000
The billionaire moved the elevator doors and pressed the arrow down, the door opened and Bruce stepped back as a shot gun was at his head held by the Joker in a purple suit and white makeup with friends dressed in clown masks. "Good evening Mister Wayne."
Bruce glared at the clown with his intense eyes.
"I'm here to ruin your perfect little evening Brucie.
Diana entered the room and saw the Joker standing in front of Bruce.
"What do you want?" Bruce growled clenching his jaws.
"Come now Brucie is that any way to treat an old friend." The Joker lunged at Bruce and popped opened his switchblade . "Come here," He said as Bruce struggled to free himself from the clowns gasp. "You do want to risk the lives of your rich friends Brucie, why don't you be a hero for once."
Bruce felt the cold steel touching his flesh under his bottom lip. "Alright, I'll do what you want."
"Go boy." The Joker said.
He opened a vial a waved it into Bruce's face making the billionaire playboy become knocked out as he breathed in the gas. The Joker then turned to the crowd looking at all the guest and Diana who was ready to strike him down. "Thank you everyone, you've been a wonderful audience but now I have to make me exit and bring down the curtain on Gotham's favorite son and if anyone decides to play the hero." The Joker squeezed Bruce's cheek. "Brucie will become the newest addition of Gotham's Cemetery."
Diana moved through the crowd closer to where the clown stood. "Leave him alone Joker!" She commanded in a firm voice."
The Joker licked his blood stained lips. "Hello there beautiful, you must be Brucies' squeeze and I must say you are beautiful but sadly I have to time to play with you." He blew her a kiss. "Tell Batman to meet at Arkham at midnight are your little date will get a permanent grin."
Diana looked at Bruce was slumped on one of the man's shoulder. "Hold on Bruce," She said. "I will save you."