IV
Aftermath
A dozen officers from the surrounding seats pounced on Nigma while others took away the frightened hostage as Wayne backed off. He prayed he was the only one who saw the shadowy form depart through the ceiling. Within seconds, a babbling Edward Nigma was cuffed and apprehended while others were looking after the female hostage and the mayor. A dozen officers were on their comm phones with emergency services.
It was James Gordon who approached him first, placed his hand on his shoulder and spoke to him quietly.
"Please tell me this wasn't a publicity stunt, Mr. Wayne."
"I can assure you, commissioner, it was very real. Is the mayor alright? I tackled him pretty hard."
"Oh, he'll be alright. I'm not sure about his career though. There will be an investigation into Edward Nigma's unofficial campaign contribution that will hurt him a lot more than your shoulder tackle. Are you alright, Wayne?"
"I'm shaking a little. Remarkably well, actually."
"You should still get checked out. What was that thing that destroyed the stage?"
"I'm pretty sure that was the Wayne prototype Vortex Cannon from a few years back. I recognized that 'pop'-sound as the mayor was speaking. A concussive-type weapon, limited in application, but more than capable of liquefying a human being at that range. It's probably concealed in one of the overhead speakers."
"Requiem… Killed by sound... Well Wayne, nice work, but don't ever try that again! A room full of cops and you…"
The commissioner's lecture was cut short as Barbara Gordon approached the two of them. Barbara smiled and handed her employer the Key To The City. She had retrieved it from the corner of the stage.
"I believe this is yours, Bruce. Seems a shame for you not to receive it… after all this."
"Commissioner, would you mind if I had Alfred drive Barbara home? This is about to become a press fiasco." Wayne could see the press approaching and hear the sirens outside.
"Of course. I'll need a statement from both of you… but we can do that tomorrow. Feel free to lean on Barbara for support. She's very… supportive. Barbara, make sure he's OK."
"That's in the 'other duties as required' part of my contract, Dad," his daughter replied, already making her way to the nearest exit.
Gordon heard the yells of 'Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne!' approaching from the few members of the press that were not Wayne News Network employees in attendance. James Gordon spread his arms to intercept them as Bruce and Barbara headed for the rear exit.
"I'm sorry, but I'll need statements from everyone." It warmed Gordon's heart to watch his daughter escape with Wayne's arm around her, weaving their way through the crowd. Almost like a couple, he thought.