Fresh papers, Master Bruce. "Police stops the biggest drug operation this year" new headline. I thought you might be interested… oh well, I see you are not. Who is your new friend?
It was early morning at the penthouse. The clouds were so thick that the city disappeared and big windows stared at the milky fog. It was quiet in the room and dark, the time stopped in this room and the fog hid it from the outside world.
What do you know about Zones, Alfred? – asked dry and deep voice of a man who was sitting behind three screens of computers in the middle of the room.
Only, what they say in newspapers, Master Bruce.
Have you ever been there before… before they became Zones?
Couple of times, sir. I had a friend there; he was a great shoemaker, from Poland. Telling the truce, once your father asked me why I go to a no name shoemaker when I can get my shoes from the best tailors in the city. I told him, he is the best tailor in the city, Master Bruce. Since then your father, Mr. Wayne got his shoes done only from this man.
What happened to him? – after a long pause the deep voice emerged from over computer screens.
He died, sir. Two years before your own father did. He died from cancer, Master Bruce. Very bad cancer of his lungs, sir.
There was no answer. A cup of coffee and a newspaper were waiting on the small table when the phone rang. The old butler Alfred Pennyworth picked up the phone.
Wayne's residence. – he hold the phone close to his ear for a couple of minutes and then put it down.
Master Bruce, it's a police captain… they are asking for help… for Batman's help, sir.
Give me the address, Alfred.
But, sir! You just came back from the all night of absence. Don't you think you need some rest?
Do you think criminals rest when I rest, Alfred?
… at least finish your coffee, sir. – the old butler walked away holding a newspaper in his hand but stopped in the doorway. – You didn't answer, sir. Who is your new friend you keep looking on a screen at?
Get my suit ready, Alfred. – a quiet and deep voice came from the center of the room.
When the old butler left a man stood up from the desk and walk to a big window looking at the milky fog. He was tall and slim; his strong back slashed with scars and bruises some of them fairly new. His arms gently held a cup of coffee; the veins were running up those strong arms all the way to his long neck. He put the cup down and walked back to the desk and looked at a computer screen. One of them was showing his hand holding up a neck of a woman in a white cloak. He didn't see her face back at the docks and he didn't see her face of the video he pulled out from the eyeball camera. It bothered him… she bothered him. She had no weapons but knifes and a baseball bat. "What a vigilantly is that, with no weapon or armor just a white cloak and a white dress. She can be killed by just falling from the stairs. It is dangerous. I should have stopped her right there but I didn't. If she dies it's on me. I had to give her to cops last night."
Master Bruce, your suit is ready. What car would you like to take?
The black one, Alfred. – with this words the man left a room walking very quiet but fast.
Oh well… should've known about the car, stupid of me. – the old butler left after his master.