The laboratory in Btaman's penthouse was lit up and bright. Bruce Wayne was working next to long desk, wearing white long jacket and white gloves. He was measuring and marking some numbers into computers. It was very persuasive work and he was deep in it when he herd a knocking sound.
-Master Bruce you've been working all night. - said old butler Alfred walking in with a tray and a coffee cup on it.
-What time is it, Alfred? - asked Bruce not turning his head of the table.
-It's almost mid day, sir. You spent almost eighteen hours in this room.
-Twenty one, Alfred. Twenty one. - Bruce stoped working and stretched his back. He took of special glasses and grabbed a cup of coffee from a tray.
-Would you like some breakfast, sir?
-No, Alfred. I have a lunch meeting in Wayne Enterprise with Mr. Fox. But before I go did you check the informationI I asked for?
-Sure I did, sir. - Alfred put a tray down on one of small tables and begin talking. - So as you already know your friend was a police officer and finished a police academy. Unfortunately she worked in GPD only for a year and abruptly quit after her very tragic wedding ceremony. Her husband was about to be Christopher Swan.
-Christopher Swan… I remember that name, Alfred.
-I'm sure you do, sir. He was arrested for aiding mafia in human trafficking. Captain Gordon received a tip from Batman and it's how you remember this name, sir. Mr. Swan got spotted several times at the port as a patrol police but Batman proved he was a part of the crime organization.
-Yes, Alfred. I remember that case now. I didn't know he was married. - Bruce did a sip of coffee.
-He wasn't. He was arrested on his wedding day in a church by captain Gordon himself and the bride run away shortly after the arrest. She was absent for twenty four hours and then came back to the apartment what belonged to the Swan family. She refused to help her future husband or ex husband in this case in court so the family asked her to leave. Record shows she bought a house in the Zone apparently the same you went to. She also quit from a police department where she worked under Gordon's supervision and now she got a job in the Zone.
-A job? - Bruce raised his eyebrows. - What job is available in the Zone, Alfred?
-A librarian, sir.
-A librarian… - repeated Bruce. - A librarian by day and the White Shadow by night. It's quite brave, don't you think Alfred?
-It is, master Bruce. Do not forget about your meeting with Mr. Fox.
-Yes, I remember. Could you get my car ready, Alfred. I'm about to take a shower.
-Sure, sir. What would you like to drive today?
-Red Ferrari, Alfred.
He met Lucius in a lobby of Wayne Enterprise they shook hands.
-I see you Mr.Wayne. You always attract all attention. - on a street behind tall windows few reporters were flashing their cameras trying to snap some pictures through the glass.
-Are they sleeping next to an entrance? Because nobody knew I was coming here today. - Bruce Wayne turned to the window and waved his hand in greetings.
-They can't see you now Mr. Wayne. - said Lucius going towards elevators. - And yes, some of them literally camping outside for days.
-Oh. Maybe I should visit you more often and give them some work to do. - Bruce followed his friend.
They were on the elevator going up when Lucius asked:
-Is there anything particular you came for Mr.Wayne?
-Actually, yes, Lucius. I need the information.
Two men exited the elevator and walked in a huge room with long meeting desk and big comfortable chairs.
-Would you like some coffee, sir? - asked Lucius placing himself in one of the chairs.
-No, thank you. I will be straight to the point. Does the last name James recall anything in your memory?
-Hmmm… - Lucius thought for a couple seconds. - Well, Bruce it's very common last name. I'm pretty sure Wayne Enterprise has thirty or more people with this last name. Any specifics?
-Evan James? - said Bruce.
-Evan James. Evan James… Evan James. - Lucius was repeating this name with slightly closed eyes. - Not much Bruce. One thing comes to my mind only.
Bruce got ready to listen. He knew Lucius had a fundamental memory so he must remember. But the thing was that Bruce Wayne already knew everything about Evan James. He hoped to hear something what wasn't spoken or registered in the history of James family.
-I remember working with your father, Bruce, when Wayne Enterprise was in its first stage. We didn't know much we tried to do our best especially your father. Wayne Enterprise wasn't rich as it is now but the company had some valuable assets and contacts in government and business area. We had competitors back then and in pharmacy business especially. One of pharmaceutical companies back then was Pharm Plus established long before Wayne Enterprise by James family. They were pharmacists in generations and the company started from a small drag store back when cars weren't even invented. So… generations past and there we were your father and I trying to do good things for this city and community. I have to mention we had never had a confrontation with Pharm Plus which was huge business and production by that time. Suddenly, Danielle James, father of Evan came to us and proposed to buy Pharm Plus. Just like that! He could go to our competitors but, and I remember he said, "I just need to talk to you Thomas". They talked and next day signed papers. Thomas didn't tell me what they were talking about and I didn't ask. James family had only one son and it was Evan, I guess the guy you asked me about. You and Evan are almost the same age I think he is one or two years older. Interesting fact that both of you were born and raised in wealthy families with rich history. Unfortunately, three years after selling Pharm Plus Danielle and Emily James died. Evan was five years old when he became an orphan but the ugly truth was that James family was bankrupt but nobody knew. And only when the head of the family died this truth came out and it got very nasty. Thomas tried to smooth the situation but rumors spread like fire and auctions started. In four months James family was sold out and still had some debts. Your father closed them all off but he couldn't help the only living heir of James family Evan. The child was going from one orphanage to another and Thomas lost the track. You know he was thinking of adopting Evan to give him a chance for a good life…
-Is that truth? - Bruce was listening carful but couldn't help himself to ask this one question.
-Yes. Thomas felt very bad for a kid, he tried to find him for many years Bruce but there was no result.
-Did my fathers ever told you what him and Danielle James were talking about before he bought Pharm Plus?
-Matter of fact he did two or three years after Danielle James death. Emily James had a deadly illness, cancer. Danielle made it a life goal to cure her and it was where all their wealth went to. He was keeping her alive but overspent the budget of his company and his own savings. He never told her he made sure she never knew about selling Pharm Plus to Wayne Enterprise.
-How did they died, Lucius? - Bruce asked abruptly.
-Like you don't know it for yourself Mr.Wayne?
-I know but I want to hear it from you because when you say it it feels personal and not just an article in a newspaper.
-As you wish, Mr.Wayne. It was a charity event hosted by Wayne family. The event was in our new building back then, it wasn't a skyscraper but we were proud of our new place. So it was right there in downtown now it belongs to the Gotham Bank and you see there is a park across the street from it? - Lucius stood up and came close to the window. He pointed on three story glass building with Gotham Bank sign.
-I see a park with fountain. - said Bruce looking towards a glass building.
-Yes, that one but it didn't have a fountain back then. So Emily needed some fresh air and as you can notice that building doesn't have any balconies or a terrace. Danielle and Emily went to the park it wasn't even that dark right before sunset. The sky was red with blue layers here and there, I remember just like it was yesterday. Thirty minutes after a concierge run in and told me it was shooting in the park and police was coming. We didn't know it was James family who got killed but we stopped a charity event and asked people to leave through the back exits. And just like that police came and told us it was Danielle and Emily James who were laying dead in that park. Shock. It was when city started to rot and crime was increasing…. And seven years after that tragedy your parents Bruce faced their fate.
-… Bruce didn't say anything but kept standing next to the window looking at the park. Lucius stood next to him and made a deep sigh.
-Than fountain… people forgot by now but your father paid to install it in a memory of James family. There is even a little metal plate next to it.
It was quiet for a minute. Bruce turned to Lucius and they shook hands again shortly after Bruce left through the special known by nobody but Lucius exit. He walked around Wayne's skyscraper blending with the crowd in the streets. He walked toward Gotham Bank and then turned towards a park. It was tiny park surrounded with tall buildings. Couple trees were growing here and there and city definitely didn't keep this park in order. Overgrown grass and cracked asphalt, old benches and old people sitting on them feeding pigeons. Bruce walked straight to the fountain it was barely working. It was dirty inside and cracked. The fountain was supposed to be small but very nice and beautiful unfortunately now it was just one ugly thing. Bruce found a plate Lucius was talking about and cleaned it with his hand. Grass was covering a plate but he could read "Undying memory of Emily and Danielle James" and the year. Bruce stood there for five more minutes listening the city around and then left the same way.
He drove his red Ferrari straight home noticing that streets were getting darker and some lights came out. So… it was time to be the Batman.