Chapter 5: A Month Later
For an entire month Bruce has searched poorly not only for Catwoman but for his friend Harvey since his escape from the hospital Harvey was at first believed to be the Riddler's hostage until...
Reports by eye witnesses confirmed The Former DA was seen half of his face burnt robbing mob banks from crime bosses the GCPD declared Harvey Dent armed and dangerous and the press nicknamed him: Harvey Two-Face.
It saddened both Bruce and Gordon of what he's become. All of Gotham lost hope in him; they had their had faith in him and the Riddler destroyed it.
Making Batman determined to find him dead or alive.
And find Harvey to get him the help he needs whatever it takes.
He spent the whole month breaking up Two-Face's crimes, solving Riddles, rescuing hostages and disarming bombs but everything was fruitless.
Two-Face always flees before Batman or the GCPD could arrive and Riddler was still an Enigma.
Bruce was stumped, now he was chasing three criminals like ghosts.
The Riddler.
Two-Face.
And Catwoman.
Bruce was lost. He never faced two super villains at the same time Joker and Penguin were 3 years separate from each other Two-Face and Riddler at the same time Bruce wasn't sure if he could stop them...alone.
Alfred since across from him in silence and worry for the Man he raised.
"Master Bruce. I can't imagine it hasn't been easy for on you since last year. First Ms. Kyle disappears, wanted for murder now your good friend Master Dent has become a criminal." Alfred said.
"Harvey is a sick man, Alfred. He needs help." Bruce said.
"Perhaps but I fear the worst." Alfred said.
"What could Riddler have said to him to drive him off the deep end?" Bruce asked.
"We may never know sir. But if he can be helped, no one can be better than you." Alfred said.
"Hope you're right." Bruce said.
Bruce and Alfred hear meowing that it's Selina's cat Ms. Kitty.
She somehow found her way into the Batcave.
"I must have left the door open." Alfred said.
Bruce stands up, picks the cat up and sits back down petting her.
Making Bruce scroll up a picture of Selina on the Batcomputer.
Bruce sighs and turns off the Batcomputer and hands Ms. Kitty to Alfred.
"Take he'd upstairs. I'm gonna go see Dr. Meridian." Bruce said.
"As you wish. But can I presway you to take a sandwich with you, sir?" Alfred asked.
"Nah, I'll get the drive through." Bruce said.
Bruce leaves the cave while Alfred tends on feeding Ms. Kitty.
Meanwhile at a penthouse suite a party is held by one of Gotham's oldest crime bosses Carmine Falcone.
He's been MIA since Batman nailed Johnny Gobs but returns to resume his criminal empire but after Carl Grissom's death but suddenly.
Gunfire was shot, starting a panic and Falcone's men fired back. Falcone stood up looking in disbelief.
A figure face off screen in polish shoes and in a suit half white the other half black.
Falcone knew who the figure was.
"YOU?!" Falcone called.
The figure flips the same coin from earlier and this time bad heads side up .
The screen blacks out when a gun is fired.
Gotham General at Bruce walks in the lobby putting his shades in his front pocket as he walks up to the man at the front desk.
"Mr. Wayne?" The man asked.
"I have an appointment with Dr. Chase Meridian." Bruce said.
"Six floors up the end of the left hall." The man said.
"Thank you." Bruce said.
Bruce takes an elevator up to six floors walking down a hall to Chase's office who was on her typewriter till she heard her door opening.
Bruce pokes his head in and Chase raises her eyes.
"Bruce…" Chase said.
"Hi I know I'm early just...I couldn't hold off after Harvey." Bruce said.
"I understand. Come in and have a seat." Chase said.
Bruce shuts the door behind him and sits by her desk.
"I heard on the news that...Harvey hasn't...been well. Is it possibly he's under psychological stress or any of that type?" Bruce asked.
"By my expertise I say so. I spent my morning reading his medical records and learned he's suffered childhood trauma causing mood swings to develop psychological emotional stress." Chase said.
"Harvey had a rough childhood in his time. He lost his parents in a car accident. He didn't get along with his father's parents; it's possible he was traumatized growing up." Bruce said.
"Seems to make sense." Chase said.
Bruce happened to notice on Chase's desk an open box with an odd looking doll he picked up and observed it.
"You have a thing for dolls Doctor?" Bruce asked.
"That's a Malaysian Ward. Like dream catchers they're supposed to protect you from bad dreams. Do you need one?" Chase asked.
"Oh no thank you." Bruce said.
"You're not exactly here about our appointment are you Bruce?" Chase asked.
"Actually I wanted to ask...have you ever been to the circus?" Bruce asked.
To Be Continued…