Following the press conference, Bruce made his way toward the lower levels of Wayne Tower. While in the elevator, he was on the phone with Leslie Thompkins, who was visiting her family in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. At this point, it seemed unlikely that Leslie would be a target, for being kidnapped, given her lack of direct involvement in Batman's activities. While she never approved of Batman as a concept, Leslie still cared for Bruce as if he were her own son.
"I'm sorry, Leslie, but it's too dangerous," Bruce continued his conversation, "You saw what's been happening on the news; if they can get to Lucius, they can get to you too."
"I knew this would happen one of these days," Leslie sighed on the other line, "How are the kids? I heard that Dick looking to move back to Gotham..."
"They're fine; don't try to change the subject" Bruce said with a bemused smile, "I'll send you the directions and access code to my safe house in the Hamptons. I can have a chartered jet out to you within the hour."
"Bruce, whatever is going on, there's something I have to tell you," Leslie began, "I know I haven't always been the most supportive of everything you do. Believe me, I have had countless sleepless nights worrying about the risks you take and everything you have put your body through, especially when you first started taking Dick and the others into the field with you. I may not approve of your methods, but I can't deny the good you have done for the world. You have always put others before yourself; your parents were the same way. I know they would be proud of you, because I am proud of you, and I'm sorry if I haven't said it enough. Whatever you're about to do, please be careful."
"Thank you, Leslie," Bruce said, struggling not to get emotional, "I'll find them. One way or another, this is going to end." As he hung up, Bruce noticed Luke Fox standing beside the elevator as Bruce entered one of Wayne Tower's sub-basements.
"Thanks for coming, Luke," Bruce said, welcoming the younger former Air Force pilot.
"Of course," Luke replied, "As I mentioned on the phone, there were certain details I left from the police regarding some of my father's work, as per his instructions."
"So, you know some of the projects your father and I worked on together," Bruce suggested.
"Mr. Wayne, we don't have to beat around the bush here," Luke interjected, "He never told me directly, but as soon as I saw the copies of my father's files, it became obvious that either you're the Batman, or you know who is. Either way, my father believed in Batman enough to risk his career to supply Batman with the technology he needed. That's good enough for me."
"Thank you, Luke," Bruce graciously replied, as he entered the key to one of his secret vaults. Located beneath Wayne Tower was one of Bruce's many satellite Batcaves located throughout Gotham City. Luke was fascinated as he walked into the fully stocked bunker. Inside this secret sanctuary were various Batsuits, gadgets, and supplies, along with gymnasium equipment, a forensic science laboratory, and a large computer terminal with various monitors, as well as several Batcycles and a spare Batmobile parked near an exit ramp. Luke immediately realized there was no question that Bruce Wayne was indeed the man behind the cowl.
"I'm honored, sir. Thank you for trusting me with this," Luke said, shaking Bruce's hand, "Do you have any leads about who might have kidnapped my father?"
"I have a few suspects in mind," Bruce replied, "Whoever took your Dad is the same person who took Selina and Alfred. The rest of my team is safe, but I have a feeling that Commissioner Gordon might be targeted next."
"Does Gordon know who you really are?" Luke asked.
"If he does, he's never said it," Bruce replied, "But what really matters is whoever is abducting my friends is doing so to get to Bruce Wayne, not just to Batman."
"What can I do to help? I'm not my father, but I'm alright when it comes to mechanical engineering, and I'd like to think I'm pretty good in a fight too," Luke offered.
Bruce directed Luke toward a new, state-of-the-art, prototype armored Batsuit. Luke recognized the design from video footage taken during the Apokalips invasion of Earth and the war that ensued.
"This was the flying battle suit you used when Darkseid invaded, wasn't it?" Luke asked, excitedly, "I thought that got destroyed in the battle."
"It did, this is just an upgraded model your father and I have been working on; I call this one the Batwing," Bruce explained, "A colleague of mine from Metropolis, Dr. John Henry Irons, is the designer and wearer of the Steel armored battle suit. You might have seen footage of him assisting Superman and his team in battle here and there. The Steel armor is good for combating metas, superpowered aliens, and other such threats, but isn't always the best for stealth and street-level crime fighting. However, John has been working with your Dad and I to create some new armor and tech for my team and I."
"That's smart," Luke observed, "Can't hurt to be prepared."
"Still working the kinks out a bit. The last suit I wore nearly killed me," Bruce remarked, referring to the early prototype he used during the Apokalips War, "But I figure the older I get, the more advantages in the field I'll need."
"During the war, I would have loved to pilot something like this," Luke admitted, before offering, "If you're looking for someone to take this baby out for a test drive, I'd be honored."
"Right now, I need someone who can keep their eyes on Gordon and any other public officials in his orbit," Bruce explained, "While I reconvene with the rest of my team, I'll need someone here in the city to keep us updated in real time."
"I'll do whatever it takes to get my father back," Luke responded, "As far as my loyalty goes, you've got it. I've basically wanted to be just like you ever since I was a kid!"
"I appreciate that," Bruce replied with an amused smirk, "I need to meet with the rest of the team. Whatever your father's kidnappers are planning, I have a feeling something might happen tonight. In the meantime, keep an eye out for anything related to the breakout at Arkham, or that might be connected to previous cases involving the Joker."
"The Joker? I didn't think he was still alive," Luke replied, surprised, "Do you think he's behind all this?"
"He's connected somehow," Bruce said, as he walked out, "I can't say for certain if he's the mastermind behind it all, but if he's involved, things are going to get ugly very quickly. You have my contact info, so please keep me posted if you hear about anything. I'll do the same."
Luke was stunned at the revelation that his father was one of Batman's right-hand men for years, and that Bruce Wayne of all people was the man behind the mask. He studied at the Batwing armor and read through the schematics in his father's files, eager to learn the wide variety of applications for Batman's arsenal of vehicles and gadgets.
As a teenager, Luke Fox admired Batman and Robin for their heroic deeds in Gotham. As an adult and a soldier, Luke held Batman and the entire Justice League in the highest esteem for their bravery in repeatedly defending the planet from threats like the White Martians, Brainiac, and Darkseid. Now that Batman was asking for his help, Luke knew that he could not refuse.