Chapter 3: Dr. Lesley Tonkins
We come to Wayne Tower.
Where Bruce walks into his office to find he had an unexpected visitor.
It was a woman sitting by his desk looking at Thomas and Martha Wayne's wedding picture.
Bruce however recognized her.
"Dr. Tonkins?" Bruce asked.
Dr. Lesley Tonkins turned over to Bruce, walked in and smiled.
"Bruce, it's been a long time. I haven't seen you since…" Lesley said.
"I left for Japan." Bruce said.
"Yes you were 20 years old. In fact you were practicing magic tricks with the Great Zatarra. Who was also a dear friend of your father. Didn't he have a daughter your age?" Lesley asked.
"Who I have not seen in years. What brings you back to Gotham?" Bruce asked.
"I… I heard you and Chase broke up last year. She told me you two were dating and…I thought I would come by and maybe talk like…" Lesley said.
"Like we used to…after my parents…" Bruce said.
Lesley felt Bruce's breakdown.
"Bruce, I'm sorry. I never mean to bring up a painful tragedy. Your father was a good man. When he had his doubts he always asked me if what he's doing is right. I told him our choices depend on what's right." Lesley said.
"Alfred said you told him that when he won humanitarian of the year." Bruce said.
"That I did. How is Alfred?" Lesley said.
"Alfred's good. He…still worries but he never lets me down. You talked to Chase lately?" Bruce asked.
"Not since she told me about you two. If you don't mind me asking what happened?" Lesley asked.
"Same thing with what happened with Vicki. I told her everything…we worked through it but Chase handed Harvey's case to someone else cause she got transferred to a new hospital. She wanted me to go with her…but I can't leave Gotham for…certain reasons." Bruce said.
"There's always a reason for things Bruce. Perhaps we could start sessions again. If anything is on your mind you want to get off your chest." Lesley said.
"Maybe." Bruce said.
Bruce and Lesley were interrupted by the door opening entering Bruce's assistant.
"Mr. Wayne pardon the interruption but you have a personal call from a…Selena Kathrine." Assistant said.
Bruce's eyes widened and that name seemed obvious who it was…
"Thanks Alison. Lesley I'll have to take this. Can we pick this up another time?" Bruce asked.
"Course. I'll stop by the Manor some time." Lesley said.
Dr. Tonkins leaves the office and Bruce goes serious and answers the call…
"Hello Selina." Bruce said.
Selina Kyle at a new apartment under a new identity talks to Bruce on speaker hooked on the phone.
"Bruce…I hear you and your stepson have been looking for me. I'm flattered." Selina said.
"With the break-ins you've been causing you have been hard to ignore." Bruce said.
"Oh Bruce. The self-righteous is cute but when was the last time you were kicked out at night." Selina said.
"Not looking for kicks Selina. Where are you?" Bruce asked.
"You might see me tonight. You might not. But why don't you call a sitter for the kid so we can have a nightcap." Selina said.
"We can't keep playing this forever." Bruce said.
"And why not?" Selina asked.
"Because someone will ID you soon if not me. You rather it be me." Bruce said.
"Oh please…take your own advice. You can't brood forever. Just remember you gave me a head start. Catch me you can…" Selina said.
Bruce hears the line hang up but…he always traces the lines once connected from a bat tracer under his desk to trace calls…
"Better get this to the cave later." Bruce said.
Outside Lesley was in a cab and she was in thought thinking back to 30 years ago…
1939 Gotham Cemetery where Thomas and Martha Wayne's Funeral was being held.
Lesley was there to pay her respects to Alfred in his late 40s.
And Bruce Wayne age 7.
"Dr. Tonkins. Thank you for coming." Alfred said.
"Of course. I was working late and my assistant got a call from the police and told me what happened. I…just couldn't sleep." Lesley said.
Dr. Tonkins knees down to the young Bruce Wayne in tears and scars for life.
"I am so sorry for your loss. Your parents were dear friends of mine. Your father was one of my parents and later a colleague. He was a smart and generous man. If there's anything you wish to talk about Alfred had my phone number." Lesley said.
Little Bruce and Lesley gently rub his shoulder and walk to the gathering.
Lesley comes back in reality looking out her passenger window...
To Be Continued…