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Ch. 4

Bruce pulled into the valet parking lot handing the keys to the parking attendant.

"Make sure someone or something doesn't hit it this time," he grumbled before walking inside to one of Gotham's most prestigious clubs.

The club was owned by none other than Selena Kyle's father. Bruce had met Selena nearly ten years ago when he out doing his work as Batman. Her father was a powerful man which left his daughter a token of opportunity. She had been kidnapped, drugged, and then held for ransom for several days. Her father had contacted the commissioner who then contacted Batman. She had been shaken but held complete confidence that she would be rescued. She assumed her father would pay the ransom and she'd be let go, but unfortunately it was never that easy.

Criminals became smarter, more devious which called for more than an ordinary S.W.A.T. team. Batman located her within several hours leaving behind a pile of groaning gangsters for Gotham PD to lock up. Selena didn't know he was Batman, but she knew Bruce had some connection to the Dark Knight, and if Batman ever needed anything she would put in a favor. Bruce laughed like Batman ever accepted help. The irony was now he needed her help.

Bruce flashed his VIP badge before slipping into one of the back rooms. He called Selena before he left the office explaining he wanted to talk to her. She asked what it entailed, but he explained it contained sensitive information not appropriate to discuss over the phone. She agreed she'd meet him at 7 p.m. at their usual spot.

Bruce glanced around him but hadn't seen her yet. Light rock music filtered in from the other room, but most of the VIP lounge was empty. It wouldn't start filling up until at least 9. He slipped into a corner booth and withdrew a white packet of evidence. He scanned it over though he had most of it memorized by now. It was the cold case that he'd been tracking for the past several months.

There were two victims, a mother and daughter stabbed to death before their bodies were dumped down by Gotham harbor. It seemed like a random attack, but Bruce searched through the police records and the perpetrator had seemingly vanished into thin air. As Batman, he had hacked into Gotham coroner's office and pulled the autopsy records of the two victims. He had noticed that their stab wounds were consistent with a type of knife that had cycled around Gotham's black market. It was known as redacted ghost blade because it switched hands and committed crimes of violence that were too many to count. The original owner or maker was nearly impossible to track down, but Bruce had several ideas of who could be behind it.

Gotham police didn't have the resources or time to track down special black-market weapons which left it up to Batman. He had combed through his own personal database to see if the knife wounds had matched with any knives he had come across over the years, but he struck out. So, he turned to the next best thing. He knew these weapons were often shipped in and out on a certain schedule. He spent several weeks doing recon on various gangs around the city. If someone supplied these weapons in the past, they were bound to turn up in the future.

Unfortunately, the crime talks seemed to have dissipated. There was nothing useful he found out on the streets. He hoped maybe there was a new player in town, but with the Joker locked up in Arkham and no word from Penguin or Black Mask it was just the usual street thugs. As much as he appreciated the easier crime sprees, it left him stumped on solving the case. No major players meant no major suspects. He had however come across one name and he hoped Selena could help him out.

And as if on cue, she appeared next to him seemingly materializing out of thin air. And Bruce thought he had the epic entrances nailed down. That woman never ceased to amaze him. He glanced up at her as she took a seat across from him.

"Hello, Bruce. I'm surprised to find you out of the office this early," she exclaimed eyeing him.

He shrugged. "Hmm. The office can get stuffy in the summer heat."

"What, did your air conditioner break?"

"Hardly, more like my recruiting office. So many newbies wandering the halls, they're starting to drive me up the wall."

Selena laughed. "I'm sure your more than capable of handling them. It's what you do best. But, that's not why you're here."

"No," Bruce said grimly. He passed some papers over to her. "Mrs. Brawden and her daughter were killed about a year ago. It's a cold case and I'm helping a friend try and crack it."

Selena scanned the pages as she read what happened to them. "The police have no leads?"

"No, and they don't have the resources to continue it, so they labeled it as a cold case and locked it away. My friend wants to bring some closure to the rest of the family. He asked for my help and I obliged."

"What do you need from me?" She asked meeting his gaze once more.

"Well, that's where it gets complicated. I need your help finding a scientist by the name of Gregory Hurst."

"Well that should be easy enough. Can't you just look him up?"

"I did."

"Then why are you giving me a funny look, Bruce?"

Bruce scowled. "This man isn't just any scientist. He works for Harvey Dent. That means I can't touch him. As Dent is my main business rival I don't want to get into an all out stalking lawsuit against him."

"You're kidding. Can't you have your buddy, Batman do it? Why me?"

"Look Selena, you and I both know you've had relations with Dent in the past. Batman is currently busy cleaning up the streets of Gotham and my friend doesn't want to bother him. All I need you to do is ask if he knew Mrs. Brawden or even heard of them."

"And how exactly am I supposed to do that? If he's as valuable as you claim, I doubt I can just waltz in and start interrogating him. Besides, what would Dent think if Mr. Hurst told him that he got a visit from Selena Kyle who started asking if he knew about a dead woman? Suspicious, no?"

"Uh, well when you put it that way...it does sound terrible," Bruce sighed. "My friend, that I am working on the case with, looked through his records and he found something. He had visited the lab the same night the murder took place."

"Doesn't that just solidify his alibi? That he could have been, I don't know, working?!"

"No, because it said he was in the building, but his ID card showed he had already checked in and out for the night. Now, why would his employee gps place him there that night when he's supposedly gone home for the evening?"

"I don't know. Maybe he had his ID stolen and he had to sneak back in to see if he left it there," Selena grumbled.

"Why sneak back in? There is a backup server employees can use if something like that happens," Bruce paused at his last statement. "Don't ask how I know that."

Selena narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't know, Bruce."

"I hate putting you in this position, and I understand if you don't want to. I won't pressure you."

Selena sighed and picked up the papers once more. She studied a picture of the woman and daughter when they were alive. She felt bad they ended up the way they did. She had several close calls herself. They didn't deserve the death they were given. She looked back up and studied her friend. He looked conflicted and guilty. She knew he cared about her and would never put her in a bad position. Bruce needed help and she shouldn't have been so offensive. Batman had saved her life more than once and she could never repay that debt. If she could help him figure out what dirtbag put these two people in the ground then she would.

Selena set the papers down. "I'm sorry, Bruce, I shouldn't have snapped at you. Of course, I'll help you. Dent and I may have had relations in the past, but he isn't the same man today. I guess I just don't trust the man. We may have ended on good terms, but I'm sure the man has many skeletons in his closet. I'll figure out how to deal with him, don't worry."

Bruce still didn't look convinced. "You sure?"

"Yes. Besides, these people deserve justice and if I can bring closure to their family, then so be it."

"Thank you, Selena. I owe you one."

Selena laughed. "I thought we gave up keeping score?"

"Well you know me, I never forget favors."

"Right. Anyways, when do you need the information by?"

"Well, the sooner the better. But, if Mr. Hurst doesn't know them, then I guess back to square one," Bruce said dejectedly.

Something in Bruce's posture shifted. He seemed really invested in the case. She'd seen Bruce help Bats on more than one occasion. She guessed he was useful with his resources and connections. Selena worried sometimes that Bruce was being taken advantage of, but she knew he had a stubborn streak and could easily say no to the vigilante.

Bruce was a really good friend and she didn't want to see him hurt. Thanks to his support and infrastructure, the Gotham police presence had strengthened over the years and crime rates, though still higher than most cities, had been at its lowest in the past forty years. He was making a difference with or without the Dark Knight.

"So, what else is new, Bruce?" she asked propping her chin in her hand.

Bruce had finished packing the information away and looked up at her surprised. "Well, nothing much. Just some new employees at the office, more paperwork for my new contracts with the city, and this case."

"How is the boy?" Bruce had told Selena about his new ward Richard Grayson.

"He's settling in. Dick is happy with school and works really hard in his subjects. He's still withdrawn which is understandable, but we're still working on the... umm...parenting aspect," Bruce grinned sheepishly.

"That hard huh?"

"No, it's too easy. I don't know what to do. I haven't exactly been given fatherly lessons. Alfred manages most of it, so I feel kinda useless. The boy is sharp and a quick learner. It's sort of hard to parent someone who doesn't seem to need it."

"I see. Maybe, he doesn't need "parenting" more like guidance. You said he's still withdrawn?"

Bruce nodded.

"I think he needs more of a friend, a mentor."

"Yeah, that's what Alfred said."

"Well, he's smart man. You should talk to the kid."

"Selena, you know I'm not the greatest at emotional things. If I can barely keep myself together, how can I help someone else let alone a young boy?"

"Bruce, it doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes just being there for someone is all it takes," Selena reached across the table and grasped his hand. "Bruce, you helped me through a dark time in my life and have been there for me ever since. It's no different. He's young and from what you've told me, Dick seems to really like you. He'll bounce back in time, but he needs an anchor. He needs you."

Bruce nodded. "I could use your help...again…"

Selena raised an eyebrow. "You don't need my help. You've got this. Just trust yourself. You're not in over your head yet. But, if it gets there then maybe give me a call."

Bruce relented. "So, what's been up with you? Anything interesting?"

"No, my father still runs the joint and so far, I've been able to keep him out of trouble. Gotham's crime rates have helped, but something seems off."

Bruce frowned scratching his head. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm no Batman, but nothing major has happened in a while. No Penguin, no Black Mask even Deathstroke seems to have left the streets. With the Joker locked up one would think someone would start causing trouble trying to take over the city. I feel like something is building up, but I don't have the slightest clue of what that could be. But, then again it's just a feeling. There's no evidence of anything out there, that I know of."

Selena was right. He or rather Batman had picked up on it. Someone somewhere had to be planning something big. He just had to figure out who and what before it became too late. As much as he appreciated petty low end crimes, they were too easy. He'd been out patrolling last week and stopped a few illegal shipments of guns and drugs, but even those guys hadn't put up much of a fight. Something definitely was wrong. Gotham was bracing for something big. He hoped his instincts were wrong and he happened to catch a break, but with his luck it was never that simple.

"You're right. I've been following the latest police reports and their rate of success in apprehending criminals has been the easiest in over a year. I fear something big is coming to our city. When bad guys get brilliant ideas, it's the citizens of Gotham who suffer. Well, anyways, I should be getting back home. I told Alfred I'd be back late and I'm sure Dick wants to tell me about his latest science experiments. Thanks for helping me on this case."

Selena smiled standing up and grabbing her coat. "Of course, and remember what I said Bruce because I meant it. You've got this."

"Thanks, Selena. I'll see you later," Bruce waved before disappearing through the clubs doors.

Selena watched him go smiling to herself. He didn't know it yet, but she knew he'd be a great father someday.

When Bruce arrived at the mansion, he found Alfred quietly reading in the living room. The house was surprisingly quiet. He expected Dick to greet him, but he could be in his room or the library studying.

"Did you have a good day, Master Wayne?"

"Hello Alfred. I did and I'm sorry for being late. Where's Dick?"

"I fed him about an hour ago and then send him off to bed."

Bruce took a seat across from his butler. "To bed?" Bruce frowned. It was barely eight-thirty. "What's wrong? Is he sick?"

Alfred put his book down. "Relax, Bruce, he's fine and no, he's not ill. The boy has been suffering from nightmares this past week. He's been trying to hide it from us which only makes it worse. Kinda reminds me of someone else," Alfred directed that last bit to Bruce.

Bruce eyed his trusted friend. "What goes around comes around in this family."

"Dick is young, he'll be able to work through it, but that is your role, Bruce, not mine."

Bruce glanced down at his hands. He read the unspoken message. "I'll see what I can do. Thanks for keeping an eye on him."

"How did it go with Miss Selena?"

"Fine. She agreed to lend a hand and would get back to me. I received the papers for Dick's adoption today at the office. I was hoping to talk to him about it when I came home, but that will have to wait. Do you think he is ready, Alfred?"

"I think he'd really like it. If not for his exhaustion today, he had looked forward to seeing you tonight."

Bruce smiled. Something warm unfurled in his chest at Alfred's last comment. Alfred said Dick looked up to him, and now it was time to step into the role of being the anchor the kid needed. Bruce got up to put on some more comfortable clothes, grabbed some leftovers from the fridge, and wandered down to the Batcave. It was time to get to work. Something was brewing in Gotham and his instincts told him this was just the beginning.

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(Runs off to see Endgame!)