Bruce walked into the conference room after being allowed through by some guys in suits. Something was strange. He expected police presence but this screamed government agents. Upon entering the room, he saw Gordon to the side of the head of the table at which stood a very tall and intimidating man with a dark brown beard.
Not many men could rival Bruce's daunting presence but this guy spoke volumes. Bruce himself had a solid build standing at 6'2 with piercing blue eyes and as Dick described it–a dangerous and deadly aura. Bruce smiled; his kid was something else.
Bruce walked forward and caught the eyes of a young woman from across the room. Dual pools of emerald met his aqua ones and she motioned him forward. Pulling out her badge, she introduced herself as FBI Special Agent Halley Tandem.
He stuck out his hand, "Bruce Wayne."
She shook his hand in greeting. "Welcome, can I get you some coffee or water?"
Bruce blinked in surprise. He surely wasn't expecting that and he had been in many meetings before. "A coffee would be great. Thank you."
She nodded before pointing to an empty spot that had a beige folder that read CLASSIFIED in bold red letters. "Have a seat, Mr. Wayne." Bruce pulled out his chair and sat down. Around the room stood several others talking in hushed voices. None of them looked in his direction. Whoever they were they decided his presence was insignificant. Bruce kind of liked not being the center of attention for once.
A few minutes later Agent Tandem returned with a steaming cup of coffee in both hands. She took a seat on his left. Bruce nodded his thanks. The coffee tasted good considering it was the only liquid he had that morning. He took a long drink and when he set the cup down, he found the agent staring at him.
Bruce turned to face her. "You don't seem that surprised that I'm here."
The agent tapped her perfect pristine nails on the conference table. "I was briefed you would be here. You however seem caught off guard."
Bruce quickly glanced around the room. "Well, I was expecting just me and Commissioner Gordon to be honest, but I see at least three different agencies here."
"You have a keen sense of observation, Mr. Wayne. You'd make a good agent," The FBI woman said, taking a sip.
Bruce rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. The government and I don't exactly see eye to eye."
The agent raised a brow. "Is that so? Something we need to be concerned about?"
Bruce waved his hand. "No, they just aren't exactly thrilled that my city has let a vigilante lead its task force of justice."
"Oh, you mean the Black Shadow."
Bruce turned to look at her. "Black Shadow? You mean Batman?" Was his name really that hard to remember?
"Batman, Black Shadow, Vigilante, Criminal. It's all the same to the government. My boss is worried about him taking over the city."
Bruce had to chuckle. "Take over Gotham? He can barely keep it afloat."
Agent Tandem tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Bruce paused. He had to play out his thoughts with caution. The last thing he wanted was the U.S. Government moving into his city to watch Batman's moves. "The vigilante works alone at least to my knowledge. He saved my best friend who had been kidnapped by a true criminal. He is trying to save the city, not take it over. If anyone could take over the city, I'd be first in line over him."
The agent eyed him warily. "Is that so?"
Bruce waved her off. "Not that I want to. I have enough trouble on my hands already. Which is why we are here it seems." Bruce touched the beige folder in front of him but didn't open it.
The agent seemed satisfied with his answer though he wasn't sure she was entirely convinced. Bruce looked up to see Gordon heading his way.
"Mr. Wayne, welcome. I see you met Special Agent Tandem. I believe everyone is here so let's get started." Gordon said walking past him to the front of the room. He signaled to the men in the back who turned off the lights. A large screen dropped from the ceiling and it flickered before five images lit it up.
Two of them were deceased, their names highlighted in red. JEWEL (DECEASED-fourth in command), FOX (MIA-third in command), COBRA (DECEASED-second in command), GHOST (MIA-first in command), ACE (MIA-leader). Bruce as Batman had seen all four of them except for GHOST who was their tactical lead. He was the person responsible for making the team disappear into the void if needed.
Gordon stepped aside motioning for another person who stepped up.
A woman in a grey suit and graying silver hair with amber eyes took the front of the room. "My name is Angela Crasis and I represent the British agency MI6. The team seen before you is considered armed and dangerous. They are also wanted fugitives from our intelligence sector. This team is known as the Queen's Shadow. However, they were decommissioned and dismissed from service three months ago. The British Royals shut down this special team who looked after their security after orders were received from the British Prime Minister. Normally, this information is only known in the highest of circles, but since they have crossed over international waters it complicates things and is now vital to inform all agencies and those on a need-to-know basis."
With that, the lights flickered back on and Bruce had a better idea of the situation at hand. Angela took a seat and Gordon stood motioning to several others to stand. Bruce watched as they all made introductions of which government agency they represented. The CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, and MI6 all had representatives there. Each branch gave up their intel and previous movements they had tracked of the rogue group which led them to Gotham. As the leaders finished giving up their intel, it was Bruce's turn.
He stood up not even needing to open the file in front of him. "For those of you who don't know, my name is Bruce Wayne. Commissioner Gordon and I will be representing the city of Gotham. You may be wondering why an ordinary citizen like myself is here among you. That is because my family was attacked by the Queen's Shadow. We are not only victims but were targets of this group. The reason behind that is because the family member who was nearly killed was once a part of the Queen's Shadow." Bruce nodded at Gordon who clicked a button on a remote.
The next slide showed two pictures of Alfred Pennyworth. One, a more current photo, taken of his driver's license. The other, a much younger Alfred over thirty years prior. Alfred was dressed in a black uniform that had no insignia on it. Beneath his headshot was the name ACE.
Bruce turned to address the room. "Some of you may have heard of this man, but more likely your superiors do. This is Alfred Pennyworth. He now serves as my butler, but over three decades ago, he led the first combatant unit known as the Queen's Shadow. He served in the British Royal Forces for over twenty years before retiring. Outside of this room, a handful of higher-ups, including the President, know his true identity. Due to the sensitivity of his missions, all information on him and his team was entered into the decommissioned sanitation process upon retirement. However, two days ago that all changed." Bruce paused, glancing at the floor and collecting himself. When he looked back up, all eyes were locked on him. He held their gaze, his own hardening into a cold stare. "The Wayne Mansion was attacked at 1400 hours. This five-man team of assassins blew up the front of the house using C4 charges and other flammable materials. The assassins entered the house looking for Mr. Pennyworth but there was a secondary mission at hand. A nine-year-old child was also in the house with him. My ward: Richard Grayson. Alfred attempted to get the child to safety and thus engaged with JEWEL and eliminated him on sight. Alfred was captured before a brief firefight broke out thanks to my ward supplying them with a distraction. Unbeknownst to the child, ACE was in the house. She attempted to kill Mr. Pennyworth and kidnapped the young boy. I was at the office when all of this happened. The Commissioner notified me and his team headed up the active situation. At the end of the mission, the foreigners holed up in the Silent Quadrant where Gordon's team with help from Batman engaged with the enemy and rescued the child. The general public does not know of my ward's existence, but for your records only he is an official Wayne. This being said, I am quite unnerved that a decommissioned soldier at the highest levels of security was discovered. His CO was also eliminated last night leaving only two people from Alfred's original team alive. I fear that may not last which is why we need to find the Queen's Shadow and terminate them."
With that, Bruce took his seat and the tall intimidating man with a brown beard stood up. "Mr. Wayne, I share everyone's condolences for this heinous crime that your family suffered. Those in this room will do everything in our power to take down this threat. You have my word. I am Anthony Edwards, the Secretary of Defense, and I am heading up this co-investigation with all agencies onboard. Alright, everyone please open your files to page twenty."
Gordon clicked the remote and a whole map of the world showed up. Red and blue lines crisscrossed the canvas. They were tracking the movements of this rogue group and attempting to predict where they may go next.
The SOD continued. "This is a current satellite image of Queen's Shadow's movements as of six hours ago. All agencies have been sent their images, but considering these are professional military soldiers who have gone rogue they will be highly skilled in evasive maneuvers. Time is not on our side. Since they have lost two members of their team, they will be extra cautious. Failing to complete their mission makes them dangerous as now they have everything to lose."
The slide continued forward. "The two remaining members of the original team are now in protective custody as will Mr. Wayne's family."
Bruce clenched his jaw. So much for flying under the radar. Now the government would be all over his family. Great.
"The reason behind all of these precautions is because we are not only facing the Queen's Shadow but against a greater evil."
Bruce perked up. This was new information to him. He watched as a photo came up on the screen. The face was unfamiliar but the gaze wasn't. The whole room seemed to still as if someone sucked all the oxygen out.
Agent Tandem let out a small gasp. He turned to see a look of horror on her face.
"This is Sodom Nir Hesbeck. A terrorist responsible for the world's deadliest attack on civilians. He is ranked #3 on the world's MOST WANTED INTERNATIONAL WATCH LIST. We believe he is the one the rogue agents are now answering to."
Bruce's eyes widened. The gangs' stolen weapons. The boss that they refused to name for fear of him. ACE's warning to Batman. This man was on a whole different level than Gotham's villains. He made them look like ordinary crooks. To be ranked as an international terrorist meant the individual was not just bad but pure evil.
"This man is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. His whereabouts are unknown but the fact that his hunting dogs are out means the master is close by. We believe they have left Gotham, and are headed toward their exfil plan which will cross international waters. Our agencies must stop them at all costs. Gotham is just the beginning I fear."
With that, the SOD concluded the slide show and dismissed everyone to talk among themselves and their superiors. Several phone calls were made and soon the room was abuzz with activity.
Bruce looked up seeing Gordon heading toward him. His eyes showed every emotion Bruce felt. This situation was way worse than he thought. An international manhunt for a terrorist leader and his pack of mutts was above Bruce's pay grade, even Batman wouldn't be able to handle it.
"So, Bruce, the plan is the FBI is loaning several agents to protect your family until the threat is neutralized. Gotham served as a bed of information concerning these guys which is why you were looped in. I told you, you would want to see it."
"Thanks Gordon, I'm glad I am able to see the bigger picture."
"So, Agent Tandem will be in charge of your family's security detail until further notice."
Bruce nodded, not entirely thrilled but he understood why. He turned to Agent Tandem. "I have a personal safehouse to hole up in until the danger has passed." Bruce knew the FBI had no jurisdiction in his city without the Mayor's permission. Henceforth, they couldn't hold any government safehouses within the city limits.
"Good." She pointed to another man with short-cropped red hair across the room. "That is Agent Troy. He will be overseeing your butler's safety until he can be transferred to your home."
Bruce quickly flipped through the beige packet writing down names, dates, and times. He needed to be on top of as much information as he could. Since he couldn't reveal his ulterior identity, he posed like a concerned family member willing to do anything to get his family to safety. He did feel relieved that the Queen's Shadow was on its way out of his city, but it also meant they could very well be back. If the U.S. Government couldn't checkmate or terminate the threat and it returned to Gotham, Batman would be the first one to have a crack at them. Though he stood for justice 99% of the time, vengeance itself took over the remaining 1%. Everything discussed in the room was considered TOP SECRET and thankfully Bruce was familiar with NDA's and thus had no problem signing his name on the mission case files. It also helped check his alibi in case anyone came sniffing around.
Bruce watched the people in the room don on white jackets and in intervals disappear out the door. So that was why Bruce thought the hospital seemed more busy than normal. Those "extra" personnel were none other than government agents. How sneaky. Bruce stood up as the SOD himself came over and greeted him. He handed Bruce his card. "I will be keeping you as updated as I can and will notify you and Commissioner Gordon if we believe this group is headed back your way. If there is any other information you come across that could help catch these men please don't hesitate to give me a call. Thank you also for letting us drop into your city on such short notice."
Bruce dipped his head in acknowledgment and stepped to the side feeling the power this man held merely by walking by him. He turned to see Gordon let out a shaky breath.
"I'm so sorry Mr. Wayne. I never imagined this was what we were up against. I don't think–" The Commissioner paused glancing around the room. He lowered his voice and Bruce bent down to hear him. "I don't think even Batman could face this level of villainy."
Bruce chuckled. "Unfortunately, I agree with you. Despite my faith in him, I think this is even out of his hands. Will you bring any of this information to his attention?"
Gordon shook his head. "No, as we are sworn to a need-to-know basis, he doesn't exactly fit that. In a mission, the muscle doesn't need to know the intel, just where to hit and when."
Bruce grinned. "True. Hopefully, these wackjobs will get the cue and never step foot inside Gotham ever again. Let the government take care of it. Less paperwork for you."
Gordon smirked. "I don't get paid enough to deal with it anyway."
"What did the Mayor think?" Bruce asked downing the rest of his now cold coffee.
"He just waved the agencies through. Unless they came to him with government warrants, the President's seal, or immediate orders, he was happy to lend Gotham's private airstrips and get paid for it."
"So he could care less about the investigation unless he needs to be directly involved," Bruce said with an air of disbelief.
Gordon shrugged. "Yeah, pretty much."
Bruce grabbed his coat. "I know you're friends with him, but sometimes I don't understand the guy."
Gordon gave him a double take. "Friends? Hardly. It's more like I'm his errand boy who occasionally gets a free meal or drink out of him. I'd say I'm closer to you than him."
"Haha, you kidding? After the results of last year's election, I'd thought you guys went out and played golf together."
"Seriously? Does everyone think that? We are certainly not that close." Gordon shook his head. "Unbelievable. What are these fairytales the tabloids are giving out?"
"Welcome to my world, Gordon. I live in those fairytales," Bruce said with a wink.
"So, it seems. Some days I wish I were retired. A nice hut in Tahiti sounds quite welcoming."
"Well, friend I agree with you there. Perhaps one day…" Bruce turned to see Agents Tandem and Troy standing at the door. Both were dressed like normal civilians though Bruce was sure their badges and weapons were hidden on them.
"You two done with the office gossip?" Agent Tandem asked with a playful smirk.
Gordon rolled his eyes and started gathering his briefcase and laptop.
Bruce slid his notes into his inner coat pocket and handed over the manila TOP SECRET file to be purged. The Commissioner would send him an encrypted email with all the necessary documentation and files on the case.
He checked his phone. The meeting had lasted well over an hour. He quickly texted Selena notifying her that he was on his way back. She responded with a thumbs-up emoji.
Tucking the phone back into his pocket, he followed the agents and Gordon out of the conference room and onto the elevator.
Back on their floor, the two agents relieved the policemen for their lunch break. They were surprised to see the FBI were there but didn't protest. The box of donuts held nothing but crumbs and remnants of powdered sugar on the bottom. Bruce tossed it into the trash.
Agent Troy remained outside the door while Agent Tandem went inside with Bruce and Gordon. Selena stood up seeing them enter, but Bruce motioned for her to sit back down. She tilted her head in confusion at him, but he remained silent. Gordon would be the one to break the news.
Bruce walked over to where his son sat next to Selena. He pulled him into his lap. The kid seemed on edge seeing more unfamiliar faces and clutched Bruce's hand. He protectively wrapped an arm around Dick's torso and held him tight.
"Good afternoon, Wayne family and Miss Kyle. Due to some new developments surrounding your current situation, I have been ordered to add more protection to your family. This is FBI Special Agent Tandem and standing outside is Special Agent Troy. They will be looking after you at the Wayne safehouse until it is no longer needed. I will be in communication with Mr. Wayne as the situation develops. Miss Kyle, I know you are not directly involved, but your father despite his security measures is lacking in the way of the threat that is at our backs. Your father has agreed to have an extra layer of protection that isn't visible so you can still live your daily life."
Bruce heard Selena shift in her seat next to him. He didn't need to look at her to know what expression she was making. He felt bad knowing she was dragged into this because of her connection with him, but it was out of his hands.
Gordon felt the mood shift, so he tried to regain some footing. "Don't be alarmed because it is not just you but the whole city. Until the threat has passed, there will be increased city checkpoints for anyone coming into or exiting Gotham. I recommend not traveling anytime soon if at all possible."
Gordon paused. "I can't give specifics about the threat, but it is big enough that the U.S. Government has gotten involved. They are hoping to prevent any further damage like what happened at the Wayne Mansion from occurring elsewhere. Any questions?"
Selena glanced at Bruce, but seeing him remain silent, she merely thanked Gordon for the update. Whatever relief at seeing Bruce's family safe just went out the third-floor window. What on earth was going on? First the police officers but now federal agents would be on their protection detail?! She could barely fathom it yet here they were.
She studied the female agent from across the room. Medium build, bright green eyes, shoulder-length light brown hair that was pulled into a ponytail, and smooth olive-tanned skin. She had certainly been in a place where there was lots of sun. Though she was dressed in plain clothes, Selena could see the faint outline of a pistol holder on her left hip. Selena considered herself to be in good shape since she lifted weights at home and would get out and run every morning. However, she had no doubt this woman could take down an assailant twice her weight in a heartbeat.
Gordon waited a beat and then looked at Mr. Pennyworth and then Dick. "I am grateful that you two are safe and I hope to keep it that way in these coming weeks. If there is anything else I can help with I'm but a phone call away. Until then, I leave you in capable hands." Gordon waved goodbye and headed out the door.
Agent Tandem rapped on the door and in walked Agent Troy. He greeted the family and made a brief introduction. Selena eyed him warily but nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"So, are you guys hungry for lunch? I can bring those who want to eat down to the lunch room?" Agent Tandem said a bit too cheerily for Bruce's taste. This whole protection detail was still settling over their heads.
Bruce turned to Alfred. "Would you like us to stay here and have lunch with you?"
Alfred shook his head. "I'm still full from breakfast and might take a nap, so you three go down and enjoy yourselves. I trust I am in good company with Agent Troy."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "You sure? We'd be happy to stay."
Alfred shook his head. "Nonsense. Go have fun. Eat a burger for me."
Bruce nodded knowing he wouldn't win in an argument once Alfred had his mind set. "Alright, Dick, you hungry?"
The kid nodded hopping off his dad's lap.
"How's your arm? Any pain?" Bruce asked.
"No, I took some while you were in the meeting," He responded in a small voice.
"Alright, let's get some shoes on shall we?" Bruce helped Dick into some tennis shoes, as Selena put on her jacket and grabbed her purse. When all three of them were ready, Agent Troy took up his post outside the door as Agent Tandem took the trio by elevator down to the cafeteria.
Normally, hospital food wasn't the most glorious thing, but Bruce had channeled some big grants into getting top-tier chiefs with nutritious options for visitors, staff, and patients alike.
Being later in the day, the cafeteria wasn't super crowded but still mildly busy. Bruce let Dick follow Selena as he and the agent selected a booth for them toward the back of the food hall. Bruce joined the child who had selected spaghetti with meatballs, and a side of garlic bread complete with some chocolate chip cookies and milk.
Selena slapped an apple on his tray. A snack for later she suggested. She selected an apricot chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a soda. Bruce selected a piece of roasted rotisserie chicken with green beans, a dinner roll, and iced tea. The agent ordered a ham sandwich, chips, and lemonade.
Dick slid into the booth first followed by Bruce. Selena took the opposite side setting her jacket like an invisible barrier separating her from the federal agent. The agent however was prepared and took a table a few feet away to give them some privacy yet close enough to reach them for security measures.
Bruce was grateful Dick could use his left hand since his right was in a sling. It was a bit awkward at first, but he eventually found his rhythm. The kid was clearly excited to have real food in front of him.
Selena poked at her salad slowly her mind a jumbled mess. She didn't want to dwell on it, but she had no idea what the next 48 hours would bring. She looked up and watched Bruce intensely cut his chicken up. She couldn't even imagine the weight that hung over his head with the investigation, hospitalized family members, their home, new security, and all of his normal day to day stuff to contend with.
Bruce, suddenly stopped cutting and set his silverware down with a clink. He leaned back with a groan, pinching the bridge of his nose and then to Selena's surprise started laughing. It totally caught her off guard and she shared a confused look with Dick at why his father seemed to be losing it.
"Dad?" Dick squeaked out.
Bruce waved his hands at them and then covered his face with them and let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm sorry, I just need a minute." He took a long drink from his iced tea before setting it down slowly. He cleared his throat and then picked up his fork with a smile and took a bite. "Good chicken."
Selena and Dick stopped eating and stared at him in shock.
"What?!" Selena gaped at him.
"Are you okay, Dad?" Dick nudged him with his good shoulder.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just find our current circumstances a bit insane. How on earth did we go from making some simple chocolate cookies to having government agents at our doorstep? Like you seriously can't make this stuff up." Bruce proceeded to eat his green beans still chuckling.
Dick smiled. "Hey at least this time, they didn't burn them!" He proudly held up a perfect golden brown and gooey cookie.
Selena grinned. "It is kinda funny if you think about it."
It really wasn't but despite the horrors of the past nights they were able to find humor in it all. The three of them tried to finish eating as disbelief displayed itself as fits of giggles.
The agent a few feet away munched on her chips and heard every word. She couldn't help but smile. Three hours ago she had gotten word that she would be on protection detail for a celebrity. She hated those kinds of calls. Being a superstar or model was not her thing and she couldn't stand the prickly attitudes of spoiled rich people. Her job was to protect the person not the fifty-thousand-dollar purse containing their precious pooch.
Stardom was not for her, but she would see it through because it was her job. She had often wondered what the circumstances were for an FBI agent to be assigned. It either meant the person was to be in witness protection or had paid enough money to upgrade the security from ordinary cops and private security to government assets. It wasn't until she was 35,000 feet in the air and at cruising altitude when her boss called her on a secure STARLINK.
That was when she learned she was headed to Gotham and would be protecting none other than the billionaire CEO Bruce Wayne. Her boss explained that it was an order from the Secretary of Defense himself who would be meeting the team there.
She had never met the man and had only seen him on covers of magazines, science newsletters, and television. Whatever precognition she had of him had dissipated the moment she met him. Mind you, Special Agent Halley Tandem had handled security for many famous celebrities from Mr. Hitchcock to Ms. Swift.
That afternoon before the meeting, she was doing a security sweep of the building when she saw him. He had walked right past her on a phone call. Without missing a beat, he sidestepped her, his ocean blue eyes glancing at her in an apology before snapping back to focus on where he was headed. His tone had been slightly sharp at whoever was on the receiving end. His long legs carried him out of her sight, but that brief interaction had startled her.
There were very few people in the world that could catch her unawares, but this man seemed to have appeared from thin air. Her trained senses didn't even hear him coming until they were mere feet apart. By the time her brain had caught up, the celebrity had disappeared from her sight. What an intriguing individual. When the meeting came to be, she spotted him from across the room. He certainly was intimidating his height towering over many others in the room.
As she watched him, his demeanor changed and he looked relieved that nobody was paying him any attention. That was unexpected. Most celebrities want the whole world to know when they arrive.
Then he caught her gaze. Those oceanic wild blue eyes that seemed to pierce her very core. She held his line of sight though she was seconds from lowering her gaze. There was something about him that was different than all the other rich people she had met.
There was true power and strength behind every facial expression and movement. He seemed to blend in and stand out among the others at the same time. His kinetic energy flowed in such fluidity as he moved toward her.
Soon they stood face to face and she barely remembered introducing herself before a firm grip shook her hand. This man moved like a well trained soldier, but there was no record of him serving in any military capacity.
He held himself confidently, but not boastfully. He was polite and firm but respectful and professional. She could only describe him a beautiful enigma. On paper and on the surface, he was nothing but a rich man yet Halley sensed he was more than just the name he held: Bruce Wayne.
A name everyone knew and yet knew next to nothing about him. She didn't know his favorite color or what he liked to do outside of work hours. Did he like wine or whiskey? Not that any of it mattered. She'd only be at arm's length of the man tending to making sure he and his family continued to see the light of day.
There was no ring on his finger, yet a woman accompanied him. Halley had read up on her. Selena Kyle, heir to a bunch of exclusive clubs in Gotham. Several of which didn't have the cleanest reputations though Halley speculated that was from the generation of her father who seemed to be back on the straight and narrow.
Ms. Kyle had no record, but the only recorded incident of noteworthy attention was when she had been kidnapped several years ago and rescued by none other than the city's famed vigilante: Batman.
Halley's boss wasn't thrilled that some citizen thought it was okay to dress up like some kid and rampage through the streets. She thought it was weird and unusual, but despite her superior's reservations, Batman had a good track record. She liked to call him the Black Shadow because in her hometown that was what they nicknamed him. He was the black shadow that wrongdoers saw before getting pummeled into submission. She had heard rumors that he was a brutal fighter leaving behind heaps of groaning goons, but he never killed anybody no matter how bad they were.
He must be making some sort of difference because since his appearance several years ago, Gotham's crime rates had fallen drastically. Now compared to the nation's average, they were still a very dangerous city but were no longer among the top ten worst cities in America. That had to stand for something. Right?
Halley just hoped she could finish her mission without running into the caped crusader. That was a headache she wasn't wanting to deal with. Since the Director of the FBI had no grounds to arrest the guy, they couldn't touch him unless he started hurting the citizens of Gotham, so the vigilante would live to see another day.
Halley took a sip of her lemonade and out of the corner of her eye she watched the smallest member of the group. The member she had the least amount of information on because he wasn't yet known in the public's eyes as he was a minor: Richard "Dick" Grayson which was now apparently Richard "Dick" Wayne according to what Bruce Wayne revealed to them in the meeting. The only information she knew was he was an orphan and had been involved in the attack on Wayne Manor. She had no idea he had been retrieved by Batman nor had been officially adopted.
She, herself, was unmarried and had no children, but she loved her nephew who was around the young boy's age. He seemed to enjoy Mr. Wayne's presence as the child had immediately gravitated toward him for protection when she came into the room. He seemed like a sweet child who had a run in with some misfortune. Poor thing. Three different individuals brought together by tragedy. And now it was her job to protect them until the threat was neutralized. She had no idea how long that would be. She had packed for a few weeks but this could go on for several months if they lost the ex-Queen's Shadow's and their boss's tail.
She wrapped up the cellophane that held her sandwich and shoved it into her empty chip bag. She turned to get up and met the penetrating gaze of Bruce Wayne. Geez. She wasn't sure if this man was a ninja or ghost, but that would be the second time she failed to sense his presence. It must of shown on her face because he immediately apologized for scaring her.
She waved her hand. "I'm fine, you just startled me." He held out his hand and flicked his head toward her empty tray. He was offering to take her lunch and discard it. She handed it to him wishing her military instincts to stand up and ignore him would kick in, but her feminine brain ignored it. Before she knew it, he had cleared both tables leaving only the drinks and now was sitting in front of her.
"I'd like to bring the others back to the room and then sit down somewhere quiet where we can discuss the logistics of the log cabin." Log cabin was the codename for Bruce's safehouse. It would be an awkward conversation if people overheard them talking about hidden safehouses out in public.
She met his blue eyes taking in his serious gaze twinged with concern in their depths. He truly was quite good-looking and Halley nodded. "Alright. Let's get going then." Inside her head, she was screaming at herself to keep it professional. There was something about her charge, more than his handsome face, that pulled her toward him yet at the same time she wanted to run away from his intimidating aura. This was going to be some very interesting next few weeks.