After everyone left, Garfield was sent to bed and Bruce went downstairs into the Batcave. Beast Boy however couldn't sleep he was worried about Bruce. Falcone seemed happy with him and that actually made the situation worse. He could imagine what a billionaire like Bruce could do to help Falcone. The man gave him a place to stay, and he didn't want to see Bruce get in trouble.
He suspected Alfred would go talk to Bruce and he decided to sneak onto the butler. Turning into a fly, he could see Alfred prying Regina from the bar, literally. Making sure all guests were gone, he got the tea set and went to where Bruce was, unknowingly with a green fly on his arm.
Imagine his surprise, when he saw Alfred use a secret pathway and walking into what seemed to be some kind of room cave.
"Wayne Manor has seven bedrooms, two kitchens, a library, a gymnasium, a basketball court and a movie theatre… and yet I always find you here. In a dark, damp cave… In front of the computer".
Beast Boy saw Alfred's point, why would Bruce hang out down here.
"I'm more at home here than the rest of the house, you know that".
"Then we should build an eight bedroom down here", replied Alfred.
"Sure, I can see the headlines now… Bruce Wayne. Billionaire. Entrepreneur. Cave Dweller".
"Quite an eclectic resume".
Beast Boy who was still on Alfred's shoulder listened in.
"Did you find out what that… cat woman… tried to steal"?
"Catwoman"? Beast Boy knew of her being a thief and romantic partner for Batman.
"Well, in the process".
"What are we looking at", asked Alfred referring to the screen on the Batcomputer.
"Let me try a different angle". Bruce was working his fingers with the keys.
Hearing some noises, a blue hologram appeared behind Bruce. The billionaire stood up to take a closer inspection. "This is a map of the Eastside Shoreline… But it could mean any number of things. Money, weapons, drugs. Everything flows through that port".
"Maybe it's where Mayor Hill picks up his dry-cleaning". Beast could appreciate Alfred's joking.
"Hmm… I can't make sense of it yet, but there's still of files to decrypt". The hologram finished like that sentence.
"And in the meantime…". Bruce returned to his chair as Alfred spoke again. "I saved you what I could".
"Thanks Al".
"The same couldn't be said for the bar".
Beast smirked as Alfred continued. "I had to literally pry Mrs. Zeller away".
That was funny to watch, Beast thought.
"But you'll be pleased to hear everyone left, including Mr. Falcone".
Bruce looked displeased hearing that name.
"I would have tempted to be far less… polite. I'd recommend leaving the fist fights to your alter-ego. Blood stains are much harder to remove from a tuxedo".
Did Beast hear that right? Alter-ego?
"Yeah, thanks for the interruption".
"It wasn't for you Bruce. I was worried he might drink all my good scotch".
Beast had no idea wither the butler was joking or not.
"For the record… Your father despised men like Falcone. Thought they ruined Gotham's stellar reputation".
"Back when it still had one".
Alfred didn't believe it was over. "It can again, Bruce. Though people like this… cat woman… aren't helping.
Beast focused on the picture on the screen while Alfred continued. "Is she new to town"?
"Never seen her before. Hopefully, she's just a tourist.
Beast Boy was surprised by that. Where he came from Catwoman was well known and had a thing with Batman.
"I'll check the codex".
Bruce couldn't find much about her on it. Alfred commented on it. "Not much to find, apparently".
"A few burglaries, break ins… Seems to lay pretty low".
"You could learn a thing or two from her". The butler continued. "You can't step outside without it ending up in the news lately. As Bruce or Batman".
Did he hear that right? Did Alfred call Bruce, Batman?
"That's not the point. I want criminals to know I'm out there. Batman isn't hiding from anybody.
Yep, Beast heard that correctly. Bruce is Batman. He wondered if it was the same, back in his own world. He heard Alfred speak again.
"I was talking about Bruce".
Silence for 2 seconds before Alfred spoke again as Bruce got up. "I don't mean to beat a dead argument but-"
"No one's gonna figure it out, Al. Trust me".
Bruce was wrong. Someone did figure it out. Him, by accident admittedly.
"Ms. Vale noticed your injuries. So did Mr. Dent. If they put it together with the incident at the Mayor's Office… It would undo all the long nights and close calls we endured to get here. You're in the spotlight more than ever. You have to be careful".
Bruce believed he had it covered. "I've had to cover for mysterious injuries before".
"You been lucky".
"Or I'm just a really good liar".
"A necessary in your line of work, I suppose. Though… I hope you change careers someday".
Beast quit paying attention for a few seconds as his mind was thinking of Robin. That would explain how Robin is able to afford all that stuff. It would explain how Batman could afford all that stuff. He was brought out of his thoughts by Bruce who said something about Oz and 20 years, although he didn't get the full sentence. His focus back on Bruce, he saw the billionaire was holding a card that said, 'ELECT HARVEY DENT for Mayor of Gotham'. From his perspective at least. Bruce was looking at the back.
Bruce began turning to the screen as he was speaking. "Last time I saw him… we were in grade school".
"Indeed, you two were thick as thieves".
Garfield saw a photo of 2 boys appear on screen.
"Oswald however took that role more literally than you".
The picture changed to an older Oswald.
Bruce could not believe what he was reading. "Dishonorable discharge. Illegal boxing matches. Arms dealing. Prison stints…".
"It's a criminal grand slam, if I'm using the expression correctly".
"Unfortunately, you are".
"Oswald claim he only wanted to catch up, but his behavior following his family's collapse is… troubling. Why he's returning now… I haven't the faintest idea".
"Do you think he might know something about the break in? This Catwoman shows up around the same time Oswald comes back to town… might not be a coincidence".
'Yikes'. And Beast thought Robin was paranoid. Seriously, a friend you didn't see in a long time and he's suddenly a criminal mastermind. Then again, Oswald was involved in crime while he himself wasn't and that didn't stop his 'friends' from turning on him.
"Oswald's crimes, numerous as they may be, are on a much smaller scale than robbing City Hall".
"He always was trouble, growing up, but the fun kind of trouble".
"You both were", replied Alfred. "Even though you and young Cobblepot used to be close… I'd advise you to be cautious. But I know you can't abandon a good mystery until it's solved".
Bruce was quick to assure. "I'll be careful Alfred".
"When you see what becomes of the park… I think you will".
Beast Boy would follow from a distance.