Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 1

Gotham Courthouse; April 3rd, 17:30 EST

A furious flutter of bright flashes erupts as I walk towards the podium, my famous Bruce Wayne smile firmly in place. I don't really have to think much about what I'm doing as I go through the motions, shaking hands with the mayor, Commissioner Jim Gordon, Gotham's new DA, Justin Trask, as well as various other city council members.

In the beginning when I had first donned the cape and cowl, I had been very focused on every single move I made as the billionaire businessman, carefully separating both sides of myself in order to keep them as distinctly different as humanly possible.

Now, after all of these years, it was just second nature to me. In fact, it was becoming more and more difficult finding the real me in the midst of the dichotomy that had become my life. I knew I was in there somewhere between the two, a combination of Bruce Wayne and Batman. I just wasn't sure anymore how much of which I truly was. I'm beginning to fear that I'm becoming more Bat than man.

Coming to stand before the podium, I pause, giving my best playboy grin that I am so well known for. Now, that side of me, the bed-hopping playboy, is all an act...well, mostly an act. While I don't sleep with every woman I'm seen with, there have been a few who have momentarily turned my head and have been in my bed.

While I haven't truly been with a woman in a long time, I'm still a man with wants and urges. I have worked very hard at trying to tame those carnal needs, disciplining myself to keep them at bay. Now, it's only the mission and nothing else.

I raise my hand to silence the applause as well as the abrupt rush of questions from reports that begin hammering away at me before I've even had a chance to speak. The large crowd gathered here at the courthouse quickly falls silent, allowing me the chance to say what I've come to announce.

"Thank you all for coming today," I begin, my voice echoing loudly over the speaker system. "You all can relax. I'm not here to announce my intentions to run for any political office."

I allow the faint waves of laughter to die out before continuing, my expression becoming serious. "As you are well aware, Gotham has seen a rise in the number of deaths related to the recent introduction of a new illegal drug on the streets called Ash. There have been over twenty deaths so far since its arrival in our city and I feel that it's time we put a stop to this before any more senseless deaths occur.

"That is why I am creating and funding a new drug coalition to help deal with this latest, deadly crisis. Mayor Hill and I have met several times about this and he feels that this something that is needed in order to save Gotham from this deadly drug."

I pause to let this new information sink in, my eyes scanning the crowd. I spot a certain reporter with black hair and black-rimmed glasses towards the back. His lips curl slightly as our eyes meet, but I ignore it, continuing to sweep the room and making a mental note of those in attendance.

"Are there any questions?" I ask.

It's at this point that the room erupts with a burst of questions. I decide to give the reporter from Metropolis a break, electing to indulge in a little good-natured humiliation. "Yes, the reporter from the Daily Planet. Mister...Kemp...isn't it?"

Clark gives me an exasperated look that says "did you really just do that" before diving into his question. "It's Clark Kent, Mister Wayne, and I was wondering if you have found anyone to head up this drug coalition of yours?"

"My apologies, Mister Kent," I reply with an easy smile. "No, I have not found anyone yet, but I'm definitely looking for someone with a good head on their shoulders who can handle working with Mister Trask here. It's going to be a joint effort between Wayne Enterprises and Gotham's finest."