Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 6

Wayne Enterprises; May 3rd, 09:01 EST

I enter Wayne Enterprises, taking off my sunglasses and mustering the facade of a pleasant smile that I definitely don't feel this morning. My mood is more than a little foul, my hands ache, and I got less than three hours of sleep...sleep that was anything but restful.

Horrible nightmares plagued what little sleep I did get last night, my parents' murder intermingling with that teenaged boy's death. A death that is caused by a lethal drug that lingers in the streets of Gotham that I can't begin to stop, one that so deviously steals lives.

On top of that, Diana wasn't at breakfast this morning, evidently leaving for work extra early in order to avoid me. For some reason, I'm more than a little annoyed that she wasn't there like she usually has been every morning, though, I can hardly blame her for steering clear of me.

It's my fault that she was long gone before I had even gotten up and Alfred had done a very fine job of making sure that I knew it. J'onn and Tim had sat there tight-lipped with heads lowered and their focus solely on their breakfast. Both knew better than to add to what was already sizing up to be a dreadful morning.

I was so horrible to her last night, cutting and cruel, placing all the blame squarely on her shoulders where none of it belonged. The blame was mine—my city, my failure.

Stepping out of the elevator, I make a beeline for my office, hoping to avoid any and all interactions if at all possible. Talking is the last thing that I want to do right now. I just want to bury myself in my work and forget about the countless reasons behind my vile mood.

Thankfully, Jennifer is on the phone as I approach, too preoccupied to ask any questions as I pass by her. I enter my office, closing the door behind me with a sigh of relief before tossing my briefcase on my desk and removing my overcoat. I know it will take only a handful of moments before she'll be in here with my coffee and an interrogation I'd rather avoid right now.

Settling down in my chair at my desk, I pick up my phone and quickly call Lucius to confirm that our meeting at ten o'clock is still on. As if on cue, Jennifer knocks before entering my office with coffee in hand and an inquisitive look on her face as her curious gaze falls to my hands.

Concern fills her eyes as she silently sets the cup of coffee on my desk. I dismiss her with a nod of my head as I open my briefcase, making sure that Lucius is prepared for the meeting. She gives me a somewhat bewildered look before turning to leave and I know that I'll be answering those questions whether I like it or not.

"Sounds good, Lucius," I tell him as Jennifer shuts the door behind her. "I'll see you in a little bit then."

I hang up the phone and reach for my coffee, in dire need of caffeine. Opening up the files for the meeting this morning, I do my best to focus on my work, but thoughts of Diana and what happened last night with the boy continually plague me. After half an hour of doing battle with my demons, I finally give up with a growl, tossing my pen aside and deciding to head to my meeting early. I'm sure it will be a shock to all involved to see me there so far ahead of time.

I make a quick exit out of my office and pass Jennifer with files in hand, my gaze focused straight ahead of me. "Heading to my meeting," I inform her without pausing long enough for a response.

Any hope that the R&D meeting will provide a reprieve from my troubled thoughts is quickly shot down within the first few minutes. Though interested in the plans to advance and improve our research and development department, I can't seem to escape the guilt that lingers in my chest or forget the hurt that had flashed through Diana's eyes before being tucked away behind her anger.