A Storm Rising

Chapter 22

Since Oswald was moved to the background of this chapter, Dr. Crane is written by Yayume.

Nygma

I sat at my desk in my office tapping the end of my pen against the rim of my glasses a quiet smirk on my face as I kept thinking about the last encounter between me and Oswald. I didn't appreciate the Riddler showing up but when I had come to the night got better.

I had finally decided to take my shot and try to find Crane on my own. I was getting frustrated with the lack of GCPD response on the matter especially since there had been deaths.

I was looking through a stack of files on my desk, I had to admit, getting my own files from the file room, now that Kringle was dead, was annoying. The new person who replaced her had everything a mess down there.

I could barely concentrate my mind was elsewhere, on my lover, my partner in crime.

Stop acting like a fucking school girl and get on with it, Ed grunted the voice in the back of my head.

I sighed shuffling back through the files. I was looking for anything at all I could find on this Crane individual. I needed to find him, and Riddler wanted his blood.

I eventually got up and headed out to speak with Detective Bullock and Gordon if he was at work. Everyone seemed to just excuse his random absences because we all knew he was still grieving.

"Detective?" I questioned arriving at the desks that the two detectives occupied. However only one was sitting there, Harvey.

"Yes Ed?" asked Harvey looking up to me over the rim of his own reading glasses. He was looking at the newspaper.

This is why nothing gets done around here

"I was looking into the Crane case, is there anything at all that might be missing from the notes? Places he's been seen? Anything? I'm trying to find any more cases dealing with his M.O for the Captain."

Harvey eyed me for a moment suspiciously.

"We had been looking into a support group." he finally responded leaning back in his chair. "We think he had been picking up his victims there, seeing as what he needs are people's fears to make his serum."

I nodded listening carefully and making mental notes.

"Anyways, we've been poking about but no movement there. Unless he knows we are cops."

"Very helpful, thank you." I nodded before taking my leave.

Well, you do need help chuckled the voice in the back of my head as I decided I would go blend into this group.

I shook my head, no you're the one that needs help, I mentally jested.

I stopped as I grabbed my jacket remembering that I was supposed to meet Oswald at his club that evening. I sighed grabbing my phone, I was going to have to cancel on him, which was something I never had done. I needed Crane.

I called Oswald and got his voice mail as usual these days, he was extremely busy being the head of the Maroni family now. I never held it against him, I understood what it meant to him.

I left a brief voice mail apologizing but something important had come up and asked if we could reschedule our dinner date. I shoved my phone back into my pocket and headed out of the building.

I found my way down to this support group Bullock had mentioned. I found the room in which it would be held, I was in time. I pursed my lips before being tapped on the shoulder.