Main Attraction | The Dark Knight Trilogy

THIRTY - UNHINGED

Bruce walked his red and white MV Agusta motorcycle out from its hiding place behind the wall, he had already donned a leather jacket, with his arm laced through the visor of a black helmet. He couldn't very well go out as Batman in the daylight, especially when he was trying to be discreet. Even without the suit, his posture had shifted, bringing him closer to Batman than himself.

"Got one," I announced just as Bruce got the bike onto the lift. "Melvin White. Convicted for aggravated assault and moved to Arkham twice—1502 Randolph Apartments, just off State—"

"It's overlooking the parade."

I watched the lift rise before turning back to Alfred and the computers. I unplugged the headset so we could both hear Bruce and the police radio simultaneously. Alfred and I waited silently to hear from Bruce.

"The Joker has Gordon's men tied up in the apartment—otherwise, it's empty," Bruce said in his deep Batman growl. Since I had been waiting for him to speak, I wasn't startled by it. "He's got people in their uniforms, lined up with the police in the parade."

Alfred immediately turned his attention to the police scanners and radios, listening to see if anyone had picked up on anything wrong. On the feed from Bruce, I heard bagpipes and knew he was close to a window.

"They haven't realized anything is amiss," Alfred informed us.

"They won't. The Joker's too good."

The sharp report of gunshots sounded, and I groaned as the feedback echoed through the bunker. "Was that a signal?"

"A trap."

Alfred turned up the radio he'd been fiddling with, and suddenly, I didn't need Bruce to tell me what was going on. Shots, screams, and chaos erupted. People were yelling a dozen different things, but I could pick out phrases about protecting the mayor, getting him to safety, and stopping the Joker from escaping. Among the cacophony, I could hear curses of frustration and anger, and, above it all, laughter. I wasn't sure if the Joker was actually laughing or if I was imagining the sound, but fear started to creep in regardless.

"Gordon's down!" a particularly panicked voice yelled into the radio, startling me where Bruce's voice hadn't.

"What?"

It wasn't directed at anyone, but Bruce answered anyway. "The Joker took a shot at the mayor. Gordon leapt in front of the bullet." Bruce was pissed. I could hear it in his voice and in the thud of his feet hitting the floor. "As soon as I cut the cops loose, I'm coming back. I've got to catch him. I've got to stop this."

"Bruce—"

"He got away again. The police are in a panic and he escaped."

When Bruce returned to the bunker, he moved with a deliberateness I only saw when he was struggling to keep himself in control. I didn't say anything, just stayed out of his way, but I was scared. Scared of what he might do, of what might happen if he went out like that. Only when he was dressed in the cape and cowl did I decide that I had to do something. I stepped in front of him as he made for the Tumbler and made myself meet his fiery gaze. He returned the stare and I had to set my jaw to keep from shrinking away from the intensity of it. I thought he was going to yell or force me to move, but instead, he closed his eyes and exhaled after a moment of meeting my eyes. His gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder, near the base of my neck.

"Maya," he started, and I knew I wasn't going to like what he said next. "Please don't listen for a few hours."

"What? Why?"

"Just... please." His eyes were begging me and I leveled off any arguments I was going to start. Gordon was his closest ally and he was dead.

I leaned into his hand. "Fine. Just be careful."

I gave him a parting kiss before watching him leave.