The Way We Fall | Bruce Wayne

CHAPTER 11 - Fugitive

Sara thought of Bruce Wayne all Thursday afternoon. The words in work emails would blur as her thoughts trailed off. He couldn't be the one responsible for the missing funds. It didn't seem practical. There would be no way for someone of his status to be able to hide such a crime. Though maybe she was underestimating his capabilities. But what actual reason would he have to jeopardize his family's company? She saw the fondness in his eyes as he spoke of his home. Something told her he would never intentionally destroy his family legacy.

Convincing others of what she deduced was a different challenge. Mr. Riley held his suspicions, but encouraged further discussion. Sara recalled that she hadn't informed him about the banquet she was to attend the following night. Figuring it'd be better if she told him herself rather than he discover through television, she knocked on his door.

He permitted her to enter, and she remained standing. "I received an invitation to the charity fundraiser being held by Wayne Enterprises tomorrow night."

His eyes flickered up from whatever he'd been reading. "An invitation? Your new friend wouldn't have anything to do with it, would he?"

Her eyes narrowed. "New friend? I don't-"

"I called their office yesterday. Wayne was out of the office roughly the same time you had a scheduled meeting." His gaze held suspicion.

She felt like a deer in headlights. "If you're insinuating anything outside of professionalism, you're sorely mistaken."

"Sara, I'm not going to question your methods. If accepting dates gets your foot in the door, then so be it."

Heat rose to her face. Not out of embarrassment, but out of anger. "First of all," her hand tapped on the back of a chair to emphasize her point, "we met to discuss the repercussions of the embezzlement case. Mr. Wayne is a busy man, and he only had time to meet outside of the office."

Her other hand tapped the chair. "Second, the banquet tomorrow is an opportunity to set a good image for their investors. I intend to engage in strictly business and nothing more."

"All while sipping champagne, I'm sure." He waved a hand as if to dismiss the topic. "Did he mention anything in particular yesterday?"

She knew what he was asking. Shaking her head, she responded, "No. He's sure that they'll recover."

"It doesn't seem odd that he's not concerned about who pulled it off, or why?"

"It's not that he's not concerned, Mr. Riley." She paused for a moment, reconsidering the fact that she may be defending a possible criminal. Thinking back to yesterday, she pushed the thought aside. "He's just confident in his company."

"Something's going on. And you've got direct access to the man who knows. I'm trusting you'll figure out exactly what it is." He returned to facing his computer, suggesting he was done with their conversation.

She turned to leave. He spoke up again, coldly, "And Sara..." Her head turned to look back at him. "The Board is already discussing layoffs and replacements. I'm not the one you have to impress. They are."

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The sun had just set when Sara returned to the rooftops. A brilliant glow of orange still spread across the sky, contrasting the steely gray skyscrapers. She bounded from one to the other, navigating fire escapes and leaping over alleyways.

Last time she wanted to clear her thoughts and blow off some steam, the Batman used her as a yo-yo. She stayed light on her feet, minding her surroundings as she pushed her limits.