The Way We Fall | Bruce Wayne

CHAPTER 16 - Pawn

Though she wouldn't admit it, Sara avoided Bruce throughout the remainder of the evening. When she'd catch his eye across the room, she'd start up conversation with whoever was closest. Of course, it often resulted in prolonged, boring discussions.

The matter troubled her as she replayed moments in her mind. Did he see her as a trophy to be won? A jewel to add to his crown of status? Perhaps a tool to achieve whatever he wanted out of her company.

Part of her truly did want to have genuine sympathy for the man. To believe he wasn't what his public persona showed itself to be. But she couldn't make heads or tails out of who he was. How could she trust someone who she wasn't even sure was ever being real? She wanted to tear away whichever part of him was a mask to reveal once and for all what laid beneath, pretty or ugly. But she couldn't do that. Unfortunately, she couldn't afford to lose him. For the sake of her job.

Regardless, she wasn't going to be known as the famous playboy's latest object of affection.

The room gradually lost its liveliness as people began to leave. Bruce escorted her to the elevator in his usual gentlemanly fashion. He was stiff and tense, even as his arm hooked around hers. The moment they stepped into the elevator, they separated, a measurable distance between them.

They didn't speak, nor did they even look at each other. Sara felt like they were a pair of high schoolers after an awkward moment. Neither of them could ignore it, even if they tried. It couldn't stay this way if she wanted to finish the partnership the deal. That's if Bruce didn't call it all off right now.

After what seemed like an eternity, the elevator arrived at the ground floor.

"Mr. Wayne!" A security officer called as they were walking toward the exit. They stopped and turned toward him. "There's something we want you to see."

"What's it about?"

The officer looked between them. "We may have found a connection to the case." He led them to the security room, where four other overnight officers were sat before a dozen computer monitors.

Sara's heart pounded in anticipation for what they may have found. If they had any hint that she was involved, she'd already be surrounded by police, right? She inhaled sharply and relaxed herself. Bruce would pick up on any tension quickly. He was good at that.

She watched as the officer opened a video file on one of the screens. At first, it was dark and blurry. The camera adjusted with bright-green night vision. Squinting to make out the figures in the footage, Sara felt realization dawn.

It was her and Batman in the impound yard.

"The GCPD thought nothing of it originally. But look at the time." The officer pointed to the date and time in the corner of the security footage.

"Same time as the first withdrawal," Bruce muttered deep in thought, his hand on his chin.

Sara masked her worry with concern. "Do you think he has anything to do with it?" She gestured to the vigilante. Her question was more to avoid suspicion than to accuse.

The security officer shook his head. "Don't think so. Take a look." He fast forwarded the footage. Both figures disappeared into the shadows. Shortly after, another camera picked up movement. Sara flinched as she saw herself get knocked to the ground, the Batman standing beside her.

"I don't think they're on friendly terms," Bruce spoke with a subtle hint of sarcasm, watching the video continue.

In an instant, Batman vanished and Sara watched herself flee. She had been used as a distraction for both the police and for Batman. Though it hadn't gone as they'd planned, whoever set her up had achieved the same goal. The local police flooded the impound yard after Sara was long gone.

"The GCPD had a lead on her last night," the officer continued, pausing the footage. In the dimly lit room, the color drained from Sara's face. "There was an anonymous report of a suspicious person crossing rooftops about a mile from here. It was confirmed to be her, but she managed to escape."

Bruce was silent in thought for a few moments. "No leads on her identity?"

"Nothing."

Sara quickly regained her composure, looking between the two men. "She must be a pawn," she said, rejoining the conversation. "That fiasco at the impound distracted the police while the money was being transferred."

Bruce looked to the officer. "And there's still no evidence of an insider?"

"No. The records are clean. All we see is the date and time of the extraction, but no IDs. There isn't even an approximate location. Whoever pulled it off managed to wipe any traceable information."

Sara knew that without any other solid evidence, all fingers still pointed to her.

When they left the security office, Bruce courteously placed his tuxedo jacket around her shoulders before they stepped into the chilly night air. Yet his thoughts were afar off. She noticed it in his distracted gaze.