Tale of Two Gothams

Ch. 7: The Truth is Out

Gordon sat starring horrified at Alfred as he told the story. He just couldn't believe that Bruce would beat him and threaten to kill him. "When did this all start?"

"About a month after Master Dick arrived," Alfred said sadly.

"Almost two years?" Gordon asked even more surprised. "Why didn't you say anything before then?"

"I was hoping Master Bruce would stop it himself."

"Well, it doesn't look like that happened."

"No," Alfred said and lowered his head. "I should've called sooner, but I was afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Alfred just looked up at Dick, but neither one of them answered. "Alfred, what are you so afraid of?"

Dick looked at him, pleading for him to say it. "Please, Alfred." Gordon just looked back and forth between the two of them. "Maybe they can help him."

Alfred sighed then looked at Gordon. "Two years ago, before Master Bruce took Master Dick in, he was out on patrol in the city."

"Patrol? What do you mean?" Gordon asked confused.

"Master Bruce is Batman."

Gordon's eyes went wide. "What?"

"When his parents died, Master Bruce swore to avenge their deaths. He trained himself, learning every martial art there is, studying harder, and building himself up every day. One night, he was out on patrol and he came across Two Face. I don't know what happened to him or how, but after that he started to become more violent, more aggressive. When he took Master Dick in, I thought he was trying to change, but a month later, he started hitting him." Alfred closed his eyes as he remembered the first time he saw it. "It was so unexpected. I never thought he would do something like that."

"What happened?" Gordon asked trying to get the whole story. Dick also paid close attention to learn the answer as well.

"He and Master Dick were just watching a movie in the living room. Master Dick asked him a question about how he hurt his arm, and the next thing I know, Master Bruce was hitting him." Tears started welling up in his eyes. "I ran over and tried to stop him, but he just ended up hitting me then walking to his study. Master Dick had a black eye and a fat lip. We didn't see him for the rest of the night. About a week later, Master Dick found the Batcave."

"You mean it's here at the manor?" Gordon asked.

"Under it actually, but yes. Master Bruce wasn't happy that Master Dick found the cave. I searched everywhere for the young Master, but I couldn't find him anywhere. Finally I checked the cave. I wasn't expecting to find him there, but sadly I did. He was in a corner huddled up in a ball crying. Master Bruce was just sitting at the computer, not even paying him any heed. I went over to find out what was wrong, but when he looked up at me I saw that blood was running down from his nose and mouth and that he was cradling his left arm."

Gordon stood up slightly angry. "I want to see the cave."

"You can't go down there. He'll kill you," Dick said afraid for Gordon's life.

"I'm a cop son, I can handle myself."

"Even the Batman?" Alfred asked.

"I'll manage," Gordon replied.

Alfred looked at Dick then stood up. "Follow me."

"Alfred, don't," Dick pleaded. "He'll kill him!"

Alfred just ignored him and walked out of the room, Gordon following. They walked down the stairs, through the study, and up to the old grandfather clock. Gordon watched amazed when Alfred pulled one of the strings and the clock moved. He saw an elevator with a bat on it then followed Alfred in. "All these years and I've always been two feet away from it."