Bruce Wayne

Chapter 27: Cavernous Improvements

Bruce drove the van toward the GCPD, trying to reach the police station before Gordon walked into trouble. He pushed the upper edge of the speed limit, attempting to reach his destination without risking a delay due to a speeding ticket.

Turning into the parking garage, Bruce found a spot and left the van as he raced inside. He climbed the steps two at a time. When he reached the second floor where Gordon had his office, Bruce pulled open the door and darted inside.

The wood floor of the police station was crowded with more desks than it could comfortably hold, constricting the walkways and creating choke points in the flow of foot traffic. Equally cluttered to the floor plan were the desks, stacked high with papers and bulging folders of police files threatening to topple over if someone walked to close. Hanging fixtures added to the light coming in through the tall windows surrounding the wide and square room on all sides. Situated along the upper perimeter of the room, almost hiding in the darkness above the lights, were eagle shaped gargoyles extending outward from the walls.

Bruce barely glanced at the design of the room because he was more concerned with finding Gordon. He spotted the Lieutenant emerging from the elevator at the other end of the room. Navigating his way between the crowded desks and the numerous officers blocking the narrow walkways, Bruce approached Gordon.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here," Gordon said when Bruce suddenly appeared from around one of the pillars supporting the high ceiling. "Something up?"

"I missed something," Bruce told him, keeping his voice low to avoid anyone nearby overhearing their conversation. "I had you looking into Fairbanks to see if he had anyone on the take inside the GCPD, but I'd failed to consider the possibility of a partner who might."

"I appreciate you bringing this to me, but I thought of it," Gordon admitted. "I didn't get to be a Lieutenant because of my good looks. Fairbanks did have a partner, and I just now presented the evidence to the Chief of Detectives; we'll be scooping up the partner too."

Bruce felt relieved but also stupid for not expecting Gordon to have figured it out beforehand.

"I'm sorry I bothered you over nothing," Bruce apologized.

"Hey, Kid," Gordon said. "You did great work on this. I appreciate you having my back and checking in to make sure all the angles are covered. This thing could have gone sideways in a host of different ways, and it's nice to have someone I can rely on."

"Anytime, Lieutenant," Bruce replied, feeling marginally better.

"Call me Jim," Gordon suggested with a smile.

                                                                                            ***

Bruce drove away from the police station with the intention of completing his earlier errands. The sun was half hidden behind the western horizon, and he needed to hurry if he was going to reach the stores before they closed. He took a few moments to call Alfred and tell him what had occurred. Alfred was relieved nothing had befallen their friend in the police.

Despite Gordon not actually being in danger, Bruce was still angry at himself for missing the potential hazard. His mind repeated the events over and over again in his thoughts, obsessing on his mistake. There was no excuse for such carelessness. He had to be more diligent in the future. One day he would miss something, no one would be there to catch it, and someone would die because of it. Bruce refused to accept such an eventuality. He forcefully determined to be more careful in all his work. Bruce needed contingencies in place for all possibilities and every situation that might occur, no matter how farfetched. If people did come to harm, it wouldn't be because of his mistakes.