Batman: Hero of Gotham

11- The Batcave

Bruce took a secret elevator down to the batcave. Once the elevator doors opened, he stepped out and said aloud, "It's me", triggering the lights to turn on and the bat-tech to generate on. Bruce switched on the news channel on one of the televisions. The news explained what had happened earlier that evening with Batman and that Catwoman. 

Bruce listened in as the news explained, "Another brutal week in Gotham, folks. Five robbers were arrested this evening and the notorious Batman was there at the scene with another unnamed suited woman. Batman reportedly failed to retrieve any items from the cite".

"I did retrieve something of hers. Let's see what she was really after." Bruce said as he took out the device Catwoman had tried stealing. Bruce checked the Gotham Media Feed. He found an article about Harvey. He read it to himself.

"Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent calls upon the Mayor's office to take a public stand against the wave of vigilante actions sweeping the streets. 'Mayor Hill cannot expect the DA's office to prosecute cases on any criteria other than the law', said Dent at a City Hall press conference. Dent has taken a firm stand against vigilantism in Gotham, from the uptick in citizen-led shootings to the costumed 'superhero' Batman. Dent is currently enjoying a surge in popularity with one of the lowest  criminal backlog indexes in the state. His ground breaking 'Victim's Assistance Program' was part of the platform that drove his most recent successful bid for re-election, since becoming Gotham's youngest District Attorney at age 26." Another article caught Bruce's eye which was about Lieutenant Gordon. It was titled "Police Lieutenant Tapped To Lead Task Force".  Bruce didn't feel like reading it though. Bruce analyzed the device which Bruce realized was a Data Drive. As the Batcomputer was analyzing it, Alfred walked up to him.

"Wayne Manor has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens, a library, a gymnasium, a basketball court and a movie theater but yet, I always find you here." Alfred said. "In a dark, damp cave. In front of a computer."

"I'm more at home here than the rest of the house, you know that."

"Then we should build an eighth bedroom down here just for the hell of it."

"Sure. I can see the headlines right now. 'Bruce Wayne. Billionaire. Entrepreneur. Cave dweller."

"Quite an eclectic resume. Did you find out what that...Catwoman tried to steal?"

"In the process."

"What are we looking at?"

"Let me try a different angle." Bruce changed the angle so they could both have a better view. Instead, it pulled up a three-dimensional map of Gotham. It zoomed in on a specific spot in Gotham. "That's a map of the East Shoreline. But it could mean any number of things. Money, weapons, drugs. Everything flows through that port."

"Maybe it's where Mayor Hill picks up his dry-cleaning."

"I can't make sense of it yet. There's still many more files to decrypt."

"In the meantime, I saved you what I could." Alfred pointed at the coffee that he had prepared.

"Thanks, Al." 

"The same couldn't be said for the bar. I had to literally pry Mrs. Zellerbach away. But you'll be pleased to hear that everyone has left, including Mr. Falcone. I'd recommend leaving the fist fights to your alter-ego. Blood stains are much harder to remove from your tuxedo."

"I don't want anything to do with Falcone. After he broke Joe Chill out of prison, I wish he'd have stayed in jail where he belongs."

"Too bad he only got a two year sentence. But he certainly showed interest in you. That's what worries me. For the record, your father despised men like Falcone. He thought they ruined Gotham's stellar reputation."

"Back when it still had one."

"It can again, Bruce. Though, people like this Catwoman aren't helping things. Is she new to town?"

"Never seen her before. Hopefully she's just a tourist. I'll check the Codex." Bruce clicked on the Codex and it was brought up to the big screen. He found Catwoman's info and clicked on it. "Found her." He read the description that was set up for her.

"Thief for hire. Beyond that, I don't know much about her, not even who she's working for. I wish I did because she's good at what she does. She caught me off guard during the break-in at the mayor's office. That was a mistake I won't let happen again, but I don't think she's a threat to be put down. Yet. I need to find out more about her."

"Not much to find, apparently." Alfred said.

"A few burglaries, break-ins. Seems to lay pretty low."

"You could learn a few things from her. You can't step outside without it ending up in the news lately. As Bruce or Batman."

"That's not the point. I want criminals to know I'm out there. Batman isn't hiding from anyone."

"I was talking about Bruce."

"No one's going to figure it out, Al. Trust me."

"Mr. Dent noticed your injuries. If they put it together with the incident at the Mayor's Office, it would undo all the long nights and close calls we've endured to get here. You're in the spotlight more than ever. You have to be careful."

"I've had to cover for mysterious injuries before."

"You've been lucky."

"Or I'm just a really good liar."

"A necessary evil in your line of work, I suppose. Though, I hope you change careers someday. Old men worry, that's all. It's our gift and our curse. One more worry for the list." Alfred revealed a ballet that said 'Elect Harvey Dent" on it. Bruce snatched it from Alfred and turned it over. On the back it had a message written.

"Park! 6:00 am. Oz."

"I thought I saw Oz. It's been what..since trade school?"

"Indeed. You two were thick as thieves. Oswald, however, took that role more literally than you." Alfred pulled up a mugshot photo of Oz. Bruce read the photo.

"Dishonorable discharge. Illegal boxing matches. Arms dealing. Prison stints."

"It's a criminal grand slam. If I'm using the expression correctly."

"Unfortunately you are."

"Oswald claimed he only wanted to catch up, but his behavior following his family's collapse has been troubling. Why he's returning now...I haven't the faintest idea."

"Do you think he might know something about the break-in? Catwoman shows up around the same time Oswald comes back into town...might not be a coincidence."

"Oswald's crimes, numerous as they may be, are on a much smaller scale than robbing City Hall."

"He always was trouble growing up but the fun kind of trouble."

"You both were. Even though you and young Master Cobblepot used to be close. I'd advise you to be cautious. But I know you can't abandon a good mystery until it's been solved."

"I'll be careful, Alfred."

"When you see what's become of his park, I think you truly will." Bruce then hurried off since the time was already early morning and the sun would be setting soon. He hoped Oz had a good reason for Bruce to travel there. He hoped.