Batman: Hero of Gotham

40- Warn The Mayor

City Hall, 6:07 PM.

Bruce arrived at City Hall just after six o'clock. Bruce walked up to Harvey's assistant who was at a desk by the doors to Mayor Dent's office. "Mr. Wayne! Welcome. You can go on in." Deborah said. Bruce opened the doors to the office and stepped inside. Harvey wasn't at his desk which worried Bruce.

"Uh...Harvey?" Bruce asked.

"Back here, Bruce." Harvey said. "Take a seat, I'll be right out." Bruce heard Harvey mutter. "Come on...not today. Stop stop, stop. God. This has to stop."

"I, uh...never got the chance to congratulate you. That was quite the acceptance speech."

"Yeah, thanks! I know you weren't too thrilled about me getting back out there so soon. I'm glad I didn't listen to you." Harvey muttered again before stepping out from the room. "As good as it's gonna get. You know, Bruce, I've been looking forward to this my entire career-- the day Harvey Dent takes his official portrait as mayor of Gotham...and he looks like this." Harvey walked out of the room, revealing his face. "Glad you survived the trip up here, Bruce. You wanna tell me what's going on? I didn't keep you waiting that long, did I?"

"I have reason to believe you're being watched."

"You sound paranoid, Bruce."

"The Children of Arkham are hacking into the GCPD...they're likely keeping tabs on you too."

"I'll handle it. Thank you, Bruce." Blood dripped from Harvey's burnt face. Harvey slammed his fist on the desk. "Damn it! Those Children of Arkham jumped me. It's only getting worse. It's out of control. I can't stop it."

"I heard Batman showed up to help."

"Yeah, too late. Harvey Dent does everything by the book, to the letter of the law. But that isn't working." Harvey spun a coin on his desk. "Sure it is-- he's turning things around. Barely. Slowly. I'd like to see you do better! Watch me. How are you gonna handle this? Simple. Easy."

"Harvey, you're acting strange!"

"This whole city's acting strange." Harvey slammed his fist on the desk again. "Sorry...s-sorry about that, Bruce. Guess I got a little lost there. Probably not getting enough sleep these days."

"Look, we're both under a lot of stress right now. We should be able to lean on each other."

"Stronger together, right?"

"It's the only way." Deborah knocked on the doors. 

"The photographer's ready for you."

"Thank you, Deborah. I'll be right out." Harvey put on his half-mask to hide his hideous side of his face. He also picked up his coin and stuffed in his pocket. "Please, Bruce...don't tell anyone about this. If anyone finds out or thinks I'm not fit to be mayor...it's all over for me."

"You're secret's safe with me, Harvey." 

"Thanks, Bruce. I owe you. Again. Again and again." Harvey adjusted his tie. "See you around, Bruce." Harvey walked out of his office. Bruce crossed his arms. He noticed a newspaper on a stool. He picked it up.

"An interview with the Children of Arkham's leader? Wonder how Vicki managed to score that." Bruce called up Alfred.

"Bruce?" He answered.

"Have you seen today's copy of the Gazette?"

"It just arrived a moment ago. It seems Ms. Vale has been talking with some very interesting people. People the Batman would like to find. Do you think she'd be willing to help you? She may be the only lead we have on the Children of Arkham's leader. Perhaps she could be persuaded to reveal her source."

"Yeah, if she's been able to talk to their leader then by extension...so can we."

"You think she'd hand that information over to Bruce Wayne?"

"Unlikely. I stonewalled her at the GCPD after Falcone was shot. I can't afford to waste time with Vicki. Let's offer her a chat with Batman."

"Good idea, sir."

"Can you scramble the line?"

"Right away." Alfred connected Bruce to Vicki.

"Vale." Vicki answered. Bruce quickly replied with his Batman voice.

"I saw your story in the Gazette this morning. I want to talk."

"Who is this?"

"Batman."

"I didn't realize that Batman was a fan of my work."

"Didn't say I was a fan. Just said I wanted to talk."

"I've been meaning to thank you. What you did at the debate...I'm not sure I would have made it out of there otherwise. I'd say I owe you one. Meet me at sundown. Cobblepot Park."

"Deal." Bruce hung up.