Gotham Streets

A Head Above Water

"Good. Let's go over the details," Falcone said. I nodded.

"I'm listening," I replied.

"From now on; you work for me, you will not have any communication with Mooney unless I say so. You will not work with the police unless I say so. When I call for you, I expect you under any circumstances, to meet me. Do you understand?" He listed. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Yes sir," I answered.

"Good. Now, meet me at the location with Oswald, he'll be by to pick you up in a moment. Don't tell anyone where you're going, especially that kid detective. Got it?" He informed.

"Yes sir. I'll see you soon" I said then the phone went dead. I fixed my hood and prepared myself.

Two knocks came from the door. I felt my heart beat a little faster. I reached for the doorknob and opened it. Oswald stood as he usually did, his feet faced away from each other. He had a certain smile on his face that worried me. When he grinned I could see the future of Gotham in his eyes, nothing but darkness ahead. I really hope he knows what he's doing, if he doesn't, we're all dead but non of it will have mattered.

"Hello Charlie," he said offering me his hand. I looked down at the gesture and walked toward and out of the building. Oswald waddled behind me trying to keep up or even talk to me. We got to a black car. The window rolled down to expose Falcones face.

"Good to see you again," he greeted. I nodded my head.

"As you," I said in respect. He cracked a smile.

"Hop in my dear," he invited. Oswald quickly ran around and opened my door. I took a seat and faced falcone. Oswald closed the door behind me and went to another vehicle.

"May I ask you something?" Falcone straightened up a little.

"Yes of course. What?" He asked.

"Why is it you come to me?" I asked. He smirked.

"Things in Gotham are changing. Do you feel it?" He asked, I flashed back to what Oswald's plan was. I nodded.
"Things won't be the same after this, what were doing is going to better the community. After some time and reasoning... I think you would be an asset to our little operation. Honestly... in quantity is useful," Falcone didn't have the same look on his eye as Oswald did. Falcone was much older... Smarter and more experienced when it came to ruling Gotham. I was beginning to see why Oswald's chances were increasing, the old man was getting too old...

Falcone took us to one of his safe houses. In the inside it stuck me as a hunting cabin. The whole place was made out of wood but it was cozy. Falcone made him self at home in a chair in the living room. A square space with a large fire place in the middle of the right wall. Dear heads were hung above the fire place and a stuffed bear stood in the far corner. The walls almost seemed to be lined with books, the shelves were full of old books that seemed to be gathering dust. Falcone sat in a recliner that was placed at a fair distance from the fire place, it faced it. There was a small square table that sat beside his recliner, a glass of alcohol occupied the space. A few rugs cushioned the floor. A large brown one went from the tips of my toes to the side of his recliner.

"I spend a lot if time here. I like to watch the fire. It... dances," he looked up to me, I felt awkward, like I didn't know what to do with my hands. "I don't hunt anymore," he said bringing attention to the stuffed bear. The bears eyes seemed to follow me as I shifted back and forth. "How do you do it anyway?" He asked and I redirected my attention from the bear back to him.

"Do what sir?" I asked feeling a bit confused.

"Tell if someone's lying?" He added.

"Ah. Yes. I simply look at them. Eye movement, hand placement, perspiration," I listed. Falcone nodded. He laid back in his chair a rocked a bit. The chair squeaked with every movement, almost in a pattern. The fire crackled loudly and set me on edge. "Why?" I asked.

"I want you to question someone I believe to be lying to me," he said still rocking back and forth staring into the fire. "Can you do that?" He asked directing his attention towards me. I smirked a bit and nodded.

"Yes sir,"