Freedom

Part 9: Tell The Truth

Danica sat amongst the other inmates. It was Jerome's suggestion to get really friendly with all the them to make her time more bearable within the walls of Arkham; he seemed to have the right idea, so she followed his lead. Although her original disdain came from a lie she had keep for years to keep her story straight, Danica resolved that she was just like them—they all had went through some fucked up shit, probably had done worse to others, and had a muddled up sense of sanity. She played on their level.

Danica found Jerome's advice true enough, for they warmed up to her when she told them all the truth ("When you tell them what you are, who you are, and what you've done, they'll accept you because you're putting it all out there—just act like you don't give a damn about their opinion and you're in") . She confessed that her charges were mostly drug-related, possession, paraphernalia, cooking it, trafficking—She added that her infamy was cornered in the underworld by her father who was a Falcone Loyalist.

Her dad started her in the profession of a drug mule when she was eight; she had been hooked on drugs, the dirty work and all else that followed from a very young age. ("Let them see who you really are, don't try to lie about why you're in here," Jerome had advised her. "Besides, your story is interesting. If it were extremely fucking boring, I'd say, yes, please, change it.")

Danica seated herself beside Aaron, a rather harmless man who was more muscle than brain and Jerome, whose fingers idly tap danced on her thigh beneath the table. He had become accustomed to her being by his side, and should he ever wanted to become violent on occasion, she made a perfect audience.

So he valued her company; and she valued his. ("Why do you like him?" one of the girls had asked her.) Danica had grinned wider than ever—Jerome had seen this smile several times but it was the first for everyone else, and she had answered: "He makes me laugh. It seemed to be enough for everyone else.

Aaron and Danica were playing one of Aaron's favorite games: "Gold Fish." He was an easy-going simpleton. He was a right sight better to speak to rather than Greenwood the Lumberjack or Sionis, Mr-Oh-I-Have-a-Airplane—Fucking gag me, she thought as Sionis crossed the floor in front of her.

Then there was a harsh bleet of an alarm. Oooh, fresh meat, everyone's thoughts and eyes said that when that bell tolled. Danica heard Jerome utter a sound that she didn't recognize; she followed his gaze where it fell on two police officers who flanked either side of—

"James," Jerome cooed with delightfully.

Danica wasn't exactly as joyful to see Jim Gordon as he was. Fuck, anytime she had seen Gordon it was a Fucking copper, let's blow this joint sort of mentality. Even now, Danica felt an urge to pop off her seat and head for the bedroom corridors. But this was her natural instinct that she had learned from a very young age.
("Rule #1, baby," her drunk father breathed, "No talking to fucking cops".)

"Fuck," Danica didn't bother hiding her unenthusiasm.

Gordon gestured toward her.

"Bauer," he called out.

"I'm not talking to him," Danica told the officers approaching her. Jerome didn't move, he merely stared at Jim Gordon with unsequestered delight. Gordon made a face that showed irritation.

"Bauer," he repeated her name once more.

"I hate that name," Danica hissed.

"Right, well, what do you want to be called instead?" Gordon said irritably. "Does 'The Mule' have a better ring to it?"

"Don't call me that," said Danica with a frown.

"Danica, I have had a very long day, so make this easy for both of us and just come with me. I have to ask you a few questions about your father."

"There's no need to ask." Danica negated with a wave of her hand. "What you have to say, you say to me right now. I know how you fucking pigs are like with people like me."

Jerome cackled from beside her.
Gordon glanced at him. He noticed Jerome's hand on her thigh.

"Fine," Gordon consented, "We can do it right here."

"Oh, you're so generous," Danica said in a mocking, appreciative civilian tone.

"Who did your father leave in charge of his taskforce? Who runs his business now that he has passed?"

"Well, James, I don't know. I'm kind of not in the drug trade anymore, so...Sorry, can't help ya. Maybe if you had minded your goddamn business, I could give you that information."

"Danica," Harvey said, coming up from behind Gordon, "Just tell the man what he needs to know."

To Harvey, Danica grinned widely.

Jerome watched her stand and come to step pass Gordon. Harvey stepped back slightly as she nipped Harvey on the cheek with a kiss.

"Hi, Harvey," she drawled. "Haven't seen you in a pinch. Glad you could make it."

"Easy," Harvey muttered. He glanced at his partner and Jerome, who both were looking at him questionably.
"She was my...CI."

Gordon continued to stare at him.

"Really, Harv? Do you have contacts in literally every place of Gotham? Even in Arkham, hm?"

"It's not anything odd like that, man," Harvey said holding his hands up.

Danica's face beamed devious.

"You should probably head to Fish Mooney's place," Danica suggested, "Daddy was a Falcone Loyalist. So is Fish. He stayed at her bar a lot."

Gordon and Harvey nodded.

"I'll see you around, Harvey," Danica called out after him as they strode to the door.

Gordon said something and Harvey replied back louder than what he meant,

"I swear to God, we didn't do anything! She's just like that, her personality!"

Jerome sucked his teeth. Danica turned and glanced at the table. They all were looking at her expectantly.

"We drank together," she said passively, "when my dad would go out when I was 16."

They continued to stare.
"We didn't do anything," she insisted.

"Yeah," Sionis said, "that's why you pecked him on the cheek."

Jerome shrugged.
"Hey, what you do is what you do—just don't fuck him," he said. He chuckled, "Everybody does their thing, I'm not judgy. And you," he added to Sionis, "don't act you have never kissed a friend. We all know you've got some skeletons in your closet."

"Yeah," added Greenwood, "and you probably fucked them too."

A raucous stream of laughter echoed through the whole room from the room, caught in a band of giggles.

Jerome patted the seat beside him, looking at Danica,
"Come sit by daddy, Kitten. Your turn to play Go Fish."

"What's Go Fish?" Aaron asked.
Jerome indicated a finger to the card game.

"Nah, it's called Gold Fish."

Jerome shrugged, "All righty, then, play with your gold fish."

"No, Jerome; it's Gold Fish."

Danica laughed as Jerome nodded, just simply agreeing with him now. Yep, he got bored.