A Little Sane

Chapter 40

Jerome tried to whistle as he walked through a Wayne building. This building was holding an enormous diamond Jerome could pawn off for a temporary alliance. He cocked his gun, and heads turned. He smiled at their fear filled faces. 

"Where is it? Give it to me and I won't blow anyone's brains out."

After shooting a few people, someone finally told Jerome where the diamond was. He cracked opened the safe and smiled. He reached for the diamond, but another hand snatched it. He turned around furious.

"My steal. Thanks for doing all the heavy work sexy."

Jerome was staring at a woman slightly shorter than him with long brown hair and deep auburn colored eyes. She had semi-dark makeup and an outfit similar to something Mercedes would wear. Jerome grinned. 

"Okay okay. Give that back."

The woman winked. 

"I don't think so."

The woman took off running. Jerome groaned as he ran after her.

"Jerome! Freeze!" 

Jerome groaned again and put on a smile.

"Jimmy! Harvey! Can't you see I'm busy?!"

Harvey stepped forward with his gun aimed.

"No time for small talk clown boy!"

Jerome gave him a harsh look.

"Wow. So rude!"

Gordon stepped forward and yelled.

"Where's Mercedes?! What did you two steal?!"

Jerome laughed. 

"At home with the kids!"

Harvey raised his gun.

"We just saw a woman run by before you came running out. Don't play with us.

Jerome laughed loudly.

"Wow cops really are dumb! That was not my wife!"

Jim and Harvey looked at each other confused. Jerome groaned.

"She stole what I was trying to steal! I have never seen her in my life! I'm bored with this!"

Jerome fired shots at the officers and ran from the scene. He stopped outside and glanced in all directions trying to figure out where the woman could have gone. He jumped a gate into another alley. He searched the near by area and grumbled. He voice startled him.

"Wow. You must have really wanted this to be looking for me."

Jerome smiled wickedly as the woman jumped down from a fire escape. He nodded.

"Yes. Now give it here."

She shook her head no.

"Jerome Valeska... wow... this is such a simple and petty crime for someone like you.. was your wife behind this..?"

Jerome stood up straight and rolled his eyes.

"No she was not."

The woman tilted her head and walked towards Jerome.

"Where is your wife?"

Jerome groaned again.

"Why is everyone so worried about her? She's at home."

The woman laughed.

"You have been running around without her lately. Something going wrong with paradise?"

Jerome clinched his fists.

"If you must know, we are separated right now. We got in an arguement."

The woman beamed with curiousity. 

"Oww. What happened?"

Jerome laughed maniacally.

"None of your business. Who even are you?"

The woman circled him. Jerome watched her curiously.

"Well Mr. Jerome Valeska.. My name is Zella. I've been watching you."

Jerome gave her an intrigued grin. 

"Oh have you? Zella..? Hmm.. what an interesting name."

Zella stood in front of him smiling. Jerome smiled and extended his hand.

"Your little stunt was cute, but how about you give that diamond now?"

Zella shook her head. She walked close to Jerome. 

"No way.."

She kissed him on the cheek and took off running. Jerome wiped his cheek and ran after her, but ended up losing her. He stood there puzzled. Where did this woman come from? Why had she been watching him? Jerome carried himself home empty handed. He checked around every corner. He didn't want another run in with Gordon and Bullock. He finally made it back to his safe house. Zella had followed him home. She couldn't help but follow him inside to see which apartment he went to. She thought about his wife and their disagreement. She smirked thinking about Jerome. Zella was getting ahead of herself. She felt like she knew Mercedes's type very well. She didn't know Mercedes at all. Mercedes was definitely someone you didn't want to challenge. People confused her born nature for weakness. Mercedes knew exactly what world she was in now and how to act accordingly. She didn't take threats too well at all. She didn't like someone trying to step on what was hers. Mercedes was not afraid to fight or put someone in their place. She was laid back until she didn't need to be. Zella curiously watched Jerome walk into his apartment. She titled her head smirking. She felt like she knew what she was doing, but Mercedes was definitely someone who could make you doubt yourself. Mercedes was definitely the wife of Jerome Valeska.