Russian Roulette

Chapter 1 : Investigations

J. Edgar Hoover Building (Years ago)

Seated at my private cubicle in the Counterintelligence Division, located in the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation I studied the reports while holding a pencil. My boss Ryan Carey, asked me to look up on my childhood friend, which I reluctantly agreed. After the call with Min I started to ponder on his words. If Bruce is really the vigilante known as Batman I will be in trouble. Andy is away for another clandestine mission, allowing me to work on this investigation without arousing suspicion. Ryan said that he is not worried about the investigation therefore he allowed me to go ahead but with my own pace. He disappeared without a word after his parents died and did not reemerge until years later, according to the reports. "Agent Black Bird." the man himself called, approaching my desk. 

"Assistant Director Carey." I greeted.

"You have been working hard when you clocked in. Anything?"

"I cannot confirm that he is the vigilante sir." I reported. "But his disappearance for more than ten years definitely warranted some suspicion."

"I suspect that he will try his best to deny the accusations."

"You could be right." I said. 

"It's time to clock out agent." he said. "This is strictly your findings." 

"It's going to take a while sir."

"I trust you, that's enough."

"Yes sir." logging out from my computer I gathered my belongings and said goodbye to my boss. Winter has begun last night, the cold winds in full swing as I stepped out into the snowy pavement. Winds lifted my hair as I walked towards my motorcycle but something stopped me. I slowly turned, only to see a shadow on top of the rooftop of a nearby building. The shadow is decked out in black but the silhouette allows me to determine that it's a male. I looked at him, backpack slung over my shoulders as my hair danced in the wind. Turning away I headed to the motorcycle and climbed onto it. I know that he is still watching me. Putting on my helmet I started the engine and drove back to my apartment. Because of my status as a person of interest as listed by the Secret Service upon the request of the new president I was asked to stay in Washington and I reluctantly accepted. The shadow is still following me, per my instinct. My route home including passing by the White House and continuing down a few miles. Using my own income I bought a Class A apartment as I need to establish my own working place when I am unable to work at HQ. I have been receiving payments from my father after I turned ten but my mother won't tell me anything, not even my maternal family and my mother's lawyer.

But she and her lawyer all insisted that the payments are all legal. Reaching the apartment building I killed the engine and got off, removing my helmet. I stopped on the second step of the stairs leading to the building's entrance and looked up to the skies. The shadow is still there, perched on another rooftop. Giving him one last look I then turned to enter the complex. "Working late?" the superintendent asked as I entered.

"Yeah, I have a lot of filings to do." I replied, smiling back.

"Hey, if you don't mind, can I ask where do you work at?"

"Sure." I said. "The Justice Department." the superintendent, knowing that I'm a federal employee, promptly nodded. "Good night."

"Good night." she replied. I stepped out from the elevator on the tenth floor and headed to my apartment unit. Slipping the keys into the keyhole I unlocked the door and headed in, closing and locking the door back. After taking a shower I took out the TV dinner from the microwave, sat on the couch and turned on the TV. Tuning into the soap opera channel I proceeded to eat my dinner as I watched only to find it uninteresting. Even as I am still watching the programming I can still feel the shadow's presence outside my unit, from the window. Picking up my phone, now lying on the coffee table, I dialed Min's number.

"Isabella?" the man himself answered after the call connected. "You rarely called."

"Just checking in on you."

"You're not in trouble are you Isa?" he asked.

"Home Alone I guess." I said.

"That's a poor choice of words. Are you at home right now?"

"I just came back from work." 

"Creepy stalker?" 

"Maybe, Min." I said, moving towards the window and a gun in hand. "Any advice against a stalker?" I asked, pointing my gun outwards. 

"You're FBI, why are you asking me that?"

"We have a common ground with the specter dressed in black." 

"From Gotham to DC, it's quite a journey."

"He's still here." I told him. "I know he doesn't want to hurt me but I cannot confirm why he is following me."  

"Word is that Gotham PD worked with him."

"Interesting. My boss ordered me to open a file on him."

"Bruce?"

"Not the man, his other half."

"The FBI?" he asked. "So... are you on a manhunt?"

"I can hold off the investigation." I said. "My boss doesn't consider him a priority." I lowered the gun and walked away when the shadow backed off. 

"Is he onto you? You mentioned that you saw him back in England."

"I'm not sure that he knows I'm a federal agent."

"He knows that I'm an NYPD detective. So, if he's tracking us down I would've been off the list."

"He's gone. Thanks for sparing your time."

"Glad to help out." he said, ending the call. Returning to the TV I tuned into the news just as my phone rings.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"A relative, I need your help Isabella." said Vladimir Romanov, my uncle in Russia. "Are you watching the news?" I shifted my gaze to the news channel, in which the anchor is now discussing a news from Russia.  

"It says that the opposition leader in your country has been in hiding after a near assassination attempt." I repeated the anchor's words. 

"Yes, I need your help. To protect them."

"Why?" I asked.

"I believe that the current president intends to murder them both."