Batman: Free Fall - Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

A ROOM LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE

He landed on the ledge with surprising lightness, given his powerful physique and the partially armoured costume he was wearing. The wind moved his cape slightly and his white eyes pierced the darkness like small, angry flames.

Batman stood up, observing an illuminated window in the building located across the street. From that distance you could not see the interior very well but, judging by the architecture and size, it was clearly the penthouse of someone very rich. And, according to what he had been told, that someone was dead.

A slimmer figure landed behind him, so softly it seemed almost weightless.

"You were quick." Catwoman said, taking off her goggles and walking towards him. "I only called you ten minutes ago."

"I was in the area." Batman replied. "Did you see anything else, while you waited?"

"Not a thing."

"How did you find him?"

Selina sat on the ledge, dangling her legs over the noisy, light-filled chasm that rose before them. They were at least on the fortieth floor, and a huge expanse of buildings and neon lights stretched in front of them. Some buildings had a gothic, almost ancient look to them, others had a modern feel and illuminated the city like huge computer screens. The lights of the city bounced off the smog, colouring the sky with a red tint that was as breathtaking as it was unnatural.

"I was taking a stroll across the wealthy neighbourhoods." Catwoman said. "You know, to make sure everything was in order ..."

Batman let out a single, brief grunt of impatience, but did not correct this dubious reconstruction of events.

“And when I looked into that window, I realized that something was wrong. That the man was dead."

"He might be sleeping." Batman replied.

"I've never seen anyone sleep on the ground with their eyes open and drool coming out of their mouth, Bats."

"Alright. Did you enter the apartment? "

Selina smiled at him.

"Batman, that would be illegal!"

Without further reply, Batman threw himself off the ledge, gliding towards the penthouse.

"As chatty as usual." Catwoman said, hurrying to join him.

Catwoman landed next to Batman, who was now standing on the ledge of the penthouse and studying the alarm system. His eyes and the palm of his right hand were illuminated in red, while the scanner analysed the system's circuits.

"So, do you know the name of our dead guy?" She asked, looking at the man lying on the carpet.

"Yes. “Batman replied. “The penthouse belongs to Gary Fines, facial recognition has confirmed it. He was a defence attorney. One of the most expensive ones, his fee was a thousand dollars per hour."

Catwoman whistled.

“That explains the fancy penthouse. And how good is the alarm system? "

“It's an extremely sophisticated system. Last generation. ”Batman said. "Very difficult to bypass."

“Leave it to me, then. Meanwhile, you can call Gordon. "

Batman turned off the scanner and looked at her.

"I know you can do it too, but we both know it will take me less time." Catwoman said, with a smirk.

After a moment's hesitation, and without saying anything, Batman moved aside and made room for her. Then he touched his ear and started a call.

"Jim? It's me. There's a suspicious death. Gary Fines. East Row, 37. "

Still smiling, Catwoman started working on the alarm.

"I analysed the air." Batman said, as they entered ten minutes later. “It's breathable, but something was vaporized in the room a few hours ago. Probably whatever killed Fines. "

Catwoman looked at the corpse. His eyes were wide open, his pupils dilated. He had foam in his mouth and his lips were smeared with blood.

"He bit his lips so hard they bled, before he died."

"Yes." Batman replied, leaning over to inspect the corpse. "It's likely that the gas caused him tremendous internal bleeding and violent spasms, and that he bit his lips in pain."

Batman's scanner turned back on as he checked the corpse and the surrounding carpet.

Meanwhile, Catwoman looked at the walls. They were adorned with refined paintings, diplomas and African masks.

“This Fines was really full of money. Those masks are original. Nigerian, nineteenth century. "

"Do you think he bought them on the black market?" Batman asked her as he continued to analyse the body.

"No." Catwoman replied. "But all combined they must have cost him more than the penthouse itself, I'd say."

Batman nodded.

“The forensic scanner is done. The death took place six hours ago. Fines experienced copious internal bleeding, but that's not what killed him. "

"What did, then?"

Batman stood up, looking around.

"After at least an hour of horrible pain, the gas paralysed his lung muscles, preventing him from breathing."

"Lousy way to go."

Batman nodded again.

"But that's not what worries me."

Batman took a digital device out of his belt. Catwoman knew what it was: it was a little beauty he used to decode passwords, hack terminals and a thousand other things. One by one, Batman checked all the windows, then the door, and finally the alarm system terminal hidden in a corner of the house.

"There's no sign of a break-in, is there?" Said Catwoman, who had suspected this ever since they had entered the penthouse.

Batman turned to look at her.

"Yes. Doors and windows have not been opened since yesterday morning. We are the first to set foot in here in the last thirty-six hours. "

"They may have hacked the alarm." Catwoman said, but without conviction.

“In that case, I would have found a trace. Your break-in twenty minutes ago was detected by the cryptographic sequencer, but there is nothing else. "

"So how did they get the gas in here?"

Batman put away his sequencer.

"I don't know."

The two looked at the corpse, while the police sirens began to get louder and louder.

Selina went to the window through which they had entered.

“I'd better go. I think one intruder on the crime scene is enough for Gordon . ”

Batman turned to look at her.

"Thanks for your help, Selina."

"My pleasure." Catwoman crouched on the windowsill. She was about to throw herself into the void, but before doing so she turned and smiled at Batman.

“A murder that took place in a room locked from the inside. Isn't that every detective's dream? "

"Finding the culprit is every detective's dream." Batman replied, without a hint of a smile.

She sighed.

“You never did know how to find joy in what you do, Bats. You should work on it. "

That said, Catwoman threw herself out the window, using her whip to twirl through the buildings and disappearing among the city lights.

“Yes, forensics confirms your reconstruction, Batman. Nobody seems to have entered that apartment, yet the gas was introduced anyway, somehow. "

Gordon smoked his pipe, looking at Batman's indecipherable face. The two were on the roof of the police station and the first, faint morning lights were beginning to illuminate the city roofs.

"Ventilation ducts?" Batman asked, having been unable to analyse the whole scene before the arrival of the police.

“One, but we don't believe the gas was introduced from there. There were no traces inside the duct. It was released when the killer was already inside the room, the remaining traces were located in the penthouse. And whoever it was, they took away the container with them. Also, that duct is too narrow for anyone to have passed through there. Not even your feline friend would have managed that. "

Batman looked at Gordon curiously. Did Gordon know that Selina had been there, before the GCPD had arrived? But Gordon said nothing, calmly returning his gaze.

“The gas does not correspond to anything present in our databases. Nothing that can be connected to Crane, Ivy or the Joker. Have you had more luck? "

"No." Batman admitted. "It's something new, it seems."

"Fantastic." Gordon said bitterly.

“We will find them, Jim. Whoever they are. "

"We better."

"What did your superiors say?"

"They wanted to minimize it, classify it as a gas leak and forget about it."

"A gas leak?" Batman said it, showing some annoyance for the superficial and pusillanimous nature of Gotham's higher ups, who always preferred a reassuring lie to a disturbing truth.

Gordon chuckled contemptuously. His laughter soon turned into coughing.

"Yep.. Very plausible, isn't it? But since the penthouse was closed from the inside and since there are no traces of an intruder, proving that it was a murder will not be easy. Who knows, perhaps they'd be less eager to downplay it, if they had seen the eyes of that poor guy. Or maybe not. After all, we're in Gotham. ”
The sun was really starting to rise, now. Gordon looked at his watch.

"It's six in the morning, old friend. I'd say it's time to clock out. The night shift is over. "

Batman smiled fleetingly.

"I'll call you if I have any news, Jim."

"Same here."

Batman put a hand on the commissioner's shoulder, in a brief gesture of respect and farewell, then threw himself into the void and disappeared among the skyscrapers, heading towards the batmobile.

Gordon put out his pipe and headed for the door that led to the lower floors.

"This doesn't look good." He mumbled, as he went down the stairs.

Gotham, what a city.

What a city.

The batmobile came to a stop on the large illuminated platform at the centre of the cave. With the engine off, the only sounds that could be heard were those of the waterfall that covered the entrance and the shrill cries of the bats that lived among the stalactites.

Batman got out of the car, lost in his thoughts, and headed for the computer.

"Computer. Start."

A dozen huge screens lit up, illuminating the detective's face.

Batman took off his mask and sat in front of the computer, immediately starting to type on the keyboard.

"Productive night, sir?" Asked a voice behind him.

Alfred came over, bringing breakfast on a tray.

“I don't know if I would call it that. A defence attorney was killed, in the wealthy part of town. "

"I see. Are you going to eat anything, before you go to sleep? "

"I'm not hungry. And I'm not going to sleep, Alfred. I have research to do. "

Alfred gently placed the tray on the keyboard, so that Batman could not use it.

"Eat. Sir. ”The tone was dry, one that wouldn't accept any retort.

Bruce raised an eyebrow, but Alfred's face remained impassive. The two stared at each other for a moment then, in silence, Bruce put the tray on his knees and started eating.

"Enjoy your meal, sir." The tone expressed only a hint of sarcasm.

"Thanks."

Alfred walked away, going to the elevator that led to the upper floors. Only the sounds of the waterfall and Bruce's slow chewing could be heard in the air.

"Mr. Fox would appreciate your presence at the four o'clock meeting, sir."

Alfred took the empty tray, as Bruce already got back to work, typing rapidly on the keyboard.

“I can't, Alfred. I have a lot of work to- "

“Mr. Fox wanted me to tell you that he would consider it a personal favour. He seemed worried. "

Bruce stopped typing for the second time and turned to look at Alfred.

"Worried?"

“If I may say so, I really had this impression. And you know as much as I do that Lucius wouldn't make such a request without good reason. "

Bruce nodded, thoughtfully.

"Alright, call him and tell him I'll be there."

"Very well, sir."

Bruce touched his chin, frowning. On the screen, data and names flowed wildly, but he wasn't really paying attention to them.

If Lucius was worried, something was wrong. Bruce trusted Lucius Fox's instincts completely.

He went back to researching the victim, trying to ignore the unpleasant feeling that something in Gotham was lurking, in the shadows.

And, as Dick Grayson would have said, Bruce was the only good thing that lurked in the shadows, when it came to Gotham.

"Bruce, thank you for being here." Lucius squeezed his hand warmly, while adjusting his glasses.

"Of course. What is going on?"

They were in Lucius' office, it was 3:40 pm. It was common practice for them to see each other, alone, before a meeting. It was important to form a common front, when dealing with the board. They had to agree on what to say and who should say it.

“There are two things I would like to discuss with you. One is serious, the other not so much. But you should be made aware of both."

They sat down, Lucius behind his desk and Bruce on the opposite side.

"Tell me everything, Lucius."

Lucius took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, a gesture that showed profound tiredness. But peaceful sleeps were not the norm in Gotham. Especially for those who always tried to do the right thing, like Lucius.

“Bruce, what I'm asking you today is to trust me. And to support me. Because the meeting won't be pleasant, at all. "

Lucius paused and Bruce waited.

“I think someone inside Wayne Enterprise is selling experimental technology on the black market. And I fear that the culprit has a strong connection with a member of the board. "

Bruce didn't answer right away, but studied Lucius' tired face.

"How long have you suspected this, Lucius?"

"A week. He didn't take much, he was smart. He stole the stuff we had put aside, the least urgent projects. But I soon realized that things were missing. And, looking at the surveillance tapes, I spotted the culprit.”

Bruce sighed, preparing for the worst. But he had figured it out as soon as Lucius had mentioned the board.

“It's Brent Stine, isn't it? Howard's son. "

Lucius sighed.

"Yes, it's him. I'm sorry."

Howard Stine was one of the oldest members of the board. Great friend of Bruce's parents and loyal collaborator. He had given Martha Wayne the gloves she was wearing the night she and Thomas had been murdered. He was a good man.

Bruce and Lucius had been delighted to welcome his son to the Research and Development department, and Brent had always proven himself bright and willing, in his three months of internship. It was truly disconcerting news.

After a few moments, Bruce broke the silence.

"Can you prove it beyond any reasonable doubt, Lucius?"

"Yes."

"The footage shows him taking the materials?"

"Yes."

Bruce nodded.

"It won't be a pleasant meeting."

"No, I don't think so either."

The two got up. The meeting was only two minutes away. As they entered the elevator, heading downstairs, Bruce remembered that Lucius had mentioned another piece of bad news.

"What else did you have to tell me, Lucius?"

"Ah, yes. Well, I'd say it can wait, but Wayne TV is having reception problems all over the city. We have not yet figured out what the problem is, but we have received many complaints. "

Wayne TV mainly broadcast political headlines and financial news. It was a pay channel. Bruce had never liked it much, but it had a loyal following and keeping it alive helped him maintain friendly relationships with the other wealthy citizens of Gotham. And Lucius knew this very well.

“You're right, I'd say it can wait. But thanks for telling me. "

"It's my job, Bruce."

The elevator doors closed.

The meeting was painful, but less than they thought. Mostly, it was just sad.

Howard wasn't furious or outraged, but instead accepted the news with a sort of sad resignation.

“Unfortunately, this news doesn't surprise me very much. Not that I was aware of Brent's illegal conduct, I want this to be clear. But he's strange, lately. Alienated. He no longer seems like himself. I've wondered whether he's been taking drugs, actually. He says that everything is fine, but a father notices, when something is wrong. And now, you've confirmed it with this piece of news. "

The rest of the board did not look Howard in the face, some out of respect and some out of embarrassment. Only Bruce and Lucius returned his contrite gaze.

"What are you going to do?" Howard asked after some hesitation.

Bruce and Lucius looked at each other.

"I think it's best to summon Brent immediately." Lucius said. “Hear what he has to say. If he can recover the technology he stole or prove that it didn't end up in the wrong hands, we could resolve everything with compensation and an apology, without calling the police. But..."

Lucius stopped, undecided on how to proceed.

"But you're going to have to fire him anyway, aren't you?" Howard said.

"Yes, I'm sorry Howard." Bruce said. “Brent has betrayed our trust and we cannot keep him close to our technology. But I promise you that whatever his problem is, I will help you fix it. If it's really a drug problem, I'll personally contact Leslie Thompkins and get Brent the best treatment there is in Gotham. ”

Howard nodded and smiled at the two men. It was a sad smile, heart-breaking, but also grateful.

"Thank you."

They nodded. Then Bruce activated the intercom.

"Miss Davidson, can you tell Brent Stine to join us?"

"Right away, Mr. Wayne."

"Thank you."

The council pretended not to see, as Howard wiped his tears and tried to compose himself.

This time, Bruce and Lucius joined the others in looking somewhere else.

"Brent, why did you do it?" Howard's voice was sad, but firm.

The other people present observed the two Stines, some with melancholic faces, others with stern expressions.

"Dad, it wasn't me. I don't know what's going on! ”Brent's voice was trembling, as great tears ran down his cheeks.

"Don't try to fool us, Brent!" Howard was shaking like a leaf, full of pain and anger. “There is footage from the security cameras. It was during your working hours. There is no doubt that it was you. "

"Brent." Lucius interjected, in a gentle tone. “There's no point in denying it. You're only making things worse. Admit what you've done and tell us where the stolen components are, okay? ”

Brent turned to Lucius, his face full of despair..

"But Mr. Fox, I swear, it wasn't me! I would never do such a thing! I love working here! "

"Brent." Now it was Bruce who spoke. “If you're in trouble, you can tell us. We will help you. I know you're a good kid. Do you owe someone money? Are you in trouble? We can-"

"I didn't do anything!" Brent burst into tears, collapsing to his knees.

After a few moments, when the silence was filled only by the boy's crying, Howard Stine rose to his feet and came close to him. He put a hand on his shoulder.

"My son, what's happening to you? Talk to us. Talk to me! Whatever is going on, together we can- "

What happened next was so fast that only a trained eye like Bruce's could have registered it. In one sudden move, Brent rose to his feet. He pulled out a scalpel from the lab coat he was wearing and, before anyone else on the board could understand what had happened, Howard Stine was on the ground. Blood gushed from his severed throat and his eyes, before going out of focus, stopped on the face of his son, which was now cold and emotionless.

"Brent! Nooo! ”Lucius was shocked.

Bruce got up and headed for Brent, but it was too late. Still with that same cold, expressionless look, Brent ran to the window and jumped through it, leaving behind only shattered and bloody glass. A few moments later, Bruce and the other board members heard the final and brutal sound of his body crashing on the asphalt.

Within a minute, the two Stines had gone forever.

Bruce sat in his office, covering his eyes with one hand. Lucius sat across from him, looking sad. Several hours had passed since the meeting, it was now dark. The police had come to question them all and the coroner had taken away Howard's body and what remained of Brent's (which wasn't much).

"I just can't understand..." Lucius was inconsolable. “Brent was a hard worker, he was full of talent. He was a meek person. Why on earth would he do such a thing? "

Bruce took the hand off his face and straightened up on the chair.

“I don't know, Lucius. But I intend to find out. "

In that very moment, the bat signal illuminated the sky. Both of them could see it clearly from Bruce's office, as it reflected on Gotham's reddish and polluted sky.

"What now?" Lucius said nervously.

"I'd better go and find out." Bruce said, getting to his feet.

It took him less than two minutes to put on the costume he kept hidden in his office.

“We'll get to the bottom of this, Lucius. I promise you." Bruce said, as he opened the window, letting in the cold October wind.

“I know, Mr. Wayne. Don't worry about me. Go to Gordon, and let me know if you need my help. "

Bruce nodded, smiling briefly at his friend. Then he threw himself out the window, silhouetted against Gotham's neon lights. He could not ignore the feeling that his city was in danger again, on the edge of the abyss. Or beyond the edge. That, just like him in that moment, it was in free fall.

"Another one." Gordon immediately told him, as soon as he saw him land on the roof of the police station. "Another rich guy is dead."

"Who was he?" Batman asked, standing up.

"Julius Douchette. Owner of Douchette's Diamonds. "

"Gotham's largest jewelry supplier."

"That's the one."

Gordon smoked briskly, the light of the pipe illuminated his face.

"Same manner as Fines?" Batman asked, already guessing the answer.

"Yes. Doors and windows locked. Alarm activated. Same marks on the body. Someone introduced gas, who knows how, into his luxurious apartment. His lungs became paralysed, after at least an hour of agony. "

The two looked at each other. Neither of them wanted to say it out loud, but it was now clear that these were serial crimes. And that, most likely, a third crime was on the way.

"How long has he been dead?"

“We found him two hours ago. And the coroner estimated that the death occurred during the afternoon."

Batman nodded, thoughtfully.

"If you want to check the place, these are the keys to Douchette's house." Gordon handed them to him. "He was a bachelor, just like Fines, so no one will disturb you."

Batman took the keys.

"Thanks, Jim."

"You'll be doing me a favour, if you find some clue."

"No connection between the victims, I'm guessing."

"None. Fines never represented Douchette in a trial. And he wasn't a jewelry guy. The two did not attend the same clubs. As far as we know, they have never been together in the same room. Maybe you will find out more. "

Gordon turned and headed for the bat signal.

"I'll see what I can do." Batman put the keys in his belt. "Goodnight, Jim."

"Good night." Gordon turned off the signal and headed for the stairs leading back to the police station. He didn't even turn around, knowing full well that Batman had already disappeared into the shadows.

Batman knew that something was wrong from the moment he entered the apartment. The door was closed, but not locked. Someone must have entered after Gordon and his men had left. He put the keys away and tensed his muscles, ready for a confrontation, but when he entered he saw nothing strange, at least at first sight. The apartment seemed absolutely normal.

He inspected it from top to bottom, but nobody was there. Puzzled, he headed for the living room and turned on his forensic scanner, inspecting the room. He found minimal traces of the same gas used for Fines, and particles of the blood spit by the late Douchette. But there were no signs of burglary and his sequencer did not find traces of hacking or external interference regarding the alarm. Furthermore, there were no ventilation ducts, only a very normal air conditioning system which still didn't present any traces of gas.

Turning to infrared vision, however, he noticed something strange. In one corner of the living room there was a ceramic statue of a bear. It was a little over a meter and a half tall, with a circumference of half a meter. Inside there were traces of heat, as if someone or something had been in there for a long time and had just gone away. He went over and turned the statue upside down. The bottom was made of felt, and Batman saw that it was removable. Inside, the statue was hollow. And empty. But the forensic scanner revealed the presence of nylon. Thin threads that had come off some garment while, as incredible as it seemed, someone had remained hidden inside the statue for hours.

He saw that there was still a price tag on the statue. Three thousand dollars. And a delivery receipt from the day before.

Batman pressed the communicator on his ear.

"Jim? It's me."

"Batman! Have you discovered anything?"

"I think so. Did you notice a bear-shaped statue, during your inspection? "

"Yes, I remember it. An expensive piece. ”

“It had arrived just yesterday. Inside I found traces of heat, and fragments of nylon. "

There was a moment of silence.

"Holy shit. Are you saying there was someone inside? "

"Yes.."

"He killed him, went into hiding again and waited for us to leave before seeing himself out."

"Exactly."

“But ... that statue was barely a meter and a half tall. And it was extremely narrow. Who could ever-” Gordon stopped. He had also figured it out. "Merkel? Peter Merkel? Ragdoll? "

“It must have been him. That's how the gas entered Fines' penthouse. Through the ventilation duct, just as we initially assumed. You were right, Catwoman wouldn't be able to pass through it. But he would. He crawled up the duct and left the gas, then got out of there in the same way. Simple, yet brilliant. "

"Damn it. But why? It is not his style. Merkel is a thief, not a serial killer. "

“I'll try to find out. You spread the news, have your agents look for him. He hasn't been to Gotham for a long time, but maybe we are lucky and he is hiding in one of his known lairs. "

"It doesn't feel like that kind of week."

"I know. I'll be in touch. "

Batman hung up and, absorbed in his thoughts, left the apartment.

Peter Merkel had been born with a particular genetic condition. His joints bent in any direction he wanted, making him a formidable contortionist. And his build was frighteningly thin, almost skeletal. After an initial period as circus attraction, Merkel had used his talents to become a thief, with exceptional results. At first no one could understand how the thefts were being carried out, it almost seemed like a ghost was doing it.

Batman now felt like a fool for not thinking about him. But, as Gordon had said, such crimes had never been his style. And after his last stay in Arkham, seven years earlier, he seemed repentant and had left Gotham forever. What had driven him to come back?

Batman got out of the batmobile and went to the computer, intent on finding a connection between Merkel and the victims, when he received a call.

"Yes?"

"Bruce, it's me."

"Selina?"

"We should meet. I think I know who the killer is. "

"Peter Merkel."

There was a moment of silence.

“Sometimes, you're really insufferable. Anyway, yes, it's Merkel. ”

"And how do you know?"

“Because I just saw him get out of a window, in his ridiculous puppet costume. And inside the apartment there's another dead rich guy, with drool in his mouth. "

"Damn it! Where?"

"44, Clancy Street."

"I'll be right there, try to follow him and keep me updated on his pos-"

"I don't think that'll be necessary."

"Why not?"

“I've already caught him. He's here in front of me, all tied up and nowhere to go. Be quick, it's cold tonight. "

"You've-"

But Selina had ended the call.

A few moments later, the batmobile started with a deafening roar, disturbing the sleep of dozens of irritated bats.

Ragdoll's mask lay at his feet, creased. Selina had tied him to a chimney, so tight that he could barely breathe. Merkel was looking straight ahead, avoiding the gaze of the two shadows standing in front of him. He looked decidedly aged, compared to the last time Batman had seen him. He had grey and sparse hair, very dark circles under his eyes and deep wrinkles on the sides of his mouth. But there was no doubt, it was him.

"Why did you do it, Merkel?" Batman asked. “You have never been that type of criminal. You were gone. What is the motive?"

Merkel said nothing.

"You better answer him, Peter." Selina told him. "Batman had a bad week."

Merkel continued to ignore them. After a few moments, he began to whistle.

Batman punched the chimney, a few inches above his head. Merkel stopped whistling, but otherwise continued to ignore them.

"Do you want to take him to the police station?" Selina asked.

"Yes."

Nodding, the feline thief began to untie Merkel. She was slightly worried by Batman's reaction. It had been a little too sudden. She didn't like the anger she read on his face. She looked with some apprehension at the fragments of cement and brick that fell on Merkel's head, as the dark knight took his hand out of the chimney.

Once Merkel was untied, Batman grabbed him firmly by the arm and picked up his mask from the ground.

“Thank you for your help, Catwoman. I'll tell Gordon, he'll be grateful too. "

Selina shook her head.

“I'd rather you didn't, big boy. I don't want the word to spread that Catwoman helps cops catch other thieves. It wouldn't be nice."

“Merkel is not a thief. He's a killer. "

Batman's gaze was cold, his voice sharp. Something in his tone unsettled Selina. She was not irritated or frightened by his gruff ways, those were certainly not new. She was worried about him. Batman seemed extremely tired, and nervous.

"You're right." She finally answered. “But then I would prefer it to stay between the three of us, okay? Please."

Batman nodded, then threw himself off the building, taking Merkel with him. Not even a minute later, looking at the streets below her, Selina saw the batmobile making its way to the GCPD.

"I don't like this." Selina murmured. "Something's wrong."

Then, with the vaguely unreal grace of a cat, she jumped on the opposite ledge and started heading home.

Merkel sat in his cell, more silent than ever. Batman and Gordon had questioned him for an hour, but he hadn't opened his mouth once. Now the two looked at him through the security cameras.

"It's very strange." Gordon said. “Merkel has never been so good at keeping quiet. Ten minutes of questions were all it took, before he started to boast of how he had fooled us all, remember? He'd babble about being the best thief in the world. That he was like a ghost. And blah, blah, blah. "

Batman nodded, without taking his eyes off the screen.

"Something must have happened to him in these seven years." Gordon said.

"It's possible." Batman replied.

"Maybe connected to Fines and Douchette."

Batman nodded again.

“I haven't had a chance to do any research, Jim. But whatever the connection between him and the victims is, I will find it. "

Gordon pulled out his pipe.

“We've identified the third body, by the way. Clint Jenkins. Less wealthy than the other two, but still pretty well off. Marketing guy at Dagget Industries, for a few years now. He was about to be promoted. "

"I'll look him up as well."

"There's one thing I don't get, though." Gordon said, lighting a match. “Why did Merkel come out of the window, this time? He had been extremely good at hiding his presence, the first two times. Why get out the window?"

Batman didn't reply immediately, but continued to stare at Merkel on the screen.

“Maybe Jenkins was his last victim. Maybe he had finished."

"Well, he's finished now." Gordon said, without hiding his satisfaction.

"Yes." Batman replied, without sharing his positivity. There was something wrong with this whole ordeal.

"Keep me company as I smoke." Gordon said, pulling on his coat. "Some fresh air will do us both good."

The two men left the room, heading for the roof. On the screen, Merkel yawned and lay down. The clock on the wall showed that it was 2 am.

It was October 21st, a date that all the citizens of Gotham would remember, in the following years.

"You're worried, I can tell." Gordon said, rekindling his pipe. The cold autumn wind had blown it out immediately. "I know you, by now."

Batman didn't answer, but just looked at him.

"You should be happy." Gordon continued. “We got him. Because of you. And of Catwoman. "

"We could have gotten him sooner."

“And on that, we agree. But in a city like Gotham, a victory like this must always be celebrated. Even when it's been hard to achieve. Especially when it's been hard to achieve "

“I'm starting to get really tired of what we see every day, Jim. I'm starting to wonder if it really adds up, what we do. "

Gordon looked at Gotham's red sky thoughtfully.

"You know, I get that. This city is hard to love. It's kind of like a lover who kisses you at first, then slaps you in the face. You never know what to expect from her. But, on evenings like these, I'm happy. Because I remember there are people like you and Catwoman, out there. People who, even if they're always in the midst of that darkness, remain good. And do the right thing. That's why I can still love Gotham after all these years. ”

Now Gordon turned to look at Batman.

“It's thanks to you, if I can see it this way. You're the one who allows me to see the best part of Gotham. Because you do as well. If you didn't have hope, if you didn't believe in Gotham, you wouldn't be here. You love this lousy city, just like me. So don't be a pain. "

Batman smiled at him, then he also looked at the red sky.

"Thanks, Jim."

"Don't mention it. Sometimes, we all need a little perspective. "

"But I have to tell you something."

"What's that?"

Batman looked back at Gordon.

"You smoke too much."

Gordon laughed, with a guilty expression.

“That's what Barbara always says. But what can you do, it's my only jo- "

The blast interrupted Gordon and illuminated the sky. A few moments later, they heard a roar and the alarms of cars. Then, the screams. Dozens and dozens of screams.

A few blocks from them, near Old Town, a skyscraper had just exploded. The explosion also affected some nearby buildings. Dumbfounded, the two friends watched the smoke rise into the sky.

"Jesus Christ!" Gordon finally shouted, pulling out his radio. “This is Gordon, this is Gordon! Send patrols, ambulances and firefighters to Old Town! There was-"

Another explosion interrupted Gordon.

"Oh my God!" Gordon said, shocked. "Batman, what-"

But Batman was gone.

He was gliding towards the fire, deafened by the wind, the sound of flames and the screams beneath him. Gordon was right, he loved this city. And in that moment, he felt like someone had stabbed him in the gut. His city was burning, his city was bleeding.

When he reached Old Town, Batman landed on the street. He could already see the firefighters and ambulances arriving. The heat was unbearable, the light of the flames hurt his eyes.

Batman ran towards the flames, looking for survivors. His city really seemed to be in free fall now. But he was determined to catch her, and save her from oblivion.

END OF CHAPTER 1