Salvation

19

Bruce frowned at the computer screens in front of him. "Doing some research, sir?" Alfred said from behind him. Turning around in his chair he looked up at the older man.

"Not quite, I wish I could say yes, but I'm not." Bruce clicked on a few of the minimised articles and bought them up.

"Oh dear." Alfred said slowly.

"Oh dear indeed," Bruce frowned. "Where would Harvey run off to?" Looking up at the cavernous ceiling for inspiration, Bruce let out a sigh.

Harvey had somehow managed to escape from the hospital. It was troubling to say the least. The most obvious thing, or task, for him to follow through with, would be to bring down the mobsters who were at fault for his accident. Bruce shuddered, could what happened to him be classed as an accident? He didn't know.

He sat making a mental list of things which Harvey was most likely to do, one thing sprang to mind which caused him to jump up from his chair. "I'm going out."

"I suppose you won't be needing my driving expertise for this outing?"

"No, Alfred. I won't."

"Thought as much." Alfred sighed and walked off to let him change in peace. "What is this outing consisting of, sir? If you don't mind my asking."

"Adelaide." Bruce looked at him seriously before pulling the cowl down. "I doubt he'd hurt her. I highly doubt he'd hurt her. But out of everyone, who would be the least suspicious to get in contact with?"

"You say he won't hurt her, sir. Then how come you don't sound wholly sure?"

"She comes from a mobsters family." Bruce walked past the butler while pulling his gloves on. "But she's not like them. Oddly enough, she didn't seem to get poisoned and twisted up by her upbringing."

"Are you sure he'll visit her?"

"Maybe not tonight, but maybe some other time." Bruce got into the sleek black car and started the engine up.

"I hope you can get to her before he does, I don't mean that in a harsh way."

"I know." Bruce glanced at him quickly before setting the car into gear and speeding off. The streets of Gotham were oddly quiet. But then with Holiday still out on the prowl many people were seeking shelter. Skipping red lights and speeding past numerous cars, it didn't take him long to get to the neighbourhood where Harvey previously lived. Stopping the car he jumped up and walked over to the building.

Front doors were a little exaggerated, walking down the alleyway he managed to get into the back garden; after jumping over the fence of course. Putting his hand on the back door he turned the handle. It was locked, of course. Bending down and looking at the lock he frowned. It wouldn't be hard to pick, in fact it only took him a minute to do so. Walking into the dark building he looked around. Someone was still living here. Which meant that Adelaide hadn't moved on to some other place. Bruce frowned again, perhaps she should.

Walking through to the living room he looked around the space. It was empty, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned. Adelaide looked at him with wide eyes while shifting down the rest of the stairs. She edged away from him and turned to try and escape out of the building. It didn't take much to catch her. "No! Let me go!" She shouted when he caught her. Her legs kicked against him as he lifted her up and bought her back inside.

"Adelaide, listen to me. I'm not here for you. I highly doubt you've done anything warranting in you and I having a confrontation. But I need to talk to you about Harvey."

"I don't know where he is if you're about to ask." She said bitterly while straightening out her jumper. "I last saw him two days ago, the day after the accident. Since then...nothing." She shrugged and sat down. "I got a phone call from the hospital telling me that he didn't want me visiting him again." At this she sniffled and buried her head in her jumper sleeves. "What brings you here anyway? You're just here to see if I know where he is?"

"If he gets in contact with you-"

"Wait," she shot up and looked at him. "Me? You think...he's going to try and get in contact with me?" She shook her head slowly and put a hand to her chest. "He wouldn't. Not before going after Maroni." Adelaide sighed heavily. "Business first." Pinching the bridge of her nose she sighed again. "I'm so tired, Batman. Do you think you could help him, if you caught him?"

"I am hoping so." He paused. "I think we're finished."

"Good, I can finish packing."

He stopped in mid stride and looked at her. "Packing?"

"I'm moving out. It doesn't seem right to stay in a home which isn't mine." Adelaide reasoned.

Frowning, he turned and looked at her fully. "Where will you go?"

Adelaide crossed her arms and looked towards the windows. "Somewhere...which won't cause me to have an emotional breakdown again." She looked at him. "I'm leaving the city."

"That's not a good idea."

Frowning, Adelaide looked at him. "Excuse me?"

"I know, for a fact, that Harvey will try and find you." Adelaide frowned at this. "You're the only person he can go to, Adelaide, that isn't to do with the police." She fidgeted. "And I also know for a fact that you don't want to leave the city. I can see you don't."

"You're very observational."

"All part of the job."

"You call dressing up as a six foot bat a job?"

Bruce smirked at this. "You knew what I meant."

"I got the general gist of your analogy, yes." Adelaide smiled. "I'm still moving though." She shrugged and turned back to the stairs. "Thanks for the visit Batman." Running up the stairs she disappeared from view. Looking around one last time, he turned on his heels and exited the building.

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(Edited: 22/Jan/2020)