The Inheritance: Part 1

Chapter 3

They lost him.

More specifically, his smoke screen worked, and he slipped out from under their noses, but he's gone, so it's basically the same thing.

She curses under her breath. There are only two paths he could have taken, but he could be headed anywhere. This building is a maze, and they don't even have a plot to guide them.
She should have struck him when she had the chance.

They don't even need to talk; their steps follow years of muscle memory and partnership. Bruce follows the direct line, straight back through the wing. She turns in the opposite direction, grappling to the catwalk and moving toward the outside. It rattles underfoot, and she prays she doesn't knock something loose.

"There's an under-stage tunnel that runs north," Barbara cuts into their chase. "It'll open up by the loading dock."

"On it," she and Bruce say at the same time.

She makes for the roof. There's a latch, a trap-style door that unbolts and creaks as it opens upward. She jumps through, exposing herself to the crisp night air.
North.

She turns and races, each step grinding harder into concrete.

An engine revs and she pivots toward the sound.

"West alley," she says. "Check the van."

"I've got eyes."

"Can you see him?"

"Negative. Can't get a visual on the driver."

She reaches the alley, but the van is already peeling away, tires screeching. It'd be pointless to jump. As it rounds the corner onto the main road, a grapple line connects. Bruce flies into view from below, attaching himself to the van before it pulls out of view.

Well, at least he's on it.

But that can't be it. Joker wouldn't really be fleeing like that. Right? Unless they really did spook him so early in his plot. No. There's got to be more going on.

She drops to the alley, ripping open the side door.

Nothing.

The boy is gone.

"Shit."

"Nightwing, status."

"I think B's after a dead end. There was a hostage—I think he took the van."

She stalks through the back hall, seeing the door to the green room ripped open and partially off its hinges. She hadn't left it that way.

A shrill, demonic laugh rips through the air.

"I think I found Joker."

"Direct." Barbara pauses. "Do you have a visual?"

"Negative, working on it."

The line falls silent and she creeps forward as the laughter echoes all around her. It'd be bone-chilling if she hadn't heard it so many times before. Now it just grates like nails on a chalkboard.

She pauses just outside of the room, watching Joker's shadow as he moves inside. It's the first time she's seen him since before Jason's death. A mix of emotions stirs in her gut. Steeling her nerves, she breathes in slowly.

It's just another Joker plot. Take him out, then bring him in, simple as that.

She exhales. Go time.

She launches herself into the room and comes face to face with Joker, who stands laughing over the wooden chair. He turns to face her with an exaggerated frown.