Espera | R. Grayson ✔

[39]

Jason looked at his elder brother in concern, watching the thoughtful look on his face deepen. He had finally stepped out of his room after days of self inflicted isolation but right then, he seemed to be caught up in trying to figure out who had been responsible for Tim's death.

"You went to his office once, didn't you?" He asked, icy blue eyes glazing over in deep thought, "did you notice anything unusual over there?"

The younger thought for a while then shook his head, "I don't think so. Tim had been very glad to see me and we even had lunch together."

"Think carefully and then answer me."

"Look, Dickie I already told you what happened on the visit. We had lunch, then his secretary informed him that the meeting he had was cancelled since Lincoln March was missing. I guess she also said something about Wayne Enterprises asking to reschedule the meeting. That's all."

"Wayne Enterprises... That means the meeting would have been rescheduled," he mumbled, his brain connecting the dots one by one, "was Tim nervous regarding the meeting?"

"I guess. He said it was important but I don't remember him telling me more."

"Right..."

Jason didn't know what exactly was Richard up to but it seemed as if the elder had figured out a lead.

"And then Tim saw the news regarding March's disappearance and put forward an assumption that Gotham's elite were probably being targeted for some unknown reason. That's what I told you earlier as well when I asked you to join you as a vigilante."

His eyes flickered slightly, "yeah that I recall. Anything else that could be worth noting?"

Jay thought further then spoke up, "yeah... When he said Gotham's elite were being targeted and mentioned his parents' murder, the attack on the Mayor and his wife then Lincoln March's disappearance, he said that he wouldn't be surprised if Miss Vikander was next on the hit list."

Hearing that name, Richard stiffened as if something had electrocuted him. Suddenly the missing piece clicked, "and he was very sure that she would get attacked?"

"I guess," he shrugged, "but what does that have to do with Tim's suicide?"

His jaw clenched as he stood up, "I told her to stay the fuck away from me and yet she never listens..."

Jay looked up at him in alarm, "Dickie, what happened? Where are you going?"

He gave no reply as he approached the door but before he could open it and step out, a knock sounded, making him halt. He unlocked the door and it opened to reveal the woman he had been intending to have a final word with.

Lavina Vikander stood in front of him with her features set in an unreadable look and her dark irises focused on him.

"Hello Richard," she spoke up, seeing that he had made no attempt to step aside and let her in while his cold eyes were looking at her accusingly, "I believe you and I have a lot to talk about."

Jason was seeing the woman in person for the first time and the first impression he had of her was that she held a commanding presence. The way she stood indicated that she held the sheer authority within her to command anyone she wished to.

His eyes flashed in rage, "what are you doing here?"

"Weren't you about to come and see me, dear? I just thought I must spare you the trouble and came here myself," she had gently pushed him aside and stepped in nevertheless, her inquisitive eyes sweeping over the place, "what a lovely little place you've got here."

Irritation and fury was radiating off of Richard but it seemed as if none of it would affect her.

Those dark irises that were taking in the surroundings in curiosity landed on Jason and a meaningful smile spread on her face, "and who might you be?"

"Stay the fuck away from him," Richard's voice was alarmingly high as he came in front of Jason, eyes flashing in rage, "don't you dare think that I am unaware of all you've been up to."

She looked at him as if visibly impressed, "oh my, Richard, has putting on a mask every night made you learn how to see past others' facades too?"

Richard avoided her pinching words, pushing Jay towards the door, "go to Laurie's and don't come back until I tell you to."

"But Dickie..."

"I said just go," his voice was low but firm and Jason was afraid that Richard would spiral out of control if angered further.

His anger had always been a crippling weakness to him as it would cloud his senses and make him react much more rashly than he would normally do so.

And before Jay could protest to let him stay, the elder had pushed him out and slammed the door shut in his face. He knew no amount of knocking would get Richard to open up and by the intense anger he had been in, it was only indicating that Lavina Vikander must have had something to do with Tim's untimely death.

Jason did not know what to do. He was afraid that Richard would do something terrible and it would make him end up in trouble. So Jay did the only sensible thing he could.

He had to tell Barbara about what had happened and possibly bring her with him so that she could get Richard to see sense.

When Richard got extremely angry no one else but Barbara could stop him from losing control over himself and that was the only way to prevent him from doing something terrible that he would regret afterwards.

He went to Laurie's house next door, ringing the doorbell until the boy opened. "Hey Jay, long time no... Wait, you okay?"

"I need to make a phone call, right now," his voice was urgent and Laurie understood that something must have gone terribly wrong so he let him step in and use the phone.

Jay dialed Barbara's number, his foot tapping the floor impatiently until she picked up after a few rings.

"Barbara, you've got to come over to our place as soon as you can," he spoke up soon as she had received the call. 

She must have noticed the urgency in her tone as she replied, "I was about to go to a meeting... What happened?"

"Miss Vikander came to visit and somehow Richard got very angry to see her," he hastily explained, "you know how he gets when he's angry and he's shut me out of the house too so I have absolutely no idea what's going on right now... I'm worried he'll do something stupid and get himself in trouble."

Barbara knew that meeting would have to wait or else they could have a bigger problem on their hands so she handed in an emergency note at the sergeant's desk, picked her car keys and headed out, "alright, I'm on my way."

***