Bella POV

I learned that while I had been missing, Kat had once again disappeared. Bruce really liked spending time with her and so he wanted to find her. So he left notes at places where he thought that she might be. One night out of the blue after days of searching for her with no signs she suddenly shows up at the mansion. "What's up?"

"I missed you. Alfred sent me to the Swiss Alps. We have a house there. I just got back." Bruce explains.

"So what is it that you want?"

"I have a gift for you. It's like the place where we stayed."

Kat shakes it upside down then turns it right side up again. "Wow. Thank you."

"Also, Bella and I were wondering if you wanted to stay here in our house." I glanced over at him in slight confusion. I had never said that.

"Why?"

"I figured we could help each other out. You can help me find the man who killed my parents and I can give you a better home."

I shake my head knowing that Kat is going to take this the wrong way. "What's better about it? Listen kid, chill. I came here to tell you to stop hassling me." Kat said as she hands him back the snow globe.

"Hassling you?"

"Yeah, your beginning to bug me." Kat replies.

"I thought that we were friends." Bruce replies with confusion in his tone.

"Listen, I lied. I didn't see who killed your parents. I didn't see his face."

"I don't understand."

I frown. I think I'm beginning too understand and I don't like it. "I lied so I wouldn't get locked up in juvie. So it's no use, buying me presents or sending me messages or trying to hang out. There's no point because I can't help you." Kat replies as if she doesn't care at all.

After she left Bruce took the snow globe and threw it across the room smashing it. "Master Bruce? Miss Bella?" Alfred calls our names as he enters the room and spots the broken snow globe.

"She lied."

"Oh."

"She didn't see who killed my parents."

"I think you mean your parents don't you mate?"

"Huh?" Bruce asked in confusion and then looked over in my direction. "Oh Yes, our parents."

"I see. Shall I get a broom then? Or do you want to continue crying over the shattered fragments of your young dreams?"

Bruce wipes away his tears "yes Alfred a broom." Then he gets up and heads towards his board of things he's put together. "I will find other leads."

"No doubt. I knew that she was a wrong -un." Alfred replies.

Jim POV

"Arnold Flass, your under arrest for the murder of Leon Winkler."

"Keep walking mutt you've got nothing."

I empty the contents of the paper bag revealing an ice pick and a tape and all the chatter stops. "That's 20 years upstate right there. Deleware gave you up."

"Jimbo, do you really think that these people are going to let you arrest me? These are my friends. This is my house."

"This is Not your house. You are a drug dealer and a murderer and you don't belong here. You don't deserve to wear this badge."

Flass just laughs in response. "How long have you been here? A few months? Why don't you come preach to me in five years."

I turn to look around at my fellow officers "he murdered Leon Winkler. An innocent man who trusted us. Who trusted this!" I state holding up my badge. "Enough to step forward and help us solve a case. A man who died so Detective Flass could protect himself."

"I.A. Ruled it a suicide."

"I'm arresting this man."

"Get real dumbo, I'm protected."

"You can help me or you can try and stop me. Either way, I'm doing my duty."

"Hay, back off. Alright? I'm protected." Flass says again.

"Shut up Flass." Essens replies. "Arnold Flass, your under arrest for murder."

"What the hell do you think your doing? Your crazy."

"Read him his rights."

Alverez steps up to do as Essens asks. " You right to remain silent anything you say and do can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney."

"You can't keep me in here. Do you know how many people I have?" Flass continues to yell at Alverez who is paying him no mind.

"Thanks Cap." Essens pats me on my shoulder before walking off. Since Barbara had left and I had no idea when she was coming back, I asked Essen's permission to allow Jayden and Sabrina to remain with Nigma during my shifts and she agreed.

Sal POV

"Your sure now? Fish Mooney is done." I say as I open a bottle of champagne.

"She tried to bring down Falcone. She failed. Last time I saw her Victor Zazz had her cornered. We can assume that she's either dead or extremely unwell."

"Well then Salude. You know this creates some intriguing opportunities. Falcone will struggle to hold onto her territories. If we move quickly."

"My thinking exactly. In fact, I took the liberty of claiming her nightclub. In your name of course."

"You did Huh? Good thinking. A bird in the hand is nine tenths of the law right?" I reply with a chuckle.

"Yeah. Yeah."

"Phone for you boss."

"Speak."

"Hello Sal." Said the voice of Fish Mooney.

"Hey."

"You sound surprised. Let me guess your little friend penguin told you that I was dead."

"As good as." I reply glancing over in Penguin's direction.

"Mmm. I'm just on vacation for a while."

"Huh."

"I'm not going to lie. I thought that I was going to end up on top. Instead I got played. Turns out Penguin has been Falcone's man the whole time. They played us both for suckers."

"Is that right?" I reply as Penguin holds up his glass towards me again.

"Ah indeed. He told me himself right before I was about to gutt him."

"You understand why I might be skeptical considering it's you telling me this." I reply still glancing warily at Penguin.

"Oh wake up dummy. You mean to tell me this whole time you haven't suspected anything? That he hasn't made one slip that he's had to explain away. Or maybe even you wanted to believe his lies. But it still knaws at you doesn't it? The doubt..."

"Maybe a couple of times."

"It's time to get your house in order Salvatore. And remember who put you wise."

"Not bad news I hope?" Penguin asks.

"Naw. I have got to go upstate. See a guy about a thing. Come with me. We can talk about opportunities."

"Sure. Just let me run home."

"Bup bup. We've got to now. Right now."

"Super. I love a road trip yea."

"Yea." I reply back.

Harvey POV

"Harvey."

"Captain."

"What have we got?"

"Sometime last night, Mr. Lucky here got tied to that chair a noose was dropped over his neck and he was heaved over the side. Some suits coming up for a smoke found him."

"How did he get back up on the roof?"

"You see that pully there. My guess is the killer."

"The guy went through a lot of trouble to get him back up. Why not just leave him hanging."

"Good morning Captain."

"Good morning Ed."

"The more you cut me the bigger I grow what am I?"

We are on a rooftop Nigma don't tempt me." I reply.

"A hole. I am a hole."

"Ok. Relevance?"

"Well there's a hole a surgical incision in our victims abdomen. Certain postmortem. My guess is the killer was looking for something. I'll have to examine the body more fully back at the lab."

"You mean the medical examiner will."

"Well. But."

"You handle forensics Ed. The bodies belong to Dr. Guerra and he's made formal complaints. I can't cover for you anymore."

"I read you Ma'am, loud and clear."

"Hay where's Gorden?"

"Personal stuff he will be in soon." I reply.

"Hay don't stand so close to the edge."

"You worried about me captain? You know I don't start drinking until noon."

"Do I have to spell it out for you? Detective Flass had a lot of friends and your partner arrested him for murder. Accidents happen."

"You the put the cuffs on him."

"So we should all be careful."

I glance over at the other people I in Uniform who are giving me semi-dirty looks. "To hell with them."

Bella POV

"Detective James Gorden and his two children Jayden and Sabrina to see you Master Bruce, Miss Bella." If we weren't so close to each other Alfred would would be addressing us properly as young Mister Wayne and young Miss Wayne. However, we have known Alfred for years. Alfred calling Bruce, Master Bruce in stead of Mister Wayne As well as him calling me Miss Bella and not Miss Wayne. This indicates, a closeness between us and Alfred that you don't often see in these kinds of relationships.

"Detective."

"Bruce, how are you?" He extends his hand but I am hesitant to shake it.

"I'm fine thank you."

"I would have come by earlier but things were a little crazy. You were gone for a while."

"Switzerland."

"Bella didn't go with you?"

"No. We had a fight and while I was away she ran away. I thought I heard Alfred mention that she had stayed with Maroni and Falcone. Which has also been a subject of debate between Bella and I as of late. I was upset with Alfred for allowing her to remain with known criminals rather then bring her back home. Anyway, what brings you here today Detective?"

"It was probably wise of you to have left for a while. I saw Selena Kyle. She told me that she lied. That she didn't see your parent's killer."

"That's what she told me. She made up the story to get out of Juvi."

"She could be saying that now because she scared. It would be understandable after what happened."

"No. She doesn't scare easily. I believe her she didn't see the killer." I reply and I notice Bella rolls her eyes.

"Look, this is unfortunate, but that doesn't mean that we are back to stage one. Someone sent assassins after her. Only a guilty person would do that."

"Yes, and led her bloody assassins to the manor. Thank you very much."

"Anyway, you need no longer concern yourself with the case any longer."

"Bruce this is not the time for giving up."

"I'm not giving up."

"I don't understand."

"Months ago you promised to find who killed my parent's. And in all this time you've managed to find one witness who turned out to be a liar."

"An investigation like this takes time."

"I understand. But I don't want you to feel bound by an oath that you can't fullfill."

"Bwuce, you is being wude. Gowden is only twying to help us."

"Bella, any decision concerning our Parent's Case is no concern of yours. It is mine and mine alone to make."

"But..."

"I mean it Bella! Stay out if this! It's bad enough that you ran away and stayed with criminals. Criminals who, really don't care as much about you as they pretend too." At this, Bella rushes out of the room and out the door.

"I am releasing you from your promise. Detective. I'll persue the matter on my own." With that, Bruce turned to leave and as he did, Jayden took the apple he had been saving out of his pocket and threw it at Bruce but Alfred caught it before it hit him.

"Oy, what was that for mate? Nice throw by the way." He said tossing Jayden back the apple.

"He was being mean to Bella and rude to my daddy." Jayden replies with a pout.

"Bruce." I call starting to follow after him but Alfred tells me not to bother.

"Yeah, I really wouldn't bother actually mate. Once Master Bruce has made up his mind there really is no changing it. Shall I escort all of you to the door?"

Jim looks down at Jayden: we will be discussing your behavior when we get home tonight." Then turning his attention back to Alfred he replies, "He can't peruse this case on his own it's too dangerous."

"Then I'll have to keep an eye on him mate." Before Alfred could shut the door Jayden and Sabrina dash threw it and towards the direction that Bella had taken off in only moments before.

"Bella, Bella, Bella where are you? Jayden and Sabrina called. They heard quiet sobs and were surprised to find Bella curled up next to two hyenas. Her head resting on one. "Bella, get out of there." Jayden called to her.

At first, Bella didn't respond and when she did it was barely above a whisper. "Why?"

"Why what?" Sabrina replies with a slight frown.

"Why me habe to come out?"

"Bella those are hyenas. Daddy said that they are wild animals and that they are dangerous."

"Huh? Wild? But me has them fowa as long as me can memba. They isn't wild owa dangewous." Bella replies as one of the Hyenas begins to lick away the tears from her cheeks. "Stop that. It tickles." Bella said with a giggle. Upon seeing her friends worried glances Bella sighs and leaves the cage. Her eyes then light up in excitement. "You want to meet/ see me otha fweinds?"

"Other friends?"

Bella nods and leads them to the next cage which holds a wolf, followed by a cage that held a lion and tiger, a cage with bats and owls, a water cage that held crocodiles and a cage that held a large snake. As well as a cage that had cockroaches and tarantulas. "Are those bats?" Bella nods. "They won't bite me will they?"

"No. They only bite when made scawed."

"But don't vampires turn into bats and then suck your blood?" Sabrina asked nervously.

"Yes, but that only happens in the mobies not in weal life. Jayden, why is you scawed of me cwocodiles ?"

"Because they kill people."

"Actually mowa people go bye bye fwom encountas with Hippos then wifth cwocodiles. And besides, Stebe, Tewwi, Binid, Wobewt (Robert), Tictock and Awgo is fweindly. They nu huwt anyone."

Jim POV

"Daddy, can Bella come sleep over tonight?" Sabrina asks.

"I don't know. I'm not so sure that's such a good idea."

"Pwease?" Jayden and Sabrina say in unison.
Jim sighs.

"I don't know. What do you think Alfred?"

"I don't see why not so long as Miss Bella promises to behave and doesn't try to run off again."

"Me pwomise."

Penguin aka Oswald POV

"Hay sleepy head. We are here." Sal says throwing a piece of paper at me effectively waking me from my my sleep. "Can you smell that air? That's country air. Let's get some chow." Sal says as he zips up a bag filled with guns.

"Chow. Excellent." I reply sarcastically as I exit the car after he walks off towards a building. "So where's the guy?"

"What guy?"

"The guy with the thing?"

"Oh. He'll be along. You don't like the coffee?"

"I like the coffee." I reply taking a sip from my cup.

"How about the oatmeal?"

"Also delicious."

"It's good to get out of the city. Away from the fumes, the noise, I can finally hear myself think. It's all so simple and clean and honest out here. Fresh air, oatmeal, good friends." He said motioning towards me.

"How true."

"In Gotham we have any time to connect, to reflect. You feel that?"

"Absolutely."

"Mmm.

"This guy with the thing, what is the thing?" I ask nervously.

"Stop worrying about that guy. You know what I was thinking about? This is crazy. Indian Hill. You know that dump in Arkham that I traded to Falcone for your neck."

"How could I forget? I am eternally grateful."

"You suggested it. Whispered it in my ear."

"It's worthless land."

"But was it so worthless? I mean, Falcone snapped it up pretty quick."

"It was a token. He simply needed to save face after Nikolai died.."

"Ah see, you wouldn't believe it. That's the other thing that I was thinking about. The fight with Nikolai when Frankie was killed. What was he stabbed like ten times?"

"I don't recall the exact number."

"Only it was a gunfight how did Frankie get killed with a knife? That always kind of bugged me."

"Honestly, I'm not much use when things get Physical. I'm sorry I couldn't save him."

"I was just reminiscing. Don't beat yourself up about it. We all got our talents right?"

"Yes we do."

"Me, I'm deceptively quick for a big guy." Sal said as he quickly grabbed my hand.

"Yes you are."

Sal laughs "I'm going to go get some air. Wait for the guy with the thing."

"The guy, right."

Harvey POV

"How about getting it right the first time so we don't have to keep doing this." I reply irritatedly as I hand another officer a piece of paper.

"Detective Bullock?"

"That's my name don't wear it out."

"I'm Scottie Mullens. You called me about Adam Jodowski."

"Oh. Miss Mullens... Yes. Thank you for stopping by. Miss, Mrs?"

"Miss."

"Good. Good. Please.. So, how did you know Mr. Jodowski?"

"I was his sponsor sort of. We're in a support group together. He's dead isn't he?"

"Why would you say that?"

"This is a homicide decision. Your a homicide Detective."

"We found his body this morning. Your number was in his pocket."

The lady sighs. "I had just given it to him. I recently just started to be his sponsor."

"Mm. So uh, what type of group is this? For booze? Pills?"

"It's for people suffering from phobias."

"Your joking."

"Fear can be debilitating. It helps to talk to someone about it. Don't be a donkey."

"Excuse me?"

"You were about to make fun. Don't be a donkey."

"Your right. I'm sorry. I was. No fun making. Please." I motion towards a seat near my desk. "What was Mr. Jodowski's phobia?"

"Heights."

"So if he was found dangling from the top of a tall building?"

"Oh my gosh. Is that how he??"

"I'm going to need the names of all the people in the support group."

"It's completely anonymous. Adam was the only one that I knew personally. You don't think someone from the group did this?"

"It could be. The killer seemed to know of his phobia. Are you Irish? You seem like you could be Irish."

"What's it too you?" She replies.

"I'm just curious. When's the next meeting?"

"Tonight. 6:00."

"And these things they usually run what? About an hour?"

"Mm-hmm."

"So you could maybe go to dinner afterwords. Hypothetically."

"Hypothetically."

"Ok. Well I'm going to keep working the case. And I'm going to call you if I feel the need to go to this meeting. We are going to find who did this. I promise Miss Mullens."

"Okay."

"So I went through the materials from the scene. Ropes and pulleys can be bought anywhere. For what it's worth I traced the chair the victim was tied too."

I continue to watch as Miss Mullens leaves as Jim spouts information that he's found out. "Yeah, I'm listening."

"Bankers chair. Wooden made by some company in the narrows that's been closed down for years."

"Great let's go." I reply grabbing my coat and hat.

"You sure? That's a pretty thin lead Har." Jim replies skeptically.

"Since when have you been scared of a little work huh?" I reply and Jim gives me a look of confusion.

Killer POV

After harvesting the chemical that produces during intense fear from my last victim it was time to move on. Today I am carrying a piglet. As I stroke it, it squeals happily.

Immediately the man coming out of an apartment building eyes go wide in fear. As expected the man turns to run by my associate stuns him and tosses him into the back of our black van.

Bella POV

Sabrina and Jayden convinced Detective Gorden to allow me to have a sleep over. Since his girlfriend Barbara hadn't he brought us with him to the GCPD where we were to spend the day with Ed.

"What was he after? Well now."

The door opens to reveal an angry man and Jim's boss Essens. "There see. I told you!" The man says angrily.

"Oh. Oh dear."

"Get your hand out of that corpse. Now."

"I was just passing by and I ummm. I was curious. What was I thinking?" Ed says smacking his forehead. "It won't happen again. I promise. Sorry."

I frown looking at him and then the two standing in the doorway then back at him in confusion. I fail to see what the issue is, he was only trying to help. Essens glances over at the man. "I'm the chief medical examiner not this gibbering loon!"

"You shouldn't call people names it's not nice." Jayden and Sabrina reply.

"Mind your own business children. Didn't anyone ever teach you that children should be seen and not heard?"

Jayden shrugs thinking of his former mother. "Yes, but we don't believe it. Uncle says to either kick or stomp on someone when they say that to us."

"And don't call Ed names it's not nice. You should listen to what he has to say." With that both Jayden and Sabrina stomp on the examiner's feet causing me to giggle.

"Why you rotten little street rats!" The Exzaminer hisses raising his hand as if to strike Jayden and Sabrina.

However, before he is able to lay a hand on them Ed grabs his arm glaring angrily at the Exzaminer. "Don't you dare lay a hand on them!"

"What are they doing in here anyway? This is a morgue not a daycare center. Do something about this or I'm going over your head!" He hisses at Essens.

Essen then turns her attention back to Ed.
"I'm sorry Ed, until further notice your suspended."

"Finally!" The man replies as he exits the room. Essen shakes her head holds her hand up to silence Ed and walks out of the room.

"But I found something." Ed replies sadly. I frown and let out a deep growl my eyes flashing in anger. This wasn't fair! Ed didn't deserve to be suspended.

"But Auntie Sarah, Eddie has something to tell you. He found something and that mean doctor is trying to stop him from telling you..." Sabrina replies.

"I'm sorry. Believe me, this is the last thing that I wanted to do unfortunately, I have no choice. I have warned Ed time and time again to stay out of the morgue. As I told him earlier today, I can't keep covering for him. I'm sorry, but the suspension stands." With that, Essens turns to leave.

"Excuse me." I say polietly tapping Essens on the shoulder. She turns around and glances down at me. I look up at her with a pout. "Suspending Ed was not faia!"

Jayden and Sabrina exchange knowing glances. They can tell that I am not happy and when I'm not happy people who have irritated me tend to get hurt. Essens sighs. "I'm sorry Miss Wayne, but I have no choice. Ed has continually..."

I cut her off "helped solve cases and find impowtant ebidence that the big meanie poopyhead has missed, he not?"

"Well, yes but..."

I cut her off mid sentence. "No buts. That Meanie poppyhead should be suspend fowa hawassing and calling Ed names. Owa he needs to be told to play nice and shawe. What you did was not faia and you need to make it wight. Owa you won't like what happens." With that, I skip off in the direction Ed was located followed closely by Sabrina and Jayden.

"That was fun, but I hope that Ed doesn't get into anymore trouble and is able to come back to work again soon." Jayden replies.

"Me too." Sabrina replies.

"He had betta be able to come back soon. Me don't like when people do things that is unfaia. That makes me both sad and angwy."

Jim POV

We arrive at the old were house and Harvey starts up a conversation. "So, word around the house is that you and Doc Caliente have a thing."

"Thomkins? Yeah kind of.. I guess..."

"So you and Barbara are finally finito?"

"Yeah. I dropped the keys off at her apartment today."

"Get any of that righteous break up sex?"

"She wasn't there. You notice that I don't ask you about your love life"

"My love life is an open book and a short and nasty one. But I'm working on the friend in the Vic's phobia support group. Unless she's the killer, I think I'm in there."

"You see why I don't ask?"

"Don't screw it up with the Doctor."

"I'll try not too."

"Seriously, been willing to forgive you on account of your not getting laid but you mean to tell me this whole time you've been making speeches, raising hell. You've got a woman? The thought of what you would do if alone is truly terrifying."

Suddenly we hear a man screaming. We immediately pull out our guns take off running in the direction of the scream. "GCPD."

"Drop the knife!" He turns around revealing that he's wearing a pig mask raising the knife as if he's about to throw it at us. However, he lets out a hell and starts toward us as instead. We don't give him a chance to respond but rather shoot him multiple times.

"What the Hell?" Harvey replies as he spots several pigs surrounded a man who is tied to a chair. He goes over to the man and then replies to me "thin lead huh?" He asks sarcastically. "This luck fella and Vic are part of the same phobia support group." Harvey says handing Essens a folder with pictures of the last crime scene and info on this new victim.

"Pigs? Huh. How is he?"

"He's in Gotham General scared half to death. The medics had to sedate him."

"The man you shot was he in this support group too?"

"Nope. No ID as of yet but we are running his prints."

"But is he our man or are we still looking for someone else?"

"It's hard to say."

"He's our man. These sort of waccos work alone. I'm going to run by the support group and tell them that it's been settled."

"Hay, we don't know that yet."

"You need to be more optimistic."

"You do, you need to be more optimistic. We have our Perp." Essens replies siding with Harvey.

"The post mortem incision on the first victim is weird. The killer was after something I want to know what. I'm gonna ask Nigma too take a look."

"No. He's been suspended." Essens replies I turn to face her irritated.

"You've got your report from the ME."

"The same ME who said that my last witness stabbed himself in the back with an ice pick? No. No thanks. Nigma..."

Essens cuts me off "is not the medical examiner. I like him too. But there's nothing that I can do. Not with the way things are."

"What do you mean?"

"Look. I'm glad that we took down Flask but there are people you go after and people that you don't. So now everything we do is being watched. You got the bad guy, let it go."

"I'm sorry that you got dragged into it."

"Don't be. It felt good." Essens says with a smile.

"It did didn't it." I reply with a smile as I exit her office.

Ed POV

I enter Miss Kringle's office and start to talk to her. "Miss Kringle, I'm hear to tell you that.... Have you been crying?" I ask in concern as I spot tears in her eyes.

"I'm fine."

"But I spot tears on your face. Is it because your friend Detective Flask was arrested?"

"What do you need Mr. Nigma?" Miss Kringle replies avoiding answering my question.

"I've been suspended and I won't be seeing you anymore so I wanted to return this pencil." I reply holding out a dinky pencil. "I took it from your office sometime ago I kept meaning to return it. It use to be longer." I reply as she takes the pencil.

"Your an odd man Mr. Nigma. But I'm sorry that you've been suspended. I wish something could be done." Miss Kringle replies and I can't help but smile as I exit her office.