Gerald Lantieri was very nervous around Mr. Wayne. He always had been. It made sense though, a lot of people were nervous around their boss. Bruce Wayne was not just any boss, either, he was one of the most powerful men in the country. Bruce had always treated Gerald with respect, but that didn't keep the technology division VP from having pre visit jitters.
"Are we still on for the presentation of the new Wayne Corp Reverse Polarity Semi-Conductor?"
"Umm, actually, no sir. I'm terribly sorry."
"Not a problem, Gerry, relax.", Bruce smiled.
"I can show you where we are Mr. Wayne, but unfortunately the lead engineer, Eric Mendelson, had some personal issues with his father, and is not in today. Without Eric, I'm sort of lost."
"Sure, is everything all right with Dr.Mendelson, Eric's father"
"I didn't know you know him"
"I'm on the Gotham City Hospital Board with him. It was through him we found Eric."
"Right, of course", Gerald was always surprised how a man with so many employees could remember so many personal details.
"Actually", Gerald explained, "Rumor has it Dr. Mendelson flipped his lid and took off to some remote island. He liquidated all of his estate. No one knows where he or the money are."
"That's very unlike Jules. He's always been such a family man. Are we sure he's ok?"
"To the best of my knowledge, he spoke directly to his attorney two nights ago. He made some changes to the will, supposedly cutting out Eric and his siblings. The attorney said he sounded fine, and that this was a decision made from his own free will."
"Hmm, I'll have to make some calls", Bruce said.

This didn't sit well with Bruce. Maybe it was the detective in him, but anytime someone did something that was very rash, and out of character, it made him nervous. He wanted to follow up on this one.

Bruce glanced around the lab one more time, then saw the big bat-symbol blazing in the sky. As always everything else would have to wait.
"Lab looks great everybody, good job", he shouted to the staff, "Gerry, next time don't get so uptight, you're doing great stuff here, you should be proud of it!", Bruce told the man as he left.

 

"Mayor Duncan, Commissioner Gordon is reported to have failed the city health physical, due to blood pressure concerns. Can you confirm this?", a pushy reporter badgered.
"I can, anyone would have high blood pressure after dealing with you people all the time!", sniped Mayor Duncan. He was no fan of the media
"Isn't it true then that the Commissioner must be placed off active duty?"
"That is not true. Commissioner Gordon isn't going anywhere."
Stories like this were common on the Gotham news

channels. Most stations devoted two hours to news. It made it easier when there was a big story about Batman. On the days there wasn't such a story though, the reporters tried to pick apart local government, as they did today. Chase usually paid no attention to these hounds, but this story caught her eye. She even stopped her workout to listen.

This was the break she had been waiting for. Gordon is just one step away from the big prize. Wasting no time, Chase got on the phone to the city health board. She had a "supporter" on the inside there.

 

"Hello Commissioner, Sorry to make you wait", Chase said as she entered her office.
"Um, sure Dr. Meredith, not a problem", he answered. His posture and behavior indicated he was very nervous.
"Is everything all right Commissioner?"
"Um, yes, dear, everything is fine. It's just I've never been to a...you know"
"A therapist"
"Yes dear, nothing against you though. I hear you work miracles. I am just not someone who needs this type of thing."
"Actually, Commissioner, in this case you are. The city will remove you from the active duty roster unless you can prove you are taking steps to reduce your blood pressure. Seeing me twice a week is the only thing that will keep you working."
"I know, I know. I don't mean to be a grump. So how do we do this. Do I tell you about my childhood or some such nonsense. I don't really like to do a lot of talking"
"Don't worry Commissioner, I'll do most of the talking. You just need to relax. I use a method called guided relaxation. Have you heard of it?"
"It sounds like a form of hypnosis", Gordon said. He was a very sharp man.
"Actually, it is. Have you ever been hypnotized, Commissioner?"
"No dear, and I am afraid I can not allow myself to be. I hold too many secrets. I must remain lucid and in control at all times. Besides, I don't think I could be hypnotized. I'm too strong willed."
"Well, I understand Commissioner. Why don't we just sit and talk for a while then." Chase smiled.

 

"Good Evening Sir!", Greeted Alfred.
"Hi Alfred, any word from Dick yet?", Bruce returned.
"Afraid not sir. Yo've heard of Two-Face's escape from Arkham again today sir?", Alfred asked, referring to the sky symbol.
"I did. Alfred, did you get a chance to look into this Jules Mendelson thing?"
"Indeed, sir. I spoke with Dr. Mendelson's man Arliss. Arliss had no idea where Dr. Mendelson was. He just said that he had decided to retire"
"That's very odd. Richard Atwood, another of my father's friends did the same thing about a month or so ago, didn't he?"
"I believe so, yes. Let me help you with that sir", Alfred said, assisting with the removal of Bruce's jacket.
"Thanks Alfred. Did Arliss seem strange to you? As if he were hiding something?"
"I didn't get the sense that he was hiding anything, but he did seem a bit odd."
"In what way"
"Sort of distracted, almost in a fog if you will"
"I see. Alfred, I've got to go deal with this Two-Face situation, can you deal with this?", Bruce asked. Alfred agreed as Bruce got changed.

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