Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Wayne Legacy: Knightmare

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 30:

Somewhere over the Atlantic

“Diana, the news is reporting Harvey’s death. The authorities have also issued a warrant for Parlow, in connection to the deaths of Harvey Dent and her parents.” Myndi reported, checking different sources. She had been on the phone all morning with her PR teams, preparing for the fall out.

The jet, carrying Diana, Kara, Dig, Bruce and Myndi, was in route to Gotham City and due to arrive in an hour. The others wanted to come back with them, but Diana was not going to let her guests miss out on another yacht cruise back.

Cathy had followed Diana to the jet, pointing out that she would need help screening requests for her time.

Terrance also followed them to the jet, trying to convince Kara to stay with those who were taking the yacht back to avoid the media frenzy that was no doubt waiting for them. Diana appreciated the thought and, if it weren’t for their difficulties being apart from each other, she would have agreed with him.

Though there was no reason for Bruce to go back with them, he wouldn’t stay behind, and Diana didn’t feel like arguing with him.

“I’m surprised it took this long. Contact GCPD, the US Marshall in charge, the FBI agent in charge and Andrew. When we land, we will go directly to City Hall for a press conference. What have law enforcement agencies been saying?”

“Other than the announcement of warrants, they have offered no comment.” Myndi told her.

“Make sure they know to keep it that way.”

Myndi nodded and by the time she had moved to the front of the plane her phone was already to her ear.

Diana had told Kara about Emily’s involvement in her bedroom before she announced it to everyone at the beach house.

Kara had been shellshocked. She shook her head but said nothing. All morning, she had a blank stare on her face. Despite being in the sun all week, she looked pale.

Diana watched her closely. Kara was all the way in the back, nursing orange juice and dialing Emily’s number on her phone. Her face fell every time there was no answer.

Kara finally shrieked and slammed her phone into the table repeatedly until Diana reached her and picked her up, moving away from the table. She fought to get out of Diana’s arms until she finally collapsed against her, wails of grief coming out of her so loud it pierced Diana’s heart.

Diana maneuvered them both to a wide seat and Kara lay her head on her big sister’s shoulder. Diana wrapped her arms around Kara, pulling her close, offering what comfort she could.

“This must be a mistake.” Kara said, fighting back sobs. “She couldn’t do this, Diana. I know she hated her parents, but she loved Harvey. She is probably somewhere frightened and alone, not knowing who to trust. We should get her a lawyer. She would probably turn herself in if she had a lawyer and all this mess would be solved. That’s what we do, right? We get lawyers to take care of this crap and it goes away because it isn’t true.”

“Kara… there is video of her running from Harvey’s apartment. Witnesses also saw her running away from the scene. She took his car to the airport and then stole a different one. That car has been found with her fingerprints all over it.” Diana reminded her. “I’m sorry, Bunny.”

“I know, it’s just… why Harvey? She told me she wished her parents were dead…”

Diana gently placed a finger on Kara’s lips. “What do you mean she told you she wished her parents were dead?”

Kara took a steadying breath, calming slightly. “When everyone was searching for Crane, we worked all day at the manor. I told her about Mom and Dad and when I asked about her parents, she said she wished they were dead. I didn’t ask anymore. I didn’t think she meant it. Why now? After all these years of hating them… I thought it was just a figure of speech.”

Diana ran her fingers through Kara’s hair. “There was no reason for you to think it wasn’t. Just don’t mention that to anyone, okay? There is no need for you to be involved.”

“She worked for me, Diana. Of course, I’m involved!” Kara exclaimed, trying to pull away from Diana. “How could she do that to me! I trusted her. How could she do something like that to Harvey? He was moving in with her! He loved her! How could she!?”

Kara was beginning to get hysterical again. Diana placed her hand on the back of her head and rubbed her back as she always did to comfort her sister, holding her close while she cried. Eventually, Kara tired and fell into an uneasy sleep.

Diana looked at Bruce and he rose, moving towards them. She gently traded places with him, so Kara rested on his shoulder with his arm around her comfortingly, and motioned for Dig to follow her towards the front. The two stepped into the small sleeping quarters Kara used on long trips and had a seat on the bed.

“There is something you need to know. It’s something you must keep secret. Nobody can know. Hopefully, no one will ever know.”

Dig knew he wouldn’t like this but nodded for her to go on.

“Jim and one of his detectives found a book in Parlow’s residence. It was a scrapbook of sorts, dedicated to Kara. Inside it were articles about her, photographs from her youngest days, photographs of her giving lectures at colleges… Dig there were even a couple from our recent trip to Paris. Also, there was a hairband with Kara’s hair taped inside.”

Dig stood up and clenched his fists. Diana felt his sudden flare of rage and grabbed his hand gently.

“Dig, we can’t prevent her from being seen or having pictures taken. We had no way of knowing that Parlow would be there.”

“She must have taken that band the day she was in the manor. I should have stayed with Kara instead of being in the basement. I…”

“Dig, listen to me.” Diana told him soothingly. “None of us had any way of knowing. If anyone should have known, it should have been me. We were fooled. I’m not telling you this to make you feel bad. I just want you to know that while she may have left Gotham, there is every chance she is still there. She is obviously obsessed with Kara and I’m not sure what her next move will be.”

Dig sat back down and put his head in his hands. He stayed quiet for a moment then stiffened. He straightened up and looked at Diana in disbelief.

“She has stalked Kara her whole life. Do you mean she is Kara’s…” he stopped speaking and looked at the door. Without waiting for an answer, he nodded. “Of course, she is. They have the same build. The same eyes, the same… Kara must have gotten some features from her biological father but there are so many similarities… how did I not see it? It’s my job to notice everything!”

Diana understood. “I’ve been asking myself why I didn’t notice. We just didn’t. There are a lot of blonde women who have Kara’s build and similar appearance. I’m telling you this because you need to know. No one else does. Not Bruce, Steve or Alfred. If it becomes necessary, I will tell her.”

Dig took a breath. “The media is going to be looking for a motive. What if one of those asshole reporters makes a lucky guess and somehow finds Kara’s DNA and compares it to Parlow’s? Cat Grant got a hold of Kara’s DNA. It isn’t impossible. I’m not trying to tell you your business Diana, but maybe she should know and be prepared. If it comes out in the media first, its gonna destroy her.”

“It may destroy her regardless.” Diana responded softly, closing her eyes briefly.

“There is something else, only you can know.” She told him. “Bruce would not approve, and I don’t want to listen to his crap.

“I have a detective on retainer. His name is Victor Sage, and he is very good at what he does, which mainly consists of getting me what I want. I’ve told him to find Parlow before the police do and bring her to me alive. If he succeeds, I want you with me.”

“Count on it.” Dig answered immediately with no hesitation. “Do you think he has a shot?”

Diana shrugged. “By this afternoon, she will be the most wanted person in the country. It will be hard to hide for long. The police may well beat him to her.”

“And if they catch her and she rants about Kara being her daughter, the game is up.” Dig concluded.

Diana lay back on the bed and placed an arm over her eyes.

“Damn it. Okay… I’m not saying a word until I know for sure. Jim is aware of what is at stake. I’ll get Parlow’s DNA sample and have Eliza compare it to Kara’s discreetly. If it turns out that Parlow… if she is her birth mother, I will tell her.”

Dig stood up and reached out a hand to Diana who took it and pulled herself up.

Kara woke when the plane touched ground. Diana had Bruce accompany Kara and Dig to Wayne Tower in an SUV, while Diana and Myndi took another one to City Hall.

Once she arrived, she was immediately swarmed by reporters, asking so many questions at once she couldn’t make out one of them clearly. Instead of answering, she waited for GCPD officers to hold back the crowd and walked into City Hall where she found the men she had requested.

“Status?” she asked.

“The search is ongoing.” Jim told her.

Diana nodded at looked at the two federal agents. “Would it be beneficial to offer a reward for information or a hindrance?”

The two agents looked at each other and the one from the FBI cleared his throat.

“What sort of reward?”

“My friend was murdered by my employee. I want her caught. One million dollars.”

The Agent shook his head. “That much of a reward would have people reporting their mothers. It would crash the servers and phone lines.”

“Then what can I do?” Diana asked.

The US Marshall stepped up. “Miss Wayne, we have every agent on this. It is a massive manhunt. We will get her.”

Diana nodded. “I hope you realize you are dealing with someone of the highest intelligence. She is as brilliant as she is psychotic. I would have thought she was simply a scientist who was brilliant at solar fusion until yesterday. I understand she used tech that my best and brightest would have difficulty making to tamper with our technology. Do not underestimate her gentlemen.”

Diana took a breath to calm herself. She looked at Andrew who seemed on the verge of a breakdown himself.

“All those battles we had against the mob, all the times we had hits put on us, I never thought it would end like this, Diana.” He told her, his voice breaking.

Diana hugged him. “We will get justice for him. She will not get away with this, I promise you.”

The two broke apart and Diana wiped her eye, dismayed to see a tear. She had to be strong now. She couldn’t be weak in public.

She turned to the two feds. “If she isn’t in custody by tomorrow morning, I am offering a reward. Twenty-four hours, gentlemen.”

“Of course, Miss Wayne.”

She turned to Jim and Andrew. “Who will start this conference?”

“I will, unless you want to, Diana.” Jim offered.

Diana shook her head. “Go ahead, Jim.”

The two feds, Jim Gordon, Andrew Garcia and Diana Wayne stepped out onto the steps of City Hall.

A podium had been set up and cordoned off by officers.

Flashbulbs were going off as Jim stepped behind it. “Two nights ago, Edward and Edith Parlow were murdered in their home. Yesterday, Gotham PD detectives Renee Montoya and Harvey Bullock identified their daughter, Dr. Emily Parlow, as a suspect in the case and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Yesterday afternoon, District Attorney Harvey Dent was murdered in his home. A warrant has also been issued in that case for Emily Parlow. At this time, State and Federal Agencies have joined the search. That is all the information I can give at this time.”

The reporters roared with questions as soon as he walked away from the podium. Diana looked at Andrew who was barely holding it together.

Rather than waiting for him, she approached the podium. “I will make a statement then answer what questions I can, so long as they do not interfere with any law enforcement investigations.”

The reporters quieted once again.

“I was informed last night by Gotham City Police Department that my good friend, District Attorney Harvey Dent, was murdered in his home. All evidence points to one of Wayne Enterprises’ employees, Dr. Emily Parlow, as the culprit. I have also learned that Dr. Parlow is the primary suspect in the death of her parents. At this moment, that is all I am aware of regarding both cases. I can assure the public that law enforcement has the full resources and cooperation of Wayne Enterprises going forward and we will not rest until she has been brought to justice. I will now take questions.”

Diana pointed to Vicki Vale, not in the mood to play by ignoring her today. The Gotham Gazette should get the first question.

“Yes, Miss Vale.”

“What was the nature of Dr. Parlow’s work at Wayne Enterprises?”

“She was the head of the solar resources lab, a lab that supports our solar panel power plants.”

“Was she involved in defense contracts?” Vale continued.

Diana shook her head. “No, she was not involved in any projects related to government contracts of any sort.”

Diana pointed to another reporter.

“Bryston Grieves, Star City Times. Is it true that the suspect was involved in a romantic relationship with the District Attorney?”

Diana knew this would come up and was glad she had been asked and not Andrew. “Yes, they were involved romantically. I know they’ve attended Wayne Enterprises functions together.”

“How much was known about her before she was hired by Wayne Enterprises?”

Diana sighed. “She worked for S.T.A.R. Labs for many years before being recruited to Wayne Enterprises. I am sure a simple search of the internet can provide you all with background information in regard to her education. She passed our strenuous background checks for all employees and no red flags were raised. She had no criminal record or history of violence.”

Lois Lane raised her hand. Diana had not even noticed she was present but called on her.

“Who will be taking over as Interim DA?”

A wave of grief washed over her again, a reminder that Harvey was gone. The idea of calling anyone else District Attorney was wrong to her. She had plans for him. Andrew would move on to bigger things and Harvey would then become Mayor of Gotham City. That had always been their plan. They were four years away from it.

She took a breath before saying, “That would be a question for Mayor Garcia. I don’t…”

Diana hesitated at the podium for the first time in her professional life. “I apologize. Harvey Dent was a strong leader, a man who believe in justice, who was always kind. He was also a dear friend of mine, and I am having difficulty accepting him as gone. This has been an unexpected tragedy… one I could not have imagined. I’m afraid those are all the questions I can answer right now.”

Diana stepped away from the podium and took her place by Jim. She listened to Andrew speak but didn’t really hear what he said. It was a surreal experience.

During her parents’ funeral, she held onto Kara. She couldn’t retreat into her grief. She had to face it head on.

With Harvey, it was different. Her mind would not stop going over all the things she should have noticed but didn’t.

She felt like a fool, like a failure and it cost Harvey his life. She thought back six years ago to the night she had first met her friend.

She was preparing to join Wayne Enterprises full-time and take out everyone who had anything to do with Joe Chill’s release while also moving her pieces on the board to take down all organized crime. She and Lucius spoke late into the night often, planning their attack. Diana knew what she wanted to do, and Lucius guided her, taught her how to do it. He helped her think more like her dad.

They had both been impressed by an Alderman named Andrew Garcia, one of the few not bought off by the mob. Jim Gordon was an easy choice to take over as Police Commissioner, but a District Attorney was still needed. Lucius had suggested to Diana that she go to court the next day and watch a young ADA named Harvey Dent.

She was very impressed by what she saw. He was prosecuting a robbery case in front of Judge Faden. The defendant was one of Maroni’s men. Even if the jury were not rigged, Judge Faden had been loyal to Falconè, meaning he was now loyal to Maroni. Harvey was fighting a losing battle before the trial started but he fought. He argued, he reasoned, he spoke passionately to the jury about justice.

The jury deliberated for an hour before finding the defendant not guilty to no one’s surprise.

After the trial was over, Diana followed him back to the District Attorney’s office. She walked in without knocking.

Harvey had been slumped at his desk, paperwork strewn all over his desk and a defeated look on his face.

“Tough day.” She remarked.

He looked up at her, annoyance clear. “Do we have an appointment Miss…”

“Diana Wayne.” She told him with a smile.

Harvey brightened at her name and motioned towards a chair in front of her desk. “How can I help you, Miss Wayne?”

“The question is how can I help you?” She said, taking a seat.

Harvey looked at her suspiciously. “If you need a case thrown out, I’m the wrong man to come to. I don’t do that.”

“That isn’t why I am here, nor would I ask you to do that.” Diana informed him. “I watched you today. Why do you fight? Why do you stay in a city so corrupt you never stand a chance at getting a conviction that matters?”

Harvey looked thoughtful. “Because Gotham is my home, the same as it is yours. I became a prosecutor to stop the corruption in this city. It may be a losing battle but I’m not giving up. If I spend my whole career fighting and losing, at least I know I tried.”

Diana watched him carefully, listened to not only his words but how he said them. “My parents’ murderer was released by your boss so he could take down Falconè, but nothing has changed.”

Harvey nodded, looking disgusted. “The mob is bigger than one man. Finch knew this and didn’t care. He needed the headline for his reelection campaign. The players behind the scenes gave Falconè up to get him out of the way. Getting rid of Falconè just gave Maroni what he wanted. He moved into the power vacuum Falconè left.”

Diana smiled. “I’ve heard enough. I have an offer for you. I need you to step up. Gotham needs you to step up.”

“Step up?”

“I want this city cleaned up, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get it done. Are you?”

Harvey nodded. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’m going to be backing several candidates in the elections in six months. I want you to be one of those candidates. I want you to be the next District Attorney. Do you know Alderman Garcia?”

Harvey nodded.

“He will be the next Mayor. Jim Gordon will be the next Police Commissioner. I need a District Attorney who can’t be bought off. I think you are that man. You three are going to clean Gotham of organized crime, starting at the top. Dirty cops, business leaders, crime family heads, judges, they are all going down. I have my judicial candidates ready. I have a private investigator finding proof of corruption among politicians in office. They are all going down.” Diana told him.

“You want me to be the District Attorney?” Harvey asked, a bit stunned.

Diana nodded.

“You saw what I did against the mob today. I got beaten.”

“The board was set against you before you started playing. I need a trinity in place. Wayne Enterprises has a history of staying out of public affairs in relation to crime and city affairs. That history ended when my parents were killed in the streets. Now are you my guy?”

Harvey looked at her suspiciously. “What would you want for this support?”

“All I want is for you to do your job. You, Jim and Andrew can lead this charge. It won’t be easy. It will be dangerous. People will want to kill you, but you must not falter.” Diana stated, her eyes intense. “Now are you in?”

Harvey was quiet for a moment, staring off into space. Eventually, his eyes focused back on Diana. “You really believe I’m the guy for this?”

Diana stood up. “Be at Wayne Manor tomorrow night at seven. Lucius Fox, Jim and Andrew will be there. We must get you in office first, then we make a list of targets. We meet three times a week. If you want in, be there.”

Diana closed her eyes, shook her head slightly and brought herself back to the present. Andrew had finished and despite the questions still being asked, the main attractions were walking inside. Diana received a call from Dig and motioned for Jim to join her. She needed to get to Kara, and she wanted that book in her possession.

---

Wayne Tower

As soon as they reached the Tower, Dig, Bruce and Kara had gone to the top floor where they were greeted by Angela Wright. The woman was in a frantic state, not only because of the phone calls her desk was receiving but also because of what she had learned about Emily Parlow.

“Athena, cut all incoming calls. Whoever is important can contact Diana on mobile.” Kara ordered.

The room became quiet immediately.

“Oh wow, that is so much better.” Angela said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Mr. Diggle, I’m not sure what to do. I didn’t see the news until this morning. I was out last night, and I don’t usually watch news, I just stream movie services. But when I realized what had happened, I thought about calling the police, but I didn’t know if Miss Wayne would be mad if I did. I was going to call you, but the phones wouldn’t stop ringing and I had to put everyone on hold and run their names against the important ones that could be put through.”

Dig lay a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Angela, relax. What is it you want to tell the police?”

“I think it might be my fault Dr. Parlow killed her parents.” She said quietly.

Kara and Dig looked doubtful but listened.

“While you were all on vacation, her father was calling the office several times a day demanding to speak to Miss Wayne. He wasn’t on the list for his calls to be put through. When I explained she was on vacation he would yell and rant and rave until I hung up. Then he would call back hours later. I don’t even know how he got this number.” Angela explained, a little calmer now.

“Did he say what he wanted to speak to her about?” Dig asked.

Angela shook her head. “He told me I would put him through if I knew what was good for me. He was an important man and he demanded to speak to her, that I would be fired if I didn’t do as he said. He was trying to bully me into putting him through to Miss Wayne. I wanted it to end and recognized his last name, so I went to Dr. Parlow’s lab. I asked if she knew him and told her what he was doing.”

Kara closed her eyes, already guessing the next part. “What did she say?”

“She said she her father wasn’t mentally stable and would handle it. She asked me not to tell Miss Wayne because she didn’t want to be embarrassed.” Angela said. “She must have gone over to his house not long after if the news is right.”

“It’s not your fault, Angela.” Dig reassured her. “No one could fault you for how you handled the situation. Nobody could have known. No one saw this coming.”

The woman shook her head. “Maybe if I could have calmed him down… asked what was so important but he wouldn’t tell me. He kept saying to do my job or I would be fired and never work again.”

Dig was irritated. Emily may have been psycho, but it sounded like Edward Parlow was a first-class asshole and it cost him his life.

“I’m going to call Diana and she will get the Commissioner to send a detective up here to take your statement. Just tell the detective what you told me. Everything is fine. You are not the reason she killed her parents, Angela.” Dig reassured her.

Angela sat and Kara gave her a small smile before retreating into her office. Once the door was closed, she went to the window and stared outside. A storm was approaching on the horizon. It was perfect. The last week had been filled with sun, salt water and joy. Then Gotham City pulled them back to reality.

A woman she thought she knew, a woman she looked up to, had gone on a killing spree, killing her parents and boyfriend. It seemed years ago when Emily had told her she wished her parents were dead.

Should that have been a clue? Kara took it as a figure of speech, not literally. Why had Edward Parlow tried to reach Diana so desperately? What did he know? Did he know Emily was going to kill him?

Kara crossed her arms and hugged herself, feeling cold despite the air being set at a perfect temperature always.

She felt Bruce’s familiar hand on her shoulder and leaned back into him.

“I’m okay.” Kara told him.

“No, you’re not. I’d be worried if you were. It’s okay to not be okay. I’ve been there.”

“You’ve been there?”

Bruce hummed, wrapping his arms around her, keeping her close. “Sometimes people fool us. Sometimes we think we know someone, and they do something that makes you wonder if you ever knew them at all. It makes you questions everything; makes you wonder if you should ever trust anyone again.”

“Bruce… I brought her here.”

“From what I understand, she was already living in Gotham. It was just a matter of time. Someone doesn’t wake up one day and decide to become a killer. What she did would have happened eventually whether you knew her or not. We aren’t mind readers, Kara. Not even Diana can pick up everything about a person.”

“This isn’t Diana’s fault.” Kara said quickly.

“No, it’s Emily Parlow’s. I could say don’t blame yourself, but you will anyway.” Bruce said softly in her ear. “Just take it from someone who has been blaming himself for things he couldn’t control for seventeen years. Don’t let it consume you. Don’t let it turn you into me.”

Diana arrived and Kara went out to greet her. She wasn’t alone. Jim and a pretty, Hispanic woman she had never met was with her.

What caught Kara’s eye was the large briefcase in Diana’s hand. She set it on Cathy Perkins’ desk and came directly to Kara, wrapping her strong arms around her. Kara immediately relaxed in her sister’s embrace, feeling the safety Diana’s presence always gave her, if only for a few moments.

The elevator opened once again, and Kara was surprised to see Jonathan Grimes.

Jonathan was a man in his fifties, with dark hair, greying on the sides, wearing a sharp suit. He was tall, over six foot four and bulky, intimidating but always wearing a warm smile that set people at ease. Despite that smile, he was a bull.

Diana greeted him. “Jonathan, thank you for doing this at our office. Detective Renee Montoya will be taking statements that she needs for her investigation into the whereabouts of Dr. Emily Parlow. She and her partner have been instrumental in solving this case quickly.

“Detective Montoya, this is Mr. Jonathan Grimes. He works with our legal department when we have need of his special skills.”

“Yes, we are familiar with each other. I wasn’t aware that Stonewall Grimes would be here.” Montoya complained. “Is there some reason you need a lawyer?”

“Montoya!” Jim hissed.

“It’s alright, Jim.” Diana assured him. “Detective, I am sure you have questions involving Dr. Parlow’s work and will wish to examine her computers and personal correspondence. The work she was doing is highly classified so Mr. Grimes is here as a consultant regarding what information can be given and what is not important to the case. I am sure you respect that in our position, if you asked us how our day was, we wouldn’t answer unless Mr. Grimes gives us permission to do so.”

“Angela, I understand you have a statement to make.” Diana said. “Please speak to Detective Montoya about what you told Mr. Diggle. You are in absolutely no trouble and followed the directions I gave you. Before you do though, Detective, I would like a word with you in private.”

Diana grabbed the briefcase on Cathy’s desk and walked into her office.

Montoya looked doubtfully at Gordon who nodded, motioning for her to walk inside. She walked into Diana’s office and tried not to flinch when the door slid closed behind her.

Diana was placing the briefcase into a safe in the wall. “Thank you for having a quick word with me, Detective Montoya. Jim tells me you discovered the book in this briefcase in Emily’s apartment.”

“If you mean the book that could give a possible motive for her actions? Then yes, I removed evidence from the scene.”

“I’m going to ignore the innuendos in your remark, Detective. Have a seat.” Diana waved Montoya to the seat across from her as she sat on the couch. “Mr. Grimes is only here as a precaution. I want you to be successful. I am sure as bright as you are, the book you found would lead you to connect Dr. Parlow and Kara in a more…” Diana hesitated, trying to decide on the right words.

“Parlow is her birth mother and has been stalking her since birth.” Montoya said without hesitation.

Diana looked at her harshly and the woman tried to meet her gaze and not waver.

She was failing.

“We don’t know that for sure.” Diana answered, her tone cold. “I plan to have her DNA run against Kara’s to be certain and if the woman is Kara’s birth mother, I will be the one to tell her. I am sure you can appreciate that this information could have a devastating effect on my sister. Right now, only you and Jim know of the existence of this book, correct?”

Montoya nodded.

“It stays that way.” Diana ordered. “I know Jim won’t say a word. That means if it is leaked, I will know where the leak came from.”

Montoya took a deep breath, slowly breaking under Diana’s overpowering presence. “I have no intention of leaking anything.”

Diana folded her hands, leaning forward. “Detective Montoya, I do not make threats. I usually don’t have to and quite frankly, it is not my style. I only do it when I feel it is necessary to get a point across and my point to you is this… I will do anything to protect my sister. Do we understand each other?”

Montoya went cold, her heart speeding up, understanding she was on a tricky precipice. “We do, Miss Wayne. I promise… I won’t say anything.”

Diana seemed satisfied and leaned back again. “You did well, not being fooled by Parlow’s alibi. I’m impressed.”

“Bullock was a big part of that.” Montoya admitted, trying to slow down her racing heart. “He’s worked this case every step of the way.”

Diana raised an eyebrow at her remarks. “I suppose Jim was right. I wanted him in prison, but Jim thought he could still do some good. Since he had never committed any crimes we could prove other than looking the other way, we let him stay free and on the job. Bullock is lucky to have a career.

“You, however, seem very bright. I see great things for your future.”

“Like you see great things for John Blake’s future?” Montoya asked, daring to push back slightly.

Diana tilted her head, her eyes flashed, not amused. “We aren’t talking about John Blake, are we? I am not dirty, Detective. I do not expect police to bend the law for me. I just expect them to do their job.

“That said, I am a good friend to have but you do not want me as an enemy. You seem smart enough to already know this.”

Montoya tried to swallow but her throat was too dry. “You know… when we catch Parlow, she could spill everything. She could tell the defense about the book, she could…”

“Detective Montoya,” Diana stopped her. “One thing at a time. Let’s find her first, then we can worry about the next steps.”

Montoya nodded.

“I have taken enough of your time. Jim will give you my personal number. You will keep me informed on the investigation from your end.”

“Of course, Miss Wayne.” Montoya readily agreed, understanding she didn’t have a choice. If nothing else, Commissioner Gordon would order her to keep Diana informed.

Diana stood, motioning her out of the office. “Angela is waiting then Kara and I can show you to Parlow’s office afterward.”

Diana rose and walked Montoya outside. While she began talking to Angela and Grimes at Cathy’s desk, Diana moved towards Jim and Bruce who were standing in the doorway of Kara’s office.

“Is it possible she is still in Gotham?” Diana whispered.

Gordon looked at Bruce who shrugged.

“If she is, I will find her.” Bruce promised. “Is there something I need to know?”

“What do you mean?” Diana asked her brother.

“Something about the large briefcase you brought into your office?” Bruce hinted.

Diana took a breath and settled her nerves. “All you need to know is Parlow has been obsessed with Kara for a very long time. There is every possibility she is still in Gotham, though I believe she may have fled the city to buy herself time. She isn’t gone from our lives though.”

Bruce closed his eyes. He was close to asking. He should have asked but then he glanced over at his crushed little sister and didn’t have it in him. Keeping secrets from her was what Diana did. He didn’t want to be the person who had to.

“I’m going to the streets tonight, ask if she has been seen.” Bruce told them. “I’ve developed a network of street dwellers who are encouraged to give Batman information.”

“Glad to see you maintaining a low profile.” Diana quipped.

The elevator dinged and Samantha, Cathy and Terry stepped out.

“What are you three doing here?” Diana asked, stunned to see them.

“I called the other jet to pick us up after you left this morning. We wanted to be here for you and Kara. You did assign me a personal jet.” Sam explained. “Barbara, John Blake and Aaron Cash wanted to be in on the search for Dr. Parlow. Nobody was in the mood to enjoy a leisurely yacht trip back to Gotham. The kids had never been in a private jet, so they loved it.”

Diana shook her head. “I didn’t want your vacation ruined…”

“Hey, we are a team, right?” Sam asked. “We are kind of a group package.”

Diana smiled at her VP, who once again affirmed everything Diana knew the woman to be.

“I should go talk to Barbara.” Diana said, then whispered to the three newcomers. “Thank you all for being here. Kara can use you.”

Diana took the elevator to the ninety-ninth floor and found Babs hard at work in her large office. The floor was covered in cubicles, with dozens of programmers working but Barbara’s office was silent.

When Diana walked in, Babs didn’t look up. “I wasn’t staying out of this. I can do more here with my equipment than working from the yacht.”

“Thank you.”

Babs smiled but never took her eyes from the holographic screen on her desk. “I’m doing a nationwide search for ATM discrepancies. If she has a device that can cut through our security doors, she could possibly use it to steal money from ATMs. I’m also thinking of using Bad Wolf but I need your authorization.”

Diana considered this approach.

Bad Wolf was a satellite Kara and Babs made a few years ago. It had been launched as a telecommunication support satellite for Wayne Enterprises’ wireless services.

In reality, it had the ability to quietly hijack every wireless signal with a photo or video, order it by area and create a very accurate map in regard to people and places. Its cameras, when aimed at Earth, were incredibly powerful and could provide facial recognition with a single frame. The facial recognition was very accurate. It was the most powerful spy satellite in the world and was not used often.

Bad Wolf was commonly used to watch rebel movements around their oil interests in Europe and the Middle East. It had never been used to search for an American citizen. Diana placed strict restrictions around the use of the satellite.

“Use whatever you need.” She told Babs.

“Sweet. So… am I reporting any leads anonymously to the police or… the other guy?”

“Give Sage first shot. He is under orders to bring her to me if he finds her before the police can.”

Diana’s phone buzzed. “Kara is taking Montoya to Parlow’s office. I must go. Contact Sage and do what you do, Barbara… find this bitch.”

Diana went to the floor Kara had designated for the Helios project. The lab was strangely laid out.

At the front were eight technicians who would normally be working on a casing to hold energy, based on theoretical outputs. Behind the open area was a wall with a door. On the other side of the door were multiple large screens that could be written on electronically along with a small desk that belonged to Parlow.

The room was spaced out this way because the work Kara and Parlow did was academic. Until they had discovered the perfect manner to replicate the sun’s solar energy without radioactivity, the work was limited to trying new equations and running simulations on the screens.

Grimes, Kara, Gordon and Montoya entered the lab.

Diana put her arm around Kara as she entered.

Kara looked at the subdued lab techs. For once, they weren’t wowed by the CEO or in awe. They were obviously shellshocked at the events they had learned of that morning.

“I suppose all of you know by now what has happened, along with the rest of Gotham and the country.” Kara told her employees. “This is Detective Montoya and Commissioner Gordon. For those who don’t recognize him, this is Wayne Enterprises’ chief legal counsel, Jonathan Grimes.

“Detective Montoya will be asking you questions, and I want you to all answer honestly and openly. If Mr. Grimes instructs you not to answer a question, then you will not answer.”

Kara took a deep breath to compose herself. “I would like to say before we start that this is a confusing time and I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. What I can tell you, is that none of you need to worry about jobs. This lab will stay open and all of you will remain unless you request to be transferred to another department.

“Once you answer the Detective’s questions, you may go home and take the rest of the week off at full pay. This has been a shocking development and if you feel like I do, work is not on your mind right now. Hopefully, this situation will be resolved when you return.”

Kara left her people and walked into the walled-off part of the lab, Diana behind her. She had a seat at Emily’s small desk and opened her drawer, taking Parlow’s tablet out.

“I’m not sure if you should be touching her items.” Diana said, not liking the idea of Kara having any contact with something that belonged to that woman.

“I want to make sure there is nothing confidential that Montoya could actually understand.”

Kara opened the tablet, already knowing Emily’s pin.

As she swiped through the files, she suddenly stopped cold.

“Kara, are you okay?” Diana asked, feeling a spike of distress from her sister.

Kara shook her head.

“She solved it.” She whispered quietly. “She solved Helios… months ago. Why didn’t she tell me? I don’t understand.”

Kara looked up at her sister who was standing stiffly over her shoulder. “Who is she, Diana?”