The Wayne Legacy: Knightmare
By BetterInTexas
Chapter 31:
Wayne Enterprises Biomedical Research Laboratory
Diana stared into Eliza’s eyes, wanting the woman she had known her whole life to tell her it wasn’t true.
It hadn’t been hard for her to get a sample of Parlow’s DNA and Eliza had hundreds of samples of Kara’s. Diana had taken the sample Jim had given her personally to Eliza who had been waiting to run a rapid DNA test. It was nighttime, the medical center and labs of the medical technology department were emptied, and no one saw Diana walk inside.
It had been two days. Two days since Parlow had gone on the run. There had been no confirmed sightings of her anywhere. Babs had been using Bad Wolf to look all over the states and nothing. Victor Sage had begun investigating the woman’s entire life hoping to find some clues in her youth that could give him an idea as to her possible destinations. Bruce’s street contacts had seen nothing of her, and he fairly pointed out, a woman like her would not be able to hide in the underbelly of Gotham for long.
Now…
Diana pleaded with her eyes, but it didn’t matter. The look of devastation on Eliza’s face said it all.
Emily Parlow was Kara’s biological mother. She was the woman who dumped a sick baby on the sidewalk and ran away. She was a woman who had watched Kara from a distance her entire life, who had inserted herself in Kara’s life without telling her the truth.
“You can’t tell Kara. It will destroy her, Diana.” Eliza said quietly but firmly.
Diana slowly shook her head. “I don’t have a choice.”
“Yes, you do! You always have a choice. You have always made the right ones when it comes to her. I watched you when you were twelve, how you took control of everything despite your own pain, how well you took care of her. You have always done what is best for her. Don’t stop now!” Eliza implored her.
“What would you have me do? Lie to her?” Diana asked, her voice breaking.
“Yes! I’ll lie to her if I must. She cannot know.”
Diana raised her hands in frustration and helplessness. “She already suspects, Eliza. Parlow is a psycho. How long will it be until she reaches out to Kara and tells her over the phone? What if the police catch her before I do? She will tell them. She will tell the world. Is that how Kara should find out?”
Eliza crossed her arms, having zeroed in on one comment Diana made.
“If you can get Parlow before the police, what will you do with her?” Eliza asked quietly.
“It’s better you do not know.” Diana replied evenly.
“Don’t go there with me, Diana. I am one of the few people who know all the Wayne family secrets. I have been with Kara her entire life… and yours too for that matter. What are you going to do?” Eliza asked, demanding an answer.
Diana took a deep breath. “The truth is, I don’t know.”
Elia raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know? You don’t know? You always know!”
“No, I don’t!” Diana said loudly. “Everybody thinks I know how to handle everything, but I don’t. I know what to do with Wayne Enterprises! I know how to lead the company, the country and the world! That’s it!
“But in this situation? When my sister’s well-being and feelings are involved? I’m making it up as I go along!
“You think I planned to fall in love? You think I planned for Kara to be poisoned by a witch, or now live with an ancient Queen of the Amazons? You think I planned for Bruce to go out in a Halloween costume every night and fight crime? Do you think I planned for this murdering bitch to have any tie to my sister?!”
Eliza placed a hand on Diana’s shoulder to calm her down.
“I’m sorry.” Eliza told her.
Diana had a seat, her head down as if the weight of this knowledge was too much. Eliza knelt in front of her, reaching out to grasp her hand comfortingly. “You know what you have to do. You have to kill her, Diana. There is no other way.”
“You make it sound so easy.” Diana grumbled.
“It wouldn’t be the first time you have killed, would it?” Eliza asked knowingly.
Diana looked up, seeing the earnest expression on the woman’s face.. “Something tells me you are not talking about Cronus.”
“Alfred never said a word. He didn’t have to.” Eliza explained. “Diana, the first time I saw you, your mom and dad told me how you came into their lives, and I swore an oath to always keep it a secret. Thomas didn’t ask me to, but I did it anyway. I am the keeper of your secrets and always have been. You killed a person once, and you can do it again. You even fought your way through hell for Kara and killed the devil. This is no different.”
Diana’s shoulders dropped. “Once a killer, always a killer, huh?”
“You were justified killing Chill. You would be justified here. If you don’t want to do it, bring her to me and I will.”
“What about do no harm, Eliza?” Diana asked, unwilling to believe the doctor could willingly commit murder.
“This is family. I’ll do what is necessary to protect you all.” Eliza told her emphatically. “Did I ever tell you I almost got into the car that day with Jeremiah? I was that close to never seeing my daughter grow up. But if I had died that day, your parents would have taken Alex in and loved her as their own. Thomas would have done anything to keep her safe and happy. That is the same as I love you and your siblings.”
Diana sighed, knowing Eliza’s devotion to the Wayne family had inadvertently caused the woman to miss a lot of Alex’s growing up anyway. Eliza had yet to decide about telling Alex her secrets and now that Alex’s true feelings were out in the open, the rift between the two was obviously widening.
Shaking her head, Diana stood, feeling drained of energy and despondent. She couldn’t do anything about Eliza’s relationship with Alex beyond what she’d offered, and she was tired of the talk about murder.
While appreciative of Eliza’s determination, she was a bit dejected to think those she loved not only saw her capable of murder but expected her to do it in certain circumstances. Yes, Diana had taken Chill’s life and she would most likely take Parlow’s as well if she found her first but the idea that it was a foregone conclusion to those she considered family, stung.
“I have to tell her, Eliza. You know this.”
Eliza was silent and the two stood in the darkened office, saying nothing for what felt like hours, each lost in their own, dark worlds.
Diana finally grabbed her bag and asked Eliza to burn the DNA test results.
“I already planned too. You are going to tell her?”
Diana nodded. “Can you give me an alternative where she never finds out any other way or suspects and finds out for herself?”
Eliza sighed, and she sat in her chair, slouched over, frustrated. “No, I can’t. I’ll come with you.”
Diana raised a hand. “Thank you but… Kara and I need to be alone when we have this discussion.”
Eliza waved her off. “Fine, but I will be at the manor, just in case. I’ll follow you there.”
Wayne Manor
Two hours later, Diana asked Kara to the library.
When Kara walked in, she noticed a large, steel briefcase on the coffee table in front of the couch where Diana sat. Kara had seen Diana take it into her office the day the police officer had come to the top floor of Wayne Enterprises.
The dispirited look on her sister’s face told Kara what she had already suspected was true. A part of her wondered if Diana would tell her the truth, or if it would remain unspoken.
Diana reached out a hand to her and tried not to react to her little sister’s appearance. Kara looked like hell. Her hair was down but unbrushed, she didn’t wear glasses or contacts, and her eyes were bloodshot. She was slumped, moving slowly and her skin was pale, despite the sun she had recently gotten.
Kara took Diana’s hand and sat by her.
“Kara…”
“Do you know why I recruited her? Why I brought her to Wayne Enterprises? Did I ever tell you?”
Diana shook her head.
“I needed help with Helios. It was right there, unlimited, non-radioactive power in the palm of your hand. It was so simple yet so complex. For some reason though, I couldn’t figure it out.”
Kara paused for a moment, lost in the past. “There was no one of my caliber in physics who worked for Wayne Enterprises. I wasn’t sure there was anyone in the world who could solve this if I couldn’t. So, I started to do some research and called Lucius. He remembered a woman he tried to recruit a few years before he retired, an expert in solar fusion.
“I looked her up, read her works and was blown away. She was brilliant. Not only was she brilliant but I could tell by her published works, our brains worked the same, we thought the same, theorized the same. It was like reading my own works. I knew when it came to solar fusion, I had met my equal.”
Diana squeezed Kara’s hand as a tear slid from her eye.
“When we worked together, it was like we shared a brain. We finished each other’s equations, could read each other’s minds.
“But I always held back. I told her about the darkness inside me, the thoughts I have had in the past when I was upset…”
“Kara…” Diana moved to stop her, but Kara continued.
“The nightmares I still draw on my wall when I sleep, and my subconscious takes over.” Kara continued, looking at Diana, to prove her point. “My own sister is afraid of what is locked inside my mind and rightfully so.
“Helios could do so much, not only to improve the world, but easily destroy it in the wrong hands. I was afraid and I held back even if I didn’t admit it to myself. I knew what I was capable of. When I saw that she had solved it, I understood. I was afraid and held back on solving the equations.
“Emily never held back.”
The two sat in silence, Diana closing her eyes to control her tears while Kara stared at the briefcase on the table in front of them.
“I already guessed but I can tell by your face the results are in. Are you going to open the briefcase, or do I have to pick the lock?”
Diana reached over and entered the combination. It popped open to reveal the scrap book.
“This was found by Detective Montoya in Dr. Parlow’s apartment.” She explained. “Only Montoya and Gordon know it exists. They aren’t saying anything. There was no other link to you in the apartment. I thought of burning this, but I wanted to give you the choice of seeing it. You don’t have to…”
Before Diana could finish her sentence, Kara had reached into case and pulled the scrapbook out, laying it on the table in front of her, pulling it close so she could clearly see.
She opened the scrapbook and slowly took in each page, staying longer on some than others. The personal photographs held her attention more than the others. She said nothing for twenty minutes, going back and forth over the record of her life, kept by a madwoman, who was also her birth mother.
“She was always there, even in Paris.” Kara whispered. “Always close enough to reach out and grab me. Always in the shadows, never having the courage to step out. No one else knows?”
Diana shook her head. “I told Dig, Alfred and Steve… they needed to know. Eliza ran the tests so, of course, she knows and I’m pretty sure Bruce has figured it out.”
“I expected you would tell the family, probably should tell Lyta too, she will learn soon enough just living in the house. You don’t have to explain.” Kara said, her tone dull.
Kara took the book and walked over to the fireplace. She placed it inside and lit the gas flame. Diana stood behind her with her hands on Kara’s shoulders.
“The whole world is going to know one day.” Kara said, her tone neutral. “It’s not the kind of secret that stays hidden forever. I’m glad we have a guaranteed contract because everyone will know I’m the brilliant daughter of a brilliant psycho.”
Diana shook her head. “No one will know, and it wouldn’t matter anyway. You are not her, Kara.”
Kara sighed. “Of course, you would say that. It won’t matter for now. She won’t be caught. She has gone into the shadows and won’t come out again until she is ready to reach out to me.”
Diana shook her head. “Kara, that isn’t true. The whole country knows who she is. Every law enforcement agency, our own people are hunting her. She won’t get far.”
Kara quietly laughed, leaning into her sister, needing the comfort and safety Diana always gave her. “I’ve never wanted to be scared. I hate being scared. That’s why I never ran from my security team or really complained about them. But if I had… if I wanted to get away now, how hard do you think it would be for me?”
Diana shook her head, not quite understanding.
“Don’t you get it, Diana?” Kara asked softly. “She is brilliant. Unlike me, she hasn’t grown up sheltered from the real world. She knows what the police are capable of. She knows what we are capable of. She won’t be picked up on facial recognition, or use credit cards, or leave obvious clues to where she is going. She may have rushed the crime, but she has had time to think now.
“We already know she has tech on her. It would be nothing to steal thousands from an ATM. She knows all our tricks. I know you won’t catch her because if it was me, I could get away. It’s all about patterns and probabilities. She is gone. All we can do is wait and she will be back.”
Diana wrapped her arms around Kara pulling her closer. “She isn’t getting near you.”
“She left me once before. I don’t think she intends to again.” Kara turned her head so she could look into her sister’s eyes. “I’m going to work tomorrow. No more code reds. I’m not letting her make me a prisoner in my own home. I travel around with entourages so they can keep me safe, and I am going to trust that they can.
“I’m tired. Good night, Didi. I love you.”
Kara fully turned, hugging Diana and kissing her on her cheek, then walking off before Diana could form an argument.
Washington DC, Pentagon
The National Security Advisor, General Swanwick, stood at a round table and took in those in attendance for this meeting. Everyone in the room was a major player in national security, defense and intelligence. The Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of Defense, the heads of the four major branches of the military and the directors of the major intelligence services were present, and he had their complete attention.
“This is a meeting, I never thought we would need to have.” He greeted the room. “Wayne Enterprises has made their presence already felt in our community. I’ve looked over the product sheets and costs of the projects for the next two years.”
Swanwick circled the table, his movement capturing all eyes. “The Navy will be able to decommission every ship over fifteen-years-old, replace the fleet with half the vessels that are twice as effective thanks to these new designs. Our Air Force and Navy aviation will only need half the jets but will have wingman back up from drones that costs a quarter of a jet. Drones that will be controlled by pilots in reel seats.”
Swanwick looked at Emilia Harcourt, the newest and youngest member of this esteemed group.
“How is the new intelligence software system working?”
“Very well, sir. Its capabilities are unheard of. We have bots in every major defense agencies’ computers in China, North Korea… we are seeing what they type as they are typing it. We have lists of their assets here and abroad. We know their defense capabilities, their contingency plans.”
Swanwick nodded. “General Howard, I understand Wayne sold the Air Force a new satellite system and it was launched last week. Could you tell us about it?”
The man cleared his throat, a large smile on his face. “Apparently they were built at the Wayne Enterprises space facility in Houston. Kara Wayne calls it the Archangel System. Seven satellites were launched three days ago from Cape Canaveral and have been deployed.”
“Kara made these since the contracts were signed?” General Lane asked, puzzled.
The man shook his head. “She designed these when she was sixteen! The plans were part of the package that was originally discussed for immediate implementation once we got all the paperwork signed and out of the way.
“The entire system is a work of art. Not only are they missile defense satellites, but they also respond in kind… powerful lasers that can target ballistic missiles but find the enemy launch site in seconds and direct a large, powerful laser towards it.”
“The thing can even pick up Russian boomers under the ice cap and fire with pinpoint precision from space.” An Admiral added. “I’ve seen the specs and the simulations. We are conducting a live fire test in a month. Seven satellites to protect the world.”
“Wow, we are lucky we have someone of her caliber on our side, aren’t we?” Swanwick asked, having completed his circuit of the room and was now back at the head of the table.
A murmur of agreements filled the room.
Swanwick slammed his hands on the table, causing nearly everyone to jump. “Then someone please explain to me how we allowed a psycho anywhere near her, and no one knew! Have you all read the reports? This woman, who worked day after day by her side, beat her parents into unrecognizable hunks of meat with a baseball bat! How difficult would it have been for her to shoot Kara Wayne as easily as she shot her boyfriend?! And why is this woman still on the loose?!”
Swanwick turned his ire to the Director of the FBI. “Devan, I believe Diana strongly encouraged the President to retain you as Director of the FBI. Is there a reason why your agency can’t find one murderer on the run?!”
“We are doing everything we can.” The man muttered, not happy they couldn’t find the woman either.
“No, you are not!” Swanwick exclaimed. “We have left her security in the hands of Wayne Enterprises for too long!”
At this troubling statement, General Lane rose. “Mr. Diggle has done an outstanding job heading up Wayne Security and as Kara’s personal bodyguard. Diana will not allow you to take control of her sister’s security.”
“Or hers? Oh wait, she doesn’t have security! She has a five-foot-tall Japanese girl with a sword!” Swanwick fired back. “I know she will not allow us to take over her security. That is why we must take steps on our own. I want people around both of them at all times. If either sister says hello to a stranger on the sidewalk, I want to know that strangers’ life story!
“Has anyone checked into this new curator Diana has moved into Wayne Manor?”
Emilia Harcourt raised her hand slightly. “I’ve personally checked everything on her. She has a spotless work history and her friends all speak highly of her. Her academic records are impressive. I’ve had agents speak to her old neighbors in Paris. They loved her. She has never been married, is dedicated to her work and is well-traveled.”
Swanwick raised an eyebrow. “And has anyone asked why Diana felt the need to move an art curator into her home with the sister she is so protective of?”
The room looked at Sam Lane who showed his hands. “She loves art. She is also rich and eccentric. Diana also has a good feel for people. If she wanted the woman living in the manor, she has her own reasons. What happened with Parlow was a fluke.”
Swanwick looked doubtful. “Was it? She was a physicist who specialized in solar fusion. I don’t buy for one minute she was a simple scientist working on solar power plants for Wayne Enterprises. She worked on a top-secret project with Kara. What was the project?”
The room was quiet.
“I… we were told the project was not related to defense and was secret due to corporate security issues. That is what Captain Trevor has said. He told us he doesn’t even know what it is, and I believe him. Apparently, only Diana and Kara know.” The director of the CIA explained.
“Meaning it’s big.” Swanwick said. “Probably a new power source, probably a world game changer. Three people know what it was about… Kara, Diana and a murderer on the loose. It could be nuclear.”
“If it was nuclear, it would have related to defense and Diana would have told us.” General Lane pointed out. “She wouldn’t keep secrets about nuclear power, nor would she let Kara work on a nuclear power source, especially in Wayne Tower. Besides, nuclear power is too pedestrian for Kara. Whatever project this woman knows about, it isn’t a weapon.”
Swanwick finally resumed his seat, looking around the room to make sure he still had everyone’s attention. “I want more security around Kara, unseen. I want security for Diana as well. They are a package deal. You compromise one and the other is out of play.
“Too much is riding on those two. We already have control of our enemies’ digital systems. Think about that. We are well on our way to being the only world power in less than a decade. China, Russia, North Korea, Iran… no one would challenge us without risking devastating losses.
“I want to find out what the project is that Parlow was working on. She is a wild card on the run with that information. Get into their system and find out.”
The various agency heads looked at each other, doubt obvious in their expressions.
“We can’t do that, sir.” The Director of the NSA finally told him.
“Why not? You are the NSA. Your department invented digging into business that isn’t yours.” Swanwick replied.
“We would need to use our own tech to have a chance at hacking into Wayne Enterprises’ supercomputer. Their system is called Athena. To have a fighting chance against that program, we would have to use our most powerful software… software that was written by Wayne Enterprises software developers and would most likely tip the Athena supercomputer off. Diana Wayne would find out in minutes that the NSA was trying to hack her.
“When she comes and asks, and make no mistake, she will, I’m telling her it was done on your orders. If you think you were appointed National Security Advisor by accident you are foolish. We aren’t the only ones who can lose our careers.” The NSA Director reminded him. “The President desperately needs her support in the next election and will do anything to make her happy. Something to keep in mind, General.”
Swanwick looked at the man for a minute then closed his eyes. “Security around Diana and Kara Wayne, unnoticed. Everyone who speaks more than a passing word, even something as simple as a ‘hello’ or ‘excuse me’ to the Wayne sisters will have full background checks. And when Parlow is caught, not if, but when…”
Swanwick turned, looking directly at Emilia Harcourt. “I want her dead. I don’t care if it looks like an assassination, a suicide, a shootout with police, just make it happen.
“She never talks to the police or stands trial. If we can’t know what the project she was working on is, she isn’t going to walk around with that knowledge or use it as leverage.
“I never want to have this discussion again. Kara Wayne is a national asset. Gotham City must be secure. First there was Crane and his chemical weapons in the nuthouse, now Parlow, her baseball bat and hall of fame swing.
“We must do better, and we will. When the FBI finds Parlow, and God help you if you don’t, contact Harcourt. Harcourt, I am sure you can handle this. Jobs like this are what A.R.G.U.S. was created for. Meeting adjourned.”
Four Weeks later
It was two days before Halloween. Though Wayne Tower had small decorations that employees graced around their workspaces, the Tower itself remained spook free.
Emily Parlow also remained free. Kara’s prediction that she wouldn’t be caught had come true. Law enforcement had found a truck driver on the side of a little traveled road in Missouri, two bullets in his chest that ballistics matched to Harvey Dent’s gun. They found the semi-truck he had been driving outside of Topeka, Kansas where the trail went cold.
A week later they had found a stolen Ford sedan in a bus station parking lot in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her fingers were conveniently and carefully present on the steering wheel, because she wanted authorities to know she had been there. The bus station catered to travelers who wished to travel to all parts of the nation. Facial recognition picked up nothing and neither did a thorough review of CCTV by multiple agents. Parlow had obviously changed her appearance but in what way, no one was sure.
Kara suspected she got on none of the buses and only arrived and left evidence to throw the law enforcement agents off. While most agreed this was the case, they had no choice but to follow the trail of bus routes.
A week later, another stolen car with her fingerprints, only partials this time, was found on the side of the road in West Virginia, next to the Monongahela Forest.
Army Rangers descended on the large forest and continued searching to this moment. Hippolyta asked Diana for permission to bring a group of Amazons to hunt for the woman in the forest, but Diana turned her down, not wanting the extra scrutiny if they were discovered.
Since Parlow’s murder spree, Diana had been followed constantly by military personnel. Had she been anyone else, she might not have even noticed them, but she did, as did Tatsu.
Tatsu finally took one of them down, a former CIA fixer, showing the military and federal agencies that she was indeed capable. She let the man live but had him on his knees, her sword digging into his throat and a murderous look on her face. Only a word from Diana stopped her from beheading the man who had been following her.
Still, they followed and to Dig’s irritation there were always several in crowds when Kara was in public, easily picked up by Wayne security and making Dig nervous. Diana had complained several times, even going as far as calling General Swanwick and threatening him. He had promised to back off and days later their unwanted entourage would reappear.
None of these things were Diana’s biggest concern. Her heart and mind were focused on Kara.
Outwardly, Kara’s disposition remained the same. She was kind, cheerful, and an encouraging supervisor for her employees in all branches. Indeed, she was more effective and appeared to take her job much more seriously than in the past.
But Diana noticed she had stopped all work on Helios and was spending more time in sublevel six.
She had rescheduled her date with John Blake to an undetermined time and halted their dancing sessions. Most nights, she stayed in the garage with Diana, Dig and Steve, working on Bruce’s car -what she had started referring to as the Batmobile – or working on one of her other projects.
She maintained a positive attitude, but everyone who really knew her, knew better.
Kara had changed.
She was depressed, had lost interest in so many things. She refused to talk to anyone about Parlow. Even Hippolyta had taken a shot only for Kara to change the subject and bombard her with questions about history, monsters, myths and any other subject her mind randomly came up with.
Neither Blake, Steve, Babs or Alex could get her to open up about how she truly felt.
She had helped Silver continue to plan the wedding, something Diana took a much more active role in, hoping it would cheer her little sister.
Nothing worked.
How do you deal with the fact that your birth mother has been stalking you your entire life and is a psychotic, multiple murderer? How can you process that, and it not send you into a depression?
Diana once thought nothing could keep Kara down. Her little sister had faced death more than once, lived with illness and still remained excited about life. But this had broken her, despite the show she put on for the world. Diana could feel the shattered pieces of her little sister’s spirit within their shared life force. She could feel Kara’s growing despondency and was clueless as to how to help her.
Kara was currently visiting the special projects’ facility on Stryker Island with a huge entourage of security to inspect some of her top-secret prototypes she planned to roll out at the beginning of the year. Sam was setting overseas oil prices and Diana was left in her office with a man who had never let her down but was now on the verge of doing so as he had yet to find her quarry.
She sat back at her chair, her legs propped up on her desk and arms crossed, glaring at the man.
“Is she really that much smarter than you, Victor?” she asked Vic Sage, the man she had set on Parlow’s trail.
“Yes.” He answered simply.
Diana nearly growled but held back, maintaining an icy calm façade.
“A scientist, a woman who grew up in the city, worked in a lab all her life, has led you by the nose across the country. You, the great Victor Sage, the self-proclaimed greatest investigator in the world, are useless.”
Sage nodded. “Beaten by a woman as intelligent as your little sister but has lived in the real world. She may have grown up rich but since high school, everything she has done has been on her own. She leaves false trails, knows how to offer multiple probabilities of her movements, seems to know everyone’s step before they make it. I have found out quite a bit about her, trying to get a hint of where she might go to ground, if you are interested.”
Diana waved her hand. “I am paying you for something. Tell me what you have.”
Sage smiled slightly, hoping to impress her with what he had learned. “I believe she killed a classmate when she was fourteen, a girl who bullied her. Judging by her father’s actions at the time, it is possible he became involved with Falconè because the old man covered up the crime for him. The girl’s body was never found, and no investigation was ever conducted. She was written off as a runaway. All of Parlow’s classmates wrote her off as a weirdo but after that day, they all stayed away from her.”
Diana nodded, not impressed. “So, she has possibly killed before. Useless information that she can’t be charged with unless caught. Anything else?”
“I spoke to a man who knew Parlow’s father. His brother was a mob doctor, said he was brought in to help with Emily off the record. Seems she was pregnant, and they were trying to keep her hidden.” Sage informed her, though this was mostly information Diana knew. “She also had a boyfriend who disappeared around that same time.”
This caught Diana’s attention. After learning about Emily, she had wanted to know who Kara’s birth father was, so there would be no surprises.
“His name?” She asked.
“Richard Penrose… went by Rick. His father, Robert, is a retired City worker. I spoke to the man, without bringing Kara into it. I posed as a reporter writing about unsolved crimes. Turns out, he knew Emily Parlow well. His son was dating her for a time when he was seventeen. The son disappeared right before Emily left school for a year. Robert hounded the police, but nothing came of it. Apparently, the boy drove off in his car one night without telling his parents where he was going and was never seen again. The father swears he was going to see Parlow.”
“Circumstantial.” Diana pointed out.
“Yeah, it’s also circumstantial that when I asked, Robert said the family had a history of immune disorders, showed up every few generations. Strange, huh? Something I need to know about Parlow that you haven’t told me?”
Diana felt a shiver in her body and unfolded her legs from her desk, then slowly stood. Sage was immediately nervous and stood up from his chair.
Before he could tell her it wasn’t his business, Diana was in front of him, her hand on his throat, fingers squeezing his trachea. Soon the pain and lack of breath forced him to his knees.
Sage wasn’t sure at what point Diana’s bodyguard had walked in, but he felt the cold edge of her blade at the back of his neck.
“Victor, have I not made you a wealthy man?” Diana asked, loosening her hold on his throat.
He tried to stand but Diana placed a strong hand on his shoulder, forcing him down.
“Answer me.” Diana demanded, her eyes flashing brightly in her anger, almost as if they burned with electricity.
“Yes, you have, Diana.” He managed to say in a wheeze.
“What have I hired you to do? What have I already paid you a great amount of money to do?” She asked.
“Find Emily Parlow and bring her to you.” He said in a shaky voice.
“Have you completed this task?”
The man slowly shook his head, aware of the blade touching the back of his neck. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want sorry. I don’t want you to ask questions that aren’t important to the investigation, and I don’t care for you to be wasting time making incorrect assumptions that aren’t relevant to finding her. You know everything you need to know and if I ever hear in the slightest that you have spoken assumptions, those that you’ve implied, you will be the next one missing. Am I understood?”
The man leaned forward slightly, away from the blade, nodding quickly. “I’ll find her. I’ll chase her to the ends of the earth, I will find her and keep my mouth shut, okay? You know me, Diana. I don’t talk about my clients, and I don’t tell lies. It won’t happen again.”
Diana nodded to Tatsu who retracted the blade as she released him and stepped back. “Get out of my sight and don’t contact me again until you have Emily Parlow with you.”
The man rushed out, and Tatsu followed, taking her place by the door.
An unsure Cathy walked into the doorway and knocked. “Diana, is everything alright?”
Diana smiled brightly. “Of course. Who is next on the schedule?”
“Sister Anna, from the Gruenwald convent.”
“Excellent. Show her in.”
In seconds Diana was warmly shaking hands with Sister Anna. “Sister, how can I help you?”
“First of all, I would like to thank you for seeing me.” The woman said gratefully. “I realize your time is valuable and you spend time with business and world leaders, so I was surprised I was granted an appointment.”
“No thanks are necessary, Sister.” Diana replied warmly. “I was glad to be able to fit you into my schedule. I am sure you didn’t just come for a visit.”
The woman took a seat on the couch and Diana sat across from her.
“Our roof is going to fall in soon and the building inspector is threatening to close us down.” Sister Anna said, not wasting any time explaining her need. “For many of us, the convent is our only home. We have held fundraisers but not come close to the amount we need. We only have a week to show that we are beginning repairs. I spoke to the Wayne Foundation but was told they do not grant money to religious organizations.”
Diana nodded. “That is true. We tend to stay out of all religious organizations’ business. If we were to make allowances for one, all would expect to be able to ask for these types of investment and many would be offended if we turn them down. To remain neutral, we fund our own homes, shelters and charities.”
The Sister nodded sadly, having expected this. “Could you perhaps make an exception this once?”
Diana reached over and gentle patted her hand. “I am afraid the Wayne Foundation cannot make exceptions however I can make a personal donation. There would be one condition that must be met. You may never tell anyone how or where you received the money. It will be a private donation, never to be discussed, never to be acknowledged. Can you do this?”
“Truly?” The woman asked excitedly.
“Truly.” Diana smiled and called out to her assistant in a raised voice. “Cathy!?”
“Yes, Diana?” Cathy asked, entering the office.
“Please donate one hundred thousand from my personal account anonymously to the Gruenwald Convent account. Also contact Richard Conway of Conway Construction. Have him start immediately on the roof of Gruenwald Convent and after the roof is done, I want the building completely renovated. Tell Richard money is no object, but I expect my name kept out of it. Have him meet Sister Anna this afternoon by five and start the work tomorrow afternoon by the latest. Also find temporary housing for the sisters… how many of you are there?”
“Sixteen.” The happy nun said.
“Cathy, locate immediate housing for sixteen women and assign someone trustworthy and discrete to the case.”
“I understand.” Cathy assured her.
Diana smiled at the woman. “Someone will contact you this afternoon concerning your temporary accommodations as well as the owner of a construction company. Please show him every problem in the building, no matter how small and if there are improvements you would like made, do not hesitate to tell him.”
“God bless you, child.” The woman said, standing with Diana, grasping both her hands in gratitude.
“I have been blessed.” Diana assured her. “Please do me one favor. Pray for my sister. She is in a dark place in her life.”
“I will. We all will.” The nun promised. “Thank you so much.”
Diana escorted the woman out of her office and returned to her desk. She had not been working long when she felt a sudden, intense stab of terror… not hers but Kara’s.
Then, her enhanced hearing picked up a gunshot followed by multiple gunshots and her world froze.
Wayne Tower Plaza
Down in the Plaza, Dig was returning with Kara from lunch after having spent the morning at the Stryker Island facility. Kara had been in the mood for Mexican cuisine at a place three blocks away. He had suggested an SUV, but she insisted on a walk, and he didn’t have the heart to push the issue.
On his way back, he noted the federal agents trying unsuccessfully to blend in with the crowd. He supposed he would have to ask Diana and Steve to have a talk with the feds again. Dig did not like people in plain clothes carrying guns around Kara who did not work for him. It had stopped for a few days but now, much to his irritation, they were back.
Dig sighed and Kara heard him. “They’re back?”
“Not for long. I’m considering having our people on the roof shoot them.”
Kara chuckled. “So much for interagency cooperation.”
“I’ll make it a flesh wound… just enough to send a message.” Dig joked, sort of.
He heard a man gasp, not twenty feet from him. Dig quickly turned and found the strange sound, seeing the man who made it. It was one of the undercover federal officers.
There was a strange mist around him and another man wearing a hoodie walking away quickly. The man was close enough to them Dig could see his pupils dilated. He looked terrified.
He began screaming and when someone tried to comfort him, he pulled his weapon. Dig swiftly grabbed Kara, throwing her to the ground, covering her body with his.
He heard gunfire and the man screaming. He knew his own team was firing, and they were firing at will, dozens of rounds being pumped into the man who had pulled his weapon.
A bullet fired by the frightened man had struck Dig in the shoulder when he shielded Kara on the way to the ground, just an inch from where his vest ended.
Kara had her eyes closed, managing not to scream and trying to breath with Dig’s massive weight on top of her. She couldn’t see, only heard terrified screams and multiple gunshots.
When the gunfire ceased, Dig looked up and pulled his weapon. The assailant was on the ground, lying in a pool of blood. Tactical units were rushing from the Tower lobby in full combat gear. Plain clothes Wayne Security officers were forming a circle of bodies around Kara and Dig.
Dig picked up Kara and curled her in his arms, the combat clad men circling them as they ran into the building.
“I want everyone with a gun, disarmed immediately, regardless of badges!” Dig shouted into his com as he ran with his shellshocked charge.
Diana was in front of the building and pulled Dig and Kara into the lobby. Setting Kara down next to Diana, Dig ordered a tactical officer and several others to escort the Wayne sisters into sublevel two which served as a completely secure panic room.
Once they were in the elevator, he marched outside, gun drawn, taking in the scene.
Across the Plaza and street, Wayne Security, those in plain clothes, those in suits and those in tactical gear were spread out. He saw many individuals on their knees with their hands behind their heads. Dig knew these were probably federal agents but until the scene was secure, they would be treated as hostile.
“Is everyone disarmed?” he called out on his radio that connected him to his entire team.
One officer reported that his prisoner was claiming to be a federal agent.
“They probably all are. The one that fired was. If he causes a problem, knock him out.” Dig instructed. “Rooftop, do you have scopes on them?”
“Affirmative.”
“Wayne Security is implementing Alpha protocols. Tell Gotham P.D. we have a code Beta, and they are to set up a two-block perimeter around Wayne Tower but under no circumstances are they to enter the Plaza. If anyone refuses orders and tries to enter the immediate area, shoot them. We are at war, officers. This is what we train for.
“Is the assailant dead?”
“Affirmative, sir.” Came the reply. “He was shot multiple times, including the head. Identification shows he is a CIA operative.”
“Are the Suites locked down?”
“Affirmative.”
“No one in or out. Lock the windows down.” Dig ordered. “Disarm the feds and take them into custody in the vans. If anyone is not an agent and carrying, tase them or shoot if a weapon is in hand. I want to know when the situation is stabilized. Do we have any civilians hurt?”
“We were lucky sir. He began spraying bullets after he was shot but you were the only one hit. Medical is enroute to treat you.” A sniper on the rooftop told him.
Dig didn’t realize he had been hit. Once he calmed down and took stock of his body he realized the back of his shoulder, near his tricep stung and he felt a wetness that was probably blood.
“It’s a muscle injury but the bullet is still inside. I’m fine.” He told his troops. “Has the situation been contained?”
“Affirmative, sir. Nike, Mechanic and Eagle are secure in sublevel two. Oracle is secure on the ninety-ninth. Employees are locked down in Tower and residents are locked down in Suites. Everyone in the Plaza has been searched for weapons and are now clean.”
Dig took a breath, his first deep breath since he heard the CIA agent gasp and noticed his hand reaching for his gun.
He should have been relieved that everything had gone according to plan. They had been surprised by an agent that was supposed to protect Kara. Despite their acceptance of the federal agents being amongst them, his teams never hesitated firing, Kara was protected, and the threat had been neutralized in seconds. The priorities had been secured and the situation contained in less than two minutes.
He supposed Gotham P.D. had not set an effective perimeter or didn’t understand what effective was, because an FBI van pulled up on the street in front of the Plaza between the Suites and Tower.
Dig raced towards it; gun drawn. It was quickly surrounded by Wayne Security with weapons raised before the agents dressed in black fatigues could exit the van through the now open sliding door.
“Whoa!” an older man in the passenger seat called out, exiting the passenger door. “FBI Hostage Rescue…”
Dig pressed his gun to the man’s head. “Wayne Security, per procedures agreed with federal authorities, you are to turn around and drive away or you will be shot.”
The man dropped his hands and grinned. “We are the good guys…”
“Five.”
“There is no need…”
“Four.” Dig said as more Wayne Security personnel rushed the scene with automatic rifles, all raised and pointed at the occupants of the van.
“We only want to help.”
“A federal agent shot at Kara Wayne. Three.”
The FBI leader could see the cold, hard look in John Diggle’s eyes and called all of his men to stand down and close the sliding door. He got into the van quickly and ordered it to drive off.
Dig relaxed, satisfied. “Mayfield, you are in control of physical scene. Follow protocols. Evacuate citizens, take IDs of federal agents and escort them outside the perimeter. Take control of the playground. I’ll be with the assets.”
Dig walked inside. One of his men asked if an ambulance could come through the perimeter to treat him and he refused, wanting only Wayne Security, his men and women, outside and inside the Wayne complex which included the residences across the street.
When he reached sublevel two, Diana was waiting for him and hugged him as soon as he stepped off the elevator.
“Thank you.” She said in an emotion laden voice. She pulled her hand back and found blood on it.
“You were shot!” She hissed, obviously concerned.
“I’m okay. I’ll have it checked later. Minor injury. Who is on the screen?” He asked, referring to the high‑definition monitors on the wall.
“The FBI and CIA Directors.”
“Is Kara okay?” He noticed the blonde sitting in a chair with a blank look on her face, shaking.
Sam was beside her, rubbing her shoulders.
It was daytime, so the kids were in school. Gotham Prep had gone into lockdown minutes after Wayne Tower and the Wayne Executive Suites had. Ruby was safe and now Sam was obviously worried about a shellshocked Kara.
“She is… surprised.” Diana said. “She is alive and unharmed, thanks to you.”
Dig nodded, brushing off the compliment, and walked to the screen.
“Director Casey.” He addressed the CIA Director. “Your man pulled a gun within twenty feet of Kara Wayne, unprovoked, and screamed. He proceeded to spray bullets at which point, he was shot multiple times and is dead. All federal agents in the Plaza were disarmed and escorted off premises.
“Under Article Thirty-Two, the Wayne Complex, including the Tower and Executive Suites is under the control of Wayne Enterprises Security. There are to be no federal officers within the complex, armed or otherwise. If they are seen, they will be shot. Are we clear?”
“Perfectly.” The FBI director replied for his counterpart. “I understand our Hostage Rescue Unit entered and was turned away. The scene is yours, Mr. Diggle.”
“Once we open up the scene, you may send unarmed agents to the scene to investigate. From this point on, there will be no federal agents following us. I don’t give a damn what the National Security Advisor wants. This has been brought up several times and it is no longer a request for your agencies to stand down. Any armed personnel that is not a Wayne Security employee will be detained by force, if necessary, in the future. Let General Swanwick know we hold him highly responsible for this mess and Miss Wayne will be discussing his actions with the President.”
“We understand.” The FBI Director stated. “Please keep us informed.”
Dig reached over and cut the feed then followed Diana to Kara. He knelt in front of her and asked if she were okay.
Kara’s face finally showed emotion and she fell into his arms, beginning to cry.
“It’s okay, baby girl. I got you.” He whispered to her. “Big sis is gonna look after you. I’ve got work to do.”
Kara nodded and flung herself into Diana’s arms, while Dig walked off reluctantly.
Upstairs, on the ninety-ninth floor, Babs watched video of Diana Wayne, entering the staircase on the top floor, breaking open the unbreakable emergency door that led to the stairwell and then blurring down one-hundred and eight floors in seconds, only slowing when she burst out of the stairwell on the first floor.
It took her a moment to understand she was not seeing things.
Babs shook her head, took a deep breath, then began working. She doctored the footage, erased video of Diana ripping a steel door with a steel lock open, changed the time stamps to make it appear as if Diana had run at normal speed down all those flights of stairs and then shuddered.
Her best friend was almost killed… and her boss apparently had superpowers.
But all were safe and that was all that mattered. Babs didn’t need answers and at this point, she didn’t want any.
Gotham City Police Department, Downtown Precinct Four hours later
Detective Martin Ruiz had just arrived at work and was shocked at the beehive of activity going on. When he grabbed a passing patrolman, he learned what happened four hours ago at Wayne Plaza. Apparently, a CIA agent had lost his mind and tried to kill Kara Wayne.
He told himself he really needed to check the news from now on before he came to work.
Despite the emergency, the officers were moving but not really doing anything.
He listened in on the chatter, learning the feds had finally been allowed on the scene. More officers were needed to secure the perimeter and replace officers who were already there.
John Diggle had been shot protecting Kara Wayne and no one seemed to know his status. One officer said he was in surgery fighting for his life and another said it was a flesh wound.
Not sure what to do, Ruiz sat at his desk to wait for the evening briefing to get some idea of what he was supposed to do.
There was a box on his desk, a Halloween themed box with scarecrows on the cover and a title that said The Scariest Candy .
“Anybody know who left this?” he asked, his voice raised.
No one answered except a few noncommittal grunts, so he decided to open it, figuring it might be candy corn or some other Halloween treat.
When he popped the lid, he closed his eyes as a purple spray erupted from inside, directly into his face.
Ruiz stood up to complain, figuring someone had played a practical joke on him.
Then he opened his eyes.
What greeted him were not his coworkers… he was completely surrounded by monsters.
He screamed and pulled his gun.
Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction 
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