Questionable tactics - part 4

Read Part 1 - here
Read Part 2 - here
Read Part 3 - here

***

It was well after midnight when Master Bruce returned home, and a casual glance was an indication enough that his evening had not gone as desired.

A man of stoic countenance as he was, I had the advantage of knowing him since his childhood which often made it easier for me to unravel the reality that roiled within that indomitable mien.

‘Did you have a pleasant day Master Bruce?’ I intoned inexpressively.

‘Yes Alfred. Thank you. It felt good at the golf course today. Michel has invited me to another round tomorrow.’

‘Perhaps you ought to rest a little, your shoulder is still healing Master Bruce’

‘Don’t worry Alfred, it’s not nearly as stressful as visiting Arkham. I’ll call it a night. Would you wake me up a little later than early morning? say around eight or even nine? Nine’s better.’

I nodded, and he retired for the night.

I finished up on my round around the house to do a final check on all the doors and windows and thought of another stroll outside the guest room which housed Master Jean to see if things were in proper order, except I heard raised voices emerging from within. 

Last I remembered Master Jean was fast asleep, but that didn’t seem to be the situation now. 

Eavesdropping on someone isn't very gentlemanly nor the kind of activity I would ever find myself indulging in, but given the recent circumstances exercising caution preceded all norms of propriety and thus I had only begun to apply my ear to the door that the voice stopped and I heard footsteps shuffling towards the door. 

I took back a step, donning a reticent aura and saw master Jean materialize from the room. He looked to be in haste and a little perturbed but the high color of his cheeks quickly drained after seeing me standing right in front.

‘Good to see you looking better Master Jean. Is there anything I can help you with?’ I spoke in a matter-of-fact voice and the young man could only do so much to retain his balance. He looked shook and gulped a few times going paler by the minute as if he’d just witnessed a ghost..

‘Uhh, I, Mr. Pennyworth. I, I just needed some water’ it was clear he was not very good at lying but he was young and I didn't wish to embarrass him. 

‘I will bring it to your room Master Jean. You needn’t bother yourself.’ I spoke while eyeing past him a full jug of water on the table in his room.

He looked flustered at noticing what I’d already seen.

‘It’s okay Mr., um, sir. I will be fine for the night’

‘Very good Master Jean’ and I let the matter rest.

I know I could have questioned him further regarding his motives from that night, but Master Jean was much too young and it’s hardly my place to corner young people, and so I let Master Dick do the talking, which he did the next day while dropping the young man to his boarding.

The night was over, but for Nightwing it had only started.

‘Where were you last night?’ he growled at Selina Kyle, having broken into her apartment.

‘Not the one for small talks, are you?’ Selina seemed irritated but did well to hide it under a bemused guise.

‘Just answer me, and what were you doing with Bruce tonight?’

‘Why should I tell you? I don't have the energy to make this night any longer. A girl has to get her beauty sleep. Now, why don't you be a good vigilante and scram?’

‘Since when did cats sleep at nights?’ Nightwing never did take kindly to being spoken condescendingly and his voice was irate with indignation. 

‘Hmm, snarky. Looks like the bird has all grown up. Oh don't look so confused. I know everything. The bat the bird. I’m over it’ purred Selina.

‘Ah well, If you must know’ drawled Selina on seeing Nightwing’s stubborn stance, ‘and I’m only telling this out of pity for you, poor thing, that last night, well, where was I? oh, here and there. And what I was doing with Bruce tonight is none of your business— Now’ she sighed ‘why don't you tell me why I’m being asked all these questions?’

‘But before we begin, would you like some wine? or maybe soda?’

‘So you think one of my cats tried to poison Bruce Wayne?’ Selina was chortling. ‘And I thought this night could only get worse.’

‘It’s not funny. We found cat hair in the drink, a cat was spotted in Wayne manor and—’

—‘and you thought it was poor ol’ me. Wow! I am flattered.’ 

She poured the last bit of wine and her voice was raspy with sleep ‘let me assure you, I had nothing to do with it. And it’s not like I’m connected to all the cats in this city’ 

then pausing for a big gulp ‘actually I am, but that neither means nor proves anything, and you should know..-’ Selina was beginning to yawn 

‘what was I saying? yes, you should know since I know, that my interests in the living bat are quickly diminishing let alone a dead or sickly one.’

‘Now this cat needs to sleep and you need to get the hell out of my house while my claws are still retracted. Off you go, and listen’ she closed her eyes as if meditating 

‘Poison is not my weapon of choice. Venoms and toxins are better understood by his other adversaries, or rather female adversaries. Good night.’ 

‘Alfred’ the little radio set on a secret frequency murmured to life. 

‘I don’t think it’s her. I’ll tell you when I get home. Anything to eat?’

Meanwhile Selina zipped up her catsuit. ‘That fool. did he really think I’d sleep? of course cats don't sleep at night, we prowl. That’s what nights are for. Now let’s find that little kitty’ she chuckled while leaping out of her balcony and onto another ledge bathed in shadows.