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Batman
Secretsby onlydavb
Chapter 1 The chauffeured black Rolls Royce traveled out of Gotham City and towards the hills where the rich kept their mansions and manors. The owner sat in the back seat, reading his mail. He was a very busy man and spent almost all of his waking hours overseeing the various businesses owned by the Wayne Family.
He was a handsome tall man at an even six feet, with black hair. His hair was beginning to recede from his forehead, which made his widow's peak even more pronounced. He was still a physically fit man at one hundred and eighty-three pounds although he was forty-seven and didn't exercise regularly. He was smoking a cigarette, something he did near continuously.
He looked up and saw that they were nearing the Manor that his brother had built and his nephew now resided in. He wasn't looking forward to talking to Bruce. 'Hell', he thought 'I never look forward to coming out to Tom's manor'. That's how he thought of Wayne Manor, as his late brother Thomas' Manor. Every time he came out here he thought of his beloved brother and his lovely wife, both of whom were murdered some seventeen years earlier. He still mourned them.
Their murder had orphaned their only son Bruce. Phillip was away, in Paris at the time. Though he was tempted to sail back to Gotham City as soon as he heard, he didn't because he was in delicate negotiations with the French government over some business contracts. He thus wired Thomas' butler Jarvis Beagle to bring the boy to France. Jarvis did, after spending Christmas with his own family. Phillip Wayne always felt guilty about not going back home to Gotham City and seeing to Bruce's needs.
The car entered the gates on the yard of the manor and Phillip lit another cigarette. He knew that he was a poor substitute for his brother and it pained him to know how much his inability to emotionally and physically be there hurt Bruce while he was growing up. Phillip Wayne was not able to give his nephew what Phillip thought he needed. He often thought that Bruce turned out the way he did because of the way Phillip raised him.
Bruce was an extremely intelligent child and seemed determined all through school to excel to the point of seeming to be driven. His drive worried Phillip until Bruce met Julie Madison and they became engaged. Bruce seemed to soften a bit. Then when he graduated he alarmed Phillip by taking up residence in the long abandoned house his father had built for his mother. His nephew didn't take up any profession either, he just lived in the manor all alone and went to the parties put on by Gotham City's rich and famous. Then last year he took on a young boy whose parents were murdered (just like Bruce's parents) as a ward.
Phillip had worried about his nephew's behavior until he discovered that Bruce's behavior was a ruse for another identity he had taken up. Now he worried about his nephew for different reasons. Phillip got out of the car as soon as it pulled up to the front door. He went up the steps to find that his nephew Bruce was opening the door for him. They shuck hands and went into the manor together.
Chapter 2
The two men entered the manor and Bruce took his Uncle Phillip's hat and coat. It was a cold and blustery day for March 7th. Bruce told Phillip to go to the parlor and that he would meet him there with some freshly made coffee. Phillip went into the parlor; His breath was taken away when he saw a large portrait of his brother Thomas and his wife dominating the wall as he entered the room. Phillip went up to the portrait and stood there admiring the work as it truly captured the late couple. It brought up happy memories and thoughts of the many good times he had here at the manor.
Bruce came in with a coffee service set on a cart and saw his Uncle Phillip staring at the portrait. Bruce cleared his throat and said, "They had that commissioned back in nineteen twenty-three. It was up at the top of the stairs; but since I don't really use that part of the house, I brought it down here."
Phillip turned and saw his nephew. He was big, brawny handsome man with black hair. Thomas and Martha would have proud to have seen their son. He did frown when he saw Bruce bringing the cart by himself. He thought that Bruce should have at least one servant here at the manor. He and Bruce had discussed the matter before and it turned into an argument. Phillip didn't say anything because he didn't want another argument even though he thought that now that Bruce had young Richard living here at the manor with him that it was even more important that Bruce have servants.
Phillip had heard talk about his nephew among the social peers. And the rumors of impropriety that accompanied the talk disturbed him greatly. It didn't seem to matter that Bruce was engaged to a Hollywood starlet, or that he had become a social butterfly. Phillip knew from experience that a good and loyal servant (preferably a butler) would do well to stop the innuendo. This would happen because servants talk to one another and a loyal man who could steadfastly vouch for his employer would stem the talk, because the other servants would in turn talk to their employers. Gossip worked both ways.
Bruce served his Uncle Phillip his coffee black and offered him a cigarette. "You don't come out here that often and you have my power of attorney and my proxy for any business problems; so what brings you out here Uncle?" the younger man inquired.
Phillip took both the coffee and the cigarette, which he lit immediately, "I'm not here about business Bruce. I'm here because someone has found out my secret and they have photos to prove it," replied the older man.
Bruce's demeanor became all serious as he frowned and his eyes snapped to full attention on his uncle. "Why come to me, why not go see Commissioner Gordon?"
Phillip looked his nephew straight in the eyes and said, "Bruce you know very well why I can't go to the police. James Gordon is an honest cop. If he wasn't I'd never had bacedk the mayor when he named him commissioner; but if I went to him I'd have to tell him what information the blackmailers were extorting me with. Once I did that Gordon would have no choice but to put the vice squad on my tail. Homosexual activity is illegal in this state."
Bruce was silent. He knew his Uncle's secret ever since he came home early from college one day and caught his uncle with another middle aged man. Neither of them had ever discussed the matter though. "I still don't know why you need my help," Bruce said finally.
"I need the Batman's help."
"Yes I can see that, but why come to me."
Phillip shuck his head and said, "Because I know that you're the Batman, Bruce."
Chapter 3
"The Batman," cried an astonished Bruce Wayne, "I'm not the Batman, Uncle Phillip."
"Ah, but you are Bruce. I've known it since I saw you shoot down that giant on the Empire State building in New York last year. I was in New York and saw you flying that auto-gyro of yours."
Bruce's ears perked up when his Uncle mentioned that case. He remembered the poor misshapen giant that had been a result of Professor Hugo Strange's experiments. Outwardly however his face betrayed no emotion. "How does that make me the Batman Uncle?" he asked.
Phillip exhaled audibly. He had not expected his nephew to deny the truth of his other life. "Two things Bruce, first the Batman circled the Empire State Building using the Double "L" loop and second I recognized the design of the auto-gyro from our Robinson Aviation subsidiary."
"Neither one of those things prove that I'm the Batman."
"I taught you how to fly, Bruce, when you were twelve years old and I taught you the Double L maneuver. The military doesn't teach it anymore because it's considered antiquated and the Batman is too young to have fought in the Great War."
"There are still logical explanations Uncle…"
"Yes I know" said Phillip, cutting off his nephew, "That's why I looked into your financial record for the past three years when I recognized the auto-gyro's design. I found out how you paid for the auto-gyro, as well as to souped-up cars and other equipment. It also explains your odd behavior since you graduated college. Not to mention that Batman gained a sidekick soon after you took on young Richard as your ward."
A defeated Bruce looked at his Uncle, "I didn't think anyone could trace those financial records."
"Only someone with your power of attorney could, Bruce."
The two men stood there in silence for a moment and then Phillip asked "Are you going to help me, Bruce?"
"Depends what your asking me to do Uncle Phillip; I don't kill any more."
Phillip smiled a sad smile at his nephew. "I'm not asking you to; I only want the photos and the negatives. The reputation as a hard-nosed businessman with an eye for ladies that I've cultivated all these years will protect me as long as there's no evidence."
"Sorry, Uncle Phillip, but I had to tell you that right up front. Now tell me as much information as you can about these blackmailers."
Chapter 4
Phillip was glad that his nephew Bruce had finally stopped denying that he was the Batman and started asking about the blackmailers. Phillip said "I received a letter in the mail yesterday with several compromising photographs, along with a demand for twenty thousand dollars. The letter also said that they would call me tonight at six PM with directions on how they wanted the money delivered."
Several question emerged in Bruce's mind as her heard his Uncle speak. The first one he asked was: "Are you certain the letter said they."
Phillip nodded in the affirmative.
"That means there are two or more of these blackmailers. Where and when were these pictures taken; and how, I mean you're so…" Bruce searched for the right word, "discreet" Bruce finally said.
Phillip nodded and smiled a sad smile. "They were taken in Paris last year during the Battle of Dunkirk. I've gone to Paris at least once every year since I was a fighter pilot in the Lafayette Escadrille during the Great War. It's a very libertine city and I can cut loose there unlike anywhere else, at least until the Boche came." Phillip put out his cigarette and continued, "You know, Bruce, that homosexual acts are a crime here in America and in England. Hell, they were in France, but the Boche have made it illegal to even be a non-practicing homosexual."
"What do you mean Uncle Phillip?"
Phillip inhaled deeply and took out another cigarette. He spoke as he lit it up, "You've heard what the Nazis are doing to the Jews and the Gypsies?" When Bruce shook his head yes Phillip continued talking, "Well they're doing the same thing to homosexual men; sending them to concentration camps, and once they go in, they never come out again. Not alive anyway."
"I hadn't heard that." said Bruce.
"I didn't think so. Nobody is going to care if a bunch of queers are sent to concentration camps and slowly starved and tortured." Philip said angrily. He paused and said "I'm sorry about my tone Bruce, I didn't mean to take it out on you. I know these things are true because I have friends in Germany. But not as many as I used to.
"Anyway the Battle of France was lost and the Boche were coming. I'm a man of wealth and influence and I used both to try and get as many men as I could out of France before the Germans came. I wasn't discreet, as you called it, because there wasn't time."
Bruce looked at his uncle with a new-found admiration. "How many did you get out?"
"I don't know, couple of hundred or so, not enough," Phillip said dejectedly.
"Do you have the photos and the envelope that they came in?"
"No I burned them. I know that it was a mistake, but that was my first reaction."
Taking a different tack Bruce changed the subject. "What about other man in the photographs, could he be behind this?"
"No, he refused to leave his beloved Paris and died shortly after the damned Nazis put him a concentration camp." Phillips hand went up to his eyes and he wiped away a tear.
Bruce put his hands on the older man's shoulders in sympathy and said, "You said they're going to call you tonight."
"That's right."
"Well, the Batman will be there tonight as well."
Chapter 5
The Dapper Dan Daniels gang was playing bridge while sitting in a smoke-filled suite of the Ritz-Charlton Hotel, Gotham City's priciest and swankiest hotel. There were four member of the gang including the leader, Dapper Dan Daniels, a small slightly built man in his early forties. Dapper Dan Daniels was a snappy dresser and today was wearing a pale blue pinstriped suit with a white shirt and red tie, black shoes, and matching pale blue hat.
Dapper Dan's bridge partner was a huge giant of a man named Jo-Jo Nelson. His hands were so large they engulfed the cards so that they couldn't be seen by the others at the table. He wore an ill-fitting gray suit and no hat. Jo-Jo was the gang's main enforcer, not only because of his size, but also because he knew how to fight and when he did fight, he fought dirty.
Dapper Dan Daniels and Jo-Jo were playing against the Caruthers brothers, Charlie and Chauncey who were otherwise known as CNC. They were dressed in matching navy blue suits. The brothers were the gang break-in experts.
Extortion was a new racket for the gang. A Frenchman had approached Dapper Dan about two weeks ago with a plan to blackmail Phillip Wayne, but the Frenchman didn't speak any English and couldn't go ahead with his plan. Dapper Dan Daniels was fluent in French and understood what the Frenchman had planned immediately. Still, it angered him to be taking orders from someone else even if he was paying for their fancy suite. Tonight was going to be their payoff.
CNC won the game and Dapper Dan Daniels told Jo-Jo to come with him into another room in the suite. There was the Frenchman sitting down behind a desk. He was handsome man of thirty or so, dressed in a red turtleneck sweater and black slacks. The Frenchman look up from his desk and asked Dapper Dan in French if there was a problem.
In perfect French Dapper Dan replied, "No, I just want to go over the plan one more time."
The Frenchman smiled and began to go over the plan again, also in French. "Certainly Mr. Daniels. You and your large companion will meet Mr. Wayne and take his money, and then you will get from him the names of other rich homosexual men whom we can also blackmail. You are to beat it out of him if necessary, but not to the point where he is permanently damaged. You are to give him a good trouncing even if he gives you the names without a problem. And while you are interviewing Mr. Wayne your other two gang members will break into his home and steal whatever they can. They are also to kill whatever servants are there. This way Mr. Wayne will know that he is completely in my power."
"I like every part of that plan except where he's under your thumb," said Dapper Dan as he pulled out his gun and pointed it at the Frenchman. "Now you're going to give me those photographs and negatives, Frenchie. Don't try anything stupid, unless you want to eat some lead."
The Frenchman laughed at the small man with the gun and stood up. "You don't dare shoot me here Mr. Daniels. The noise from the gun would bring the police here before you could get away."
Dapper Dan Daniels smiled a very cruel smile and said in French, "Your right, Frenchie, but now we'll have to do this the hard way. Switching to English, the little man said, "All right, Jo-Jo, the Frenchman wants to play. Go have some fun."
Jo-Jo smiled and cracked his knuckles as he slowly approached the Frenchman. The Frenchman in turn also smiled as he moved away from the desk. Suddenly the Frenchman kicked Jo-Jo in the head once, then twice with a quickness that was almost inhuman. He then kicked Jo-Jo in the groin and then once more in the head. The big man fell like a tree before a lumberjack.
Dapper Dans eyes grew big at the ease in which the Frenchman had taken down his enforcer. He called to CNC for help. The brothers came in with knives in hand. Dapper Dan pulled out a knife of his own and the three men tried to surround the Frenchman. Dapper Dan reminded the other men not to kill the Frenchman because they needed the photographs.
The Frenchman attacked the three men before they could surround him. Quickly he first dispatched the pair known as CNC. He kicked Charlie in the knee and then the head as he fell to the ground. Chauncey was kicked in the solar plexus as he tried to come to his brother's aid. The Frenchman followed that kick up with a foot to Chauncey's head and then the other C went down.
The Frenchman wasn't even breathing hard when he kicked the knife out of Dapper Dan Hand. "Enough of this Mr. Daniels. You and your fellows did not know that I was a master of Savate." the Frenchman said. "I do not wish to continue this fight. Do you accept my leadership?"
Dapper Dan Daniels held the sore hand the Frenchman kicked with his other hand and nodded yes with a wide-eyed wonderment.
Chapter 6
Later that day Bruce Wayne picked up Dick Grayson from school. On the drive back Bruce told Dick that something had come up and that he was going out tonight as Batman, alone. Dick tried to press Bruce as to why he had to go out alone but Bruce wouldn't tell him. Although Batman and Robin had become the scourge to Gotham City's underworld; there were some crimes, prostitution and other parts of society, that Bruce kept away from the young Dick Grayson.
As Bruce drove in to the city alone that afternoon he thought about his Uncle Phillip. Phillip Wayne was his father's older brother. Except for the years of the Great War, Phillip had run the family's financial empire since the death of their father. Bruce remembered that his father was always grateful to Phillip for taking over the finances because it allowed his father to pursue a medical career. During the War, Phillip joined the French Foreign Legion and was a member of their famed Lafayette Escadrille squadron that was made up of American volunteers and later the US Army Air Corp. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the War he returned to the helm of the family business and saw it safely through the economic collapse of nineteen twenty-seven and the Great depression.
His Uncle was a life-long Republican and generally couldn't stand FDR, but he was also was steadfastly against the isolationists which dominated the party. Phillip used his influence in any way which could help the Allied Cause. After today's discussion he had a greater understanding of his Uncle vehemence against the Nazis.
Phillip was in Paris when Bruce's parents were murdered. He was involved in negotiations with the French Government, and they were buried before Phillip could return to Gotham City. Thomas Wayne's will stated that Phillip was the executor and also Bruce's guardian. Phillip sent for Bruce to come to Europe as soon as he could. The family butler, Jarvis Beagle, accompanied him in the transatlantic voyage. After a brief stopover in England with the Beagle family during Christmas, Bruce was reunited with his Uncle.
Phillip was uncomfortable around children and he kept a distance from Bruce for the first two years. Bruce was depressed but also angry. Although he never told Phillip, or anyone else he was even then determined to fight criminals and their ilk. He never told anyone of his pledge over his parent's graves but his serious demeanor worried his Uncle Phillip. His Uncle became just as determined to see Bruce become the happy child he once was. It was a cause he never succeeded in, but it meant that the two became closer.
First Phillip bought Bruce a horse named King of Scotland and taught him how to ride. Bruce loved that horse and was heart-broken two years later when he turned up lame and had to be put down. King of Scotland was one of the few joys Bruce had in his life after his parents were murdered. He never owned another horse.
Bruce fell into another bout of deep sadness that spring. Phillip bought him another horse but Bruce refused to ride him. Phillip then came upon the idea of teaching Bruce how to fly. Phillip not only taught the twelve year old how to fly, he also conveyed his own joy of flying. Although he never enjoyed it as much as his Uncle Phillip, Bruce was truly happy when he flew. He still had a special joy when piloting a plane.
Like almost all of his social peers, Bruce spent most of his time away at private schools as he grew up but his Uncle and he became closer as he grew older and matured. He never knew his Uncle's secret until he his junior year in college when he came home early and surprised his Uncle, who was in bed with another middle-aged man. Bruce fled his uncle's house and they didn't communicate for almost a year. When they did, it was uncomfortable at first. Neither one ever mentioned the incident.
In ignoring the issue they became close again. Phillip was there when Bruce graduated college and was the first to notice the positive changes that his involvement with Julie Madison brought and was positively enthusiastic when they told him of their engagement.
Like his father before him, Bruce gave Phillip his power of attorney and let him handle most of his finances. This left Bruce free to become the Batman. Phillip didn't know Bruce's identity at first and Bruce knew that his Uncle disapproved of his reopening the Wayne Manor and living there all alone.
Nor did Phillip approve of his not taking up some kind of career and instead acting like an idle man of leisure. Phillip told him that it didn't make sense, especially since Phillip knew that Bruce aced all of his courses in school and took almost twice as many courses in college as he needed to graduate. Phillip knew now, though.
Phillip also was his attorney in the proceeding which allowed Dick Grayson to become his ward. Bruce knew that it was the Wayne name and influence that allowed it to happen, but Bruce was still learning how to use his power and influence, power Phillip wielded with expertise of a master.
Chapter 7
At five o'clock that afternoon the Batman crept into Phillip Wayne's townhouse through an unlocked window on the second floor. Phillip Wayne was sitting in a chair by the radio listening to the local radio station giving the latest information about the Chicago Commodity Markets and didn't hear he nephew come in.
"Good evening Mr. Wayne,' said the Batman in a voice that was totally unlike Bruce Wayne's.
Phillip stood up like a bolt and drew a pistol. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his nephew standing there in front of him in his Batman costume. Phillip was amazed at seeing Bruce dressed this way because he hardly recognized him. Bruce's stance and body language was completely different from the man he saw this morning. If he didn't know for certain that Bruce Wayne was the Batman, he would swear that the man in front of him wasn't his nephew. "Don't do that Bruce," he chastised his nephew as he holstered his pistol and went to light a cigarette. You scared me half to death."
"Call me Batman when I'm in costume," Bruce said while still speaking in his Batman voice.
Phillip looked at the man standing in front of him and saw no vestiges of his nephew and said, "Alright, but only if you promise not to do that to me again."
"I promise," the Batman said with a smile. "I know I'm an hour early, but I have to get ready for when the time comes. Is there anything else you remember about the note that you didn't tell me this morning?"
"No, I'm afraid not. You're alone I hope. This isn't a case that young Richard should be involved in."
"Agreed."
"You're sure that these photos weren't taken by the Nazis." Batman asked.
"As certain as I can be. I mean, they'd be after me to use my influence to stop Pro-Allied legislation like the Lend Lease act that the president's going to sign on Monday from passing Congress, or plans for various weapons that our companies are designing. But the note said to bring money. Believe me Bruce, if it was the Boche, I'd resign from every board I was on and become a hermit."
“I believe you Uncle."
"The Nazis have to be stopped. It's bad enough in this country where who and what I am is an anathema to society and I have to hide it everyday. Psychiatrists claim homosexuality is a mental illness, for Christ sake. I am what I am, Batman. I'd change it if I could, but I can't. In Germany and occupied Europe, the Nazis have even less tolerance. There I'd be a walking dead man despite my wealth and influence the moment I was uncovered. Here I'd merely be a social outcast and possibly ruined financially."
The room was silent for several moments as Batman fully absorbed the impact of what his Uncle Phillip was saying. He could nothing about society, but he could and would do something about those who were preying on his Uncle. "They're just common crooks, then, Uncle. I take care of the likes of them all the time."
Together the two men waited until the phone was supposed to ring at six o'clock. While they waited Phillip watched his nephew go through another transformation. The Batman had brought his make up kit and slowly changed into Phillip Wayne. When Bruce had finished applying the disguise Phillip thought it was the same as looking in the mirror. He put on some of Phillip's clothes over his Batman costume as he folded the cape and cowl and put them in the briefcase that the money was supposed to be in. The Batman spoke and he sounded just like Phillip. He walked around the room and he had the exact same walk that Phillip had, even the barely noticeable limp Phillip had thanks to a bullet wound in the leg he received in the Great War.
Chapter 8
Phillip Wayne's phone rang at six PM sharp. The Batman answered it in a voice that sounded exactly like Phillip Wayne's. The voice at the other end was Dapper Dan Daniel's, who the Batman recognized immediately. After making sure that it was Phillip, Dapper Dan told Phillip (Batman) where to go to drop off the money. The gang leader said, "Listen carefully Wayne, do you remember where your brother was killed?"
Batman's eyes narrowed at the blackmailer's question and answered "Yes."
"Good, cause that's where we want you to drop off the money. Only we don't want you taking your fancy limo. Take the subway, Queer boy. We're watching your house so no funny business, capish?"
"I understand."
"Good," was all the extortionist said as he hung up the phone.
The Batman put the phone's receiver in the cradle and said good bye to his Uncle Phillip. He went down the stairs and out the front door. He continued out of the yard and he saw one of the CNC brothers at the corner of the street. Batman ignored him and continued on his way. He knew that the brothers were part of the Dapper Dan Daniel's Gang but he ignored the man and went straight to the subway.
Charlie Caruthers, who was the second C in CNC, followed the man he thought to be Phillip Wayne until he went down into the subway. Then he proceeded down the block to the corner drugstore where his brother Chauncey was taking care of his sweet tooth by having an egg cream. Charlie saw his brother at the counter talking with the soda jerk about the Gotham Goliath's chances in this year's baseball season. Charlie said hi to his brother and went to the phone booth.
He then called Dapper Dan and told him that Wayne was on his way. They had timed this several times and the gang knew that Dapper Dan and Jo-Jo would arrive at the rendezvous place long before Phillip Wayne could possibly be there going by subway.
Chauncey then went over to his brother and told him it was time for them to go. Together they walked over to the Wayne Townhouse and entered the gate. They drew their pistols as they approached the front door. Charlie rang the doorbell and Chauncey pistol whipped the butler when he opened the door.
Together they dragged the unconscious butler back into the house. Chauncey said to his brother, "You didn't hit him hard enough, he still breathing."
Aiming his gun Charlie said "I'll take care of that now."
Chauncey grabbed his brother's arm and said, "Don't be an idiot. You fire that gun in this neighborhood and the cops will be down here lickity-split." Chauncey then raised his pistol in way to pistol whip the prone butler again.
Phillip Wayne heard the commotion downstairs and went to investigate. He took a loaded German Luger he had as a souvenir from the Great War with him. He saw the two strangers standing over his butler. "Hold it right there gentlemen," he said with his gun aimed at the one who was about to strike the prone man.
The brothers turned around as one and were shocked to see Phillip Wayne on the stair pointing a gun at them. "Wayne, but I saw you leave," said Charlie.
"Drop your weapons," said Phillip. "I know how to use this."
"A pansy like you, I doubt it," said Chauncey.
"Maybe oughtta do as he says" whispered Charlie to his brother.
Chauncey shook his head no and then said to Phillip, "I surprised you haven't peed in your pants, Wayne." Then to his brother he said "Let's take him Charlie." The brothers quickly raised the guns to a firing position.
Three shots rang out.
Chapter 9
The disguised Batman, while riding in the subway to the other side of town, was becoming angrier by the minute at the blackmailers of his Uncle. That they would force him to go to the very place where his brother, Batman's father, was murdered spoke volumes as to how cruel these men were.
Batman kept his anger in control, but kept it at the forefront of his thoughts. He did this because he knew that being in that alley again could bring up those tragic memories of his parents' murder before his eyes and that they could possibly overwhelm him. He used his anger as a ward against those memories becoming too much for him.
He made the changes in trains that had to be made and came back to the surface of Gotham City in the area known as Crime Alley. Once there he proceeded directly to the alley where he knew the extortionist were waiting for him. He wasn't quite himself because he wasn't walking with the barely noticeable limp of Phillip Wayne, nor did he have his Uncle's stance or body language. He entered the alley with a very grim and determined look on his face.
Dapper Dan Daniels and Jo-Jo McDonald were there waiting for him. Daniels cocked an eyebrow when he saw the angry look on Wayne's face and then smiled at the thought of how Jo-Jo and he were going to turn that anger into abject terror. "Come here Wayne," Dapper Dan called.
The Batman approached the two men and said, "Do you have the photographs and negatives."
Dapper Dan drew a gun and aimed it at Wayne as he said "No we don't. We're going to keep those as insurance. Give me the briefcase."
"Insurance?" asked the Batman as he gave dapper Dan the briefcase.
"Yeah, think of them as an insurance policy, one that'll cost you five thousand a week from here on out."
"Five thousand dollars a week! Are you crazy, I'll go broke if I were to pay you five thousand a week!" protested the Batman. He was acting now; he had resumed his charade of Phillip Wayne as soon as Daniels called out his Uncle's name.
"Like I care. Oh and another thing, we want the name of some other rich fairies like you."
"What?"
"You heard me Wayne."
"I refuse."
Jo-Jo then spoke up, "I was hoping you'd say that." Jo-Jo then stepped in between the Batman and Dapper Dan. The big man must have been six' eight” or nine” as he towered over the Batman, who was over six foot himself. Jo-Jo grabbed the Batman by the collar of shirt and coat with one hand and lifted him off the ground. Jo-Jo raised his other hand to hit the Batman.
As Jo-Jo went to beat up Phillip Wayne, Dapper Dan Daniels opened the briefcase. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head with fright when he saw the cape and infamous cowl of the Batman.
Jo-Jo never got the chance to hit the Batman because the Caped Crusader boxed his ears. Jo-Jo dropped the Batman as he grabbed reflexively. The Dark Knight then jabbed his fists into Jo-Jo's unprotected face and kicked him once in the stomach. The Batman then put his hands on the big man's shoulders and vaulted over him. He then mule kicked Jo-Jo when he was behind him. It was all done in seconds, and in one fluid motion.
Dapper Dan Daniels began firing his gun wildly in the alley as soon as he had a clear shot at the Batman. Daniels was also running down towards the street as he fired. He missed his target, but hit and killed Jo-Jo with a bullet to the big man's heart.
Batman grabbed his cowl and cape and put them on and chased after Daniels, discarding the outer clothes he was wearing as he ran so that there would no mistaking him as anyone else that the Batman.
Daniels had a good head start as the Batman was slowed in changing of clothes, but the hero was faster than Daniels and soon began to gain on the smaller man. Daniels was terrified and ran right out into the street. He never saw the car that hit him. Daniels flew a good fifteen feet and landed in a broken heap.
Batman ran to the broken man. The Dark Knight quickly appraised the situation and knew that Daniels was breathing his last. He bent down over the broken man and said, "Daniels listen to me. You're dying, why don't you do one last good act. Tell me where the photographs and negatives are?"
Daniels knew that he was dying. He also blamed the Batman. Daniels told the Batman where the photos and negatives where in hopes that the Frenchman, who took out his gang with ease, would kill the Caped Crusader.
Chapter 10
Unbeknownst to Daniels, the Frenchman understood and spoke perfect English and he was angry because the dapper Daniels' Gang had screwed up. He knew that because of the police radio scanner he had set up in his bedroom. First came the call on the scanner of shots fired at Wayne's Townhouse and then the call for two ambulances. Next came the call of shots fired in and around the alley where they were supposed to meet Wayne.
The Frenchman knew that it was time to leave the Ritz-Charlton Hotel and was packing his bags. As he did he reflected on how perfect his plan was and how he come to find out about Phillip Wayne's homosexuality.
Reginald Von Gleason had told him last year, just before he committed suicide. Von Gleason told the Frenchman right here in Gotham City. He told the Frenchman because the Frenchman ordered him to. The Frenchman had discovered Von Gleason was a homosexual in nineteen thirty-eight and had been blackmailing him ever since.
The Frenchman was bleeding Von Gleason dry. The extortionist knew that Von Gleason was running out of money and wondered how he could keep his cash cow going. He then came across the idea that Von Gleason must know other rich men who were homosexuals. He decided to make Von Gleason give him their names. Von Gleason would only give him the name of Phillip Wayne, even after the Frenchman gave him a severe beating. Von Gleason killed himself the same week that he told the Frenchman about Phillip Wayne.
The Frenchman knew that Wayne would never give him anything without proof and so he followed Wayne around discreetly for the next two months, trying to get photos of the man in a compromising position. Wayne never gave him the opportunity while in Gotham City. When Wayne went to Paris last year, the Frenchman followed him. He had to get the goods on Wayne soon because the money he had gotten from Von Gleason was almost used up. Wayne saved a couple hundred homosexuals in Paris from the German onslaught, but his behavior was unguarded there and that gave the Frenchman the proof he needed.
He had thought briefly of selling the information to the Germans; he liked to think of his not going to the Germans as patriotic. But he actually realized the Germans would only pay him once. The Frenchman wanted a continuous flow of money.
When he returned to Gotham City the idea of using others to contact Wayne appealed to him. Wayne was a lot wealthier than Von Gleason. He was also a lot more powerful and could conceivably turn on any blackmailer. The Frenchman didn't want to put himself in any danger. Thus he came up with the guise of the Frenchman who didn't speak any English, but had damaging photos and negatives against one of the richest and most powerful men in America. This way he'd never see Wayne and wouldn't take any risks.
Dapper Dan Daniels and his gang filled the void between him and Wayne perfectly. Daniels didn't even know the Frenchman's name or that he was as American as Daniels. Once he had beaten Daniels and his men, as he knew he would have to, it was a perfect risk-free set-up. Unfortunately Daniels and his men had somehow screwed the pooch.
The Faux Frenchman finished packing his bags and went to the wall safe. He didn't see the Batman watching him from the balcony.
Chapter 11
Dapper Dan Daniels had told the Batman the room number at the Ritz-Carlton where the photographs and negatives of his Uncle were. As Bruce Wayne, he had had many friends stay at the Ritz-Carlton and knew the hotel's system of numbering the rooms. This was how he was able to go directly to the suite from the outside. Once there he reconnoitered the suite instead of rushing in and saw a man packing his clothes in a hurry.
Night and the temperature had both fallen. The Batman stayed in the shadows as he continued to watch what he thought was an unknown fifth member of the Dapper Dan Daniels Gang. When the man went to the wall safe; Batman prepared to strike. Batman unlocked the door to the balcony with ease as the man inside opened the wall safe. The Caped Crusader silently walked into the suite as the man took out two envelopes. "I'll take those," the Dark Knight said in his most intimidating voice.
The Faux Frenchman swung around quickly with his left foot kicking out towards the voice. The Batman tried to duck out of the way, but received a glancing blow and fell backwards out onto the balcony. The Faux Frenchman kicked again at the Batman but missed as the Caped Crusader back-flipped away from his opponent to get his bearings and take the measure of his opponent.
The Faux Frenchman was up on the balls of his feet as he came out onto the balcony. The Faux Frenchman was wary of the Dark Knight and had one eye out for Robin as he neared the Batman. As he approached he spoke in French "I did not expect you to be involved with the likes of Phillip Wayne. Perhaps what they say about you and your young partner are true, eh?" The Faux Frenchman had heard the Batman had spent some time in France and spoke the language, and hoped his query would anger the Dark Knight so that he would make a mistake.
The Batman merely smiled a vicious smile and said, "Think what you like" in fluent French.
The two men began circling one another looking for an advantage. The Batman had seen the speed with which his unknown opponent kicked out at him and wanted to take a little more of his measure before taking him down. The minute the Faux Frenchman talked to him in French the Dark Knight knew he was facing the leader of the gang of blackmailers. Bruce was going to enjoy talking this particular criminal down and he was going to take him down hard. He smiled when the Faux Frenchman followed him out onto the balcony because the floor of the balcony had thin layer of ice in spots and was slippery, not good for someone using Savate as a fighting style.
The Faux Frenchman attacked first with a series of kicks alternating between the Batman's head and knees. The Dark Knight parried these blows and countered with several punches of his own. Neither one had landed a clean blow on the other.
Suddenly the Faux Frenchman changed tactics and kicked Batman solidly in the ankle. Quickly he went to follow up with a blow to the head. Batman anticipated the attack and grabbed hold of the Faux Frenchman foot as he ducked his head out of the way. Then with his other arm he drove his elbow into the knee of the Master of Savate, cracking the Faux Frenchman's patella.
The Faux Frenchman cried out in pain and swore in English. This surprised the Batman and while he didn't let go of the Faux Frenchman's foot, he did momentarily loosen his grip. It was just enough for the now-revealed Phony Frenchman to escape Batman's grasp.
"Had enough?" asked the grim-faced Batman.
The Phony Frenchman was hopping on one leg as he couldn't put any weight on the other. He nodded yes. When he thought the Batman had relaxed, the Phony Frenchman lashed out with both feet in an attempt to knock out the Caped Crusader. He misjudged the Batman as the Dark Knight easily avoided the attack. The phony Frenchman also misjudged how close they were to the edge of the balcony. His momentum carried him over the side and down fifteen stories to his death.
Chapter 12
The Batman left the Ritz-Carlton Hotel after he inspected the open wall safe. Inside were two large manila envelopes. Batman could tell just by the feel of them and he could see from the outside that both envelopes contained film negatives and probably eight by ten photographs. He took a chance that these were the evidence against his Uncle and didn't open the envelopes because he wanted to respect his Uncle's dignity. It was a gamble, but the Dark Knight Detective reasoned that it was a safe bet. There was nothing else in the safe.
The Caped Crusader left the suite the same way he came in and headed towards his Uncle's townhouse by going over the roofs of buildings or swinging on a rope between the streets of Gotham City. When he arrived on the block of his Uncle's townhouse he saw several police cars and policemen standing about the building as they did whenever they were investigating an active crime scene.
The Batman wanted to go down to his Uncle's house immediately but instead headed directly to the car he had driven into the city. The Batman was still officially wanted by the police. Although he was beginning to have a good working relationship with Police Commissioner Gordon, the two men kept their relationship quiet. So he would have to arrive there as Bruce Wayne.
Bruce drove the car to his Uncle's street as soon as he changed his clothes. He was stopped by a policeman until he showed him his driver's license. The Wayne name carried a lot of weight in Gotham City. Bruce parked his car and went to the townhouse. Waiting there at the front stairs was Commissioner Gordon himself. The policeman who stopped Bruce had quickly passed the word that he had arrived on the scene and a man of Bruce Wayne's importance had to be dealt with by the highest ranking officer on the spot. The fact that Bruce and the Commissioner were friends didn't hurt either.
Bruce was racing from his car when he saw Jim Gordon and began to fear the worst. "What happened? He said when he reached the Commissioner.
"Calm down Bruce, there has been an apparent attempted break in of your Uncle's house."
"Where is he?
"At the Mercy General Hospital." When he saw the look on Bruce's face Commissioner Gordon quickly added, "He's all right Bruce. But the gunmen pistol whipped the butler and your Uncle Phillip insisted on going to the hospital with him."
Bruce calmed himself down immediately when he heard that his Uncle was all right. Bruce again asked the Commissioner what had happened.
"Well two men knocked on the door of your Uncle's townhouse and attacked the butler when he opened the door. They then rushed in. Your Uncle heard the noise their brutal entrance made and went to see what the matter was. He took a gun with him. A good thing too, because these of thugs were both armed. Your Uncle confronted the gunmen and the two crooks tried to shoot him.
"Your Uncle's quite an excellent shot, Bruce. He fired his gun only twice and both bullets hit their marks. Your Uncle hit both men, killing them nearly instantly. One of them got off a shot, but it missed your Uncle"
"Do you know who these men were?”
"Yes, they were one half of the Dapper Dan Daniels Gang. And that's the odd thing; I just received a report that the other half was killed on the other side of town. And that the damned Batman was involved somehow." replied the Commissioner as he lit a cigarette.
Chapter 13
Bruce Wayne went directly to the Mercy General Hospital himself after talking with Commissioner Gordon. Gordon offered gave him a police escort. Normally Bruce would have declined, but he wanted to get to his Uncle as soon as possible and took the Police Commissioner up on his offer.
When he arrived he quickly found out what room his Uncle Phillip's butler was in. Bruce entered the room and found his Uncle Phillip and his Chauffeur, Anthony sitting by the bed of the unconscious Butler Julius. Phillip stood up and went to Bruce as soon as he saw him saying "Bruce, thank goodness you're all right."
The two men hugged one another and smiled at each other with great relief that the other was safe and sound. Although he believed James Gordon when he told him that his Uncle was all right; Bruce still worried about his Uncle until he saw him for himself. "How's Julius?" Bruce asked.
"They cracked his skull, but the doctor says he should be all right. The next twenty-four hours will tell for sure though."
"I'm sorry Uncle. Are you going to stay here or return home? You could stay with me if you like."
"I hadn't really thought about it. My whole concern has been about poor Julius." Then Phillip dropped his voice to a bare whisper so his chauffeur wouldn't hear. "And I've been sick with worry about you too Bruce Did you get the photographs and negatives?"
Bruce nodded affirmative and whispered back, "I'm fine Uncle Phillip; I know how to take care of myself."
"That doesn't stop me from worrying Bruce. Never will."
"No, I don't suppose it does. I know it doesn't stop me from worrying about Dick."
"Quite. Now that you mention it though, I think it best if I go home. Would you give me a ride?"
"Of course."
Phillip went over to his Chauffeur and told him that his Nephew was going to take him home.
Anthony asked his employer, "Are you sure Mr. Wayne. I could drive you home sir."
Phillip smiled at the man and said, "No Anthony, I think it's better if you wait here. I know Julius will feel a lot better if he sees you here when he wakes up. I want you to stay with him until he's well enough to come home."
Anthony's face brightened as he said "Thank you Mr. Wayne, Thank you very much." Anthony took out his handkerchief to wipe his eyes. Bruce could see that the man had been through an emotional wringer because the clothe was already damp
As Bruce and Phillip left together Bruce commented to his Uncle about how nice it was to let Anthony stay with Julius.
Phillip smiled and joked, "Just don't tell anybody. I have a reputation to maintain as a hard-nosed man with a heart of stone."
Epilogue
When they got to Bruce's car Bruce handed the two envelopes to his Uncle. "I haven't looked at them Uncle, would please make sure that it is what we want."
Phillip smiled a sad smile and said "Thank you for letting me retain my dignity Bruce, but I wonder why there's two envelopes." Phillip opened the first one and examined the content briefly and then said "Yes this is what we wanted." He then opened the second and shook his head sadly.
"What's wrong Uncle Phillip?"
"These are photos of Reggie Von Gleason." The men sat in silence for a moment and then Phillip said "Reggie committed suicide last year, I always wondered why; now I know."
Bruce started the car and they began to drive towards Phillip's townhouse. Each man related what had happened to the other. Bruce told his Uncle that he was surprised to learn that Phillip was a crack shot.
Phillip snorted at that and told his nephew that he always carried a gun with him since Bruce's parents were murdered; except in Bruce's presence because he knew how guns in general bothered Bruce ever since that horrible night. Phillip also said that he practiced shooting daily.
They rode in silence for a time after that, each in their own thoughts. Then Phillip said "You know it's strange, in the Great War I shot down eighteen enemy planes and I know I killed at least twenty-three of the men in those planes, not to mention all the poor infantry I strafed. I fought against Baron Von Richthoven and his Flying Circus and Hans Von Hammer, the Hammer from Hell. I lost my duels against them, of course, but I survived against certain death when I lost. And yet those two men I killed today thought that I was too afraid of them to shoot them just because I am a homosexual. I had the drop on them and yet they tried to shoot me." Phillip shook his head. "The fools, the damned bloody fools."
Phillip then changed the subject and asked Bruce how Julie, his fiancée, was. Bruce told him that she was in Hollywood now and he rarely got to see her, but that she was fine. Phillip then asked Bruce what Julie thought of his masked identity. Bruce told his Uncle that she didn't know.
"What? You can't be serious Bruce."
"I am Uncle."
Phillip looked at his nephew and said "Bruce I've known many men who've led double lives. Now I grant you, it's not the same kind of double life that you've been leading, but not one of them were ever truly happy in a relationship. And not one of their relationships worked in the long run. If you don't tell her; I'm afraid you'll lose her."
"I know Uncle Phillip, I know."
The car pulled up to Phillip's townhouse and Phillip got out and they said good night.
The End
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