BAE Chapter 4

The cockpit closes. Barbara punches the button beside the wheel and roars down the street.

“Alfred,” she says.

“Yes, Ma’am?” His voice comes clearly through the communicator.

“I just bagged two nobodies at Gotham National.”

“That’s an ambitious target for nobodies, but the Batman’s absence has emboldened certain parties,” the butler replies placidly.

“They were Amelie’s guys. No question,” Barbara says. Amelie is an underboss for one of the new syndicates that’s trying to move in. “Even with Batman MIA, this seems like a dumb move.”

“Reckless, certainly.”

“More like ****,” Barbara says.

“Will you capitalize on it? The Batman would.”

“Of course I will. But not the way he would. He’d just try to get information. I’m gonna flip her,” Barbara tells him.

“Bold.” It’s clear from his voice that he doesn’t disapprove. Alfred used to be SAS. Barbara is well aware that Alfred never fully approved of Bruce’s very direct methods. Bruce thought that Gotham could be pummeled into submission. Barbara knows better. Gotham can’t be beaten, but maybe it could be tamed. That’s what annoys her the most: it’s not as though she’s never thought about what she would do in Bruce’s place.

“Where is she?”

Alfred gives Barbara the address. It’s a big house, outside the city. Not as extravagant as Wayne Manor, but about on par with Carmine Falcone’s place. Whoever these new kids are, they’re well-funded. What little Barbara knows paints Amelie to be more thoughtful and intelligent than the average Gotham crime lord, but that bar is low. She can’t be that smart if she’s sending guys like that to rob Gotham National. They ended up using the explosives that were intended to crack the safe to bust out after the silent alarm went off and double-locked them in. They were poorly equipped and had no plan.

Of course. It was a diversion.

“Alfred, keep the scanner on. The bank hit was probably a diversion.”

“Perhaps if you’re quick enough, you can get what she’s really after before it’s too late,” Alfred suggests. Barbara was already thinking it.

She climbs out of the Batmobile and gazes at Amelie’s mansion. As is typical of these people, it’s patrolled by armed guards. Lights are on inside.

Bruce would go in through the skylight and make a statement that would have the police, the media, and the underworld talking for days. He would make them feel fear. Barbara appreciates the advantages in this approach, but it’s not the only approach. She’s no less bold than Bruce, but she can be more creative. Creativity carries risk. Bruce has made his mistakes and learned from them. His way is imperfect, but proven.

Go in through the skylight? (Bruce’s Way)

Or

Ring the doorbell? (Barbara’s Way)