The Cave

A figure in a black cape made his way through a large cavern to a computer system with bats fluttering about. The figure sat in the chair and prepared a communications link when an older gentleman in a suit with his hands clasped behind his back approached it.

“Something amiss in Gotham, Sir?” the gentleman inquired.

The figure nodded, “Looks that way, Alfred.”

“I see,” spoke the butler.

“The break-in at the museum should have been a thief but that doesn’t explain the 2 bodies of the police officers,” said the caped figure.

“They weren’t killings, Sir?” questioned the British man.

“No, the bodies were exsanguinated with 2 punctures on the neck which also looked to have a bit of teeth marks,” he answered.

“Oh my,” expressed Alfred with his left hand to his chin.

“The question, Alfred, is where did the blood go?” continued the dark figure, “The foot prints leading away were of a heeled variety of shoe, common to women.”

“Are you sure it was a woman’s print, Master Bruce?” Alfred inquired.

Bruce just pursed his lips in thought, “It’s quite likely, the prints were too shallow for her—."

“Or him,” Alfred pointed out since the person might have been a male dressed in heels.

“Or him,” Bruce corrected himself then continued, “to have carried the bodies much less dragged them since there were no drag marks.”

The 2 men knew that if the “person” were to move them, even if they were to lift them the prints would deepen. But this let to the question of the blood, where did it go. If Doctor Morbius had been changed back into a normal human since his days as a vampyr-espue metahuman, he would be somewhat suspect.

“Quite the conundrum and does the Batman really need to do this himself?” the butler pointed.

“No,” answered the Dark Knight.

“I see you’re calling your colleagues, Sir,” voiced Alfred with concern.

Normally he never calls for help outside of Gotham City unless it is of **** importance.

“Is it really that dire, Master Bruce?” asked the butler.

“I can’t say for sure yet,” informed Batman.

Just then a jovial yet familiar voice came from the communications, “Hello, this is your friendly neighborhood Spider-operator what’s the scoop, Boss?”

Batman just shook is head, this was the only Meta-human he ever trained, he was talented and very intelligent but sometimes his habits got in his way.

“Are you the only 1 there, Spider-Man?” Batman asked, “Is Dr. Fate there too?”

“I don’t think so,” responded Spider-Man, “Why? Got anything that involves magic?”

“I can’t say for certain,” informed Batman, “just tell me if he ever arrives.”

“Gotcha, Bats,” replied the Web-Head and the link ended.

Batman then turned and headed for the chemistry set, it was time to test the residue he’d found around the neck wounds. It appeared to be saliva but he could not be sure until he tested it.

*********

“Woooo boy, this beats listening to ol’ Chuckles calling me a menace all the time,” said Spider-Man.

Just then Peter jumped to a voice from behind him, “I suppose it would, although that’s no way a journalist should act.”

“Oh, hey Supes, how’s it hanging?” greeted Spidey, putting on his usual chirpy act, “Ol’ Richie McCueball giving you trouble back home?”

Superman just shook his head, “When doesn’t he?”

The 2 men just stayed silent for a moment.

“Has there been anything new coming in on the commlink?” asked Clark.

“Just Batman,” Spider-Man said, “He wanted to know if the Doc. Is in.”

“Hm, really?” spoke the man of steel.

“Yup,” said Spidey, “I know he doesn’t ask for help much but how bad do you think it is?”

“Hard to say,” answered the kryptonian, “we won’t know unless Batman lets us in?”

“When do you think that'll be?” asked the Web-Head.

Superman just rubbed his chin in reflection.

“Who knows,” responded the Man of Steel.