As soon as the picture got leaked, the media swarmed towards the Wayne manor like flies on rotten meat. Lights flashed across the massive fence, there was excited murmuring and chatter and journalists and reporters almost trampled over each other in order to get the scoop. There were even vans and trucks all the way from different corners of America like Metropolis and Star City all eager to leap into this scoop.

As soon as the Wayne family butler stepped out of the manor holding a megaphone the media was abuzz with questions.

“What do you know about…?”

“How long have you…?”

“Where is Mr. Wayne…?”

The butler cleared his throat and spoke. The megaphone let out a squeal of life.

“Master Wayne is currently unable to make himself available for questions owing to an important business trip in the Swiss Alps,” Alfred said. “For my own peace I kindly request you vacate the premises otherwise legal action will be pursued against each and every one of you.”

However, all that statement managed to encourage was the media taking a few steps back from the giant gates that separated them from the manor. They still continued asking questions and taking photos of the Alfred and the mansion.

Alfred let out a defeated sigh and retreated back into the mansion. Once he was sure he was clear of their sights he took a secret elevator down into the Batcave where him and Jason were holed up ever since the media circus began. They were told not to leave by Master Wayne and await further instructions. Jason was busy pacing around the silver walkways impatiently when Alfred descended down into the Cave.

“What’s happening up there?” Jason asked.

Alfred shook his head solemnly. “Nothing good, unfortunately.”

“Is it true?” Jason asked. “What they’re saying?”

Alfred placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “I don’t know, dear boy. I don’t know.”

It was at that moment the Batmobile crashed through the waterfall, screeching to a halt. Master Wayne almost broke the door open as he got out of the vehicle. He threw his mask aside, storming towards the Batcomputer.

“Computer,” Master Wayne growled. “Run that photo through every check imaginable. Make sure it isn’t forged, edited or whatever with one hundred percent certainty.”

“Commissioner Gordon is calling,” droned the Batcomputer.

“Tell him I’m busy.”

Alfred took a few cautious steps as he tried to close the distance between him and Master Wayne.

“Sir…”

Master Wayne was hunched over the computer, a dejected look on his face. He didn’t meet his eyes. Instead, he just asked one question.

“What did you know about this, Alfred?”

“Sir I…”

“What did you know about this Alfred?” Bruce snapped like a wild beast.

“I don’t know anything about this,” Alfred said. “I…”

“You’ve known mum and dad for longer than I have,” Bruce said. “There’s no way you don’t know anything about this now stop lying to me and…”

“I’m not lying to you!” Alfred snapped back. Something he had never done before. “Look into my eyes, Master Wayne, does it look like the eyes of a liar to you?”

Alfred met Master Bruce’s intense glare with a glare of his own. At that, Master Bruce’s stance relaxed but just barely. “I’m sorry, Alfred. It’s just…”

“I understand what you’re going through,” Alfred said, placing a hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “I loved your father as much as you.”

Alfred sighed. “It seemed your father took many secrets to his grave, secrets even I wasn’t aware of.”

“No,” Bruce said, clenching his fist. “This photo, it has to be forged. There’s no way this is real. No way.”

“And we’ll find out in due course,” Alfred said. “But prancing around, snapping at things like a wild animal won’t clear up the turmoil you’re feeling. You’ve got to take a step back and see the bigger picture.”

“You’re right Alfred,” Bruce said, he pinched the bridge of the nose. At that moment the Batcomputer buzzed.

“Incoming call from Commissioner Gordon.”

“Put him through,” Bruce said.

“Batman,” Gordon said. “Some of our boys did a search of all the factories that Master Planner clown blew up. We found the bomb. I want you to see it, find out if there’s anything we missed.

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Bruce said and then cut the call. He turned to Alfred.

“Remember Master Bruce,” Gordon said. “Don’t let the emotion get to you.”

It was at that moment Jason decided to pop up. “Can I come? I did all the training and…”

“No,” Bruce said, entering the Batmobile. “You stay here. You are not to leave the cave until my say so.”

“But I did everything you asked,” Jason protested. “I did all my training and…”

“I said no, Jason,” Bruce said. “It’s too dangerous for any of us to be outside.”

“Master Bruce,” Alfred said. “I highly advise against that course of…”

But by then the door clamped shut and the Batmobile was off.

Jason let out a scream of anger. “Why is he always like this?”

“He’s going through a tough time,” Alfred said. “I hope you understand.”

“It’s like he doesn’t even want me around!” Jason screamed, kicking the walkways.

“It’s not that,” Alfred said. “Master Bruce can be paranoid, sometimes.”

Jason crossed his arms. “More like all the time.”

Alfred sighed. “I’ll get us something to eat, remember what the Master said. Stay here.”

Jason groaned. “Fine. I can’t wait till this whole thing blows over.”

“Me too, Master Todd,” Alfred said. “Me too.”

…

Batman and Gordon stepped into an empty interrogation room. Sitting on a table was a hollow shell of a bomb, the plastic melted off.

“What did you find out?” Batman asked.

“A few dead,” Gordon said. “Some injured. Scientists and forensics tore the bomb apart, they said it’s something they haven’t seen before.”

Batman picked up the bomb. He looked inside and saw the Waynetech mark in the fuse of the bomb.

“Waynetech?” Batman said.

Gordon nodded. “Yep. You know how hush-hush Wayne Corp is with their technology. Scientists took a while trying to figure out what most of the wires even did.”

So, his own technology caused the deaths of the people he was supposed to protect. Batman’s grip tightened around the bomb shell.

“What do you think?” Batman asked. “About the whole Wayne family scandal?”

Gordon shrugged. He was a tiny bit confused; it wasn’t like Batman to be concerned about Gotham scandals. “I don’t know. Rich family like them will probably have their fair share of secrets. People don’t make that much money without a few shady deals here and there. What’s it to you?”

Batman placed the bomb down. “I’ll analyse this in the lab. I’ll send you the results.”

Batman walked off. It was only after a while he realised that Batman didn’t answer his question.