Chapter 18

"This is one of the reasons why Bruce Wayne became Batman." Terry said as he was looking at the news projected by the screen.

-Police has found nothing that can link Derek Powers to the underground syndicate described by the vice-mayor.

-I am innocent. Vice-Mayor sullivan was a family friend of ours. That is our only relation. But as of this moment, I am officially cutting off that link. (Derek Powers)

"The police won't be able to thoroughly search him."

-The same thing cannot be said about the other people on the list as they too have been searched the same day the news about them being involved came out. The investigation provided solid evidence that they are involved in these crimes. Murder, money laundering, Electoral fraud, bribery and many more...

"Powers was smart. He probably already smelled us coming. He knew Sullivan Clark was going to squeal eventually and had deathstroke try to kill him inside Blackgate. I am going to thank the Warden again later."

"I need to investigate Powers personally."

"We still have another trump card, remember?"

Barbara is talking about Henry Page.

"I already called the mutant leader. He said Powers was the only one to not rely on Henry."

"Clever."

"It appears that way. He keeps his cards close to his chest. That's probably how I would have done it too."

"What's our plan now?"

"I have some ideas. Like I said, he thinks similarly as me. So, he probably is hands on with everything."

"Your point?"

"A week from now, Wayne Enterprises is throwing a charity gala. He would have to attend if he wants to play innocent. I'll also be there as a representative for Alfred. I'll plant a tracker on him then."

"Ooh. Do you need a date?" Barbara teased.

Terry smiled and said "I need someone younger-OOF!!" Barbara cut off what he was saying by kicking his crotch.

"I was invited too, anyway." She said as she flipped her hair and walked out of the batcave.

Barbara left Terry who was squirming in pain on the floor while holding his crotch.

"Then why ask? " he grumbled.

"Are you okay? What happened? " Alfred said. He just got back from upstairs.

Terry stood himself up and raised his leg up and down to rearrange his...arrangements.

"Yeah. I'm okay. It was just an accident."

"Well, then, I would like you to try this on." Alfred handed over a garment bag.

Terry opened it up and saw a luxurious suit and tie.

"Isn't this too much, Alfred? For someone like me?"

"For a college student, yes. But you are also my representative at the party and I would like you to represent me well as a major stockholder of the company. There's also a business card in one of the pockets. I want you to go there before going to the event."

Terry took out a card from the suit's pocket.

"A barber shop?"

"Yes. I've already told the barber what to do. Your hair is getting a bit long."

"But I already have a barber."

"You'll go to this one now. Just think of it as a job requirement since I really didn't give you any when I took you in."

"Okay." Terry understood what Alfred was saying but he just felt guilty about changing barbers all of a sudden. There's a bond formed out of trust when you let another man groom you and you end up satisfied. It is a strange phenomenon that no man can fully describe.

The day before the gala was uneventful. Terry went on with his daily routine. Attend his classes, do his work as Alfred's attendant, and then training. At night, as Batman, he caught a couple of drug dealers selling fake drugs. Muggers. And a group of vandalizers.

"Nice job. Save some for us next time." The officer who took in the offenders that he caught into the station joked.

He didn't reply. It is still a bit awkward for Terry to work with police officers other than Barbara because he used to be on the other side.

Batman just simply flew away.

The next day, Terry went to the barber shop that Alfred endorsed him to before going to the mansion.

"You are looking sharp, Terrence."

"I don't like this haircut, Alfred. It doesn't feel like me." Terry said as he combed the hair at the side of his head with his hands. Instead of his previous modern mullet with messy bangs, his haircut looks more neat. He looks more suited for an office now. A businessman hairstyle called a quiff.

"With your face, any hairstyle would fit you well. But you should also learn to pick a style that would fit what you do. Your previous hairstyle would fit if you are an artist or you have a job that requires your look to express your personality. You are my attendant now. You should always hide your emotions and be professional. An occasional smile is acceptable every now and then."

"You mean, like those rich snobs that I'll be meeting later at the gala?"

"Some of them are more sensible than you think. Just like Master Bruce, Master Luke, and many others."

"Sure." Terry expressed his doubt but did not want to debate.

The Wayne manor was so big that every day, there's a section of the house that needs maintenance. Terry and his dextrous hands were practiced almost everyday. He treated it like it was just part of his training.

"Will you head straight there?"

"I'll be going home first and take a shower."

"Take care, young McGinnis." Alfred said.

Terry waved and set off on his motorbike.

"Terry! Is that you? You look so much like your father." Terry just got home and his mom jumped up from her seat as she gazed at Terry.

"Thanks, mom." He replied. Terry saw his little brother staring at him.

Matt McGinnis, who didn't get to grow up to know his father looked at Terry when his mom said that he looked like their dad.

This made Terry a little bit rueful.

"You look sho handshome!" Mary McGinnis said as she played with his son's cheeks.

His mother always said that Warren McGinnis, his father, looked similar to Bruce Wayne when he was younger. Black hair and a defined jawline. This made Terry like his new haircut more than before.

"I'm going somewhere tonight."

"Are you also going to the charity gala later? I heard of it from the commissioner."

"Yes. I'll be Alfred's representative."

"Do you have a suit?"

"Yeah," Terry lifted up the bag he was holding. "Alfred gave this to me."

Terry went upstairs and took a shower. He put the suit on afterwards and looked at himself at the mirror.

"Not too bad, Terry." He muttered to himself. Then he made gun poses like the main character from those famous british spy movies.

"Shaken, not stirred." He said as he copied Alfred's accent and pretended to fix his cuffs as he put on a sophisticated expression.

He is now more comfortable with his new look as he immersed himself in his vainness.

Terry went downstairs and his mother saw him again. She looked teary eyed as she drew near to him.

"You really look handshome," She played with Terry's cheeks again. "I'll even forgive you tonight if you don't come home because you got swept away by a beautiful woman. I won't forgive her though. Hmph!" She said as she furrowed her brows but then continued fondling her son's face. "Yow sho cuuute."

"Mo~m!" Terry complained.

After a five minutes of his mother teasing him, he finally escaped and sped away on his motorbike.

He arrived at the venue of the event. Because he doesn't trust other people, he didn't entrust his ride to a valet and parked it himself.

At the entrance, he got stopped by the receptionist and requested him to present his invitation.

"One sec" He said as he searched his pockets for the invitation.

It wasn't there with him even though he knows that he properly put it in his pockets. Terry looked at the guard who was starting to glare at him in embarassment.

"What seems to be the problem here?" A woman's voice entered Terry's ears. It was a familiar voice. He somewhat started to feel relieved.

"He doesn't have his invitation with him." Said the receptionist.

"Did you ask for his name to search for it in the guest list?"

"N-no." He stuttered.

"Then, do your job properly. You can't keep everyone waiting." She pointed at the line of people that was starting to form.

"Yes, maam. I apologize. I'll do it right away." He asked for Terry's name and searched it on the guest list.

"You're on the guest list, sir. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please come in." The receptionist said.

"It's okay. Thanks." Terry said as he finally got to enter.

"I don't have the invitation with me too. Just search for me on the guest list."

"That's not needed, Commissioner Gordon. Please come in. I apologize again."

Barbara entered with no trouble after helping Terry out.

Terry waited for her and offered her his arm. Barbara accepted his invitation and linked arms with him then, they entered the elevator together. The venue is a luxurious penthouse on the top floor of the building.

"Look at you. I offered you to go here with me but you refused. Now, you're acting courteous because I saved you from embarassment." Barbara teased.

Terry just nervously laughed.

"Anyway, you look nice."

"Alfred got this suit for me."

"I know. A beginner wouldn't know how to pick a suit this nice." She said as she looked at Terry's suit. And then Terry. Her vision blurred all of a sudden as Terry's face overlapped with someone she knew. Bruce Wayne.

"Are you okay?" Bruce Wayne said.

"Huh?"

"I said, are you okay?" It was Terry's voice that she heard this time. It woke her up.

"Oh. Y-yeah. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine." Terry said in suspicion.

"I'm fine. I just remembered something." She said nervously as she thought 'what was that?'

Ding. They have arrived at their floor.

As they walked through the crowd, they were greeted by people. Barbara introduced Terry as Alfred's representative every time.

"Alfred Pennyworth? How is he these days? Luke took care of his shares in the company very well."

"What's that about me?" An african-american man wearing glasses entered the conversation.

"Luke! This boy is Alfred Pennyworth's representative. I'm just telling him about how well you are taking care of his interests in the company."

The man that joined them is Luke Fox. President of Wayne Enterprises. He didn't inherit his position from his father. It was a well-earned position.

"Nice to finally meet you. I'm Luke Fox." The man smiled at Terry as he offered him a handshake.

Terry obliged. "I am very much aware, Mr. Fox. Mr. Alfred sends his regards."

"You can call me Mr. Luke. Mr. Fox is my father's name. I believe you already have my number. Don't hesitate to call me if you have any concerns. Like your suit." He winked at him.

Terry was confused for a second but he eventually got what he meant. It was his Batsuit that Luke Fox himself designed and developed.

"Will do, Mr. Fox, I mean, Mr. Luke."

Luke Fox was a very nice gentleman. A great man like him talking to someone like Terry made Terry at awe.

"Good evening, ladies, gentlemen." Another Man entered the group and greeted them.

It was the man Terry and Barbara have been waiting for.

"Vice-President." Luke Fox said. It wasn't a cold greeting but it wasn't warm either. It was just neutral. It is understandable that in light of recent events, the president's relationship with him has changed. His name being entangled with the court of owls made that happen. And as President, he didn't want his company to be associated with this issue. But he can't remove him either because there was no proof found.

"President." The man replied.

"I would like you to meet Alfred Pennyworth's representative for the night. His attendant, Terrence McGinnis."

"A butler having a butler. Ironic isn't it."

"Be nice, Derek." A woman chuckled.

"I was just joking, of course."

Although true, Terry didn't like that joke coming from this man. To him, he was insulting his benefactor. But he didn't let his emotions control him. He took Alfred's advice and took those words to his jaw for now and didn't let any negative emotion show on his face.

Terry laughed and said. "No, It's okay. And I am already aware of who you are, Mr. Derek Powers." He was going to get him back later, anyway. As Batman.