Tell me about it - Chap 15

"Lisa Prince has been dead for three months"

Bruce's breath stuck in his throat, and instant fury replaced the impatience in his eyes. He charged towards Dick, who promptly redirected his attention to the computer screen. There it was, an article dated 3rd of September – Lisa Prince, a well known Physical education and self defense trainer for women, found dead in her rented apartment amidst unknown circumstances. The inset showed a file photo of an unconventionally attractive woman with grey eyes behind a pair of round frameless glasses.


"This is not her!" Bruce exclaimed, sounding astonished and relieved at the same time.


"Yeah, and that's the whole point," Dick said, "this is not her. But this is Lisa Prince!"


"What else do you have on her?" Bruce spoke in his usual gruff Batman tone.


"Apart from the fact that there is a mystery surrounding her death – nothing!" Dick shrugged.


"Then who is this woman trying to pass herself as Lisa Prince?" Bruce muttered.


"Diana!" a voice spoke from behind - Superman



Bruce did not turn around. He closed his eyes and sighed. The fact that Clarke had heard his conversation with Dick frustrated him even more.



"I thought he'd know something more about the case." Dick remarked, seeing his guardian's expression for his visitor.



Bruce did not speak. He sat with his face buried in his hands, rubbing his eyes.



"Bruce, this is not the time. For once, take me as your friend!" Superman pleaded.



Bruce breathed heavily.
"If I wasn't, you wouldn't be here, Clarke, trust me!"


Superman frowned at his friend's indignation, but decided to ignore it. Bruce was never an easy man, when it came to handling broken heart.


"So, what do you have?" Bruce muttered, his face still in his hands.



Superman and Dick exchanged a quick glance and sighed.



Superman began. "Remember the epidemic which killed more than a hundred children in Metropolis General Hospital 6 months ago?"



Bruce nodded.



"Turns out that it was arranged for -" he paused as Bruce suddenly turned around, staring at the door of the bat-cave in utter horror. An intruder.



Lisa



Bruce sprang from his chair in an instant. He wasn't sure if he was enraged by her impromptu entry or stunned by the stone cold look on her face.



"Batman!" she spoke through her teeth, in a distinctly familiar voice.



"Wonder Woman!" he exclaimed.



"Kudos! Your are every bit the marvelous actor your admirers talk about!" she said with blatant sarcasm, as she descended the steps.



"How did you get in here?" Bruce growled, as he marched towards her.



"I followed you." She replied, "I was apprehensive about your safety."



"Liar!" Bruce shouted, as he brought the back of his hand with full force onto her cheek, sending the mightiest woman on earth reeling down the floor.



"You are the liar!" she protested, as she helped herself back to her feet.


"Shut up!" Bruce ordered. "You toyed with my feelings, and used me as a decoy!"



"Decoy!" Superman exclaimed.



Diana bent her head in humiliation.