Prologue

Newspaper clippings from the Gotham Tribune. Complied by Dr H. Quinzell. Napier Case.

The Mayer's Election Speech, City Hall.

"Gotham City will shine again.

Where once the rich only became richer and the poor were invisible, it feels as though the rightful balance has been restored and now we can look forward to a shining, hopeful new dawn that casts out all the evil and terror we have faced in the last ten years.

From the ashes of burned out homes and factories, rise new sky scrapers that touch the stars we long to reach. New jobs, new homes, bold, daring architecture, theatres, museums, restaurants will follow. We are rebuilding this city from within and although it will take years, we have something now that we have held from us for so long. We have our freedom.

No longer do we fear oppression from organised crime. No longer are we held hostage by a corrupt government. No longer will vigilantes and masked terrorists haunt our streets. We are free.

There were casualties. We lost good men and women in the fight. But they fought the good fight to give us the dream we hold so close to us today.

They gave us back our freedom, our lives and our hope.

And we thank them and look forward, to our bright new future,"

"Billionaire Bruce Wayne builds new factories, opening up thousands of new jobs"

"Mayor Yarwood elected with a 76% majority, Gotham holds its breath. Will he deliver new hope as promised?"

"Batman blamed for office fires in down town Gotham,"

"Gotham citizens breathe a sigh of relief as clown faced murderer is finally locked away for good in Arkham Asylum. It was feared that 'The Joker' who rained terror over Gotham, would receive a shorter jail term after being declared 'insane'."

"Actress Siren West, aged fifty four, found dead in apartment, possible suicide,"

"Commissioner Gordon launches new investigations into the identity of the Batman,"

Dr Quinzell stared down blankly at the vast array of newspaper clippings in front of her. She spread them out with her hand and wished a connection would make sense.

Her eyes ached from looking at her computer screen all day and the small of her back hurt from being hunched over. She had been sleeping well the last few nights, her mind anxious and unable to fully relax.

She had been preparing for this patient for two weeks and still she didn't know if there was anything she could do to make a difference.

Harleen shivered at the thought of returning to Arkham, that dank, grey building hiding a hundred secrets and deranged minds.

When she had been given the case, she was flattered and enthusiastic. It wasn't everyday that a young doctor, three years qualified would be given the chance to help one of the most dangerous criminals in the world. But the pressure soon began to mount and after the initial assessment meeting, Harleen doubted her skills.

This man was so lost. When he spoke, it was like he didn't care about himself at all. Something inside him had died and from the news reports and case files she'd read, this hadn't been something she was expecting.

Looking at his thin, pale form hunched across the table, she'd actually felt sorry for him. She wanted to help him.

A noise in the office startled her and she jumped, spotting the cleaner bustling through the door with his trolley. She laughed at herself, such a bag of nerves these days, as he lifted his hand and gave her a wave.

"Shouldn't you be at home now Doctor?" he accused her jokingly and she rubbed her eyes.

"I didn't realise the time Jo," she smiled shutting down her computer and gazing out at the darkening city sky line.

There was something about this man. Something that intrigued her and her natural curiosity took over.

But how on earth was all this related to Batman and a dead movie star? It sounded ridiculous and was something that she would have to piece together if she was ever going to save this man's mind.