Chapter Text
Chapter 3
River woke up at her desk, she sat up and blinked away sleep, then saw the sun was rising brightly, it had just gone seven am. She got up, took a minute to splash water on her face and then she felt properly awake. She dried her face, snatched her monocle from the desk and put it on, then hurried back to the treatment room.
She had only managed to grab two hours sleep, but her patient had been heavily sedated and she had been very sure it would be okay to leave him for a couple of hours. He had stabilised in the hours since Oswald and Molly had left, and now he was receiving the kind of care he should have been given in Ashecliffe post surgery, he was greatly improved, his pulse was regular, his breathing was just fine and his blood pressure was normal. Feeling relieved, she left the room and went back to the front of the building, where Victor had just got up from his seat, he gave a sigh and put a hand on his back as he stretched out a slight stiffness, then he turned to River and blinked away the last of his tiredness.
“How's Julian?”
“Much better this morning. He's not awake yet but he's stable enough to be moved. Thanks for staying last night.”
Victor smiled and her heart skipped a beat, not that he would know, she guessed, as he spoke again.
“Penguin was right to ask me to stay, especially with the breakout at Arkham. But it was quiet outside. I managed to grab four hours sleep eventually.”
“I managed a couple at my desk,” River told him, then her thoughts turned back to her patient.
“I need to speak with Julian when he wakes. After I've done that, you can take him back to the house.”
Victor nodded.
“I should call the boss.”
River indicated to a doorway just inside the corridor.
“There's a small kitchen area in there. You can make some coffee before you leave. You look like you could use it.”
Victor slipped his phone back in his jacket.
“Thanks, Baby Fish, I'll do that first, then I'll call Penguin,” he said, then he walked away down the corridor, and as he went into the kitchen she was tempted to join him, but Julian would be waking soon, and her patient had to come first. She went back to the treatment room and closed the door softly behind her.
At the Van Dahl mansion, morning sunlight had streamed in through the window of the master bedroom, waking Oswald from a deep sleep. For a few precious minutes between sleeping and waking, Oswald felt happy, sliding his hand over the space where Molly was warm beside him. Then he found it empty and opened his eyes, right at the moment the events of the day before came rushing back to him and he felt sadness all over again as he thought of what had been done to his cousin on Shutter Island.
Then he saw Molly standing on the other side of the bedroom, he watched as she zipped up blue jeans that hugged her hips and then she put on a white vest and he gave a sigh as he admired the sight of his wife's body, the curve of her breasts as she fasted a white bra, the toned muscles in her arms that were elegantly visible as she adjusted her clothing. Molly worked out at the gym twice a week. She had tried to persuade him to come with her, but Oswald had said as she loved his ass and his slightly over weight body so much, he would keep it just as it was, thank you very much. But he thought Molly's body was beautiful, his gaze roamed over her as she put on her boots and then paused to go over to the dressing table and brush her jet black hair. It fell to her shoulders in waves of raven silk and he smiled as she looked back at him in the mirror.
“You look so lovely. I'm sorry you got up so early, now I feel lonely in this bed, my love!”
“And I have to fetch Iris, remember?” she said, putting down the brush and reaching for her mascara, “I was thinking, I might give her a call first and tell her I'm a business partner of Frances.”
Oswald sat up in bed.
“Why not tell her the truth right away? This matter could prove to be more urgent than we think,” he paused to run his hands through spiked hair messed up by sleep, “If the fallout from yesterday is over, their next move is taking out Iris.”
“And she won't see me if I tell her that on the phone – she'll go to the cops and that drags all of us into the shit! Let me speak to her first, then I'll go and see her and tell her what's really going on.”
Oswald's gaze clouded with worry.
“At what point do we tell her Julian will also be staying here? That could complicate matters, we don't know exactly how much she hates him, that hatred could run very deep after he attacked her.”
“Oswald,” Molly sat down on the edge of the bed and placed her hand on his cheek as she looked into his eyes, “Stop worrying so much! I will explain everything, first priority – she's not safe where she is right now. Once she understands what the virus did to him, it might help her to see there was another factor at work here – something he couldn't control. When she's decided to come with me, I will tell her about Julian. I'll tell exactly what's happened so she understand he's no threat and if that doesn't work, Victor will have to put her in hotel in the city until you can find her a suitable safe house. Does that set your mind at rest?”
Gratitude shone in his eyes.
“I do not understand why I'm so badly organised today! I should have thought of that first!”
“It's worry,” Molly told him, “Of course you're feeling disorganised. I'm sure you'll have your peace of mind back when Julian comes home.”
He felt a wave of emotion as he thought about that small boy he had lifted in his arms so many years before as he showed him the view of the Gotham river.
“Yes,” he said as his voice trembled, “He is coming home – to family who actually give a shit about him! I know he's coming home to die, River made it very clear he won't last long. But I want his time with us to be happy. And I haven't given up on the possibility of Strange bringing him back when the time comes. I don't believe there's nothing he can do.”
“There's always hope,” Molly reminded him, “I remember the state of you when we saved you from Velaska. Strange said you were critical. My Dad prayed for you, that's how bad it got – my Dad, the big bad Irish godfather, saying a prayer for another crime boss. And you made it!”
“But I was injured, Molly. I wasn't held in Ashecliffe for several years. I wasn't damaged by illegal experiments.”
“There is hope,” Molly repeated, then she leaned closer and their lips touched and her kiss felt like a promise that maybe, there really was still hope after all.
Oswald wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes as their kiss grew more passionate. As he pulled back, he smiled and spoke softly.
“You're up far too early, Mrs Cobblepot... Come back to bed, I'm aching for you!”
Then the door burst open and Cain ran in.
“Good morning!” he announced, and jumped on the bed, bounced and sat down.
Molly pulled away from their embrace as she lowered her voice.
“Later, my love!” she said as they exchanged a loving glance, then Oswald held his arms out to his son who gave him a big hug.
“Good morning, young man!” he said fondly, “You're always up too early!”
“Yes I am!” Cain said joyfully.
Molly laughed softly as she got up.
“We need to remember to lock this door, Oswald!”
“I want to go to the park today!” said Cain.
“Maybe later,” Molly told her son as he scrambled off the bed and stood there looking up at her, “Mummy has to go out this morning. I have to do some important work for Daddy.”
“Can I come with you?”
She leaned closer, smiling as she looked at the face of her son, a face that so resembled Oswald. He had the same eyes, too – but Cain's eyes were full of innocence. He thought Daddy owned a bar and lots of warehouses. He wouldn't know the rest until he was older...
“No, sweetheart,” she said as she fondly placed her hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes, “You can't come with Mummy, not today. But we might go to the park tomorrow...” she exchanged a glance with Oswald, “Shall I tell him about Julian?” she said quietly, and Oswald nodded.
“Daddy's cousin is coming to stay with us,” she said, “His name is Julian. But he's not very well so you need to be quiet and leave him to rest, okay?”
Cain nodded, then he looked to his father.
“Daddy, can you take me to the park today? Look, I got dressed myself, I tied my shoelaces too!”
“I can see you did a great job of it!” Oswald replied, “But Daddy was working very late last night, I'm sorry but my bad leg is hurting a lot today.”
Molly shot him a glance.
“You didn't tell me that! Are you okay?”
“I'll be fine, my dear - I just need to stay home and rest,” he replied, then he glanced to his son, “We will both take you to the park tomorrow, Cain. I'm getting up now and then I'll make breakfast for you -”
“No, I'll do it!” Molly insisted, “You stay there, rest your leg, I know how bad it can get. I'll make breakfast for Cain and then I'll bring you some tea.”
She leaned in and kissed him, then she left the room with their son and Oswald laid back against soft pillows that carried the scent of his wife's hair as he smiled. Despite the worries that rested at the back of his mind, and the dull ache that nagged at his damaged leg, life was good – and it always would be, because he had his family, it made such a difference, even on the darkest of days... Then his phone rang. It was Victor. He answered it right away.
“How is Julian?”
“He's a lot stronger,” Victor replied, “River's with him now. She said as soon as she's finished, he can come back to the house.”
“How long until he can leave?” asked Oswald.
“I don't know, she's still with him. I'm drinking coffee and waiting for her.”
“Just bring him home as soon as you can. Then I want you to leave with Molly and head over to Iris. That young woman needs to be protected, she doesn't realise what she's got herself caught up in.”
“Okay boss,” Victor replied and then he ended the call. Oswald put the phone down and breathed a relieved sigh. Julian's condition had improved overnight. That fact alone gave him renewed hope for the future. Maybe Molly was right, perhaps there was hope...
As Julian woke from a deep sleep, he realised that strangely, he wasn't in pain – for the first time in a long while. And for the first time in days, he was in a dry bed, too. He heard someone speaking and memories flickered from the night before : Had that been real? Uncle Oz had got him out of that place? It was all flooding back now. The chopper, the car, then being held down while a young woman wearing a monocle stabbed his arm with a needle...
She was still speaking, and as he listened and realised he was still too weak to move he felt a flicker of panic, as one thought ran through his mind: What the hell will she do to me next?
“You should be awake soon, Julian,” she said, “And then you can go home to Uncle Oz. He's been so worried about you.”
It was then he realised she was pulling up his underwear and he gave a gasp and opened his eyes, just as she folded a warm blanket back up to his waist.
“What the fuck are you doing to me?” he whispered as he looked at her with pale eyes reflecting fear and deep mistrust.
“Oh, hello! You're awake!” she said, “How are you feeling? I've given you fluids and pain relief. Is it working for you okay?”
Julian stared at her. This was definitely the same woman who had sedated him the night before. Her hair was short and spiked and her dark olive complexion made her bright blue eyes look striking. There was a small clouded patch in one of her eyes and it was more noticeable because she was wearing a monocle.
“I am River Mooney,” she said, “I'm Oswald's daughter. You're safe, Julian. I'm not going to hurt you, I'm a good doctor, I help people. I think what was done to you at Ashecliffe was truly evil, and I'm going to do everything I can to give you a better quality of life, do you understand me?”
He nodded, feeling his fears slip away as he blinked away tears out of sheer relief : He was definitely safe. And she was certainly the daughter of his Uncle Oz – she looked a lot like him, she even spoke like him...
River grabbed a chair and pulled it up to his bedside and sat down, then she adjusted the bed, forcing him to sit up a little as she spoke again.
“I need to talk to you before you leave, is that okay?”
“Okay...” he said quietly, then he felt a sting in the back of his hand and looked down to see the source of the irritation, there was a needle buried in a vein, he was still hooked up to an IV.
“I will need to keep you on the IV for a couple more days, you need to get your strength back,” she told him, “And I think you should drink some water, you need it.”
She raised a glass to his lips and placed her hand carefully on the back of his head, keeping him steady as he drank. As she took the glass away and gently rested his head against the pillow, he felt more at ease.
“I realise you woke at a rather awkward moment,” she added, “I had to clean you up and change you. I washed your underwear and dried it on the heater so you could put it back on - and for now I think you can manage with pads as long as they get changed frequently. How long have you had the incontinence?”
“Since they did the last one,” he raised his hand, indicating to the scar on the side of his head.
“And they didn't help you to handle it?”
“No,” he said, looking away as tears of anger stung at his eyes.
“That must have been horrible for you,” River replied kindly, “But you don't have to worry about that any more. I think it might improve as you get stronger. Do you have any numbness or paralysis?”
“No,” his voice was still hushed.
“That's good,” River replied, “I think you'll be feeling a lot better very soon. You just need to get your strength back. Do you get headaches?”
“All the time.”
“Dizzy spells?”
“Sometimes.”
“Do you have any trouble with your feelings or your moods?”
He blinked away tears and met her gaze as anger burned in his eyes.
“I was tortured for five fucking years!” he gave a sob.
“Okay, I get it...” she said softly, “I know you've suffered,” and she carefully took hold of his hand as she spoke again.
“I'm trying to assess the impact the surgeries have had on you. Your scan results show some significant damage to brain tissue. They tested a mutation of the Tetch virus on you – twice. The first time was when you were first committed, the second time was when your father sent you back to Ashecliffe and left you there. Can you recall this?”
“I remember it all!”
“Do you know why your father put you in Ashecliffe and abandoned you?”
He struggled to compose his thoughts as tears blurred his vision.
“My dad... he was sick, he liked to play sick games with people... their lives for money... blood money. He made me watch and it was inside me, it loved to see that and it made me try to rape her! My Dad said I was an embarrassment and he put me back in Ashecliffe!”
He gave a sob.
“When you say it, do you mean the Tetch virus?”
He nodded and wept some more as she wiped away his years and told him to take a deep breath and calm down.
“We all know about the Tetch virus,” River added, “And if your Dad thinks his own son being deliberately infected with Tech two and attacking a woman is merely embarrassing, I think for that reason alone, he's the one who should be in Ashecliffe, not you!”
Julian looked intently at River.
“I'm not dangerous!”
“I believe you.”
“I'm not, River...I can prove it...I can't even hold my own pee, it doesn't work any more, look, I can't get hard! Nothing works any more, my body is fucked!”
He made a move to tug down the blanket and his underwear to prove his point, and she caught his hand, raising it as she gripped it and spoke to him firmly as she pulled up the covers once more.
“Okay, I believe you! Calm down, Julian. You are far too weak to get so worked up!”
He felt weak and confused as he looked at River.
“Did I just do the wrong thing?”
River gave a heavy sigh.
“You're just very upset and I think you get easily worked up and confused. Possibly you may also do and say things at inappropriate times – and also your speech is slightly lazy and your coordination isn't great, it's all signs of brain damage but we can handle this, it's not a total disaster, you can get a lot better, and you will.”
“That's bullshit! They said in Ashecliffe that I'm going to die... they said the antidote was too strong. How long do I have left?”
River felt a sharp jolt. He had heard them say that? He was far too weak and vulnerable to cope with that diagnosis. He was shaking as his eyes filled with tears again.
“Perhaps a great deal longer than you think,” River replied, “I trained under a very brilliant doctor and I believe I can help you, Julian. I will not give up and I think you will make a good recovery, at least initially - and we can take everything else one day at a time. You have nothing to fear.”
“I want my Uncle Oz.”
He sounded so afraid. River gave him a reassuring smile.
“And he's looking forward to you coming home!” she said kindly.
Julian struggled, pushed away her hand as she tried to help and managed to sit up, then he tugged the needle from the back of his hand and tossed it aside as fluid leaked from its hollow tip and hit the floor.
“I want to get out of here, River!”
Then weakness took over once more and he slumped forward. She caught him and he clung to her, weeping on her shoulder. River rocked him in her arms as she did her best to stop his tears.
“It's okay,” she said gently, “Shh, it's all okay now, you're going home to Uncle Oz...”
Molly had given Cain breakfast while Oswald had enjoyed his morning tea in bed and then he had got up and got dressed, and helped Molly make one of the spare rooms comfortable. Then he had received another call from Victor to say they would soon be leaving.
Then River had spoken to him and told him her assessment of Julian – and it was not good news. She said he was traumatised, he was definitely showing signs of brain damage and, she added, he knew exactly what had been done to him in Ashecliffe – he knew the damage was ongoing and would most likely cut his life short. But, she had added, she was determined that would not be the case. Oswald had told her he would see her soon, and ended the call.
“There's still hope,” Molly reminded him as she put on her jacket and checked her gun, then she shoved it in the back of her jeans and wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.
“Stop looking so sad, Oswald!” she said, “Yes, he's been through hell but he's coming home – to you! He's certainly better off now than he was in that asylum!”
Then she kissed him and drew back and picked up her phone.
“Give me her number,” she told him, “I need to call Iris.”
Moments later, as Molly called her number, Oswald stood looking about the spare room that now had fresh, comfortable bedding and even flowers in a vase on the dresser – the window was open, letting in warm spring air and the net curtain shifted as the breeze slipped through. The room was welcoming and had a great view of the ground below and the sprawling gardens. He hoped his cousin would feel comfortable in here, and then as Molly walked over to the window with her phone and waited for an answer, he watched, having no doubt Molly's idea was a good one – she knew exactly what to say.
The phone rang for a short while before it was answered.
“Hello?” said Iris.
“Oh hello there!” Molly said brightly, “Are you Iris? I'm Molly!”
“Yes, I'm Iris... I don't think I recall you...Molly?” Iris replied.
“You hired my business partner Tina Frances?”
“Yes, I've been trying to call her and she's not answering her phone.”
“Unfortunately due to bad weather she's stuck undercover on the job at Shutter Island, there's no boats coming in right now so she can't leave until next week. But she sent me all the relevant information and said I should come over to see you and explain her findings, is that okay?”
“I didn't know she had a business partner, I hired T Frances Investigations.”
Molly laughed as she tossed her hair back and the sunlight caught on it, making raven waves shimmer darkly, and Oswald smiled as he watched his wife as she carried on speaking:
“We're actually Frances and MacQueen, how typical of Tina to do that, always out for herself, that one! Anyway, shall I come over this morning? It won't take long to go through her findings with you.”
“That's fine,” Iris replied, “I'm at home all morning.”
“I'll see you about half eleven,” Molly replied.
“But your office is twenty minutes away,” Iris replied.
Molly laughed again.
“I have a stack of paperwork to handle before I can get out to you. Tina leaves all the boring stuff to me when she's on a case. I'll see you soon.”
As she hung up, she smiled at Oswald.
“That went very well. And I should leave as soon as Victor returns with Julian. It's quite a long drive.”
Just then a car pulled up in the driveway and they both went to the window as Molly pulled the curtain aside, she saw Victor's car had parked and Julian was in the back and moments later, River's car followed behind.
“He's home,” she said softly, giving Oswald a tight hug as she wished she could banish the sadness from his eyes, because it had just returned quickly on seeing Victor open up the car door and lift Julian from the back seat wrapped in a blanket.
“You should go downstairs and tell April to keep an eye on Cain,” she said, “Let Victor and River get Julian comfortable. I'm off now, I'll see you later on.”
“Be careful,” Oswald warned her, “If she's next on their list, they won't wait.”
“You worry too much, my love,” she assured him, then she kissed him again and left the room and hurried down the stairs.
Oswald leaned hard on his cane as he headed for the hallway, his leg was still aching and today the brace had not been enough. He was still worried, too - not just for Julian but for his wife, even though she had Victor to back her up – she could be heading straight into danger, and while that didn't stop Molly, it didn't stop him worrying about her, his wife and the mother of his son. Having a family had made him so much more aware of danger and brought up a rising urge to protect them all, from every danger this city had lurking in its shadows... But he could never protect a woman like Molly. She didn't need protecting. He guessed that was just what love had done to him, changed his heart in so many ways. Then he waited at the top of the stairway as Victor carried Julian up and River followed.
Molly waited in the car, taking the front passenger seat. After a short while Victor left the house and got in the car and started up the engine.
“It's going to be a long drive,” Molly said as they headed towards the open gates towards the road.
“And I'm tired,” Victor complained, “I was up half the night guarding River and Julian... I checked the news this morning. They found a few bodies at Arkham after the fire was put out. But it doesn't account for all of the missing and it concerns me they haven't put out any names yet... It makes me think someone notorious might be missing, either dead or escaped and they don't want a panic on their hands.”
They were nearing the main highway. Molly tensed as she recalled the dark days of the past, a time when she had feared she would lose the man she loved at the hands of a maniac.
“Do you think it's Velaska?”
“I hope not,” Victor replied as the hit the highway and he sped up, “Or we could have a lot worse on our hands than the current situation.”
Molly glanced at him.
“We can handle it.”
“Sure, it's just another day in sunny Gotham city,” Victor said, “Maybe it's been peaceful for too long. Nothing good ever lasts for long in this town.”
The traffic was good and they were already heading out of the city.
“You sound like you need a vacation,” Molly replied.
“No, I just need breakfast,” Victor told her, “We can stop off on the way back after we pick up Iris.”
“I don't think we'll have any trouble today,” Molly replied.
“You never know,” Victor replied, “In my experience, there's always trouble waiting to be found!”
Back at the mansion, Oswald had made sure Cain stayed downstairs with April, and reminded his son to please be quiet and not make too much noise, because Julian was upstairs and he was unwell. April had taken Cain out into the garden, leaving the house silent. Then Oswald had gone back upstairs and as he entered the spare room, River was standing next to the bed, she had finished setting up an IV and as she checked the needle was secure, she looked intently at Julian.
“You need this to help you get your strength back. Don't rip it out again!”
Julian looked down at the needle buried in the back of his hand.
“I mean it,” River added, “After what you've been through I wouldn't want to restrain you - but don't think I won't consider it if you pull that line out. You've been in very bad shape and you need those fluids!”
“But it hurts, River!” he complained, and turned his face towards the window as he started to sulk.
“And it's not for much longer,” River reminded him, then he gave a sigh, feeling irritated by her fussing as she adjusted the warm covers up to his chest as he sat in bed, resting against soft pillows.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
He was still looking towards the window at the view of the blue sky and the garden below.
“No bars,” he said, “It's nice.”
“Julian, are you hungry?” River repeated.
“I'm starving.”
“I'll go and find something in the kitchen for you. I think we should start off with soup and build it up slowly, I don't think they fed you very well in that place.”
“They didn't,” he replied quietly.
River left his bedside, saw Oswald standing outside the open door and left the room to join him, closing the door behind her as she lowered her voice and spoke to her father.
“I've started him on medication for anxiety and depression – it should help with the effects of the trauma, too. He's also mildly sedated. It's certainly calmed him down.”
“Will he regain his strength soon?” Oswald asked.
“As I said, he will get over the surgery, Dad. But the rest – I just don't know. They've damaged him. I think he will improve but it won't last long. But I have time to look into all the options. I know about certain medications that can help to heal tissues, I don't know if it will work the same with brain tissue but that's something I can discuss with Strange at a later time. Julian needs a lot of rest, and a lot of care. I'll be here most of the time, I open the practise three days a week the rest of the time I'm on call for emergencies. So unless there's unexpected trouble in the underworld, for the next few days, I can be here to look after him. Do you want to go and sit with him for a while?”
Oswald nodded.
“I think that would be a very good idea,” River told him, and she opened the door again.
“Your Uncle Oz is here to see you.”
Julian had been looking towards the window, but on hearing her say that, he turned his head, then he saw Oswald and all trace of sadness left him as he smiled and a hint of a sparkle came to his eyes.
“Uncle Oz!” he said, “I knew it was you when I heard the guns, I knew you'd come to get me out of there!”
Oswald sat down on the edge of his bed and turned to his cousin and smiled.
“I would have come for you sooner if I had known,” he said, “You can be sure of that.”
Then he gave him a hug, and Julian became tearful again as Oswald spoke to him softly. River left them to talk and went downstairs. Now they were alone, as Julian rested against the pillows and Oswald spoke to him, he was suddenly much calmer.
“I feel safe with you,” he said, “Uncle Oz... the Penguin king of Gotham. No one can touch me now.”
“That is certainly true,” Oswald agreed as he smiled warmly, “And I can understand how you feel, I know what it's like...” his smile faded as old memories came back too clearly, sharp nightmare images along with a recollection of the pain he had been through. He took in a sharp breath, feeling shocked at how vividly this situation had woken long buried memories, “I was tortured in an asylum, Julian. It happened in Arkham, many years ago...”
And he began to explain, recalling the time when he had been put through painful mind altering experiments in an attempt to turn him away from criminal activity. And outside the door, as River paused with a bowl of soup on a tray, she heard her father speaking, and what she heard him say was a terrible shock:
Her Dad had been tortured in Arkham by Hugo Strange?
The car slowed to a halt and Victor shut off the engine, parking the vehicle a short distance away from a house across the street. Molly looked over at the house and then glanced at Victor.
“Wait here, I need to talk to her and explain everything - and this could take a while.”
“Okay,” Victor said.
As Molly got out of the car and closed the door, Victor rested against the seat, watching as she crossed the road, then, as he reflected on the fact that he had grabbed only four hours sleep the night before, he gave a sigh and closed his eyes. The street was clear, it was a peaceful day and all he wanted was take a nap before the drive back as he reasoned, what was the worst that could happen if he grabbed a few minutes sleep? There didn't seem to be a hint of danger in this quiet street... Moments later, Victor was sleeping.
Molly knocked on the door and waited. It was answered quickly by a young woman dressed casually in a dark vest and a denim skirt. Her fair hair was tied back and soft tendrils fell around her face. There was a look of caution in her eyes, until Molly smiled.
“Hello!” she said, “You must be Iris! Can I come in?”
She smiled back at her.
“Nice to meet you, Molly,” she said, and opened up the door and invited her inside.
Molly was led down the hallway of her modest home and into a kitchen, where she invited her to sit at the table, then she offered her coffee and Molly declined, saying business had to come first. Now she was sitting with her, she had her full attention and Molly began to speak, ever aware of the fact that she was handling a very difficult situation. First impressions told her Iris had a look about her of one who had been through much in life, struggle, loss, and of course, that attack by Julian must have had an impact, too. But she seemed strong enough to have the situation explained plainly, because she could see it in her eyes. There was nothing weak about Iris, life had certainly put her through a lot, but she had come back from it all.
“You hired Frances to check out Ashecliffe because you'd heard rumours about the place and you wasn't sure if it was safe to go there?” Molly asked.
“Yes, there's been all kinds of stories – mainly online, rumours about dangerous patients, and possible trialling of experimental drugs. It just didn't seem like the kind of place I'd want to go alone unless I was sure their security was tight.”
“And you wanted to go there to confront Julian Lambrick, the man who tried to rape you?”
Iris nodded.
“A lot of bad things happened on the night of the attack – not related to him. But I just wanted to know why he did it, why me, and when I found out he was in an asylum I guess I needed to know for sure that he was as crazy as he seemed – I mean, he had to be crazy to attack me in the first place. I think what I most wanted to find out was if he would ever be released. I really don't think that should ever happen, I'm sure I won't change my mind when I meet him.”
Molly paused for thought. Of course Iris hated him, and clearly, Frances had told her nothing of her discoveries on Shutter Island...
“Iris,” Molly said, “Have you ever heard of the Tetch virus?”
She paused for thought, then her eyes clouded with confusion.
“Isn't that something that broke out in a city somewhere a long time ago? I think I read an article on it... Some kind of contagion that made people do terrible things. What does that have to do with me?”
Molly looked at her intently.
“A sample was stolen from a research laboratory and it ended up on Shutter Island. Work on the virus to mutate it has been funded by a very powerful source and it was tested out a few years back. The test subject turned violent , it seems the antidote wasn't effective. The patient was put back into Ashecliffe and then subjected to several years of experiments, and is now cured with an effective antidote – and will most likely die as a result of it. Their new antidote needs more work, it's too strong, it wrecks brain tissue. And Frances discovered all this while she was on Shutter Island. That's why she's dead now.”
Iris stared at her in horror as her face paled.
“Oh my god, she's dead? Are you sure?”
Molly leaned on the table and looked into her eyes.
“Okay, you've understood everything so far. Now I'm going to spell out the facts: Frances uncovered the truth about the experiments and contacted my husband, his name is Oswald, he's a very powerful underworld boss in Gotham City. The reason she contacted him is because the patient who underwent the experiments is his cousin. He broke him out of there yesterday. Frances was shot because they would rather kill her than have the experiments exposed. The person behind this plan, to hit the world with Tetch two and then sell the vaccine and make billions is a fucking lunatic. This is very big and very dangerous. And you've been calling a dead woman's phone and they have her phone. They don't know how much you know and they'd rather kill you than wait to find out. My husband can provide you with protection in Gotham city until this over.”
Iris stared at her in shock.
“But all I did was hire a private eye to check out safety for visitors on the island!”
“And she found out much more. Obviously, I'm not her business partner either. I'm married to the man known as Penguin, he's head of Gotham underworld and you will be very safe under his protection.”
Iris looked about her kitchen, thought of how these walls had always felt safe – this was her home, the place where her brother had lived out his last days...
“I can't just leave.”
“So you'd rather sit here and wait it out? You may as well hang a target on your back and wait for the hit, Iris!”
“I could go to the police!”
“And they will not listen to you without proof.”
Iris stood up as the chair scraped back loudly and she glared at Molly.
“And where's your proof? You seriously expect me to leave my home and trust you, I don't even know you! And your husband's a criminal?”
Now Molly stood up too, and she slammed her hands on the table as she leaned in, glaring back at Iris.
“My husband is not a criminal!” she said angrily, “He fought in the Gotham war, he took up arms to protect his city! You have no idea what a troubled place Gotham was until he took over the underworld! He keeps his focus on trade and making businesses work, he's a builder not a fucking destroyer! In the eyes of every man and woman who fought for liberty in Gotham, Penguin is a hero! Don't talk about things you don't understand. That city has a very complicated history and what people think of Penguin depends whose side they were on in the old days! You're not from Gotham. You haven't lived through any of its past or had someone you love experience those times! It was hard on everyone, don't judge him until you've heard what it was like from both sides, because both suffered!”
“I'm sorry,” Iris said, speaking with no anger as she considered all Molly had said, “You're right, I don't know much about your city. I've heard it's got a long history of war and violence... it's separated from the mainland by bridges, I know it's a vast industrial city, very grey and cold, it's on the river...”
Molly's temper had simmered down. She gave a her a brief smile.
“It's got some beautiful parts too. And it doesn't always rain,” then Molly stood up straight and flipped her hair off her shoulder, “You need to sit down, Iris. There's something else you need to know.”
Iris sat back down, looking up at Molly as she wondered what else she could possibly need to tell her. She knew her life was in danger, what could be worse than that?
“What is it?” she asked.
Molly paused, hoping her angry moment defending her husband had not put this plan in danger of falling apart. How she reacted to what she said next would be very significant indeed.
“You don't have to stay at the house with us,” she said, “But it's a mansion, it's guarded, it's safe. A lot more secure than putting you out in the city in a hotel or a random safe house. But that's the other option if you feel you can't stay with us.”
Molly paused, looking intently at Iris.
“The reason you have this choice is because there are some facts you don't yet know. Please hear me out and let me explain. The man behind the plan with the Tetch two virus is billionaire businessman Shepard Lambrick. Oswald's cousin is his son Julian, and Julian is the patient who has been damaged by the experiments on Shutter Island. The reason he attacked you was because he was infected with the Tech virus. He had no control over his own actions. He's not infected any more.”
Iris looked at her in horror.
“Julian?”
Molly stayed calm. This was a lot for Iris to accept, and she knew it wouldn't be easy.
“Yes, the man who tried to rape you was infected with the mutated Tech virus and that was the reason why it happened. He's currently staying at the house with us.”
Iris stared at her as her jaw dropped, then she sucked in a shocked breath.
“You're expecting me to stay under the same roof as that bastard?”
Emotion rarely got the better of Molly, but this time, it wasn't anger that burned in her eyes as she felt a sharp jolt on hearing her words.
“I just told you, it was the Tetch virus! If he had never been exposed to it, he never would have done that to you in the first place! He's under my roof with Oswald's daughter and her adopted daughter – and our five year old son! I fully understand what happened and I have no problem with Julian being in the house! That poor soul has been through so much he doesn't have long to live! They experimented on him, he's had multiple surgeries, he's got brain damage! He can't even get out of bed. Oswald's daughter is a doctor and she has to feed him and change him like a baby because of what's been done to him! I know Julian won't hurt you. I'm more concerned you might hurt him!”
Iris looked at her in utter shock.
“You think I'd harm him? I didn't know any of this, I didn't know about the Tech virus!”
“But you do now,” Molly replied, “And I don't blame you for hating the man who attacked you. But you should be holding that virus responsible. Ask yourself, if you got infected, what would you become? Iris the axe murderer? Maybe you'd just go into town and start stabbing random people. Or maybe you'd buy some gasoline and torch your neighbours houses. What's the matter, why the shocked expression? Is that not you, Iris? Of course you can't imagine doing those things, but that virus turns ordinary people into monsters! And he's not a monster any more.”
Iris drew in a shaky breath as she thought about all Molly had said.
“He was like an animal. I had to stab him to get him off me... that was the virus, making him like that?”
“Yes,” Molly replied, “And you need to remember those facts. Because you wanted to know why, and now you do know, while it's easier to hate someone I'm sure you'll agree it takes so much more to forgive. And think you're strong enough to do that. But after what you said about stabbing him, I will never allow you to go anywhere near him again. If you stay with us you'll have to stay on the other side of the house. Victor can guard you.”
“I stabbed him to stop him!”
“And maybe you wanted to stab him again, how do I know what you're thinking after what you went through? I need to protect you both! Now pack a bag, you've got five minutes. We can't wait around any longer.”
“I didn't say I was leaving!” Iris stood up again, fight and fire burning in her eyes, “This is my home!”
“And it won't be for much longer when they send someone to kill you!”
“I can't just leave -”
The window shattered with a boom as glass shards rained in. As the first of several bullets peppered the wall, Molly grabbed Iris and pulled her to the ground, whipping out her gun and placing a hand on her back as Iris tried to move.
“GET DOWN AND STAY DOWN!” Molly yelled, pushing Iris towards the wall and then grabbing the door and pulling it up against her as more bullets rained through the window, shattering china and punching holes in kitchen cupboards.
She raised her gun, seeing two masked men advancing from the back with machine guns, heading for the shattered window.
“Oh, this is fucking great!” she muttered angrily as she navigated over broken glass on her knees as shards bit through the denim and spots of blood appeared, “This all we need... and where the hell are you, Victor?”
More shots rang out and she returned fire, hitting one assailant in the belly and then ducking down again as more shots rained in through the window.
Molly stayed low, waiting for a chance to return fire. The kitchen looked like a war zone, and she was almost out of ammo...