Chapter Text
The story breaks across Gotham, and then the world, like an easy lit box of matches. Journalists and news channels descend into the dark city, looking for any new scoop into what will probably be known as the crime of the century. The suspect responsible, the perpetrator, is being hunted down by in fact not the police or FBI or the like, but by grateful citizens, wanting to give their genuine thanks. There are only rumors to follow after, no concrete leads or clues of any kind. The criminal was good, very good- the job done seamlessly. Even the Justice League, pictured on front covers as clueless and mystified, has no clue what really went down.
The only headlines that mattered, though?
“Joker confirmed dead at the hands of mysterious ‘Red Hood’”
At a press conference headed by the mayor of Gotham and Police Commissioner, the noise was incomprehensible, people shouting questions beyond anyone’s ability to understand. Journalists, reporters, and camera crews were jam packed into the room, each one clambering for answers and details. The Mayor and Commissioner shared a familiar look; in a city like Gotham, press conferences were often for reasons that they would rather mourn than explain to the sharklike media, but this time they were more than happy to give out what little information they knew. The crowd was hushed by a motion from Gordon, who stood up to address them, fighting back a smile as he corroborated the news that had shaken the city,
“Yes, the Joker is dead. He was found murdered in his own...bathroom, and has been confirmed non-living for at least 26 hours. There are no leads being pursued as of right now, because the city needs to put importance on making sure that the citizens are safe in the power vacuum that has been left by his death. However, there are reports of a figure in a red cloak-like covering, known by very few as the “Red Hood”, no association with the actual Joker, who was seen on cameras in the area.”
He pointed to footage that was playing on the screen next to them,
“Here, we see this ‘Red Hood’ enter the building with a single gun, then reports of a gunshot before we see him exit again, this time waving, presumably to this very camera. The suspect is marked as armed and dangerous, but there is uhh, no warrant out for his arrest as of right now. We do suggest citizens of Gotham not to actively approach this man, should he be found.”
Gordon hated that he needed to add that last warning, but citizens of Gotham were nothing if not brave, and no matter what the “Red Hood” had done for the city, his intentions were unclear, and as such, could not be trusted with the people’s safety.
“We assure you that the proper care will be taken when handling this case and we will be updating you as we learn more. But for now, as always, take care Gotham. May we all rest a little easier tonight.”
And that was the end of that. The conference delved back into chaos as the Mayor stepped up to answer the barrage of questions, but Gordon stepped away behind the stage. His hands shook a little, as he gripped the railing down the stairs. He wasn’t sure if it was relief or stress that was causing the tremors. Since he’d been a beat cop, the threat of Joker had loomed over all of Gotham’s heads. His own family had been affected; Barbara could never live another day without the stark reminder of the clown. But now, there was nothing to look over his shoulder for. The danger had passed, the threat eliminated, and with time, the trauma would pass as well.
Lost in his thoughts, Jim nearly bumped into Batman, who was apparently waiting for him, scaring the lights out of Gordon.
“Was this you?” they both asked simultaneously, and then were taken aback.
Gordon shook his head, chuckling, “If any of the men had done this, they sure wouldn’t be hiding it. I think the people are about ready to give whoever this was a key to the city.”
Batman hummed, and then explained his side, “It wasn’t any vigilante either, no one in the community, or our associates, is taking the cred- blame for this. So far, we haven’t found any leads either.”
“Could it really be an outsider?” Gordon asked, “Coming in to do this one hit, and then disappearing?”
“I don’t know, Commissioner, but whoever it was must have been a trained killer, with his underhanded views on justice.” Batman seemed to have no more to say on the subject, and disappeared as Gordon turned away for a second. The man sighed, used to the random vanishing, but looked out the window with a queer look on his face.
He was not surprised that Batman seemed intent on finding the man who’d done the deed, or that he felt so strongly about the action. Bru-Batman had always had a black and white view on morality, and while that meant he was strong and assertive in his war on evil, a city like Gotham was awash in greys.
“Don’t know who you are, don’t really care, but damn if you didn’t leave me with a lot of paperwork.”
--
In a rumbling Greyhound headed down the highway and out of Gotham, Jason Todd- now Tom Fredericks -put his headphones in to finish the next chapter of his audiobook before he took a nap. He had no idea where his destination was yet, but he was ready to take the long way there, grinning as he leaned against the window and let the sun warm his face. Jason had done what he needed to do, and now he was free to live his life, unburdened by the ghosts of his past.