Returning to Roots [Harvey]

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

This had been on going for some time now. It was literally becoming a game of cat and mouse. Did his prey know what he was on to him? Was he hiding and leaving a trail for him to follow?

Was this all just a mind game that was created by Nightwing himself? Is he seeing things that aren't there? No. That couldn't be it. None of this could be right. He had the evidence. There were signs, small ones that he could take note of.

The undercover work had paid off here and there. He couldn't expect much from the scum of the streets. The man was hiding well enough.

And now Nightwing was waiting outside of the police station. There was one cop he might be able to get to talk. To find out if the police knew anything of the man's alias.

There was no way others new of Zucco besides those closest to him and the Bat.

Nightwing stayed on the rooftop. The one person he was waiting for was detective Harvey Bullock.

He just wanted to try and get some information if he could. And if it went waiting on a rooftop for a detective that might not be fond of his secretiveness of the case, it would be worth any information he could from the police.

[Deleted]

And like clockwork, Harvey came out upon the roof.  He tended to head out there each night when he was at work.  He came out belting, and quite well, "Brindinsi" from the opera La Traviata by Verdi.  He tended to do this when he was alone, and at the moment he thought he was alone. 

One of these days, he'd hoped, he'd meet a woman that would sing back Violetta's part to him.  He got his cigarette case out and pulled one out as he continued, he was walking toward the ledge to look over the city as he enjoyed his cigarette.  He held off on lighting it while he entertained himself with the song.  He was nearly through all of the male, Alfredo's, part of the song when he happened to turn to his left.  He saw Nightwing and stopped mid-note.  He had been startled just a slight, but enough to make him mad.  He lit his cigarette and you'd think the smoke would come out his ears he looked so irritated.  After a good drag he held the cigarette between his index and middle finger in his left hand and pointed over at Nightwing.

"What is it with you people and sneaking up like that?  How long you been there?"

Harvey would not admit embarrassment.  He usually sang his operas to himself in the shower or when he thought he was alone.  The rest of the time, like at work, he just whistled and hummed them as he pleased.  It was just his little secret hobby and he didn't like the idea of one of the bat-kids knowing his secret.  They probably knew more about him than he cared for.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing had jumped down from the small entrance of the roof onto level with Detective Bullock. Stealth kept his approach silent.

It was rather amusing to the the Detective walking onto the rooftop, singing at the told of his longs. He'd probably bring that up with Robin if the subject of Bullock came up. It wasn't everyday you caught the Detective having a moment to just burst out in song.

When Bullock finally realized there was someone else present on the roof, there was no mistaking his annoyance at the unannounced visitor. Nightwing kept a laugh to himself over the matter.

Though at comment from Bullock, Nightwing shifted a slight smirk over the questioning.

"It's what we do. And long enough to know that you like opera. La Traviata a favorite of yours," Nightwing asked. Maybe a bit of poking the bear while he had the chance.

At that he'd let the Detective respond back before confronting him on the reason as to why he was there.

[Deleted]

Harvey moseyed his way over toward the young man, smoking the cigarette. He sighed, the smoke billowing from his nostrils. Sometimes he was more a cartoon than a man. He looked a bit like a bull in a cartoon blowing smoke out of his nose before he charged.

The Detective was a smart man, believe it or not. He had run into the current Robin a few days ago and noted his youth. He could always tell Nightwing was the first Robin. When you see someone on a regular basis, and in a way, you watch him grow up, then you have a knack for spotting it. The kid's jaw was the give away for Harvey. Also, his voice. Yes, it had changed as he grew, but Harvey could still hear that little boy in his voice.

"Actually, if you must know, my favorite opera is The Magic Flute by Mozart.  And my favorite aria is the Queen of the Night's aria.  It takes quite a lady to pull that one off."

Harvey could just hear it in his head for a moment.  He sighed with affection at the thought of it.  The Gotham Grand Opera had that coming up this season, and Harvey was always very happy that he was a member.  He spent a pretty penny every year on his season seats, but they were worth it.  He had a pair of the very best seats in the whole house.  He's even had some rich folks offer him twice the amount the seats cost for his seats.  He always told them to buzz off.  It was one of the few indulgences he partook in that he cared for greatly.

"I'm sure you're not sulking around up here to talk opera.  What's up?  You want me to call Gordon up here?"

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing gave more of a slight smile at this point than the smirk. The conversation had settled to something less than a bull fight that might have taken place.

It wasn't hard to tick off Harvey Bullock. Though sometimes it seemed more so at times. Depends which way you tried.

And Nightwing wasn't there to provoke a fight. Or to upset any one. He was only there for very on important bit of information.

This wasn't something he'd normally do, but he was sure there was more information that what was being put into the computer systems of the police.

He could go to Barbara on a matter like this as well, but he didn't want to drag anyone else into this. Batman had picked up on it, but that was Bruce. He could easily read those around him.

"There's no need for the Commissioner," Nightwing replied.

This was a way for him to get information without his information being given out that he had been there. Bullock wasn't a blabber mouth. Not that the Commissioner was either. But he needed to buy himself some time before word got back to Batman or crooks on the street.

"You remember a slob going by the name of Billy Marin or Simon Dirks coming up lately," Nightwing asked.

[Deleted]

Harvey was a little surprised the kid didn't want Gordon, but then again, he wasn't that surprised.  Every now and then Bats and a few of his kiddos came directly to Harvey about stuff.  He can't count the times they've saved his ass in a bad situation.  He owed them at least a few favors.  If one of Bats' agents came to Harvey about something he always got the impression they wanted to remain under Bats' and Gordon's radars.  He figured it must have been tough to be one of Bats' kiddos.  He always gave Harvey the feeling that he demanded a hell of a lot from those kids.

"Sounds familiar.  I know I have a case on my desk with the name Billy Martin in it somewhere.  I have a case, right now, two Gastrati boys got shot by a lady who was dressed like she was in mourning.  She wore Chanel No. 5, but we don't have a name for her.  The Bertenellis are a little upset over it, they're weak right now and have a truce with the Gastratis.  I have another case and Billy Martin is on my list of suspects for the murder of a Falcone member.  I find it a little odd that two mob killings happened close to one another and in similar fashion."

Harvey took a long drag of his cigarette and glanced off to his side toward the eastern part of the city.  It was dark, there were plenty of lights flickering and moving throughout the city.  It always looked nice, even with knowing that somewhere out there someone was getting cornered in an alley way and robbed, or beaten, or even murdered.  Harvey had to just let the thought go for now.  If he thought like that all the time he would just stress himself more than he already did.

"I haven't been able to find him anywhere.  I got a few ears and eyes all over the city and I've told my people in the East End to really keep their ears and eyes alert for the next couple of weeks while I try to crack down on this one.  The cases may not be related, but I like to keep all possibilities on the brain when I'm at work.  Robin might have something on the lady in mourning case since I spoke with him last.  I've been a little busy this week, so I've not had a lot of time to really search thoroughly for Martin."

Harvey was going to forgo mentioning that he had been ordered to take a couple of days off this week thanks to nearly wrecking a squad car when he started to fall asleep at the wheel.  Some people worked hard, Harvey Bullock worked himself to near death more than just a few times in his life.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"Know the ranking of this Falcone member? I might be able to find more than one way to trace the leads back to the suspect," Nightwing said.

Nightwing was showing more of an interest in this case rather than the other mentioned. The main reason he asked was because he had to suspected trails in line.

There was a possible chance that someone else was using the name to cover for Zucco. Or Zucco had made a kill on his own. But that wasn't as likely unless he had his goons around. Zucco wasn't looking for attention. He was running everything as underground as he could. He was also running. Making it through Bludhaven back to Gotham and from where ever he started....this was something interesting.

"As for the lady in mourning, if she has anything to do with it...its got to be a cover. The guy I'm looking for is finding out any way he can to stay under the grid. But that doesn't mean he is finding his way around. Marin is the same alias used as Dirks," Nightwing commented.

Nightwing took a minute to think about all this. This would be an interesting plot to dig into. It is possible that Zucco would go this far to get away from the law. And get away from the bat-family. That is if it is him.

"He was involved in a murder in the past. I could list a few, but it's a rather long list if you include those working under him," he said.

[Deleted]

"My sources say he was one of the lowlings.   My theory is is he saw something he shouldn't have.  Maybe he saw your guy in disguise."

Harvey flicked some ash from his cigarette and brought it back to his lips.  He slid his hands into his coat pockets and let the cigarette just bob there while he spoke.  The wind was trying to take his hat from him for a brief moment.  He put his hand on top of it and pressed it down a little further on his head.  A shadow cast over his eyes making them look even darker than they already were.

"Look, Wings, you gotta tell me who the guy actually is.  We're both obviously interested in catching this guy, you may not do this for a living, but I do.  I can work with you on this, but you gotta be straight with me here."

Harvey took another long drag and a slower exhale than usual.  He looked off over the city again.  He put his left foot on the ledge and leaned against it just a bit and leaned forward getting abetter view of what was below.

About two blocks off there was a night club.  A decently popular one.  It was a Friday night, the sound of the loud music could be heard fairly faintly from where they were.  After about five seconds Harvey pushed off the ledge, straightening back up and he started to head for the roof access door.  He looked over to Nightwing as he was walking past.

"That club is run by some fellas, I got a plan.  Give me about an hour, and meet me back here."

Harvey passed him and under his breath he said, "I'll need a wing man."

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing was not fond of giving out this information. But there might be word circulating within the police office over the name he might disclose.

He stood there and crossed his arms as he thought about it for a moment. How was he going to word this best. He couldn't let on that it was personal, what so ever.

"The aliases possibly might link to one Tony Zucco. I've been noticing trafficing in my city returning to Gotham. But there has been more going on and I want to shut it down before my town feels more of an effect from it," Nightwing replied.

He kept it as professional as anyone else would have. And now he might be able to get some word from the Detective on these files.

Wait...did he just call him 'Wings?

"It's just a theory. I've seen a few cases go cold with his disappearance. Though there has been signs of his work again," he said.

Nighttwing stood and listened to Detective Bullock. So he knew of something going on. And it seemed to follow up tonight. That was a quick result for actually asking about the case in the first place.

The Detective was trying to tell him what to do. That was a laugh.

"Wing might be in the name. But I don't play that way," he replied. "I'll be back within the hour."

As the Detective would turn away, as soon as Nightwing had come, he had disappeared just as fast. He'd be back. He'd be there when he saw the Detective on the roof again.

[Deleted]

"Don't get your tail feathers all ruffled up," Harvey said before disappearing.  He would return in an hour looking much more geared for a night out than work.  He even put a pretty decent cologne on.  He walked out there looking for the young man.

Once he spotted him he walked up to him.

"Alright, I'm going to head into that club.  I know a few of the guys around there and some of them might just owe me a favor.  I'm going to do what I can, but I think someone there might have a decent idea if Zucco is back for sure or not."

Harvey patted himself down and then looked to Nightwing again.

"The problem is that I can't take my gun in there.  They know who I am and if I show up in there with my badge or gun they'll take it as sort of an insult.  I would appreciate it if you could be ears and eyes on the outside.  If things go down in there for whatever reason then I need to be able to get your attention somehow.  I would suggest wearing a wire, but again, they'll pat me down before I go in.  If I have something like that on me they will just turn me away."

Harvey folded his arms and scratched his neck a little bit hoping Nightwing might have a suggestion in the way of contacting him in case he needs help.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing had returned and stayed to the far side of the rooftop. Always to the shadows.

"I would flat out ask about Zucco. That would be a sure fine way to get yourself on someone's hit list. Trust me," Nightwing suggested.

Nightwing listened to the Detective as he explained the reason for not having a gun on him. That was probably a smart thing to do considering the questions he might be asking. Then again for someone like him, he needed protection.

Already figuring out what the Detective was getting at he reached into his one gauntlet.

He produced two different devices. One of which looked like a regular watch and another that was a small ear bud. Something the Bat-family used pretty consistently. They always kept a few spares.

"You're choice. The bud will give you direct conversation with me. But don't make yourself look like a crazy man. Or the watch has a sign built in to it if you look like you're setting it. Nothing will show on the watch. But I'll get notice and I can listen in on the conversations," Nightwing replied.

These were rather simple pieces of equipment for the Bat-family. Not the highest tech, but it would work for this situation.

[Deleted]

"Look, I been around a while. I think I know what I'm getting into, kid."

Harvey took the ear piece and placed it in his ear. He already wore a watch and he had a sentimental attachment to it. There was no way he was going to forgo that. He checked the ear bud and seemed satisfied with it.

"Yeah, I've worn something like this before. If I say anything is bananas then you know to come in. I never say that, but those guys don't know that."

The guy who owned the club was Harvey's contact when he gave up Jordon Rich's whereabouts to the the mob after Rich had shot and nearly killed Gordon. Harvey was never proud that he, by connection, killed the man, but he would never regret it either. The guy nearly killed one of the few people in his life that'd miss him if he were gone.

Harvey smoothed his jacket out a little and looked to Nightwing again.

"Look, it sounds a little crazy, but its worth a shot. Those guys owe me a favor or two. I'll just see if they might tell me something about "Dirk" or "Martin." If they don't, well then, at least we tried."

One thing Harvey understood well was how to charm a little. He wasn't, by choice, a very charismatic man. No, Harvey was only charismatic when his work required it of him. It would never be a truly feasible idea for Harvey to go undercover, he was a bit of a public figure to a certain degree at this point in his career. His name and picture have managed to be in the paper enough times in his life that he is occasionally recognized by complete strangers.

Even though Harvey used to be a little bad sometimes, especially in the past, at least now he's fixed that, but as a residual effect he can still rely on a few old resources.

"You ready? I'm ready."

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"Yeah, I know. No need to get defensive over it," Nightwing responded.

After all he had grown up in the view as well of the Detective and the Commissioner. Nightwing just had a bit of an advantage over them in ways since he had started his training and work young.

The many scars that go unseen by the public eyes was proof of it all.

"I haven't heard that used in a long time," Nightwing spoke of someone saying bananas to express a situation.

Ok, light joking on his part maybe.

"Who do you think I am? I was born ready," Nightwing replied as he did a back flip and landed on the ledge of the building.

He gave a slight smirk over keeping a step ahead. He was always on the move. Compared to the current Robin, Nightwing was far more acrobatic. And of course he out did Batman in that department as well.

As the Detective would be getting ready to head out, Nightwing would jump from the ledge to free fall a short time and shot off the grappling line to start off.

[Deleted]

Within minutes Harvey was walking up to the club, skipping the line. He gave the bouncer his name and without hesitation he was allowed in. A moment after he got in some goodfellas spotted him, half drunk and in a good mood one of them gave Harvey the double guns.

"HARVEY!!!  What's dis wise guy doin' here, eh?!"

Harvey smiled to them.  One of them hooked his arm over Harvey's shoulder and jabbed him in the ribs with his finger.  Members of the mob were essentially like teenage boys with guns and willing to kill someone for upsetting them.  Harvey was handed a glass of something that smelled potent.

"Well, I came by to bust all you sonna bitches but then I got here and saw all these girls... and well.."

The other men burst into laughter.  Three of them Harvey actually went to school with, so some of their ties and connections were more than work related.  Harvey tended to stay away from these guys these days, but every now and then he needed the information they knew.  He's been criticized in the past for his connections to the mob, but it was more beneficial a relationship for him than them.  He sat down on one of the couches they were on that surrounded a coffee table that was lit from the inside by an LED that seemed to slowly change from once color to the next.  The one that seemed to have the most clout out of the other men leaned back into his own seat and raised his glass a little toward Harvey.

"Harv, you're lookin' good these days.  You look like you been cuttin' down on the cannolis, eh?"


The other men laughed.  Harvey smiled and raised his glass back to Sergio Gastrati, the underboss of the Gastrati family.

"And Serg, you still look like an asshole."


The group of men laughed.  Serg took a long swig of his own drink, chuckling after and finally sighing off the rest of his laughter.  He kept a smirk on his face as he set his drink down on the table.

"So, I know you, Harv.  You usually don't come around unless you need somethin'.  We owe you more than a few favors, so what can we help you with?"

Harvey did not hesitate to lean forward on his seat a bit.  The other men were also leaned forward a little as well.

"First off, I want you to know I'm workin' hard to try to figure out who the hell shot your boys the other day."

Sergio did the sign of the cross and tilted his head with a nod toward Harvey putting his hand over his heart.

"Thank you, Harv.  I appreciate that.  Please let me know if there's anything me or my boys can do to help you with that one..."

"I'll let you know as soon as I have somethin'.  But there's somethin' I need a little help with.  Any of you fellas seen or heard of a Billy Martin or Simon Dirks poppin' around town lately?  He's been causin' some trouble."

Sergio looked at the others and then back to Harvey.

"Word is Tony Zucco's back in town and that's the name he's goin' by.  We want him dead, Harv."

Harvey smirked a little.

"Well then, I can't really kill the guy, you know that, but I can help make sure he don't bother no one anymore."

"Last we heard, he's been knockin' around the docks.  My sources tell me he's shacked up in someone's yacht out in the harbor.  He better hope you find him before we do, Detective."

Harvey took a long swig of his drink and set the glass on the table.

"Don't forget Serg, I ain't too nice either.'

Sergio's smirk became a grin and he reached over taking Harvey's face in his hands.

"Ah!  I love this guy!"

He planted a faux kiss on each of Harvey's cheeks as the others all laughed.  Harvey stuck around for about twenty more minutes before he finally left.  He headed around a corner or two, expecting Nightwing to meet up with him again soon.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing stayed to the rooftops, waiting. That was a first in a while. He was usually used to going out and undercover himself. Getting the information was a specialty of his.

It seemed all the members of the Bat-family were rather convincing actors when it came down to the cold truth of their actions and life style.

Nightwing kept an eye on the city from where he sat. This wasn't his night to be patrol Gotham with the Outsiders. But it didn't hurt to have an extra set of eyes watching out over this town.

He waited some time before he noticed someone he recognized coming out of the bar. And it was the Detective.

He was glad to be able to hear what Harvey might have been able to gather from his visit there.

Soon after Harvey had walked far enough away, out of sight of the place. Nightwing dropped down into the alley way beside the street Harvey had come down.

"So Zucco is in town," Nightwing stated.