10 Chapter 10: Pursuers

The two started heading back to the master bedroom once the transaction was finished using the computer in Gregor's office and Arias's encrypted account.

But as they got closer, they could hear crying, which made Gregor become wide-eyed and run for the door.

He halted when he got there, though, since he saw that Arias was pointing the gun at him. "Why the rush?" Arias asked directly, not seeming surprised by what the groaning seemed to indicate.

Gregor waited for Arias to approach him at the door before he finally opened it.

When he did, he discovered Cynthia on her knees and Dmitri sitting on the edge of the bed with an imploring expression on her face.

Dmitri continued to hold the gun firmly in one hand while holding a phone in the other to record everything.

"Dmitri!!"

Gregor was enraged and wanted to rush Dmitri, but Arias only needed to give him a backhand slap to send him flying across the room.

Cynthia paused because she was scared, but Dmitri encouraged her to keep going by tapping the gun on her head.

"What caused this?" Arias looked to Dmitri and inquired as Gregor labored to rise after taking the hard hit.

"She was worried we'd kill her so I asked her to list all the reasons she deserves to live. As for the video, I don't know, leverage I guess."

Dmitri spoke casually, but it was clear from the expression on his face that he was still upset about what had transpired.

"I suppose there's no harm in having greater leverage. Be quick though, we still have a lot to do." Arias understood Dmitri's statements to be warped logic, though from the noises he heard prior he had also thought she was being sexually assaulted rather than just crying and pleading for her life on camera.

He was more amazed Dmitri truly went to that extent, but given how much he despised the woman, it made sense as his own means of retaliation short of killing her.

Dmitri quickly grew weary of her pitiful wailing as she offered even her body if it meant to live, the entire moment being captured and recorded in high definition.

Dmitri simply gave her a repulsive glance, centered the camera on Gregor, and panned it over to him to portray the helpless man who could do nothing as his wife faced certain death. He didn't stop recording until he handed the phone to Arias.

"I made sure our faces weren't seen, we can just edit out the part where he yelled my name as well, making it leverage that can't be traced back to us even if we leaked it." Dmitri continued, which made Gregor scowl even harder.

Arias put the phone away after acknowledging that Dmitri was spot-on with his advice.

"Nice job. Now grab him, we need to leave." This was what Arias ordered, gesturing towards the frail-looking Gregor.

"He's coming with us?" Dmitri was perplexed and questioned whether they might indeed be planning to kill him.

"He's going to drive us out of here, otherwise he'll just have his goons chase after us once we leave."

Dmitri nodded and approached his father with his gun ready after realizing what Arias was thinking.

…

Meanwhile in Batman's lair, the BatCave, three four individuals could be seen standing in front of multiple large monitors.

Batman naturally took the lead, approaching the sole seat available and starting to enter some information.

Alfred, his personal Butler, stood beside him, watching him with his hands behind his back.

Behind the two stood Batgirl, who appeared to be paying close attention to what was going on, and Robin, who continued to appear bored.

"I don't see how these two could have possibly disappeared. All traces point to them returning to Gotham but then it all goes silent from there." A profile was displayed on two different monitors as Batman spoke in a grave, stone-like tone.

[ Dmitri Ivanov, 22 years old, son of Mayoral candidate and businessman, Gregor Ivanov and Maria Deschamps.

Born and raised in Russia till the age of 10 when they migrated to Gotham.

He went to Gotham Heights Middle School and High School, where he received average grades but performed exceptionally well in sports.

Has no criminal record aside from a few speeding tickets and unconfirmed fights during his school years. ]

[ Arias Vladimir Markovic, 21 years old, son of Gunther Rosenzenky and Anastasia Markovic, both deceased.

Born in Serbia before relocating to the country at the age of 6, he lost his mother at the age of 10 to a domestic homicide committed by his father, who he then went on to kill in an effort to protect her.

He was given a scholarship to attend Gotham Heights on a junior and senior level, where he thrived with high marks after being placed in the Miller Orphanage.

He was reported missing six years ago after failing to show up on March 6th at the orphanage. He was in the Ivanov residence, according to official police documents, before going missing.

Until this year, no criminal history. Currently wanted on numerous counts, including kidnapping, theft, and attempted murder]

"Your summary is there." As he displayed the condensed facts on the screen, Batman turned to face both Robin and Batgirl.

"Not exactly the profile of a deadly criminal duo if I must say." After skimming over the information, Alfred made a comment.

"Exactly, we already know one side of the story but we don't know there's. If they're wanted dead that badly then there's a good chance they have some detrimental information on Gotham's crime families."

In response to Alfred's remarks, Batman nodded and offered his opinion.

He knew not to trust the witnesses who thus far gave testimonies to the police about what occurred, after all they could've been easily bought.

It was clear that there was corruption there to some extent, but the specifics eluded him.

"So you want us to look for where they might be hiding in the entire Gotham City?" Robin asked with a pronounced frown.

"Yes, the risks are low but the importance his high depending on how much they know. If you can't even find two missing criminals then maybe you are really far from being ready." Batman stated bluntly, and Robin responded by averting his eyes and expressing displeasure.

"Oh yea? In that case we'll find them in just a day, come on Barbara." Before pulling off with a bewildered Batgirl in tow, Robin said fiercely.

Alfred questioned Batman after the two had left. "Master Bruce, was it really necessary to agitate the boy?"

"It'll act as motivation, provide them as much support as they'll need. I need to go to Washington to for the official public announcement concerning the formation of the justice league."