[Coda]

So be it.

In the interests of avoiding spoilers, I put a spoiler in the spoiler so you can avoid spoiling the end when you unspoiler the story. Yo dawg.

"My daughter is DEAD." The police commissioner was red in the face as he bellowed the words at me as rain fell in sheets against his office window. "YOU were the one who was supposed to stop that... that MADMAN. You talk about protecting this city? Then explain to me why I'm going home tonight to an EMPTY HOUSE?"

The mayor was standing on my other side, the two of them flanking me as if to keep me from getting away. He pursed his lips, shifting his weight and refolding his arms, a dark scowl on his face. He's inserted himself into this meeting as a show of authority. He hasn't said much so far, but we have a history -- I know he doesn't like me. The feeling is mutual. "Yes, please, explain it to him. Explain why you disobeyed my DIRECT order. I'd like to hear what sort of justification you have. I want to know why you think that you can get away with your brand of vigilante justice and yet you can't -- no, you WON'T do what it takes to keep this from happening!"

I narrowed my eyes, remaining silent. I'm not going to let him get under my skin. The commissioner and I don't always see eye to eye, but I respect him, and I value his opinions. I really DO feel bad about his daughter. But the mayor? He's a corrupt crook with the backing of the mob, and he only won because his opponent did something embarrassing.

"WELL? Are you going to SAY anything?" The mayor just officially blew his cool.

I spoke up for the first time to say, "Not to you."

"WHAT?! I'll have you thrown out of this city! What makes you think you can act like this to me?"

"Because..." I paused for dramatic effect, letting the thunder crash. "I'm Batman."