"So you're not even pretending anymore?" Roland's mouth twitched.
"Mm-hmm." Batman gave an unconcerned grunt.
"Tch, that's everything. Go after that reporter." Roland looked at the fruit basket in his hands. "Bought this thing for nothing."
"I have a favor to ask," Batman said. "Help me out."
"What is it?"
"Tim's out of school. Go pick him up," Batman said. "Alfred and Dick both have other things to do—"
"Sure." Roland agreed without hesitation.
"One more thing: take a car from the Batcave," Batman instructed. "Don't drive that van of yours. I'm worried people will think you're there to kidnap him."
"You rich folks sure are fussy. Fine." Roland picked out an ordinary Bugatti Veyron from the Batcave and drove to Tim's school.
"Little Tim, your daddy couldn't make it, so he sent me to pick you up today." Roland rolled down the window and addressed Tim, who was waiting outside the school gates.
"Roland?" Tim opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat. "What's Bruce busy with this time?"
"Just some minor villain with Mind Control." Roland drove through Gotham at eighty miles an hour. "Nothing to worry about."
"Oh." Tim nodded.
"Once I drop you off, do your homework on your own. Got it?"
"—Are you still treating me like a kid?"
They soon returned to Wayne Manor. As soon as Tim arrived, he turned on the computer and connected to the other Bat Family members' communicators.
"Is that Tim? Did you get home safely?" Batman's voice came through the speakers.
"—What do you take me for?" Roland snapped.
"Don't take it personally." Batman chuckled.
"Tch—" Roland sat on the sofa with his legs crossed. His ears suddenly twitched. "Bruce, you haven't been withholding people's wages, have you?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Why are