Read Online Enemies & Allies by Kevin J. Anderson - Free Book Online
Authors: Kevin J. Anderson
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listening, Thomas had told his wife, “I don’t like using money from such people, Martha, but I suppose it’s better for their souls than simply lighting a candle in church.”
As a skilled surgeon, Bruce’s father had an acute awareness of how capricious death could be. He had loved his son and his wife ferociously, and he had made certain his family was well cared for. He’d left very detailed instructions in his will, and his ironclad testaments and codicils had directed Wayne Enterprises for years.
The original handpicked board of directors had been close friends of his father, men who owed their lives to Thomas Wayne in one way or another. Newly orphaned and alone, young Bruce had gone off to boarding school for years, and those directors had carefully and honorably watched the company.
But Bruce had been gone for a long time, wrestling with his own demons, learning how to become more than just a man, building his skills, his mind, and his body—paying little attention to his fortune. More than twenty years had passed. Directors, and whole departments, had changed dramatically. These men now were two or three times removed from the ones Thomas Wayne had hired. The directors thought more about profit than about the great dreams of a skilled surgeon gunned down in an alley long before his time.
Several years ago, Bruce had returned to Wayne Manor to dust off the cobwebs, pull the sheets from the furniture, and turn the long-empty house into a glorious mansion once again. But he’d still needed time to prepare himself for his real work—to develop his armor, his weapons, his entire plan.
Obsession was not enough. With Wayne Enterprises, he had resources as well. Although he spent his nights protecting the innocents of Gotham City, becoming a caped and masked avenger—like Zorro in that last wonderful movie, at a time when Bruce had been so young and innocent—he also had to protect his parents’ legacy.
While the board members assumed they had the time and freedom to run the company as they wished, Bruce was watching them. Always watching. This was the only thing he could do for his parents now. Wayne Enterprises was his, and the directors would be reminded of that—when the time was right.
The oldest of the directors, a thin, quiet, and extremely intelligent man named Richard Drayling, sat silent during the meeting. Come to think of it, the man had said nothing the previous Tuesday either. Bruce pretended to ignore him but quickly picked up on Drayling’s mood of simmering anger and discomfort. He occasionally cast a sharp glance at Bruce, his disappointment palpable. A great battle seemed to be going on in his conscience.
Although Drayling, the director of materials science, had worked with Thomas Wayne and respected him greatly, it was abundantly clear that he did not approve of Bruce’s aloof playboy behavior. It was also clear that Drayling had no great love for the other board members.
Bruce interrupted a droning report from the director of chemistry applications. “Mr. Drayling, I sense that you have something to say.”
Drayling sat up stiffly, looked at Bruce, swept his gaze slowly over his fellow directors, and sighed. “Very perceptive, Mr. Wayne. Yes, I do.” He reached inside his suit jacket, paused for just a moment with eyes closed, as if gathering his strength, then withdrew an envelope. He set it on the table in front of him.
“This is my letter of resignation from the board of directors of Wayne Enterprises.” He stood as if carrying a great weight on his shoulders. “This is no longer a company I can believe in. It is better if I’m not a part of it, and it’s time for me to retire.”
Bruce was surprised by the brash move. Despite his careful study of the actions of the board members, he had not expected Drayling to leave. Something else was at the root of it. “No further explanations?”
“Not at this time. As you’ll note in the letter, my resignation is effective
As a skilled surgeon, Bruce’s father had an acute awareness of how capricious death could be. He had loved his son and his wife ferociously, and he had made certain his family was well cared for. He’d left very detailed instructions in his will, and his ironclad testaments and codicils had directed Wayne Enterprises for years.
The original handpicked board of directors had been close friends of his father, men who owed their lives to Thomas Wayne in one way or another. Newly orphaned and alone, young Bruce had gone off to boarding school for years, and those directors had carefully and honorably watched the company.
But Bruce had been gone for a long time, wrestling with his own demons, learning how to become more than just a man, building his skills, his mind, and his body—paying little attention to his fortune. More than twenty years had passed. Directors, and whole departments, had changed dramatically. These men now were two or three times removed from the ones Thomas Wayne had hired. The directors thought more about profit than about the great dreams of a skilled surgeon gunned down in an alley long before his time.
Several years ago, Bruce had returned to Wayne Manor to dust off the cobwebs, pull the sheets from the furniture, and turn the long-empty house into a glorious mansion once again. But he’d still needed time to prepare himself for his real work—to develop his armor, his weapons, his entire plan.
Obsession was not enough. With Wayne Enterprises, he had resources as well. Although he spent his nights protecting the innocents of Gotham City, becoming a caped and masked avenger—like Zorro in that last wonderful movie, at a time when Bruce had been so young and innocent—he also had to protect his parents’ legacy.
While the board members assumed they had the time and freedom to run the company as they wished, Bruce was watching them. Always watching. This was the only thing he could do for his parents now. Wayne Enterprises was his, and the directors would be reminded of that—when the time was right.
The oldest of the directors, a thin, quiet, and extremely intelligent man named Richard Drayling, sat silent during the meeting. Come to think of it, the man had said nothing the previous Tuesday either. Bruce pretended to ignore him but quickly picked up on Drayling’s mood of simmering anger and discomfort. He occasionally cast a sharp glance at Bruce, his disappointment palpable. A great battle seemed to be going on in his conscience.
Although Drayling, the director of materials science, had worked with Thomas Wayne and respected him greatly, it was abundantly clear that he did not approve of Bruce’s aloof playboy behavior. It was also clear that Drayling had no great love for the other board members.
Bruce interrupted a droning report from the director of chemistry applications. “Mr. Drayling, I sense that you have something to say.”
Drayling sat up stiffly, looked at Bruce, swept his gaze slowly over his fellow directors, and sighed. “Very perceptive, Mr. Wayne. Yes, I do.” He reached inside his suit jacket, paused for just a moment with eyes closed, as if gathering his strength, then withdrew an envelope. He set it on the table in front of him.
“This is my letter of resignation from the board of directors of Wayne Enterprises.” He stood as if carrying a great weight on his shoulders. “This is no longer a company I can believe in. It is better if I’m not a part of it, and it’s time for me to retire.”
Bruce was surprised by the brash move. Despite his careful study of the actions of the board members, he had not expected Drayling to leave. Something else was at the root of it. “No further explanations?”
“Not at this time. As you’ll note in the letter, my resignation is effective
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