I mean in the current timeline. Confidential & Cacophony take place in the past.

Okey, the Joker is missing, he wasn't at Arkham during B4tC, he didn't try to sabotoge the Robin War for the Cowl, we KNOW he didn't drown in that ambulance he was driving when Damien ran him off the bridge (that would be too stupid & lame a death), & the Penguin is planning to move up in Power. Joker always claimed to be #1 & I can't recall the Penguin ever trying to one-up him. So....I think he's skipped town, gone looking for Batman like Red Robin. This means that even if the real Batman doesn't return to the cowl, the Joker will still seek him out. (Paul Dini said Bruce ain't dead & I'm going with that).

Is this wishful thinking, or might I have something here?

Buh, I never did like Dick Greyson, but if Jason becomes the new totaly villanous Red Hood like others have suggested, then that should be fun.