Bab 1876: Chapter 1269: Lone Shadow Clones (Nine)_1
"When Shiller met Batman, even though it was only the two of them, the process of Gordon leading them to the morgue under Gotham Police Department was public. Many officers saw their tracks. Do you think every cop at the Gotham Police Department is incorruptible?"
Bruce was also stating a fact in the form of a question. Hal shook his head and said, "Most cities with bad public security have corrupt cops, even Seashore City, which doesn't have powerful mobs, has quite a few police officers taking bribes, just to facilitate the smugglers who use the sea route."
Jason nodded knowingly, and Harley let out a cold laugh, squinting her curved eyes and said, "Professor Shearer said 'the murderer hated the victim', which means, the killer would definitely want everyone to see the victim's gruesome state. He would definitely hope the person he brutally killed, his utterly ruined corpse, to be made public, robbed of the last shred of dignity. This would be a part of his vengeful act."
"So, he would definitely monitor the corpse's movements, he would definitely use the informants in the police station to find out how many people have seen the results of his revenge, how they speculated his cruel method of committing the crime, and how they criticized his cunning. This would satisfy his arrogance and vanity."
Bruce glanced at Harley, Diana reached out and draped her arm around the girl's waist, pressing her to the seat next to her, she stroked the girl's head and asked, "What have your parents taught you?"
"My parents died horribly a long time ago," said Harley without any concern, "Because of their stupidity and fear of me."
Diana lightly stroked Harley's back. She knew this was another dark story, but she also knew Gotham had too many dark stories. At least this girl managed to come here, and most of the people here could protect her.
"As she said, the killer would definitely know that Batman brought a stranger to see his masterpiece," Constantine said, pinching his chin, "The killer must know Batman, but obviously, he was also afraid of Batman, probably worried if Batman would expose him."
"On one hand he was afraid of punishment, but on the other hand, he wanted to know how the great detective of Gotham City would evaluate his masterpiece. To satisfy both these psychologies, he originally only had one choice, that is to find Gordon. But Shearer's arrival has given him a second choice."
Barry, too, started analyzing with a frown. Although The Flash is not a typical detective, he has actually spent more time working in the judicial system than anyone else present, especially in the forensics technical center. He has seen all kinds of murders and his grasp of a murderer's psychology was no less than anyone present.
"So, the killer would go find Shiller." Bruce concluded, "He must be curious about Shiller's identity and also wants to know from Shiller what Batman thinks of him."
"Walking into the wolf's den," Hal scoffed.
But Diana shook her head and said, "Not necessarily. Clearly, neither Shiller nor Batman regarded this killer as their biggest adversary. It's clear to see, their biggest enemy was each other."
"Batman invited Shiller to Bruce Wayne's gathering, wanting to see how Shiller gained a reasonable identity. Shiller also needed an opportunity to go from being an alien visitor to a genuine member of society, and then obtain a ticket to participate in the gathering."
"You mean Shiller would choose to cooperate with the killer?" Clark gazed at the screen and asked, "Although I don't really understand your previous deductions, it now appears that both Batman and the killer want to use Shiller, and Shiller wants to use them."
"Exactly," Bruce confirmed Clark's deduction.
As his words finished, the mansion door was opened with a "creak," and Shiller looked through the crack at the unexpected guest who had just rung the doorbell.
The man opposite was wearing a long trench coat, an old-fashioned bowler hat, and underneath was an expensive suit, the cufflinks were three very clear rubies, and half-exposed wristwatch was studded with brilliant diamonds.
"Hello, sir, I am Lincoln March. I apologize for dropping by unannounced, I know I didn't book in advance, I just came from the community service center, they didn't have a record of your telephone yellow page, so I had to come knock on your door, I hope you can forgive my impoliteness."
This man named Lincoln March took off his bowler hat, revealing well-groomed black hair. His eyes might be deep blue, but because they were against the light, they appeared darker, almost like deep brown or black.
Shiller kept one hand on the door frame and the other on the door, never giving March space to move. At this moment, March brought a box to the front and said, "I was in such a hurry that I didn't have time to arrange any decent gifts, but this letter opener from Sri Lanka, inlaid with twelve gemstones representing the twelve houses of the zodiac, I hope you like it."
After saying that, he opened the box, a small knife lying inside, a magnificent gemstone embedded in the handle, reflecting a shimmering colorful light. Shiller showed a small smile, as if it pleased him, he released one hand and moved aside to open up a path.
The brilliance of the gemstone mirrored in Shiller's pupils showed no trace of happiness reaching the depths of his eyes; in fact, even the thin layer of it floating on the surface also carried a hint of coldness and disgust.
"Shiller is not pleased." Hal discerned an obvious fact while nodding.
Clark spread his hands and said, "Facing a murderer, no one would be pleased. Especially if Shiller wants to use him, he has to talk politely, if it were me, I'd go insane."
"That isn't the point.". Bruce shook his head and said, "The issue is that the gift isn't to his liking, or you could say that the explanation is too much."
"I hate these show-offs." Diana scrunched her brows slightly and spoke with a subtly arrogant tone, "There are too many people like that, when they give gifts, it's like they're afraid their ill-conceived, vain, fairer sex wouldn't understand the implication behind their sophisticated gift."
"They want to please the opposite sex with the beauty of the gemstone while feeling that the other party is too superficial to understand him. So, he must give an explanation. Unable to control their lustful heart and unable to put down his pitiful pride, it's like a clown,"
Bruce turned his head to gaze at the stunning profile of the princess. Light traced a path from Diana's forehead, over her nose, lingering below her lips, radiating an irresistible worldly charm.
Society demands men to be mature and women to retain a sense of youthfulness, hence immature men and mature women often carry extra appeal.
Bruce forced his gaze away and said, "Mr. March reveals his impatience the moment he opens his mouth."
"He desperately tries to explain to Shiller that he had already checked the community center's phone directory, but simply couldn't find Shiller's page, hence his slightly rude door-knocking. This kind of guilty demeanor doesn't suggest he's seeking help from others, but rather comforting himself."
"The competent detectives in this world each have their unique style, but the clumsy, third-rate ones are remarkably consistent."
As Bruce continued speaking, everyone in the room turned their gaze towards him. Regardless of their relationship with Bruce, no one could deny that Batman was the smartest man in the world.
"They often do unnecessary things, offer needless explanations, not for the sake of achieving results, but for self-comfort. They feel as long as they say these words or do these things, they've already accomplished what they imagined."
"They only focus on their own actions, dismissing other people's reactions. If others don't respond as expected, they perceive it as others' stupidity, not their own mistakes."
As Bruce spoke, March, who had just entered the room, looked around and his gaze fell upon a muddy bronze sculpture. His eyes twitched and he momentarily curled his lip in distaste, before regaining his smile. He said to Shiller:
"It seems you have quite a variety of unique treasures. I'm the same. Beauty is innocent, even if not appreciated by the public. Artists will always find a collector that resonates with their souls."
"He's not really a prominent socialite." Greedy Shiller, leaning on the back of a chair, commented from the back row: "He neither understands collecting, nor does he appreciate art."
"You've figured it out again?" Clark glanced first at Bruce's expression, then at Greedy's, and sighed. He said, "One day, I'll have to start telling everyone that you two are prophets like Barry."
Diana shook her head and said, "Collectors of niche art have never prided themselves on being niche. They accept others' admiration of their aesthetic taste, but only if such admiration has substance."
"Majority of the real niche collectors don't aim to stand out by acquiring pieces that go against the mainstream aesthetics. However, that is exactly what March seems to think. He emphasizes proving his difference from common people, which is the very thing real collectors hate the most. It's too superficial," Bruce added smoothly.
"Niche art isn't cheap, sometimes it's even more expensive. When mainstream collectors try to understand niche collectors, they always have this bias, assuming they collect these bizarre oddities just to prove their uniqueness."
"In everyday life, they've encountered too many superficial understandings or even rejections of their passions. Some even dismiss them as clowns craving for attention. Thus, complimenting them for being different and unconventional completely misses the mark."
As Diana's words fell, Clark sighed deeply and said, "I want to thank my parents for being farmers. Thanks to Smallville, my humble hometown, for allowing me to become a small town boy, not entwined in these riddles like you and Bruce."
"I am truly sorry for disturbing you at such a late hour. However, Mr. Wayne and I lost track of time discussing Gotham investments at the Wayne Building. I hope you don't mind."
The moment March started speaking, the corners of Bruce's mouth twitched off-screen. Oh, repeating his past words:
"With the pretense of unintentionally revealing his investment level, he places himself on a pedestal to win trust…"
"And so, do you know him?" Clark turned to ask.
"All the scammers in the world claim to know me." Bruce turned to glance at Clark and asked, "Haven't you received scam calls? Haven't you heard scam companies claim to have multi-million-dollar business deals with Wayne Enterprises?"
Clark responded with surprise, then covered his mouth with his fingers, seemingly suppressing a smile. Diana also burst into laughter — the owner of Wayne Enterprises saying these words was indeed comically amusing.
"Please have a seat, Mr. March."
Shearer gently indicated towards the chair on the left side of the table in the lounge area. However, the very next second, March carelessly threw his coat onto the back of the chair on the right.
The moisture from the riverside stroll mingled with dust on the surface of the coat, creating a cloud that filled the air. Scattering points of light danced within Shearer's eyes as if a party was taking place.
"It's over!"
Harley and Jason exclaimed in sync.
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