บท 24: Chapter 17 Batman's Kidney Crisis_1
The serious psychological counseling that Shiller had conducted with Gordon came to an end the moment Bruce opened the door.
The three exchanged startled glances, and Shiller asked, "Um, Mr. Wayne, didn't I tell you that your psychological counseling hours for this week have run out? Why didn't you call in advance to check for any other appointments?"
Bruce also felt a bit awkward, he indeed didn't expect Gordon to be there too, he just came to deliver an invitation to Shiller. Bruce understood that his identity as Batman in front of Gordon had probably been exposed, but he also knew that Gordon didn't come looking for him, didn't come to Wayne Manor looking for Bruce, which meant, in reality, Gordon didn't trust Batman.
This left Bruce somewhat disheartened, because he knew Gordon was indeed a good cop. But now this beacon of purity in the Gotham Police Department did not trust him, even showing an inexplicable hostility towards him. Bruce knew he had to do more as Batman, had to take on truly significant missions, to win respect.
Shiller suggested, "It seems God wants us to form an alliance. Since we're all here, why don't we have an open discussion?"
"We all know what happened that night. I know, we three might not fully trust each other, but that's fine, we can still unite temporarily for a common goal, for example, putting my colleague, Doctor Jonathan who created the fear gas, behind bars."
Gordon knew there was nothing left to hide. If he couldn't resolve this issue, and his superiors and the police commissioner found out that he was secretly investigating someone to hire Jonathan, then he wouldn't stand a chance of survival. Despite Shiller and Bruce, Gordon could only hope that they were at least a neutral party, if they couldn't aid him, they could at least offer some advice.
Gordon frowned and said, "The situation is definitely worse than you think. Victor... oh, the current police commissioner, was accused of trafficking high-concentration tranquilizers, but he wasn't sentenced, instead he rose through the ranks rapidly. Some people speculate that Saul is behind him, but no one has proof. I once saw my immediate boss, Rantalos, frequenting the clubs where Red Crow Gang is located. But these old school cops are too cunning and no one can pin anything on them."
Shiller sighed. He knew that Gordon was still saving some face for the Gotham Police Department. From top to bottom, almost everyone in the Gotham City Police Department was a pawn of the mob—even the kindest cops did little more than take money from the mob and let them slide.
Shiller asked, "Do you know Harvey? Harvey Brock?"
Gordon pondered for a bit, then asked, "You mean the fat guy from the logistics department who chain-smokes and drinks heavily? What about him? Do you know him?"
In some Batman comics, Harvey Brock is depicted as a sloppy, chain-smoking, alcoholic. While such a portrayal may not exactly be inaccurate, in most comic settings, he is disguised as a bad cop but is actually a good one and seemingly in league with the mob, but in reality, he covertly helps Gordon. Even in some comics, before Batman got involved, Harvey teamed up with Gordon and defeated the Joker.
Shiller said, "You know I've collaborated with the police in various cities. I heard he attended a course in Star City's Police Academy. Once, an old cop from Metropolis mentioned him to me. He said, Harvey really wants to be a good cop, but he once suffered a reprisal in return. Out of necessity, he disguises himself under a decadent exterior, even deliberately ingratiates himself with the mob, to find a protective umbrella for himself."
"So you think he can be trusted?" Gordon asked.
Bruce interjected, "You can't go it alone in the Gotham Police Department. If you don't have any allies, you won't stand a chance against your superiors and the police commissioner, let alone the mob behind them."
"I believe you can try to get in touch with Harvey, but don't lay all your cards on the table. I'm positive he's also keeping an eye on this case. If he really is trustworthy, he may provide some help behind the scenes. You two can cooperate secretly and openly, at least to trip up your superiors."
Gordon said, "I'll talk to him."
Bruce stated, "As for your police commissioner, I'll investigate him, but as, you know, my secondary identity."
From the beginning, Bruce never intended to hide his identity from Gordon, because he understood that getting help from a cop in the Gotham Police Department without revealing his identity was almost impossible.
"And as for the mob..." Shiller said, "Either Saul or the Red Crow Gang, I can pay a visit."
Both of them turned their attention to Shiller simultaneously, Gordon hesitated, "Professor, I know you have traveled across different cities, but I have to remind you, the mob in Gotham is unlike any other. They are vicious beasts who neglect all laws and morality, a group of ruthless jackals..."
"Yes. That's why I should leave now. You see, if I were to come two months later, it would be time for final exams at Gotham University, and I wouldn't have as much spare time."
Shiller glanced at Bruce, and continued, "After all, many students here would rather fool around in nightclubs while the day is still bright, than put more effort into their studies."
Bruce rubbed his nose with embarrassment, Gordon, taking a good look at him from head to toe, said, "Though I'm not much older than you, I still want to remind you, if you truly want to keep being the guy in tights, you'd better keep your private life under control. Half of all the pretty girls in Gotham City have been in your bed, don't you think there would be a few Black Widows among them?"
Bruce responded nonchalantly, "Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the reminder."
Bruce's reputation as a playboy is widely known throughout Gotham City, and it can't be denied that even at 18, Bruce was extraordinarily handsome. Even without the air of a man who has endured the vicissitudes of life, he can easily capture countless hearts with his dashing looks alone. The entertainment newspapers in Gotham City would, almost daily, publish gossip about him, and the women accompanying Bruce in the photos were never the same.
Shiller wasn't too worried about him getting assassinated by some mob moll. Instead, what he was more concerned about was Bruce's kidney; he believed that even Batman, if he continued to live like this, would eventually need kidney supplements.
Unluckily for Bruce, as soon as he returned to Wayne Manor his butler, Alfred, told him, "I took the liberty of cancelling your date for tonight, as the results from your last check-up were rather worrying..."
Bruce hesitated for a moment, recalling the strange looks that Gordon and Shiller had given him during the day. He coughed awkwardly and said, "Cancel all my dates this month."
Alfred stared before his expression slowly turned strange, he asked, "Master, you invited Miss Christine for dinner two months ago, are you sure you want to cancel her invitation as well?"
Bruce waved his hand, saying, "Of course, I don't have much time to date them anymore."
Alfred's gaze grew stranger, he hesitated before saying, "If there are any changes in your sexuality, I hope you could inform your loyal butler as soon as possible...."
Bruce held his forehead and said, "I have to go out to investigate things these next few nights...Alright then, don't cancel the date with Miss Christine. She's truly sexy and charming."
After Alfred left, Bruce noticed that his phone was ringing. It was a call from Shiller.
He answered, Shiller questioned, "Do you have a date with Christine, the captain of the Nightingale Rugby Team's Cheerleading Squad?"
Bruce was taken aback. Was Shiller psychic?
But he quickly realized he had overthought it. Shiller went on: "She bragged to her sisters about catching Little Wayne, but two days after saying that, she disappeared. Her sisters reported it to the school and Anna from the personnel department asked me to contact you...."
"I haven't dated her yet," Bruce said, "our date is scheduled two weeks from now. As you know, my...schedule, is rather full."
"So her disappearance has nothing to do with you? How strange."
"The personnel department told me that Christine knows she is beautiful and is very cautious because of it," Shiller said. "She hardly ever leaves the university, and she was about to graduate but has now disappeared."
Bruce was a bit alarmed. He asked, "Could it be related to Jonathan's case? Was Jonathan close to her?"
"No way. How could such a girl be close to Jonathan? She's a beautiful socialite while Jonathan's always holed up in his office."
Shiller went on saying, "Alright Bruce, you have a new task now. Try to find your future date as soon as possible, preferably before your scheduled date."
"But I..."
"The Nightingales are the symbol of Gotham University," Shiller continued. "The disappearance of the cheerleading squad's captain has hit them hard. The national league's playoffs start in two weeks, and if you can't find her, I'll fail your class."
"Hey professor, you can't...hello? Hello?"
Resignedly, Bruce hung up the phone. He then called the university himself and found out that Christine was very popular in the cheerleading squad. With her missing, they couldn't arrange their dance, causing dissatisfaction among the rugby team players.
With Jonathan captured, everyone at the school was trying to calm the public opinion, leaving no one free. As a result, the new professor, Shiller, had to step in.
And then Batman was drafted by Shiller as well.
Bruce began to think. A pretty girl had disappeared in Gotham, and he didn't need to think too hard about the likely outcome. But from Shiller's words, Miss Christine was very cautious and rarely left the university. She had actually disappeared within Gotham University.
It was hard not to suspect a connection with Jonathan's case.
Whether it was one sheep being herded or two being led, Bruce didn't care about Shiller's feeble threats. When had he ever cared about failing a class?
Other than the Psychology class he committed to attending for Shiller's sake, he spent other classes either bar hopping or messing around.
At that moment, Bruce remembered something Shiller had just mentioned. Had Christine told others about their upcoming date?
Could that have something to do with her disappearance?
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