"What did you just say? Say that again!" the leading black agent asked, stepping forward and looking directly into Shiller's eyes. Shiller stood where he was, unflinching and staring back at him with equal intensity.
"I said, I am the organizer and leader of the revolutionary activities in Central America. If you don't want to hear KGB gunshots, it's best to apply for witness protection on my behalf immediately."
The black agent signaled his team and all pulled out their guns. Four agents swiftly moved to the entrance, blocking the front door. The leading agent produced a recording device. Shiller glanced at it but remained silent.
Standing behind him, Merkel's eyes were nearly popping out of his head. But he reacted quickly, stepping up to say, "Please excuse me, Sir. I am afraid my employer is currently suffering from a mental disorder and needs immediate hospital treatment..."
Shiller turned slightly, casting a glance so cold at Merkel that it silenced him midway. Then he ordered, "Fetch my raincoat for me, Merkel. Thank you."
Merkel wanted to say something else, but the look on Shiller's face made him turn around, heading off to get the coat.
Batman spoke up, "You claim he is violating espionage laws, but where's the evidence? Where's the arrest warrant?"
"Shut up." Shiller looked at Batman and said, "This isn't some cops and robbers game where anyone needs to prove anything to you."
Then he glanced at Brand and added, "Brand, could you please cover my classes for a few days?"
Brand sighed and simply nodded, not saying anything. As Victor was about to speak, Shiller interrupted, "There's no need to worry about me."
In the end, Shiller called Jason over. He crouched down, patted Jason's head and said, "Go ahead, go to class."
Then he rose, looked at the agent across from him and said, "I understand you have plenty of questions, but I would rather not say anything until we meet with your superior."
Batman was observing Shiller's expression intently, noticing a near-faintness creeping into his stance. If it weren't for the support of the umbrella, he would probably not be standing on an equal footing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation agent.
The pale face and the trembling fingers imbued Shiller with a unique aura. Some individuals strive to demonstrate strength through physical means. Others seem to become even more formidable when their physical bodies weaken; their spiritual and mental strength unveiled. Shiller was such a man, emulating a hushed spire in the rain.
Batman found Shiller's attitude extremely peculiar. He seemed to be preventing everyone from defending him, even showing a keenness to leave with the agents.
A revolutionary movement in Central America? Batman wondered: What's that got to do with Shiller? Why would he bring this up now? Why was he so eager to confess without putting up any resistance?
The agents, real guns in hand, pushed through to apprehend Shiller. One noticed the umbrella in Shiller's hands. The agent in charge coughed before saying, "Sorry, sir, but you can't take anything with you from here."
Shiller looked down at his umbrella, then calmly set it down before ascending the steps under the astonished gazes of Batman and Constantine.
With shaking hands, he attempted to straighten his tie. Subsequently, he strode off confidently with the agents.
Before he left, he seized a last glance at Batman. The expression on his face revealed that he had long anticipated this day.
Finally, the agents, Shiller in their party, departed Rodriguez Manor, boarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation's vehicle. The headlights illuminated the falling rain as they disappeared into the darkness of Gotham.
As the leading black agent departed Rodriguez Manor, he failed to notice the narrowed eyes and downward flick of Batman's lips. He also missed the flexing of Batman's hand, gripping the bat-tag.
The leading black agent got in the car, the female driver turned toward him and asked, "What's going on? Wasn't this just a regular arrest operation? You look nervous."
"You know what Shiller just admitted to?" The black agent's voice went dry. When seeing the puzzled look on the driver's face, he explained, "Rodriguez said he was the planner and leader of the revolution in Central America and asked for witness protection."
With a sharp brake, the female agent was thrown into to the steering wheel. She recovered from the initial shock and raised her voice in disbelief, "What did you say? He's the leader of the Central American revolution?"
She exhaled deeply before continuing, "Isn't that the mystery every spy agency worldwide is trying to solve? Who planned it, who led it, who executed it… It's all a mystery!"
"Even the mole that the CIA planted within the KGB couldn't obtain any valuable information. You're sure he's not messing with us?!"
The black agent massaged his pained shoulder and said, "The lower-tier agents might not be aware of this issue, and most agents do not grasp the significance. But he was bold enough to use this as leverage to request witness protection. This proves that at least he knows what's going on in this situation."
"It demonstrates that at least he knows the world is in search of answers, and simply knowing this fact means his level is not low."