Two wrinkled, slightly weathered hands clasped. After they let go, the shoes on either side were noticeably different. One pair gleamed from a thorough polishing, while the other was stained with mud and grime.
"Nice to meet you, Sheriff Gordon. Phil Coulson, Level 8 S.H.I.E.L.D. agent." Coulson smiled at Gordon, guiding him inside as he said, "We've long heard of Gotham's hard-nosed sheriff. I even trained at the Chicago police academy for a while. You graduated from there too, didn't you?"
Gordon silently nodded. Turning a corner into an office, he saw a stunning red-haired woman emerge.
"Good evening, Coulson. This must be Sheriff Gordon?" The female agent stepped forward and shook Gordon's hand. Gordon appeared reserved and stiff.
Every instinct honed by his years as a detective kept warning him that the woman before him was extremely dangerous, like a lethal poppy.
"Natasha." The female agent nodded to him and said, "I've heard much about you, Sheriff Gordon."
"Go on, Natasha. The Captain and the others are waiting for you." Coulson patted Natasha on the shoulder and said, "Leave this to me."
Natasha nodded, then hurried out. Coulson led Gordon into the office and had him sit down.
The anticipated interrogation never came. May poured him a cup of hot tea. He sat side by side with Coulson on the sofas in the reception area. There was no scrutiny, no pressure; it felt more like hospitality for a long-lost guest.
"Sorry, our Director has more important matters to handle. As you can see, there's plenty of trouble in this city."
"I understand." Gordon nodded. A glint of coldness flashed through the lenses of his glasses as he said, "Then why did you bring me here?"
"We know something about Kingpin, the criminal who kidnapped your daughter. Sheriff, whether or