"Penguin?"
Bruce shut off the sound analyzer and rose to his feet. "He's never up to any good."
"Yes, sir, but he's also Gotham's only respectable villain, isn't he?"
Holding a coffee pot, Alfred Pennyworth rarely indulged in his dry humor.
"Perhaps you'll gain something from this banquet."
"Gain something?"
Bruce gently lifted his black coffee and took a sip. The bitterness made him frown. "I don't think Penguin has anything to do with the Owl Council. Wait—"
A bolt of lightning suddenly flashed through his mind. A detail he had overlooked abruptly surfaced.
That black umbrella the other man had used!
It was a detail he had missed, partly because the dark rain had blurred his vision and kept him from focusing on the umbrella.
Realizing this, Bruce immediately sat down and began operating the supercomputer before him.
"Yes, gain something."
Alfred failed to notice Bruce's change and continued, "Not merely clues related to what you're investigating. There may be other things as well—some fresh air, perhaps, or a wonderful encounter."
Bruce worked at the computer, pulling up Penguin's file as he told the butler, "Sunlight to regulate a bat's internal compass, fresh air necessary for survival, or a wonderful encounter—none of those can interest me right now. Because there is an unstoppable presence running all over Gotham."
As he spoke, he brought up Penguin's information and compared Penguin's umbrella with the one Eric had been holding in his memory.
Sure enough, they were the same model. Even the details were identical.
"Alfred, make preparations. I'll attend Penguin's banquet tonight."
Bruce stood, threw on his coat, and gave the butler his order.
"Oh? I'm surprised you've changed your mind, sir."
Alfred was somewhat astonished.
"I found some clues. Clues closely connected to Penguin."
"Is that so?"
With considerable regret,