The Death of Alberto

"Sheriff Bullock, someone's looking for you. He says he's a key witness in today's case." An officer approached Harvey Bullock.

"Coming again?" Hearing that there was an important witness, Harvey Bullock felt no surprise, but rather a headache. "Okay, I'm coming right now."

Upon entering the reception window, I saw a tall, white man, easily two meters tall, dressed in a pink suit. He looked utterly ridiculous.

Hello, may I ask who you are...?

"I'm the owner of Monica's Cafe. I actually witnessed the murderer, but I said I didn't see anything because I was afraid of retaliation."

"Oh... so what did the murderer look like?" Harvey Bullock's heart skipped a beat.

"I know him, he's Alberto Falcone."

"Alberto... who?" Harvey Bullock thought he had misheard.

"Alberto Falcone, son of Carmine Falcone, I waited so long to come to you because I was worried about retaliation from the Falcone."

Harvey Bullock felt his brain freeze for a moment before he asked, "Are you sure?"

"Certainly."

"Well... I'll go find him and get some information first."

"By the way, Officer, I request that my identity not be revealed."

"I know that." Harvey Bullock nodded.

After greeting a few colleagues who were also in charge of the case, Harvey Bullock decided to go to Falcone's house alone. None of his colleagues offered to come with him, and instead began privately discussing how to divide up his Office and supplies.

They were already prepared for Harvey Bullock not to return. Going to the Falcone to capture the Roman's son? That's just asking for trouble.

"Boss, may you rest in peace!"

"Sheriff Bullock, I'll miss you."

"Harvey, I'll take good care of Monica, the girl at that nightclub you frequent."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Harvey Bullock gave them the middle finger and drove off in his police car.

On his way to Falcone's house, Harvey Bullock was surprised to find that the road, which usually had only moderate traffic, was congested.

"Hey, Officer Bullock." A Priest was also blocked off waved to him.

"What a coincidence." Harvey Bullock rolled down the window. "Father Roland? What are you doing here?"

"We're going to the banquet," Roland explained.

"Wedding or funeral?"

"Funeral."

"Alas... it's such a pity. Please accept my condolences."

"Oh, I don't know the deceased," Roland explained. "I just went there to freeload a meal."

"You went even though you didn't know the deceased?"

"Hey, most of the people stuck here are going to the funeral. How many of them actually know the deceased?"

"Wait, who died?" Harvey Bullock sensed something was off. So many people attending one person's funeral? Could it be that his former boss died from excessive grief over his secretary?

But the mayor's house isn't in that direction.

"Alberto Falcone, I heard, was assassinated by the Holiday Killer."

"What?" Harvey Bullock felt a little dizzy. "You said someone died?"

"Alberto Falcone, Carmine Falcone's son," Roland said. "Oh, you don't know him?"

"I..." Harvey Bullock was stunned.

"What's wrong with you? It feels like you've been played by that sorcerer of the Dao of Sitting in Oblivion. Let me analyze it for you?"

After a while, Roland parked his car on the side of the road, got into the police car, and listened to Harvey Bullock recount his experiences that day.

Of course, Gilda's part is omitted.

"Now that you mention it, the owner of Monica's Cafe seems to have a lot of problems." Roland rested his chin on his hand, feigning deep thought.

"I think so too, but I'm curious, what benefit does he get from lying?"

"It's possible he knows who the real killer is and wants to frame someone else, or it's possible he has a grudge against the Falcone, or it's possible that what he said is true and that Alberto Falcone was killed after committing the murder," Roland analyzed.

However, there is one more possibility he didn't mention: Alberto Falcone faked his Feigning Death to escape.

"After hearing all that, it's like I didn't hear a thing," Harvey Bullock exclaimed. "You seem to have listed all the options."

"I have a suggestion for this problem. Let's have the meal first, and while we're at it, investigate Alberto Falcone. If he's fine, then the owner of Monica's Cafe is the one with the problem," Roland suggested.

"Hiss... If we do this, won't the Roman tear us apart?" Harvey Bullock with some concern.

"Let's investigate discreetly. Besides, you're not just anyone; you're the sheriff, a long-time subordinate of the mayor. What can he do to you?" Roland patted Harvey Bullock on the shoulder. "Stay strong, don't embarrass yourself. Let's see what he can do."

"I have a feeling you're up to something..."

"So what are you planning to do? Abandon this case?"

"... I'd love to agree," Harvey Bullock pondered, "But... since we're already here, we should at least investigate. What if we find something?"

"Good! As expected of Chief Bullock, who is known as one of the 'good Police and bad Police' duo with Commissioner Gordon, he certainly has guts."

"You truly live up to your title as Father Roland, the Bakugan Boy; you certainly have a lot of guts."

"I have never had such a nickname," Roland vehemently denied.

After being stuck in traffic for more than an hour, the two finally arrived at the Falcone manor, which was bustling with people, including many Gotham celebrities, who were there to see Alberto Falcone off.

Many people came, but the Falcone's security check was still meticulous. Harvey Bullock's small Revolver was also found during the search, and the baggage storage area at the manor entrance was filled with all kinds of weapons.

"Why are there still Batarang?" Roland spotted a familiar item. "They even dare to search Batman?"

"It must belong to one of the Sullivan. He once escaped from Batman unscathed and even kept a Batarang, so he always wears it around showing off."

"Wow, that's impressive," Roland exclaimed. "What's with that hand cannon?"

"That's just a regular self-defense weapon."

"Gotham City truly produces a wealth of talented people."

"But with so many people guarding the area, how are we supposed to proceed?" Harvey Bullock looked troubled.

"Haven't you heard the saying, 'Peacock spreading its tail feathers is beautiful, but it also exposes its asshole'?" Roland said. "With so many people guarding outside, they must be feeling very empty inside."