Edward Nygma pushed a stack of printed papers across the desk.
"Sir, this is the response plan I drafted based on the current situation. Please see if there's anything you'd like to add."
Bob did not even look at it. He simply pulled out the bottom sheet, grabbed a pen, and swiftly signed his name.
"No need, Ed. No need." Bob picked up the signed papers, tapped them against the desk to straighten them, and handed them back.
"Jay told me before that if an emergency came up, we'd be best off following your judgment. Things are getting a little tense now. Call in whoever you need and hold a quick meeting."
"Understood." Nygma nodded. "I'll do my best to handle it."
"Hmm..."
Bob lit a cigarette, then suddenly rolled his eyes toward him. "I heard... last night, Jay and Harleen..."
"I think it's probably true." Nygma chuckled softly. "Gossip always travels fast. But to keep Raven from finding out, I'm going to fan the flames and exaggerate it until it's completely unbelievable. Then we can call it... a smear against Jay by people with ulterior motives."
"Raven?" Bob froze for a moment. "You noticed too?"
"Of course," Nygma replied with a smile. "I imagine I'm not the only one. She's the only person who thinks she's hiding it well."
He paused. "Physiologically and psychologically, adolescents tend to have some strange ideas. It's common, especially among young people who lacked warmth in their families growing up."
"Kids... heh." Bob blew a smoke ring. "Jay isn't that old himself, actually. Twenty or twenty-one, was it? Honestly, when I was twenty... heh... young and accomplished."
He shook his head with a nostalgic smile, though it was unclear whether he meant himself or Li Jie. Then he let out a long breath, his