Arrest

Gordon swung the car into a skidding stop and jumped out before it had even settled, vaulting the guardrail with a powerful stride.

William tried to follow his example and fell flat on his face.

Gordon had no time to worry about his partner. He glanced at the rounds in his revolver's cylinder and crept forward on quiet feet.

"You can't escape. Stop resisting!"

The windows were tinted black. No one inside answered, and he had no idea what was happening in there.

Gordon's heart pounded. An alley ran right beside the car. If he didn't press forward now, the suspect could easily escape down it.

But there was no cover nearby, and he had no idea whether the suspect was armed.

Reason told him he should call for backup.

But Gordon couldn't suppress the anger burning inside him.

A year. A whole year! He had swallowed his disgust and turned a blind eye to the gangs' crimes, telling himself over and over that the time wasn't right to root out these parasites. As long as they didn't go too far, easing up a little would help keep Gotham stable.

But today's explosion had ignited his long-suppressed rage.

After taking three deep breaths, Gordon charged up to the car and shot out the door lock.

But the door opened from inside before he could pull it.

A powerful hand shot out of the darkness, jamming a finger behind the trigger. The other hand flattened into a blade and chopped down on his wrist.

In a single move, the veteran officer was disarmed.

An expert. Since when could the mob afford someone like this?

Gordon immediately went on full alert. Before his opponent could turn the gun on him, he lunged forward, diving into the car like an agile leopard.

The car rocked violently. Through the fogged windshield, two blurred figures could be seen grappling at close quarters.

Before long, someone was thrown out through the door.

It was Gordon. He wiped the blood from his mouth and hurled himself back inside.

But sheer courage alone wasn't much use. Moments later, he smashed through the windshield as he was thrown out again.

Gordon clutched his abdomen, curling up in agony on the rain-lashed street.

Pointed leather shoes stepped out of the car. The masked Dares straightened his suit collar.

"I thought you could fight. Looks like the famous James Gordon is nothing but a complete push-b-b-b-b!"

Suddenly, the man's body went rigid and began to convulse.

Smoke rising from him, Dares toppled over stiffly, revealing William behind him with a stun gun in hand.

"His grappling is good, but give me another chance somewhere with more room, and I can win."

"Yes, Mr. Gordon, I believe you can win. But that's the third time you've said something like that in the last ten minutes."

"Is it...? Fine... Wait! That explosion left me a little dizzy. That must be why I couldn't beat him."

"Mr. Gordon, that's four."

"Fine. I'll stop talking."

A heavy sigh echoed down the hospital corridor. Gordon turned his face away, discreetly slipped a hand into his mouth, and wiggled his loose molar.

He swore he hadn't used much force, but the tooth came out with almost no effort.

"God, another pointless expense!"

Bullock walked over carrying a rain-soaked brown paper bag.

"We've got something. The suspect's name is Dares Hob. His occupation is..."

He deliberately paused for effect and was rewarded with an irritated look from Gordon.

"Why can't you just spit it out?"

"Because this answer is going to surprise you. Ready?"

Bullock cleared his throat.

"Head of security at Wayne Enterprises, and personal bodyguard to the board members. Previously served with Black Hawk, a special operations unit in the United Kingdom..."

The answer really did catch Gordon off guard. He had assumed the man worked for Maroni and had been trying to stop him from gathering evidence.

"Why?"

"Who knows..."

Out of habit, Bullock fished a cigarette from his pack. He had barely put it between his lips before a passing nurse plucked it away.

"Apparently, there's been a lot going on inside Wayne Enterprises lately, too. Maybe Maroni's in bed with them as well. That guy just woke up. I asked him a few questions."

"And?"

"He insists on waiting for his lawyer."

As they discussed the case, a bespectacled man carrying a briefcase came into view. He tried to enter the ward, but the officer outside stopped him.

"I'm his lawyer. You have no right to keep me from my client."

The man raised his chin arrogantly.

Gordon knew perfectly well how dangerous these legal sharks could be, especially with someone like Wayne Enterprises behind them.

He didn't dare obstruct him and waved the officer aside.

A little later, the man leaned halfway out and knocked on the door.

"Mr. James Gordon, Mr. William Hans, my client would like to see you."

Gordon clenched his molar tightly, his face dark as a thundercloud.

He was the victim, yet they were ordering him around like a criminal.

The moment they entered, the lawyer laid a psychiatric assessment before them.

"My client lacks the capacity to be held responsible for his actions. However, Wayne Enterprises is willing to cover the consequences of its employee's mistakes. You may send your medical expenses and bills for damaged property to this address."

The man quickly wrote down an email address. Dares lay on the hospital bed with his eyes closed, resting, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips.

Gordon accepted the address with a beaming smile, crumpled it together with the assessment, and aimed at the trash can in the corner.

A beautiful three-pointer!

"Mr. James Gordon, I don't understand."

"Expect a court summons!"

"Please calm down. If you do this, you may not receive a penny in compensation. As far as I know, the insurer of your destroyed vehicle..."

Bang!

The ward's sliding door slammed shut so hard it bounced open again.

Gordon had given the lawyer no room to negotiate.

Now William was the only one of the two left in the ward.

Dares opened his eyes and signaled for the lawyer to leave.

"Do you know what you're investigating?" Dares spoke first.

"I don't know where you got your information... but I suggest you back off, little cop. Before things get out of control."

"Actually, things are already out of control," William replied after a moment's thought.

"The moment you tried to threaten me with an explosion, there was nothing left for us to negotiate."

Those weren't words spoken in anger.

William realized that his plan to find Bruce had threatened certain people's interests.

But if these people had taken a different approach, he would have backed off-even a verbal threat would have been enough, never mind a hefty bribe.

After all, staying alive mattered more than finding Batman. He had no desire to go head-to-head with Gotham City's most powerful corporate force when he had only just arrived in this world and knew nothing about it.

But now William felt that his life was in danger.

Rather than bare his neck and pray his enemies wouldn't bring down the blade, he preferred to hold his fate in his own hands.

William opened the door and found Gordon waiting right beside it.

His expression was conflicted. He had wanted to eavesdrop, but his integrity wouldn't let him do it. All he could do was pray over and over that William would stand on his side.

"What did they tell you?"

"Didn't catch it. Turned them down anyway." William dug at his ear.

"By the way, after work tomorrow, I'd like to take you to meet someone."

"Who? Are they connected to this case?"

"More than connected. They're the person you've been looking for all year."