Chen ❤'s voice was low but clear, loud enough to be heard.
Gordon stopped moving.
Barbara looked at him. "Chen Mo?"
Chen Mo did not explain right away.
Because he could not explain it either.
He could hardly say, sorry, the burglar alarm in my head is screaming right now, and there might be a bunch of people outside who could turn tonight's stew into our last supper.
Chen Mo glanced at the window.
It was dark outside.
Gotham's night pressed against the glass like a sheet of cold, wet black cloth.
Thud.
A second knock sounded.
A little softer than the first.
That only made it more unsettling.
Chen Mo stood up.
"Mr. Gordon, Barbara, head to the backyard first."
Gordon looked at him. "Why?"
"I just remembered," Chen Mo said quickly, "I think I... didn't turn the gas off properly."
Barbara said, "You were using an induction cooker."
"Right," Chen Mo said, "which makes it even scarier. Electricity combined with gas sounds like Gotham's urban planning."
Barbara narrowed her eyes. "You're talking nonsense."
"I talk nonsense a lot, but please trust me this time."
Chen Mo looked at Gordon.
This time, he was not smiling.
"Get away from the door first."
Gordon's expression changed.
He was a cop, a Gotham City cop, and no ordinary Gotham City cop at that.
He had seen far too many people react to approaching danger.
Chen Mo's expression did not look like a prank or an overreaction.
He had genuinely sensed something.
Gordon asked no more questions.
He reached out and pressed a hand against Barbara's shoulder.
"Go to the back door."
"Dad?"
"Now."
Barbara wanted to say more, but when she saw Chen Mo's expression, she finally gritted her teeth and followed Gordon toward the back.
Chen Mo stood where he