American comics: Starting in Arkham, a system-based Batman

Chapter 24 I am James Gordon

When they came to their senses, Brock had already put his arm around Jung Eun's shoulder and walked out.

"Surprise!"

Jung Eun's lower body caved in under Brock's hand, then she laughed beside him, "Aren't you surprised to see me?"

"My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to explode—" He gestured with his hand to his chest, then swung his arm outwards forcefully, "—and it felt like it was going to explode."

Harvey Block, his face contorted in a grimace, looked as if he had lost his parents.

The bearded, pot-bellied detective had no idea why the other party had approached him, and in the ensuing scuffle, he hurriedly moved to a secluded corner.

He glanced around twice to make sure no one was around before rushing towards Zheng En and questioning him urgently.

"Why did you come looking for me? Do you know that everyone in Falcone is looking for you? You might not care about your life, but I do!"

Brock truly didn't understand. He and the person in front of him were not related, and their only connection was their brief meeting on the day they went to Arkham.

Yes, he was momentarily soft-hearted and didn't want to see a perfectly healthy person unknowingly fall into a pit of fire, nor did he want to follow Marshall in committing evil, so he was trying to get out of this situation.

But that doesn't mean he's willing to clean up other people's messes, much less willing to inexplicably run into the city's biggest gang.

He didn't know what the other person had done, but he understood that the other person had gotten into a huge mess.

Jung Eun understood his thoughts, but he pretended not to know. "It's only natural to come to the police station to report a crime, Detective."

"I'm sorry, I had to pretend I didn't understand English to avoid being questioned before. Now that I've finally escaped from Arkham, I have no choice but to ask you for help."

Previously, Zheng En didn't know the ranks of American police officers and just made up names. Later, he realized that whether it was Marshall or Brock, they were at least detectives, and the former might even have a higher rank.

He poked Brock's chest. The man looked a little suffocated, didn't speak, and reluctantly took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and held it in his mouth, as if he was thinking about how to start the conversation.

Zheng En continued, "When I escaped, I looted a bunch of documents from the dean's office. The contents might not be enough to deal with Falcone, but they're enough for you to get the dean arrested."

Harvey Block was even more suffocated.

He took a drag of his cigarette, exhaled deeply, and his face was shrouded in a layer of white smoke. "Do you know what you're saying?"

He felt the other party was too naive. This naivety was like a fire, enough to burn the other party, him, their family and friends, and everyone involved to ashes. Even if they managed to escape by chance, they would still be burned.

Brock flicked the ash off his cigarette. "This is a trap. I won't stop you from jumping in if you want, but don't try to drag me down with you."

As he spoke, he turned to walk inside.

Zheng En walked around him and stood in front of him. "But you've already jumped in. When Marshall brought you into Arkham, you were already in this fire pit."

"Then I'm just a small fry on the fringes." Brock said, his cigarette dangling from his lips, his words clear and logical. "With your fuss, I might not have to get involved in this mess anymore."

Marshall was attacked and seriously injured, hospitalized, and it was unknown how long he would need to rest. He saved himself the trouble of dealing with the attackers and naturally distanced himself from such matters.

Although he was asked by the police superintendent to switch to an unlikable partner—a righteous, stubborn, and inflexible person—at least that person wouldn't stab him in the back.

This opportunity will allow him to return to his previous peaceful and stable life...

That might have been the case before today.

Zheng En smiled. "But guess how long it will take for the news that 'an Asian has approached Marshall's partner, Harvey Block,' to reach Falcone's ears?"

Brock's eyes widened. "What have you done?!"

He grabbed Zheng En's collar, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, looking like he was about to punch him the next second if the other party didn't give him a satisfactory answer.

The rapidly deteriorating situation has made those who had been hiding and waiting to see what would happen restless.

"Brock, stop!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, I saw a middle-aged man in his thirties, wearing glasses, with a mustache, and a brown jacket.

He emerged from the corner where he had been hiding and rushed to the two of them. "Talk it out, don't hurt anyone."

He reached into his blouse and pulled out his police ID, gesturing to Zheng En.

"Hello, I'm James Gordon, a detective recently transferred to the GCPD." The man extended his hand to Zheng En in a friendly gesture.

Brock released his grip as soon as he saw Gordon appear, and Jung Eun regained his freedom of movement.

He straightened his collar and then shook Gordon's hand. "Hello, I'm Jung Eun, an innocent bystander caught up in the Arkham incident."

Brock snorted coldly; even with Gordon present, his expression toward Zheng En didn't improve much.

"Explain yourself, what exactly did you do?"

"Nothing much, just like you saw, 'openly coming to the police station to see you,' that's all."

Zheng En wanted to drag Brock down with him, not create enemies for himself. "If Falcone is really determined to catch me, you, as Marshall's 'partner,' will definitely be within their search range."

"When Marshall arrested me and took me to Arkham, he used your name. Since they couldn't find any leads with Marshall, they would definitely start with you."

There are many ways for Jung Eun to meet with Brock discreetly, but he had his reasons for choosing the method that would easily attract attention.

"Their strongest impression of me can be summed up in just two words: 'Asian.' In such a sensitive time, if an Asian comes to you, whether or not anyone recognizes me, you're in big trouble."

Zheng En explained his actions in great detail, and Brock was not stupid; he knew all of this.

Gordon, the person Jung Eun really wanted to tell, also got a general idea of ​​the current situation through these words.

In DC, he and Batman have always been known as partners.

Unlike Robin, who was his sidekick, and Harvey Dent, who fell into villainy, Gordon and Batman, one in the light and one in the dark, always worked together to protect the city of Gotham.

Both being perpetrators of violence, if Batman symbolizes the night and revenge, then the police, represented by Gordon, embody the day and order.

They follow the laws established by secular society and act accordingly. As objects of public scrutiny, procedural justice is an essential part of their actions.

But in Gotham City, there's very little they can do.

Gordon is an outstanding police officer who has always been on the front lines of the fight against crime.

He also lost a lot because of this.

After enduring long-term worry and neglect, his beloved wife chose a new life.

The beloved daughter followed in their footsteps, only to have her wings broken by the clown;

Like-minded friends are framed and led astray by a conspiracy...