Chapter 1271: Lone Shadow Doubles (11)_1

A door plate bearing the number Kazisova 125 swayed gently in the night breeze. Looking up along the wall covered in moisture, the soft yellow light shone through the window, showing two silhouettes sitting facing each other. They seemed close, yet distances apart as if in two separate worlds.

"...Teaching those intern agents is not an easy task, or you could say working in that kind of environment, one always has to be careful, as there are too many eyes watching you."

Shiller took a sip of his wine, gave a light sigh, and said, "But I have no choice. The mistake I made in my youth has excluded me from society. I had to work for the violent law enforcement agency. They called it 'atonement'."

"I'm sorry, Professor," March gently shook his head and said, "I don't mean to question the Federation's justice system, but if a free citizen has already paid enough for his mistake, nobody can force him to take on a job."

"Whether it's forcing or restricting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn't want me immersed in this society, but I am a person. I need to get some fresh air. Hence, they could only choose the lesser of two evils and threw me in this so-called most chaotic and darkest city."

March's gaze faltered for a moment, seemingly reminded of something, but soon after, he heard Shiller reminiscing, "I used to hang around in Chicago when I was young. At that time, James Gordon was still studying at the police academy in Chicago. I met him once, couldn't believe I would meet him again this time."

"I have heard of the famous Chief Gordon from Mr. Wayne. He has solved one case after another leading the Gotham Police Department, capturing countless criminals. Even those hardest to deal with, the madmen, had to surrender."

"I don't know when Gordon gained such ability," Shiller's fingertips kept lightly tapping on the arm of the chair while he let out a soft sigh, "I used to think he was just an ordinary person, I still hold that view."

March looked up at Shiller, pondered for a moment, then spoke, "Perhaps you are new here and not aware of another character of Gotham city. They call him 'The world's greatest detective Batman'."

"Perhaps Gordon lacks the ability to have such influence in the City of Darkness, but Batman can. You have interacted with him, haven't you?"

"Yes, I met him. When Gordon asked me to assist in investigating the recent serial killings, I encountered this so-called Dark Knight."

"And how do you feel?"

"I don't know how to put it into words." Shiller shook his head slightly, but March continued to lean forward, staring at Shiller's eyes and said, "I am curious about him, want to hear what everyone thinks about him, naturally that includes you. Feel free to speak your mind."

"I don't like him," Shiller started with an emotional conclusion, then said, "But the victims are innocent. If this greatest detective in the world could truly help with the investigation, I can tolerate his weird dressing style and his taciturn way of communication."

"If I may, what's his perception of the recent serial murder case?"

"He is too hasty." Constantine frowned and said, "Even I could see it, every one of his excited eyebrows was shaking. He could be described as acting animatedly. It's maddening."

At this moment, everybody in the theater was on edge, because they were more familiar with Shiller. The shape of Shiller's body was lining up to demonstrate hostility.

But at that moment, with a "whoosh" sound, the flames in the fireplace on the 1st floor went out. The original fire was very weak, so there wasn't much change in the lighting when it went off. But Shiller immediately turned his head to look at the pitch-black fireplace.

"Excuse me, Mr. March, please wait a moment."

Shiller immediately stood up and started walking downstairs. March didn't even have time to hold him back. He focused on Shiller's back as he quickly descended, his eyebrows deeply furrowed. The rising excitement and anticipation were suddenly interrupted, causing unspeakable distress.

Shiller quickly moved to the fireplace. He reached out and picked up a piece of half-burnt firewood at the edge.

When Shiller's gaze focused on the firewood, Barry, the man amongst the theater audience, looked tense and declared definitively in an uncharacteristically assertive voice, "The wood has been tampered with."

"Judging by the color of the cut surface, the skin is very dry, but the inside is moist. It must have been soaked, then dried using special means to keep the wood exterior dry and interior moist."

"In this way, the initial combustion flame will be very intense, but it will extinguish quickly. Someone manipulated the burning time of the fireplace through this means… why would Batman do this? Did he anticipate Shiller's conversation with March?"

"No, it's more like a guide," Bruce also quickly said.

Suddenly, the atmosphere both on and off the screen became tense. It's like when a movie reaches a climax, the camera starts switching rapidly, everyone has different expressions, everyone has their thoughts.

Shiller's gaze swept across the spot where the firewood was stacked next to the fireplace. He walked over immediately, after he lifted the first untouched piece of wood, he saw a piece of metal handle sticking out from the gap between the wood and the wall.

Shiller immediately turned sideways, letting his arm lean against the wall to block the crevice. He looked down, and in the gap was an ax for chopping wood. Its length was just right, and the blade was sharp.