Chapter 145

Isaac Dinklage

I didn't need to run away from home personally. Unfortunately! As I understand it, the Kryptonian super hearing cannot detect a shadow clone from a long distance, only the heart of a real living person. So I had to stay in the house. And besides, my "guard" and two tormentors in the form of Harley and Pamela, who pressed me all night to their chest, trying to suffocate (lovingly) during sleep, could have questions from my "guard". For some reason they decided that it would be easier for me to sleep this way.

Aha! I tossed and turned all night, tossing free from one embrace, so that I would immediately find myself in a new captivity of the arms and breasts of another woman. But as soon as I get out of it, I'll be the first to grab me again. In general, I did not sleep until morning. Until he got a memory from a clone that he went to talk with Edward Nygma, aka the Riddler.

He was in a fairly decent apartment, which was not far from the richest area of ​​Gotham, and as it turned out, he still lived next to Harvey Bullock and several other police officers. In general, the proverb that if you want to hide something, hide it in a conspicuous place works.

And the Riddler is far from being a fool and has calculated many variations that may give away his location. And for sure he was safe from this. And the fact that he still has not been caught by Betts or the police is an indication that he either does not pose a threat ... for the time being for Gotham City, or Batman has not found him. Quite possibly Nygma changes her place of residence often. In other matters, it makes no sense to think about it. I found it and even put a mark on the map. So that I will always know where he is.

- Lost? - without looking up from the book asked my clone Nigma.

He climbed through the window. The door was closed. And the sensorics indicated that he was next to the window.

Judging by the reaction, Nygma was not scared. As if nothing had happened, he continued to read the book diligently in spite of my clone. It even became somehow offensive that they did not pay attention to me. I even expected at first that they would at least try to take me prisoner. And then zero to weight. My FSI is suffering.

"You don't even ask what I'm doing at your house at such a late hour. And getting in through the window?

- Well, first of all, you are not a detective at my house. - I must have learned as quickly as possible. - This house does not belong to me, but to one drug addict who died two months ago. It is worth assuring you, if you are going to equip yourself an "apartment" in the future, for secret affairs, never deal with drug addicts and prostitutes. At least when it comes to settling in their apartments. A lot of trouble. As for your presence here, I have two options. First, you decided to arrest me, which is unlikely. Otherwise, there would be not your young counterpart here - Nigma said with a smile - but more adult counterparts of the special forces or your "security" in case of emergency.

- And second? - I asked and walked up to him in front. "You don't mind if I sit down.

- Oh no, what are you. Have a seat. Something I have recently begun to forget the elementary norms of decency of our society. Both Arkham and Bellerive do not contribute to the spiritual development and maintenance of the moral character of the individual. - and finally put the book down.

- I agree with that. I nodded. "I've been to Arkham and talked to many of the prisoners there. The administration, as it were, wants to cure the persons who are there, but due to the subjective reasons inherent in the character of each of them and public opinion, they were very biased towards the patients. Although Dr. Hugo Strange treats them differently. Although I think you yourself know what kind of fruit it is?

At that moment, for the first time in our conversation, the mark in his relationship to me jumped up.

I noticed recently that I managed to dial from him before our conversation during my stay in Gotham as much as +500 in a relationship. And he considers me an interesting person.

- It is what it is. he smiled knowingly. "By the way, you're a pretty amazing detective person. After all, you treat the "freaks of Gotham" with a certain reverence, although no, I did not put it right ... How can I say this?

- With understanding and self-interest?

- I think it's more correct. - the Riddler nodded. - Did you ask me about the second option? So, I think you have come to ask me for a favor.

- In a way, you guessed it. - I smiled and saw that he frowned a little. - But this is only about 40% of what I want to talk to you about and propose.

- HM. You got me interested. I hope our meeting really does not disappoint both of us?

- Let's see. I shrugged. - I came to you for two reasons. The first is a request to convey information to Batman. But not from me personally. And as if from you. This is information about the likely identity of the "Boss of the Black Cross". Personally, I cannot say because of my "amnesia". But there will be fewer questions for you.

- How is it? And how am I justifying this to our Night Knight?

- The fact that he simply prevents you from living. Some of the leaders of the underworld are pushing your ears so that you can help pinch it. He himself presses on you to join him. In addition, you have "other plans" for the near future being at large.

- So I suspect the second part of your purpose of passage here is precisely connected with "other plans"?

- Right.

- Good. Then tell me what will be the proposal with which you came to me?

- I have been thinking for a long time about creating a relatively secret organization to which I would like to invite you. - In response, I received a surprised look from Nigma, and, as it were, a phrase with a glance: "Continue, I'm listening." - The main goal of my organization will be to correct the vector of human development. It may sound presumptuous, but I have some foundation on which to build my ambitions. This organization will do different things in different spheres of life and will use different tools to achieve its goals. This will include both "super-heroism" and "super-villainy" and the extraction of information and technology that will help us, and much more.

- That is, you are not a representative of "good" or "evil". Are you above all this?

- Well, we are both not stupid Mr. Nygma. - I smiled. "And we both understand that there is no point in dividing the world into black and white. After all, there are other colors, for example, when you mix them, you get a gray color. But there are also green, blue, red and many others, not to mention their shades. And we are with you, in my opinion, the shades of these colors. And other people are also either "colors" or their "shades".

- Interesting theory. In other ways, she is close to my beliefs. Nigma nodded approvingly. And then our relationship with him jumped up again. - But what place will I be in this organization? What will be required of me if I agree? And besides, what will I get from this.

- I need your mind. After all, recently I was finally convinced that I alone was not enough to control and manage a lot. Therefore, I need a person with an extraordinary mind like you. As for your benefit from this case, I think we both understand that you will get the opportunity to touch many secrets of the world, including the secret of my personality, which you probably want to unravel. After all, you are listening to me not only out of idle curiosity, but also in order to compose a psychological portrait? - I bowed my head when I saw how passion is read in Nigma's eyes and I even think of respect for my person.

- Ha ha ha. You can't deny your wit, detective. - and having laughed off and came into a more serious look. - Well, I think, your request for the transfer of valuable information to Batman, I will fulfill today. And about joining your organization, then I will wait a little with this. I will give you an answer later. But do not worry long to wait for you, I will not force you.

- What then should I tell you ...

"I know about Detective King. After all, it was quite an interesting puzzle and I could not pass it by myself.

- Wonderful. I am glad that our meeting was held without prejudice to the interest of everyone and with benefit.

- Me too. - we shook hands with each other and after that my clone said goodbye and dispersed right in front of him.

He is already ready to join me. For the most part, Nygma took the time to "think" not over my proposal, but over the possible risks and escape routes.

Is there a risk to involve him in my plans? Perhaps. But the problem is that even in my old ordinary world, there was every day the likelihood of dying by accident. In this world, it is already great. And I intervened in the way of this life. And he won't let me go. Therefore, there is not much difference in terms of where to take risks. In addition, it seems to me that the Riddler will not betray me and act against me as long as I give him what he needs. And he will solve my "mysterious personality and strength" for a long time. I have many secrets. So let him dig. He is interested in the very process of finding answers. I will not interfere with him.

In addition, for this conversation, after dispelling the clone, I also got a new skill: "Recruiter". And + 5% chance that I can win anyone over to my side. Although I don't understand a little why I need the latter, if I already have Narutotherapy of almost the hundredth level.

With these memories and a happy pug that even the next hugs with Harley could not spoil, I fell asleep.