Chapter 245: Misdirection Part 8

Everyone who heard the Commissioner's words was taken by surprise, not because what he said was wrong, but because he actually said it. Everyone present knew that although what Diana had done was technically wrong, it was done in good faith.

Despite this, numerous people were in support of her actions, as it was absolutely diabolical for individuals to take advantage of those affected by the spores. At the same time, some disagreed, as with all things, and protests immediately began to spark.

"Hey, what do you mean, Commissioner? That's not fair!"

"Yeah, the man was clearly in the wrong! That bastard deserved to die."

"You're dumb. If we start allowing heroes to kill, what would that lead to?"

"Yeah! We have laws in place for a reason. Just because she's a hero doesn't give her the right—"

"Shut up, you fucking beta! You probably let your wife fuck you in the ass!"

"That has nothing to do with this!"

Diana ignored the protests and stood proud, bringing her hands forward so that she could be cuffed. The Commissioner, however, shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Just follow us to the station."

It was clear that the Commissioner didn't fully agree with Diana being arrested or, at the very least, didn't personally want to arrest her. After all, in the short time that she had been in Gotham, she had done a lot of good for the people, and the Commissioner wouldn't just overlook that simply because she killed a rapist, regardless of the law.

Seeing the Commissioner say this, Diana understood that he didn't completely disagree with her actions. This made her stand by her decision even more, as she readied herself for the consequences that would follow.

But before she could enter the vehicle, Harley began to jump up and down not far away. "Hey, let me through! Hey, hey! Oh, Commissioner!~ Wait up! I also killed a few rapists!~"

Harley happily called out, casually confessing to killing more than one individual.

The Commissioner let out a loud sigh and began rubbing his temples. "Of course. Of course, Harley just had to participate as well. Fine, just get in the van. We'll take both your statements at the station."

Harley skipped over to stand beside Diana, who looked at her with some admiration. "Thank you for standing beside me, Harley, but you didn't need to. I will forever feel guilty if my actions cause my dear friends to suffer consequences as well."

Harley just tilted her head at this. "What do you mean? I'm just going there because they give free food as long as you answer all them questions they ask. I'm feeling too lazy to cook today."

Diana couldn't tell if Harley was joking or being serious. "But you stand to get arrested; you could go to prison!"

Harley just shrugged her shoulders. "You go there once, you've been there a thousand times. Actually, it's not so bad, aside from all the dykes that try to eat you out while you sleep. But you don't have to worry about that."

Diana was left a bit speechless, but she couldn't help but smile at this insane friend of hers. They both walked toward a black van labeled "Gotham PD" and entered the back, where two officers sat with them, both wearing very awkward expressions.

As for reporters like Vicki Vale, they could only frown before rushing to their vehicles. Their aim was now to get to the Gotham Police Department as quickly as possible to get the statements first.

With much of the city under strict measures, getting to the police station only took a few minutes. Meanwhile, the reporters found themselves blocked off by police barricades set up all around the city, disallowing people to drive or walk around until the situation regarding the spores was completely cleared.

Upon arriving at the station, Diana and Harley were escorted into the building and directed toward two separate interrogation rooms, while the Commissioner went directly to his office. He asked some officers to take down both Diana and Harley's statements.

The Commissioner rarely ever interrogated people, and even now, despite having such unique company, he had plenty of matters to report to his higher-ups, so he rushed to his office.

But upon entering, he found that he had an uninvited guest seated comfortably in the chair opposite his desk, where visitors usually sat. However, since his secretary hadn't said anything about the guest, the Commissioner frowned before recognizing the person.

"Arias?"

Arias turned his head to meet the Commissioner's confused gaze as he said, "I apologize for my unannounced presence, but the current circumstances didn't allow me to make a proper arrangement for us to meet."

The Commissioner was a smart man and could immediately understand what Arias was getting at, but he also knew that being in the Gotham PD wasn't necessarily safe from prying ears, as even the Commissioner suspected that most electronics in the building could be tapped with higher-ups listening in.

Thinking along these lines, he reached into his trench coat, took out his phone, but noticed it had no signal, which made him immediately turn toward Arias.

"Don't worry; I wouldn't have come here if I wasn't sure we could talk safely."

Unsure of how Arias managed to block the signal in the room, the Commissioner walked forward toward his desk and sat down, wearing a serious expression as he asked, "Okay, what's going on? Did you ask Wonder Woman to do that? I'm lost, and I need to know what's happening; people are dying out there."

Arias's expression remained calm as he nodded. "They are. But unfortunately, Commissioner, the trend will likely continue for as long as people remain greedy for superhumans."

The statement sparked curiosity within the Commissioner. "You think it was the HS group that did this?"

Arias shook his head. "At this point, I'm unsure. My investigations into them have revealed that other organizations are performing acts of terrorism and kidnapping but doing it in such a way that the evidence points toward the HS group. In other words, they're being used as a cover."

The Commissioner frowned deeply upon hearing this. "Then if you're here, I take it you have a solution, a way to stop them or find them?"

Arias gave a slight nod. "There are a few ways, but they aren't exactly legal, and I don't want to ask you to partake in that, Commissioner. I only felt it fair to tell you in advance that I, along with a team I will form, will deal with the HS group permanently. It's very likely my name may be thrown into an even greater negative light than it already is. At that time, please do not support me."

The Commissioner grew angry upon hearing this. "You expect me to just sit by and do nothing? Look, I understand where you're coming from, but I'm from this city, too, and I'm willing to do what I need to keep it safe, even if I have to bend a few rules."

Arias smiled at the Commissioner's resolve. "I admire the dedication, Commissioner; I really do. But bending the rules is one thing; taking a life is another, and I won't ask that of you. If the consequences lead to your death or incarceration, I wouldn't know what to tell Barbara. I'm sure you wouldn't want to leave her either."

Barbara was the Commissioner's weak spot, so Arias's words caused him to lower his head in thought. "Fine, but if there's anything—anything—I can do to help, you have to promise to reach out to me."

Arias nodded. "Of course. Now, could you ask your officers to call in Harley and Diana? I would like to speak to them both privately. If that's all right?"