Chapter 246: Misdirection Part 9

Commissioner Gordon didn't need to think long before acknowledging Arias's request. "Sure, give me one moment," the Commissioner said, reaching for his desk telephone.

He wanted to call one of his officers but then remembered that there was no signal in the room. Before he could do anything else, a loud knock came from the door. Not wanting whoever it was to see Arias, the Commissioner stood up and said, "Excuse me," before walking over toward the door and opening it slightly.

Once he did, he found his secretary standing outside with a folder. She reported, "Commissioner, the electronics in the building seem to be malfunctioning. The officers you put in charge of Wonder Woman and Harley can't file their reports like this. What would you have me do?"

The Commissioner pretended to consider the situation and said, "It's probably just something due to the spores. Without people to maintain the signal towers in Gotham, maybe they went down. But I'm still getting a signal in my office, so have the officers bring Harley and Wonder Woman here. No escort is needed."

The secretary showed concern. "Are you sure, Commissioner?"

The Commissioner nodded firmly, not taking her concern into consideration. "If those two really wanted to escape, do you think we could stop them in the current conditions?"

Realizing the flaw in her own comment, the secretary bit her lip slightly and nodded before walking away. The Commissioner simply shut the door and let out a sigh. He greatly disliked lying to people.

Arias glanced back and commented, "It seems you're quite loved by your secretary. I didn't take you for the charming type, Commissioner."

The Commissioner let out a quick chuckle, shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck. "Please don't make jokes like that. She's almost 10 years my junior. I'm sure it's just admiration for the role. You know how women are with men in positions of power. It's nothing more than that, and I like to keep things professional at the office."

Hearing this, Arias couldn't help but raise a brow. "It's not like you're old yourself. You still have more than enough time to father a few more children. If anything, I'm sure it would do you some good to have a focus other than Gotham."

The Commissioner crossed his arms and shook his head, disagreeing with the suggestion. "Impossible. I really consider this job like a second child to me. I don't see myself dating, let alone having kids again."

"Never say never, Commissioner," Arias replied before another knock was heard at the door.

The Commissioner once again opened the door slightly and saw two officers who had been chosen to escort Harley and Wonder Woman, with the secretary standing off to the side. He didn't mince his words as he told them, "You can all leave."

The officers looked hesitant but trusted their Commissioner, so they said nothing. The Commissioner's secretary seemed unwilling but gave a nod before walking over toward her desk.

Wonder Woman maintained a proud and composed expression, while Harley crossed her arms and frowned, "Why do I feel like there's a lecture coming?"

The Commissioner narrowed his eyes at Harley, forcing a smile. "Could you just come in?"

Harley laughed, "Cum in! *Hah*"

The Commissioner rubbed his temples before opening the door wider, thinking to himself, *You know, maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to find something else to do every once in a while. This job could be the death of me, mentally and physically.*

Out loud, he simply uttered, "Could you two just get in?"

Diana nodded before walking past the Commissioner proudly. "Pardon my intrusion," while Harley skipped in without a care in the world.

Upon entering, the Commissioner quickly shut the door. His office was soundproof for obvious reasons, so he wasn't worried about Harley's loud behavior.

As predicted, she was the first to react to Arias's presence.

"Mr. M, what are you doing here? Did you also kill a couple of rapists?" Harley frowned, dramatizing the situation. But it wasn't effective, considering how goofy she looked.

Diana, on the other hand, was more hesitant to speak. Arias's presence surprised her, and ever since he'd asked her to surrender during their phone call, she had been constantly wondering if she had disappointed her friend.

She stood by her beliefs strongly, but Arias's words had great importance to her. He was the first true friend she had made in the outside world, and she admired him deeply.

Looking at both of them, Arias could see that Diana was hesitant, while Harley was... well, Harley. "It's good to see you both," Arias said, but Harley cut in with something completely out of the blue, "Don't tell me you called us up here for a foursome as punishment because if it is, I'm not afraid to fight! And if anyone's gonna be the bottom bitch, it's gonna be him!"

Harley proudly pointed to the Commissioner, who was taken aback. "Huh!?"

Harley added, "What? Did you think we'd leave you out lookin' all caked up like that? Like I ain't got a sweet tooth? What did you think this was...?"

The Commissioner was speechless. Anyone who had spent enough time around Harley knew she said things just to get reactions.

Arias wasn't bothered. Diana, however, took it another way. "What is this foursome you speak of? Is it your people's way of saying a battle to the death to reclaim freedom? So be it. I, Diana, will try my best to come out on top. I refuse to be this… bottom bitch."

The Commissioner wasn't even sure how to respond. He simply looked at Arias, who replied, "You get used to it. Anyway, I didn't come here to waste your time, Commissioner, so I'll say what I have to quickly."

At that moment, since Arias had previously said he wanted to talk privately, the Commissioner was about to excuse himself. But Arias interrupted him, "Commissioner, I trust you. When I said privately, I meant you included."

The Commissioner was surprised but pleased to know Arias trusted him this much. In truth, Arias needed to create a bond of trust with the Commissioner. What he was about to say didn't need to be secretive, as it involved the Commissioner as well.

"When I asked you to arrest them, I did so because the last thing we need is for your position to be jeopardized."

The Commissioner asked, "Is it because you don't trust the government?" Arias tilted his head slightly but shook it.

"I wouldn't say that's the only reason. Right now, even I don't know who the HS group has in its contacts or who's using them as a cover. So, I need to maintain the positions of people I trust, and thus, I needed you to arrest both Diana and Harley to avoid controversy. However, later today, due to this very security malfunction, Harley and Diana are going to escape," Arias said, causing the Commissioner, Diana, and even Harley to show looks of slight surprise.

"What?"