People have compared storms to countless creatures, whether monsters or gods. Yet raging storms are very similar to humans. Especially toward the end of life, the world sinks into a hazy blur of rain and fog, as if a vast being starts to reminisce at its life's end. The outlines of houses, the glow of streetlamps, the shadows of tree branches, all seem like distant memories, dark and damp.
As the mist rises, speckles begin to appear in the light source, swaying with the fog. The tones in the room also become like an old photograph worn with creases and impressions. Those murmurs, once thought to be the end of a suspense story, now mark the beginning of another thriller.
"How could it be Brand?" Victor said incredulously, "How could he..."
The other people's expressions turned grim. Ethan made a cross on his chest: "May he find favor with the Lord in Heaven."
The atmosphere became even more solemn. Alberto said, "I've heard of this doctor. He was your friend, right?"
Victor nodded gravely. Alberto continued, "My condolences. But if Edward really killed him, perhaps we should..."
"Impossible," Victor said, "Edward couldn't have killed him."
The atmosphere in the room froze again. Their previous theories had already identified Edward as the killer. The victim's identity should have increased Edward's suspicion, but Victor's sudden reversal left the matter in a new layer of complexity.
"Why? Professor Fries?" Tim said, "Since Arkham Psychiatric Hospital relocated, I haven't been there. What kind of person was the victim? Why do you think Edward wouldn't kill him?"
Victor glanced at Shiller, but Shiller showed no intention to speak. This diverted Victor's forthcoming explanation, and he only briefly said, "Edward couldn't kill him."
"You mean he possesses extraordinary skills?" Tim immediately thought of something, "I remember he and the professor were also friends, and you played cards together. That would make sense."
Victor nodded and said, "Indeed, he possesses exceptional skills. But I still need to confirm again, are you sure the victim was him and that he's dead?"
Tim looked again at the report Brainiac sent and said, "You suspect that when we first saw the body, he might not have been dead, and if the body disappeared, he might have escaped?"
"Who exactly is this Doctor Brand?" Alberto asked Victor, "Does he have some kind of resurrection ability?"
"He indeed has extraordinary abilities," Victor deliberated for a moment and then said, "I don't believe he could be killed by ordinary people. Even if he died, it might be an illusion. The body disappearing might not be theft but him walking out after revival."
"Wait," Ethan said, "Why is this suddenly turning into a thriller? Isn't this a murder case?"
Tim looked at Shiller. Shiller had previously stated this was a murder, emphasizing a murderer and a body. But if the person wasn't dead at the time, it doesn't count as a body. Was Shiller's judgment wrong, or was there another hidden aspect?
Everyone was more inclined to believe the latter because Shiller's judgment in this area had never been wrong. Victor thought for a moment and said, "Maybe he was dead then and later came back to life."
"Could Edward be in danger?" Cobblepot furrowed his brow, "If Doctor Brand has been resurrected, did he take Edward away?"
"We can't jump to conclusions," Tim suggested, "We need to start with the motive. Why would Edward kill his attending doctor?"
This question was challenging. Brand could be in long-term contact with Edward, proving they could tolerate each other, especially Edward accepting Brand. He should have no reason to kill his attending doctor unless there was a change with either party.
Victor immediately thought of this and said, "Could it be that Edward's condition deteriorated, originally getting along with Brand, but it was no longer possible after worsening?"
"I think we've got it all wrong," Cobblepot said, "Something must have changed with Brand, leading to Edward's condition worsening."
Tim was almost enlightened and said, "Exactly. The problem is more likely with Brand. He must have changed, and Edward discovered it, triggering his paranoia. He might think something replaced Brand, causing distrust of anyone Brand associated with, including you, Mr. Kopot."
Cobblepot also realized and said, "Exactly, even though when I visited him the day before, he was fine, but after consulting Doctor Brand about his condition, Edward's behavior became strange."
"What exactly was wrong with Brand?" Victor couldn't figure it out, "Why did he suddenly change? How did he change?"
But suddenly, he paused, like he thought of something, and then fell silent. Tim keenly noticed his expression change and asked, "What did you think of, Professor?"
"Nothing. I can only confirm that Brand isn't dead, and that reasoning here is pointless..."
"Of course it is," Cobblepot emphasized, "Edward is also missing now. Even if he's a suspect and a mental patient, if he's in danger, we can't abandon him."
Tim didn't argue this point and said, "If Edward was triggered by Brand's change, got provoked into an episode, and killed him, how would the revived Brand treat Edward?"
Mr. Cobblepot's face was somewhat pale, but Alberto said, "This matter is definitely not as simple as revenge. Otherwise, Brand could have killed Edward directly, rather than taking him away. There must be something in their relationship that we don't know. Someone among us hasn't told the truth."
Of course, everyone knew that. From the start of the deduction, everyone had their own things to hide. Tim said, "All the clues I know are related to the murder case, but I have no idea about the information before that, and you all should know better than me."
He glanced at Cobblepot and Victor, the two people who had the most dealings with the suspect and the victim. Cobblepot's worry didn't seem fake, but Victor's attitude was peculiar.
Logically, he didn't need to cover for either Brand or Edward's side, and he was also diligent in the previous deduction. But ever since he learned the victim was Brand, his attitude completely changed, eager to end the deduction, and was obviously hiding some crucial information.
Victor looked at Shiller with a pleading gaze, but Shiller just sat there calmly, quietly sipping whiskey, seemingly contemplating something, yet perhaps nothing at all.
"Maybe Edward wasn't having an episode," Shiller spoke up, "Throughout his long patient career, there have been too many misjudgments brought by persecution delusions, and this might be the only time that's not an illusion."
"Are you saying, Brand was indeed replaced?" Tim also showed a somewhat surprised expression, "Could it be Clayface?"
Though in their universe, Clayface had never appeared, it doesn't mean he doesn't exist, or that he has definitely turned good. Maybe he'll suddenly jump out one day. Tim learned from another universe's Robin about such a magical existence, capable of disguising as anyone anytime, sometimes even Batman couldn't detect him. As soon as replacement was mentioned, Tim immediately thought of him.
"That's not the point," Victor said, "Who's replaced Brand isn't important; what's important is why Brand got replaced. I don't believe anyone could kidnap or kill him, and then replace him. This could only be..."
At this point, Victor fell silent again. He sighed deeply, just about to say something when the manor's door was suddenly knocked.
Everyone turned to look, the rain and fog outside still dense. Tim, closest to the door, walked over to open it, a thin figure stood outside, face somewhat pale but not wet. Tim immediately recognized it was Edward Nigma.
"Oh my god," he exclaimed, hurriedly stepping aside, letting Edward in. Cobblepot rushed over as soon as he saw Edward, stopping in front of him, examining him up and down, and then sighed in relief.
"Thank God you're okay," Cobblepot said, "Where have you been?"
Edward seemed somewhat dazed. Cobblepot was about to step forward when Tim stopped him, shaking his head at him. At this moment, Shiller stood up and walked over, looking at Edward, saying, "You must be very tired, go upstairs to rest."
Shiller looked at Alberto and said, "Can you prepare a room for him?"
Alberto nodded. Shiller led Edward to the guest room door, Edward went in and quickly fell asleep on the bed. Outside the room, everyone was puzzled.
"He's fine," Shiller said, "No one wants to hurt him."
"So, what's going on? Professor?" Tim couldn't help but ask for clarification.
"Wait for the person involved to speak himself," Shiller walked to the table, picked up the glass, drank the last bit of whiskey, and said, "It's late, we should rest first. Maybe we'll have the answer tomorrow morning."
There were still too many mysteries unresolved, but it's obvious that every link lacks key evidence to anchor the facts. They really wanted to figure it out immediately, but it's unrealistic. Having deduced for a whole night, they were tired, so they went to rest.
But it was destined not to be a peaceful night. Everyone slept for about two hours, Tim was first awakened by a phone call. He hurried downstairs, waking everyone else. Victor asked sleepily, "What's wrong? What happened again?"
"Someone called the police," Tim said, "Someone called the police saying they're being hunted down. I'm afraid I have to go over."
"Hunting someone down in this weather?" Victor glanced outside. The storm had indeed lessened a bit, but the heavy rain hadn't stopped. The flooding situation in the North District was okay, but the ground was still waterlogged. Even the fiercest beasts should be staying in their territory to avoid the rain. Who's brave enough to resist natural disasters, seeking revenge overnight?"
"Just go if you have to," Alberto said indifferently, "Things like this happen every day, why make such a big fuss?"
"The problem is, the person who called claims his name is Brand."
"What?"
Tim quickly left. Until the police car's lights vanished, those inside the manor were still immersed in shock. They couldn't even summarize the current situation with words.
Doctor Brand's body appeared in the Arkham Psychiatric Hospital. Then the body vanished, Edward became the primary suspect. Edward also vanished, then showed up at the estate without saying a word and slept. Two hours later, Brand, who should have already become a corpse, ran to the Gotham Police Department to report being hunted.
Thinking about it, Victor still called Tim, "No matter what he says, don't believe him, Tim. Stay alert, be careful."