"Brainiac, did you get the testimony recorded?"
"The law enforcement recorder has been on the entire time."
"What are you up to?" Jack said with some surprise, "What are you investigating?"
"Someone disguised as Cobblepot, trying to deceive him into a mental breakdown. I'm trying to find out who's responsible. Now it seems like it's Ogway. But how he managed to disguise as Cobblepot and fool Professor Fries still needs investigation."
"Investigate what?" Jack scoffed, "You just need to tell Cobblepot your suspicions. He has plenty of ways to deal with that guy."
Tim was taken aback: "But... there's still not enough evidence because the exact method hasn't been figured out yet..."
"That's police thinking," Jack shook his head, "The mob doesn't work like that. The mob would rather wrongfully kill a thousand than let one go, once unfaithful, never used again. Just tell Cobblepot what's happening, especially about Ogway hiring the truck driver, and Cobblepot can naturally get the method out of him."
"Refuse to use torture," Brainiac said, "You can't use violent means on a suspect before they're convicted..."
"What you say is useless," Jack began, "If it were Gordon standing here, I might give him some face. You? A second-hand robot, go stand somewhere else."
Brainiac said nothing because he knew that old Gotham folks like Joker didn't like him. It wasn't because of any oversight he had in managing Gotham, but because he wasn't there during Gotham's darkest times, nor did he do much during its reconstruction. By the time Brainiac arrived, Gotham City was already pretty much fixed.
So now when he proposes rules that violate Gotham's survival laws, it inevitably sounds lofty and meddlesome. For so many years back then, Gothamites survived on these survival techniques, and you can't ask them to change immediately. Brainiac wasn't on a path of iron-fisted rule; he had to take it slowly.
"Torture is definitely not an option, I'm against it too," Tim said, looking at Doctor Brand, "But since they're Cobblepot's men, he can naturally send someone to inquire. Doctor Brand, what do you think?"
Doctor Brand initially didn't react, but soon he realized, it's the same principle as when Tim threatened him before—Brainiac can't see illusions, so he can't know what the Outer God did to someone, thus it doesn't count as torture.
"Do you know where Ogway is?" Tim looked at Jack and asked.
"I don't know, but I can help you ask. Wait a moment." Jack went back into the house, circled around a few card tables, handed out some cigarettes, and quickly returned, a cigarette in his mouth. "His house is in alley 386 at the end of Green Street, but it was flooded, so they should have evacuated by now. It seems Cobblepot's people are all in houses on those two streets to the east."
"Thanks," Tim said, "I owe you a meal."
"By the way, where's Bruce been lately?" Jack casually asked, "Haven't played cards with him in a while."
"He's on holiday with his family," Tim said, "I'll call you when he's back."
"I must remind you," Brainiac continued to nag in Tim's ear, "You cannot make illegal arrests without conclusive evidence..."
Tim was at a loss for words, he said: "Do you even know what Cobblepot used to do? He was a mob boss! Mob! Do you believe if I go grab Ogway, he won't dare shout illegal arrest?"
And it turned out Tim was right. He entered the Cobblepot Group's shelter and scanned the room. "Who is Ogway?"
A tall, thin man stood up, eyeing Tim with a sullen look. Tim approached him and flashed his ID: "Come with us, Mr. Ogway."
Ogway didn't say a word and just followed Tim, neither shocked by the police's arrival nor doubtful, almost as though he "already knew." Brainiac had nothing to say either.
But then again, even if the Cobblepot Group has cleaned up its act, it doesn't mean it was clean before. Cobblepot was already rising to power when the Old Godfather was still around, and Ogway's been with him since then, undoubtedly handling a lot of dirty work. He probably thought Tim was there to settle old scores.
But Ogway followed the police because he had reason to believe Cobblepot would pull him out. Even Gordon might not be able to touch him, let alone Tim.
However, unfortunately, Brand was also around. The Outer Gods may not be strong in other aspects, but their scare tactics are first-rate. Ogway was scared out of his wits, while Brainiac saw nothing. These guys weren't outside the law anymore; they were above it.
Ogway lay on the ground like a dead dog. Tim tightened his gloves, stepped forward, grabbed Ogway by the hair, and asked, "How did you disguise yourself as Cobblepot?"
Ogway bit his teeth and said nothing, but Brand quickly put him in an illusion. He murmured incoherently, "Hand... ring... bug..."
"Bug?" Tim frowned slightly and immediately thought of Blue Beetle. Blue Beetle's holographic projection ability could indeed very realistically mimic others, but the problem is, Blue Beetle was a batch-1 student at Mercury Academy and is currently working on Krypton. He had no grudge against Cobblepot, how could he help Ogway do such a thing?
"Blue Beetle?" Tim probed.
"Blue... blue..."
"A blue thing," Brand suddenly said, "It's something similar to a ring that you wear on your hand, simulating things through the light it emits."
Tim pursed his lips. He suspected someone was imitating Blue Beetle's ability and trying to frame him. But the mention of blue made him think of another person—Doctor Manhattan.
Tim had heard a little about the newly opened amusement park in the Multiverse. Could it be that some people were maliciously competing?
Brainiac obviously considered this too, so afterward, his warnings became less frequent. Within this universe, he'd try to enforce the law fairly, but if it involved multiverse invasion, he could genuinely become evil AI.
Tim directly dragged Ogway into the car and said to Brand, "Let's go see Professor Shiller."
Brand breathed a sigh of relief. After going in such a big circle, he could finally meet Shiller. As long as he could see Shiller, he should be safe—this hurdle would be behind him.
The car raced all the way to the Falcone Manor. As soon as they entered the manor, Ogway was thrown in front of Cobblepot by Tim. Cobblepot frowned at Tim, while Alberto could no longer hold back.
"What exactly do you want?!"
Victor quickly stood between the two of them. Now was not a good time for a shootout, as Shiller was sleeping. If they woke him up, everyone present would be in big trouble.
"Ask him yourself." Tim said, looking at Cobblepot.
Cobblepot squinted his eyes. Although Tim had personal grievances with Alberto, he wasn't the type to act recklessly out of personal vendetta. Since he had taken down Ogway, there must be evidence. Cobblepot glanced at Alberto.
Alberto waved his hand, and someone immediately came in to take Ogway away. Cobblepot followed them, obviously going to interrogate Ogway.
"Doctor Brand." Victor looked at Brand and said, "It's good to see you're still alive. How have you been lately?"
Brand sighed deeply, "Where is Edward?"
"He's inside." Victor's words had barely fallen when Edward rushed out from inside.
"Doctor, I heard you talking!" Edward said as he walked over, "Are you here to take me back to the hospital?"
"No, there's still disaster relief going on." Brand replied gently, "We'll go back together when the rain stops."
"Okay." Edward nodded. He appeared very calm in front of Brand.
God knows how uncomfortable Victor felt watching this harmonious doctor-patient scene. How could others not know what he knew? Brand was Nyarlathotep! What was with this facade of a good doctor saving lives??
Actually, Tim also didn't quite understand. According to logic, Outer Gods shouldn't have emotions, much less a sense of duty as a doctor. Just treating a bit here and there should suffice. Why was Brand so attentive?
At that moment, the door upstairs suddenly opened, and a figure stepped out from behind it. Brand instinctively looked up. "Shiller..."
"Long time no see, Erigavin." "Shiller" said as he walked down the stairs.
But Brand suddenly froze, and then, darkness began to surge wildly in the room.
All living people were instantly knocked out, their Sanity Points depleted, causing them to faint on the floor. Brainiac's sharp electronic warning sound was also drowned out.
"Shiller... how dare you..." Brand stared at him.
"Why do you think Shiller would help you?" "Shiller" said, looking at Brand.
"Don't forget what good deed you did with my power last time!" Brand no longer disguised himself. He lost his human form, transforming into a tall, thin, black blurry shadow, almost reaching the ceiling. A thread of gold began to weave through the darkness, like a golden gauze garment woven with mad and chaotic timelines.
"So you think he would stop me from asking for your power again?"
"Wouldn't he?" Nyarlathotep's voice echoed in the room, "He wouldn't allow you to destroy yourself again."
"It seems you intend to side with him." "Shiller's" tone remained calm.
Nyarlathotep stared at the person in front of him. Over the years, people called him "Shiller" when using that body. Even though the body had a new owner later, people could always see Shiller's shadow in him.
And upon his return, the grandeur and fearless years of clearing thorns appeared in the minds of the onlookers, making them realize that the actions of Shiller from the past could leave a deep enough mark on their interminable lives.
"What should I call you?" Nyarlathotep asked him, "Shiller or Anatoli?"
"As you wish." He shrugged and said, "Let's talk business. I need your power, Nya."
"I won't lend you any power again." Nyarlathotep flatly refused.
"I think we should talk about what happened to Edward."
"I didn't do it on purpose, and I have tried my best to fix it." Nyarlathotep emphasized, "And if it weren't for your return, making me want to flee this cosmos as soon as possible, this wouldn't have happened!"
"I'm not here to blame you." "Shiller" said, looking into Nya's eyes. "On the contrary, it's precisely because you've been diligent and mitigated all impacts that I chose to approach you in such a gentle manner."
"Gentle?" Nyarlathotep seemed to hear a big joke, "Sitting here waiting for me to walk into your trap, must be fun, right?"
"Not as fun as visiting your real home - guess what the real Shiller went off to do?"
Many bad memories surged back to Nya at the same time, and he almost screamed, "No! Don't use that cannon!"
"Don't be afraid," he smiled and said, "Rest assured, tonight there will be no murders."