The Wayne Group, with its stupid people and lots of money, was throwing cash around again.
Perhaps "stupid" was the wrong word. After decades of deep tending in Gotham City, Wayne Enterprises had expanded into transportation, water utilities, agriculture, trade, real estate, new energy, genetic engineering, arms manufacturing, and aviation. They'd monopolized entire industries. The Wayne Group was powerful beyond measure. They had lots of money, certainly. But definitely not stupid.
Three other families had built Gotham alongside the Waynes: the Elliots, the Kanes, and the Cobblepots. Each family had their situations. Heirs became criminals. Dynasties declined. Empires crumbled.
But the Wayne family still stood.
The only problem was Wayne Enterprises' current successor: young playboy Bruce Wayne.
No special skills. Not particularly focused on group management. People's impression of him was mostly: young, energetic, womanizer, super bachelor, stupid and rich, good heart, unworthy son of a great father.
Oh, and one more tag.
Gotham orphan.
Speaking of which, Jude had almost lost it yesterday when Batman drank the porridge and the mission progress increased slightly. Which meant Batman also counted as an orphan for completion purposes.
Well. There really were a lot of orphans in Gotham City.
Anyway, Bruce Wayne's public image was deeply entrenched. Almost impossible to change. Whenever Wayne Enterprises made strange, abstract decisions, people attributed them to Bruce.
"Haha, that silly kid from the Wayne family is making decisions again."
Like a few days ago, when Lucius Fox suddenly decided to dispatch the Wayne Logistics fleet to help a Santa Claus cosplayer transport hot porridge to the East End and every corner of Gotham. When he specially sent Wayne Security personnel and equipment to protect a small soup kitchen. When he deployed Wayne Construction teams for long, tedious shelter repairs.
For the Wayne Group, this donation was different from normal charitable contributions. It couldn't be used for tax avoidance. It was simply an expenditure.
But everyone had gotten used to it.
When the group made decisions that hurt profitability or caused significant fund loss, people assumed Bruce Wayne made a snap decision. And if the decision involved charity, people assumed Bruce Wayne made a kind-hearted snap decision.
Long-term strategic considerations? Definitely not included in that boy's thinking.
Good morning, Gotham.
Still cloudy today. No snow falling, but the early morning air remained freezing cold. Snow on the roads showed no signs of melting.
Jude stirred porridge in the pot and listened to morning news on the radio. His hands paused unconsciously.
"Yesterday, District Attorney Harvey Dent who had been expose to be in a ploy to capture the culprit that bomb his home by playing dead, now he donated a full two million dollars to a charity fundraiser for winter survival of Gotham City's orphans. This generous contribution has sparked quite a heated discussion..."
He donated all of it, Jude thought. Didn't keep a single dollar. Even added some of his own savings.
Harvey Dent. Gotham's District Attorney. One of the city's few remaining consciences. The White Knight who hated evil.
Judging from his actions, he deserved the name of justice.
Not only because he donated the money, but because donating such a large amount would bring him serious trouble. Maybe he could handle it himself. Maybe Gordon could help. Maybe Batman could intervene. But the greater possibility was endless investigation.
"Where did you get this money? Who gave you such a large sum?"
Harvey Dent looked at his angry friend and couldn't help remembering their first meeting.
Gordon's sideburns hadn't been white then. No thick beard. Fewer wrinkles on his face. No glasses yet. He'd looked like a young, handsome guy.
He was older now. Many things had faded with time: physical strength, eyesight, that full head of blond hair. But some things hadn't changed. The furrowed brow. The habit of working late at his GCPD desk every night. The aura of leading police forces from the front.
Even the way he roared against injustice remained the same. Full of anger and courage, no matter who the opponent was or how much power they wielded.
Every time Harvey saw his friend, he became more convinced of his own path. Upholding justice and the law would never be wrong.
"Gordon, I know you're angry. But you know who I am. How I operate." Harvey's voice was calm. "So calm down and listen. Harvey Dent will never go against justice."
Gordon didn't continue questioning. He sat down in a chair, still furious but willing to listen.
"I met someone I can't identify. He gave me the money."
"Why?" Gordon's voice rose. "Who gives you two million dollars for no reason without explanation?"
"It's not for nothing." Harvey shook his head. "This money was originally the bounty Falcone offered to kill me."
"What do you mean?" Gordon went rigid. "The five Irish Gang members..."
"I didn't kill them." Harvey sighed. "Why do you always jump to those conclusions?"
Gordon stopped talking.
Ever since "Mouse" Mickey asked him that question during interrogation, he couldn't stop thinking about it. Couldn't stop wondering.
Was it possible?
Was it possible that Harvey Dent, his partner in justice, his trusted ally, would use extreme measures against gangsters in pursuit of justice?
A faint sense of doubt grew in his heart.
"Before the bomb exploded, someone contacted me." Harvey's voice was steady. "He replaced the Irish Gang's device with a safer version. Helped me escape the attack. He also stole the bounty payment and gave the money to me."
Harvey's expression darkened. "Unfortunately, I failed to protect Gilda. She still had to stay in the hospital for several days."
"Gilda's examination showed she was healthy." Gordon softened instinctively. "Based on the results, you've taken good care of her."
Then he remembered he was there to interrogate, not comfort. "But if this person doesn't want money and doesn't know you, why would he help?"
"I'm not sure. But he said he's not the Holiday Killer."
"He really isn't."
Batman's voice emerged from the darkness at precisely the right moment.
Gordon didn't even flinch. Just sighed.
"I've done research," Batman continued. "Very detailed investigation."