Pushing through the crowd, I tried to find my uncle. I don't think, that he has cnanged a lot in two years. Although, happens anything. People here, of course, gathered just a bunch. Can't believe, all of them gathered here to see as the police commissioner resigns. I'll bet hundred that at least half of them attended the banquet in honor of his appointment with approximately the same persons.
When I approached the building, I managed to knock over a glass of coffee at some poor fellow in an expensive suit, and then I also had a lot of time to explain to the guards standing at the entrance that I was a serious detective's niece and if they didn't pass me, then he all to hell to dismiss. It did not work right away, but they passed me. I doubt, that he has that opportunities.
Actually all planned like a family meeting, but I mixed up the tickets and said the wrong date. When I came to my senses, I decide not to change anything.
I've noticed among the crowd familiar face and just could not resist not to notify everyone about it:
— Uncle Jim!
Аt least ten people from crowd turned back to my side. One of them was man, chattering before with a lovely brunette in black dress. For a split second on his face several expressions changed at once. At first — complete bewilderment, then — happiness. Actually, my uncle wasn't ecpecially emotional, that means: "he desn't jump with squeals, showering kittens and rainbow around". But it was enough for me that he just smiled to hang on his neck.
— What are you doing here? You should arrive only tomorrow, — he wondered when I stopped my embraces filled with love and choking techniques.
— Surprise! — I just responded, throwing up my hands.
— I can't believe, that you become so...
Then I interrupted in the most cheeky way his session of tirades and examining me, for the waiter sailed past with a tray of sweet and incredibly fragrant pastries. Then I remenber, that all my food today was limited to breakfast on the plane and a hot dog on the way here.
— Oh, eclairs!
— ... Аdult, — he spoke with some doubt in his voice.
— Warning all your questions: flew normally, stopped at Mr. Hattings on the corner of the 46th.
All this time woman, with he spoken before stay behind us and look for our family reunion with slight smile. But now she coughed lightly, well, just very clearly recalling her presence.
— Right, Lee, this is Kim, my niece. She will be trained at our site. Kim is Leslie Tompkins, she is a pathologist and... well...
— Your girlfriend? — I said with delight. Вrunette just smiled. She's cute. We should chat.
For as long as I can remember, my uncle was never left without female attention, which actually filled my entire childhood with various curious cases. True, he then moved to Gotham, and I somehow lost touch with him. Shortly before it he started meet with some Barbara, but I've never seen her.
— Wait, what about this... Barbara? — interested I, stuffing the rest of eclairs.
— We are no longer together, — after they both made that fases that I understand — I would not ask more. Fortunattely, from awkward silence we were saved by movement somewhere next to stage. There were some people from which I know only comissаr Еssen — my future boss. God, I hope she will not a strict lady.
All guests started took their places. My uncle was warried about me, apparently wondering that I would not find a place for myself and would be standing like an idiot in the aisle, but I made a hand sign, making it clear that everything was super.
Then pushing between people through a row from him and his girlfriend.
— Sorry, you will not move? Do not worry, I eat a lot, but in fact very thin. Yes thank you.
Without waiting for an answer, I squeezed in between some dark-skinned man and a blonde. I hope, they are not together. It can be akward. Fortunattely, they didn't make a fuss, but just alternately drilled a hole in me with their angry and extremely indignant views and calmed down. Sit strait at the junction of chairs wasn't comfortable, when a solid-looking man stood up at the rostrum, presented as Theo Galavan, I was already in pain. I already seriously regretted that I did not stay at home to meet with my uncle tomorrow. And what the hell did I suffer here? We had to do as the mayor and just did not come.
— "He knows how to sink into the soul. Gotham has ... special magic. " — mr. Galavans words did not reach me immediately because I wrote SMS to my friend. And, by the way, I did not forget to mention about the lack of normal seats.
However, there was something strange in this words. Despite the fact that I was in Gotham for the first time in general, I also felt something...different. No matter how clumsy it sounded, but it seemed that it was you dont that person, who decides your fate, it is someone else.Meets you with right people. I didn't feel it in Vashington.
When the touching and tearful speech was finally over, I hurried to get up. I also heard, how this blond said ti this man: "Lout. Who has passed her?". I hurried to retire in case she burst with arrogance. Almost immediately i found uncle in the crowd.
— What time do I need to be at work?
— I'll pick you up.
— Great. More and shuttle to work. I like this city.
I suddenly thought seriously. Did I do right that I decided to practice it here? Gotham in any way one of the most dirty and dangerous cities on the map of the USA. Still, it was easier to find a practice before the institute here (especially when your uncle was a detective and on a good account) than to run around Washington and ask if they need lawyers.
By the way, he didn't share my joy, and in general he looked somehow terribly tense, and when I tried to ask how long he had slept the last time, he just changed the subject.
- All these official roller coaster is a little exhausting. So much has fallen, — he breathed. Leslie touched his shoulder encouragingly and smiled warmly. God, they are so cute.
— Come on. You haven't killed man yet, — I answered jokingly, but I immediately regretted it. From my words uncle frowned even more. — Sorry.
My apologies were interrupted by the commissar's voice:
— Jim, we have state of emergency.
Incidentally, she also did not look like a person who was present at the banquet with a pyramid of champagne.
— Six prisoners escaped from Arkham. Including Barbara Keane, — it seemed to me that she specifically focused attention on this.
Wait. Stop.
Arkham, this is kind of a nuthouse. Tell me that this is not the Barbara. Please.
— Ih my God, — a genuine fear flashed on Leslie's face for a second.
The evening of family meetings was hopelessly flawed. I tried to ask at least something, but all I received from my uncle was: "Go home. Now. I'll call you". Yes, great. Who was there carrying this nonsense about the "magic of the city"? As soon as I got to Gotham, and then the psychos were walking around. I am delighted, honestly.
I remained standing in the middle of the hall, where a faint shadow of panic had already passed, until finally Dr. Tompkins touched my shoulder:
- Come on, I'll take you home.