"Gordon, what went down here?" I asked while approaching the crime scene.
"Ah, so you made it."
"Well, yes, as you can see. But that does not answer my question."
"Take a look for yourself."
I looked down at the blood-stained street where, before my very eyes, lay the limp body of Edward Nigma. I have had to deal with this lunatic relentlessly, and now someone has managed to simply kill him? "What was the cause of death? Falling, I presume?"
"Yes, but he did not just trip. Look at his chest, see that mark there?"
When I looked closer at The Riddler's cadaver I noticed a large mark in the center of his chest, from a direct kick. "What information can you get from that?" I asked the commissioner.
"Surprisingly, none. The guy who did this was not wearing any shoes, which you can see by looking closer at the mark."
"But isn't that good? You could find some valuable DNA from that."
"True..." interjected Gordon. "But this guy was crafty. He had something covering his foot. Not a shoe, but something; and he even blocked out the scent with vaseline; the dogs could not get a lead on his trail. Whoever this guy is, he is one hell of a strategist. We also have reason to believe this killer is the same who took out all of those mindless minions of The Joker."
"Well, it does seem oddly suspicious. First just some random crooks and gang-bangers get taken out. Then some bigger guys and that whole Joker fiasco, and now this. Strange he chose not to use a weapon. Based on his previous... doings, he is quite the swordsman."
"And marksman. I have to tell you, Batman, this one will not be an easy catch."
"Sure, but that does not change the fact that he needs to be found. This guy murdered someone. They may have been an obsessed psychopath, but murder is murder."
"Sure, Batman, sure. But look at it from another perspective. This guy killed a major criminal in the city, alone, and is saving the police a lot of work. Not to say you are not doing a good job, but let's face it; Arkham Asylum is not the stronghold it used to... Batman? Dammit."
As I snuck out through the corner of the building near the scene, I could not help but think about what Gordon had said. Maybe this person is doing Gotham a favor. But he is also encouraging murder. People will undoubtedlylook up to him for what he does... that is, if he continues to do it. They will only follow his ways, and we will be filled with a new generation of murderous zealots in no time. I had no choice but to find this killer. But my thoughts were interrupted when I noticed a small note on the street by my side. The note had my name, literally, on the card, with a symbol resembling two crossed swords with a crescent moon between them. I picked up the note. It was typed.
Bruce, I had a feeling you would be here. Murder never seems to go unnoticed in this city. Makes my job much harder. And yes, I do know who you are, but do not fret. I have no quarrel with you. You may be somewhat... odd, but a hero in my book. You save lives, protect your city, and never kill those who do wrong. Never liked that last quality. Do you think that criminals change, Bruce? Well, they do not. And they never do. Get used to it so that you can either help me with my work or hang up your cape. I would have written to you personally, but then the police would be on my trail, and I cannot have that. Until Next Time
"I am counting on it."