Day 96
I was still felt depressed with the ruin of Haven and I prayed for the poor souls. I prayed for my strengths and perseverance. Then a small palm-sized item was held before my eyes. I gazed up at the holder and raised an eyebrow.
"I know how much you love throwing things… now, this, my dear, is a grenade," Oswald smirked. The way he was talking is as if he was talking to child.
"I know what it is," I snapped, snatching the grenade from him. It's obviously heavier than a baseball, even though the size is similar. Then Oswald passed me a belt holster of grenades. It could only held four grenades.
"Now, what do you say when someone gives you a present?" he said, earning a glare from me.
"Michin nom," I mumbled. I inwardly smirked as his face fell into a dumbfounded expression. I should have insulted him using foreign language so that he can't find out what it is.
"What is that?" It's not that he couldn't hear it. He was concern of the meaning of what I had said. It literally means 'crazy guy' in an offensive way and also Oswald doesn't like to be called crazy.
"Michin nom! " I repeated loudly right on his face. He jerked backwards at my sudden outburst. Then I decided to say 'go away' in Korean as well. "KKeojyeo!"
It was a bit amusing to see Oswald asking his people around what the meaning of the words I said to him. He even pronounced them incorrectly. I guessed no one had studied Korean language. We just arrived in Harlow Park where Jim said it's where the suspect is. Someone saw this suspect lurking around Haven at the time of the bombing. Jim ordered to get in slowly with full alert so most of the officers and Oswald's men walked alongside the vehicles. I decided to sit in one of the patrol cars, because I felt a bit tired. I managed to eat a biscuit before this 'trip'.
Even though Hassan and I are not in a good ride right now, I still felt the need to tell him the situation here and I did. Also I suddenly missed his voice. Then he replied me with an "okay" and "I love you" in the radio. The weak tone of his voice saddened me. I bit my lips, thinking of what should I say next.
The officer, who was driving beside me was looking at me from the corner of his eyes. I could feel it and I ignored it.
"I love you, too," I responded in the radio transceiver. "I'm sorry for this morning… we'll talk when I got home."
Pushing down the emotional exhaustion, I exhaled heavily and focused at the current situation. I noticed Jim, Bullock and Oswald halted their strides.
"Alright, fan out," Jim's voice bellowed. "We go building to building, door to door. Our sources said this is where we'll find the bomber. He's here somewhere."
The patrol car stopped so I exited from it, scanning the surrounding. We were surrounded by buildings. And the vicinity seemed empty apart from us. I stood right next to the towering Alvarez.
"Alvarez," Bullock summoned. "Take a squad, grab the north side of the street." He waved his hand to a direction to our right. "The rest of you, cover the south."
I decided to join the other team since they were mostly Oswald's people. Who knows what they will do? The chance of them double-crossing us is likely. When I walked to the other side, I saw Oswald was preparing a megaphone. Alarmed, I swiftly grabbed the megaphone and pulled it down before he got the chance to speak.
"What are you doing?" I harshly said. "This is not a good idea."
Oswald snatched the megaphone back. "To the vile miscreant who murdered those innocent Havenites," he challenged. The loud announcement resonated in the air. "You have nowhere to run! We will root you out like the vermin you are! Two forces united in one purpose!"
Suddenly the megaphone was shot down and flew from the Penguin's hand. All of us panicked and we ran behind the vehicles to take cover. Oswald pushed me away, causing me to fall down on the ground. I became heated by his actions as I get back up to my feet and ran towards him behind the car.
"You maniac!" I hissed as I crouched beside him. "I could push you out there if I want to."
Jim and Bullock came to hide with us short after. "Elevated position, back to the sun," Jim signaled.
There is only one spot where the shoot was coming from. Before us is a building with only one window opened. But the suspect may be on the roof.
"Looks like we found our guy, huh?" Bullock lightly said. All of us stretched our neck to see the shooter, but a shot fired at wall near us so we ducked back down. The shooter can see all of us clearly but we can't see them.
"We're sitting ducks out here," Jim stated the obvious.
"And one Penguin," Bullock added.
"A insensitive one," I further added begrudgingly.
Then, Bullock sneered at the pale criminal. "Hey, Oswald, why don't you crawl out there, grab that bullhorn and tell him to come down quietly?"
Oswald scoffed at Bullock's taunts as if he was not at fault at this condition. The shooter kept on shooting whenever our side made a move. He's very good at this. Very tactical. Jim shouted at the shooter of how we got the building surrounded and that the shooter had no choice but to give up.
"Pretty cozy up here," a voice articulated. "Thanks guys."
"I know that voice," Oswald and I chorused. We looked at each other with large eyes. Then I looked at Jim who seemed like he recognized that voice as well.
"Zsasz?" Jim called. I bravely peered at the building.
Then a familiar bald man popped up at the window. "Oh, hey, guys. What's up?" Zsasz casually greeted.
My eyes widened when he pulled out a big gun and shot at our direction. Fighting Zsasz is like fighting Jim. Both are very good. But Zsasz is alone. Or… are his Zsaszettes here as well? My eyes wildly looked for any open window at the other building, afraid that there might be another or many other shooters from different directions.
"I did not make that building go boom, Jim," Zsasz said.
"Oh, please!" Oswald gibed. "You gave up any shreds of honor long ago! Why should we believe a snake like you?!"
"You are not the one to talk about honor," I muttered under my breath.
"Because I would never take credit for somebody else's work," Zsasz sassily replied. Yeah, Zsasz is always proud of his 'works'.
"Oh, no, you'd just betray anyone and everyone for the right price!" Oswald's veins might explode if he kept on with this aggression. He was talking about himself again.
"Is this about Sofia Falcone? Because you should move past that. It's not healthy."
Oswald appeared to find Zsasz insufferable. I almost forgot that Oswald held long grudges. His face was red; he was breathing hard and his eyes were mad. We had to think of ways to apprehend Zsasz and find out about the bombing.
"Oswald, concentrate," Jim said. "Do you and your men have enough ammo to keep Zsasz pinned down for a couple of minutes?"
Oswald gulped, still panting for air. "For you, Jim, let's say… two and a half."
We managed to comprehend Zsasz. And we had to argue with Oswald on who will take Zsasz. Jim, being the alpha, took him to his car.
Green Zone was not so far from Harlow Park since it's downtown as well, so the drive to GCPD was not long. However we had to pass by St. Luke Hospital, which made my anger returned as I recalled all the injured and died people. When I got out of the patrol car, I charged towards Zsasz and jumped on him, causing both of us to fall on the ground.
"Sarah!" I heard Jim alarmingly reprimanded.
"Three hundred and eleven cadavers!" I screamed after I turned Zsasz around to face me. He looked surprise at my actions. "Forty nine wounded!" I felt hands around my upper arms, pulling me up from the hairless man. "My kids! Give me back my kids!"
"Take her away!" I heard Jim ordered. I was held my some officers while him and Bullock dragged Zsasz into the building.
"Jim, I want in!" I begged but didn't struggle from the hold. "I want to listen. Please. I'll just listen."
He was reading me. I telepathically plead him to allow me to do it. I regretted my actions before; roughly attacking Zsasz without thinking. "Fine. But you're behind the mirror. Harper, keep an eye on her."
The results of the interrogation was negative. So Zsasz is not the culprit.
But who the fuck is it?!
I was snooping on Jim when he got out from the interrogation room. I exited the room with Detective Harper's permission and then I walked closely behind him, who just finished speaking with Lucius. The evidence and witnesses' accounts on Zsasz did not match so Zsasz could not possibly be the bomber.
I had heard Lucius informed that the bomber attacked from the roof, so someone must have seen this person, carrying a huge bazooka around. I stepped forward to the captain who was looking upset at the new lead.
"Jim!" Oswald was entering the precinct casually after waving his greeting. "Ah. I know the wheels of justice turn slowly, so I'm here to provide a modicum of grease."
"Oswald, you need to leave right now," Jim warned.
"Still claiming he's innocent, is he?"
"Yes. And as much as I hate to admit it, the evidence is backing him up."
Then, Bullock came out, wanting to figure out what was happening. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the birdy villain. Jim explained to him what Lucius had told him; that Zsasz is not the culprit. However, Oswald was not having that. He wanted this suspect gone as soon as possible. And he would not take no for an answer.
He whistled and all his burly men came in fully armed. Clearly, we were not at the upper hand. The price of cooperating with Oswald is we never got what we want.
"Torturing Zsasz into confessing won't give the people justice," Jim coaxed, even though it's useless to do so.
"As misguided as he is, my old friend Jim is correct in this instance," Oswald rattled. "Despite our enflamed passions, we cannot rush to judgement. There will be a trial." All his men hooted in agreement. "And we will let the people decide."
I know what he's doing. He wanted to prove something - something of malicious intent. He wanted to bring out the inner vengeance from the hearts of the broken people. Then, I saw the enemies bringing Zsasz out from the interrogation room. I was mortified. Zsasz saw me and flashed a wink as if he was not in any trouble and his life is not in danger.
"Oswald, you don't understand," I explained, removing my eyes from Zsasz and marching forward. "The real killer is still out there. It's not Zsasz."
"You don't have any say in this," snapped the evil businessman.
My heart fell again for the nth time today. We don't have any power in this. Oswald won again.
The real bomber is still out there.
The words kept on repeating in my head. But here we are satisfying Oswald's wish. This is wrong. Zsasz is accused, though he's not innocent, judging by his handworks in Gotham. Many people died in his hands; everyone knew that. But he is not the bomber.
And he saved my life, my inner-self whispered.
I almost died before the bridges were destroyed. But he came and saved me.
We are at Oswald's turf, the City Hall, waiting for the public trial of Zsasz. People around me verbally expressed their anger towards Zsasz for the bombing. I saw Jim and Bullock conversed at the top floor. They gradually stepped down and joined the crowd down here. Shouldn't Jim stop this madness?
Should I?
The sound of gavel knocking averted my attention from the two law enforcers to the stage before me. Oswald stood at the center as the judge in this trial.
"Order in the court!" he opened. Everyone in the room quieted down.
"So, um, will I be appointed a lawyer?" Zsasz unconcernedly appealed. "I feel like my rights are being violated."
"Not your right to remain silent," countered Oswald. Then, he called the bailiff, who extracted an adhesive tape and sealed Zsasz's mouth. I bit my lip before I spoke in disagreement as I felt peeved by the mouth tapping. I didn't want to be kick out of the court.
Oswald hobbled away from the judge's stand to the eyewitness' booth. "And where exactly did you see the defendant minutes before the explosion?" he asked the witness.
"Coming out of the building," he sharply answered while holding a hard stare at Zsasz.
"The very building that mere moments later was engulfed in flames that would claim so many beloved souls?"
Flashes of the eleven children appeared in my mind. I swallowed, trying to steady my emotion, preventing tears from coming out. To be honest, there was a tiny part of me that wish the culprit was Zsasz so that he will be brought to justice as soon as possible to relief this turmoil in my heart. But it's not him. We have to find the real one instead of doing this unfair trial.
The witness nodded, confirming Oswald's question. Then Oswald put on an unhappy face, appealing to the people how he shared the pain that they are feeling.
"Are there any other witnesses who can back up this man's claim?" he opened the question to the audience. I felt dismayed when almost everyone in the room raised their hands. Unmistakably they just made up their accounts. They just need someone to blame; like Beth blamed me. They refused to investigate more deeply. Oswald's face lifted at the conformity of the audience. "Captain Gordon would have this court believe that all of you fine citizens are mistaken."
Immediately after, they threw jeers at the said captain.
"He claims that Mr. Zsasz is not responsible for the bombing," Oswald added. The audience's squabbles became louder. "Captain Gordon, if you would like to say something, now is the time."
Jim seemed perplexed. I cannot imagine the burden he was feeling at the moment.
"It wasn't a bomb," he revealed after a few seconds of silence. Everyone criticized instantly as if they are the one who did the investigation. "It wasn't a bomb," repeated Jim with louder sterner voice.
Oswald hushed the court, allowing Jim to make an attempt to appeal himself.
"A rocket-propelled grenade, fired from a rooftop," the captain explained. "If Zsasz was on the ground, as your witnesses claim, he couldn't have done it." He slowly marched towards the stage, facing us the crowd. "I know you all want justice. So do I. You're angry. You're scared. For months now, you've been hearing me say help is coming. Truth is, we may be on our own. And if that's true, what we do now is more important than ever. This… This is not justice. This is not justice. It's not who we are."
Everyone was silent. They truly listened to Jim's speech, but I wasn't sure if he could move their hearts. I doubted it. I couldn't watch this anymore. I don't want to see Zsasz getting executed before my eyes. There were already so much deaths yesternight. I couldn't see another pair of lifeless eyes. I thought I'm strong, but… I'm not.
So I ran out.
If they're not doing anything to find the bomber, then I'll do it. There must be a witness who saw someone hanging around the rooftop of the buildings near Haven. There has to be something.
A car stopped beside me, causing me to halt my fast strides and turn my head. It's a patrol car and inside there are Jim, Bullock and… Zsasz? Now, they completely gained my attention.
"How…?" I dragged. "Did you guys just grab him from the court?" My mouth hung opened after I finished my sentence. "What about Oswald? A-and the people? The victims' families?"
"Hop in?" Zsasz said, with the left corner of his lips curved up.
I opened the door and entered the car, sitting next to the cuffed Zsasz. "What's going on? Did you guys really just kidnapped him from the trial?" I asked again to the law enforcers.
"Just don't get use to this," Jim retorted, moving the car.
I turned to look at Zsasz. "I'm happy for you but you have other crimes as well and you also need to be prosecuted. You owe Jim your life."
Zsasz flashed an unreadable expression and took a peek at Jim before returning to me. The corners of his lips lifted again. "Well, can I have a kiss to celebrate my release?" he solicited, wiggling his lack of eyebrows. "Either from you or your husband, I don't care. But since you're here..."
My eyes narrowed immediately. "Stay away from my husband." Then I recollected of our fights this morning. I really should ask for forgiveness from him. I sighed, crossing my arms, leaning my head back against the seat.
"No kiss?"
"Shut up."
Turns out, we didn't bring Zsasz back to the Green Zone. Jim just let him go, but a tiny thing happened. Something that Zsasz had said just switched on something inside Jim. He literally had demanded a gunfight with Zsasz. At first I thought my ears heard wrong so I exited the car. But the captain did order Bullock to give his gun to Zsasz for a battle.
It was absurd!
Thank God, Zsasz was being the smart one. He refused the fight and walked away. Bullock and I yelled at Jim for his actions. We know that we can't lose him in a stupid fight. We went home after that. Jim kindly dropped me to my apartment.
Each step I took as I got closer to my apartment door felt heavy. What should I say to my husband after the fight? Is he alright? I'm not, so most certainly he's not alright as well.
5.54pm. I checked my watch, before opening the door.
Hassan was sleeping on the couch in the living room when I entered. He must have fallen asleep while waiting for me. After all, we promised to talk it out. Sauntering towards him, I took off my hijab and placed it on the coffee table. I kneeled down beside him, sitting down with my legs underneath.
Should I wake him up?
My fingers caressed his hair down to his cheek. "I'm sorry. I really am," I whispered, then pressed my lips on his forehead.
I left him and walked into our bedroom to check my son. He was deep in slumber as well. Then, he began to make a face which I recognized. He's going to cry, I thought, quickly rushed to him before he woke Hassan up. Malik made a small cry as I lifted him but quieted down immediately when I embraced him. I bounced my body slightly and shushed gently. "It's okay, little one. There's no need to cry."
Faint movement could be heard so I twisted around. Hassan was standing by the door, staring at us with a sleepy face.
"You're home. Why didn't you wake me up?" he asked, covering a yawn after that.
"Clearly, you're tired. Did he wake you?"
He nodded, approaching us, pulling us into a huddling hug. "I was their father too, you know," he murmured. I bit the insides of my cheeks. He was talking about the orphans. "No one deserved to be killed in the blast. No one," he continued.
I closed my eyes to prevent any tears from coming out.
Then I pulled away and reopened my eyes. "You're amazing for keeping up to me. I apologized for my actions this morning. Of all things, we shouldn't have fight." My eyes casted downwards to his chest as I wallow in guilt.
His warm hand rested against my cheek gently, making me looked into his eyes again. His gaze was soft and tender. "It was the heat of the moment. I forgave you. As we have promised each other, we work as a team. Me and you can protect our family. Don't do this alone. You told me don't be like Captain Gordon, but you're becoming like him. Stop that and asked for my help."
Day 98
A short incoherent call got my attention so I twisted my body to look at the source. I smiled adoringly at his scrunched face as he began to wake up.
"Rise and shine, champion. Assalamualaikum," I greeted, before continuing with my task. "How's your sleep?"
I heard a blah came after that and treated it as a response.
"Good, huh? Good for you. Tummy time?" I asked.
I got another cry from him. I walked to his crib in the living room and got him out. I held him against me and then twirled around a few times. His giggles reached my ear. They made me forgot a bit about the depressing things that had happened in the past few days.
"Okay. The ride is over, sir." I turned him around to face me and saw that he was scrunching his face. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you dizzy?"
I hugged him for a while before placing him on the mat for his tummy time.
"Call me if you anything. I'm washing your diapers. You should thank me. The smell of your excrement is very difficult to come off."
He just stared at me with his large hazel eyes. His saliva was dripping out to his chin as he squealed in unknown joy.
I rolled my eye. "Ha! You're welcome."
It was easy for me not to baby talk Malik, but Hassan cringed when I did it. He said that it was as if I wasn't speaking with an infant. But I argued that using difficult words, our son could learn more.
Then I returned to the bathroom to continue my task. I had let the diapers soaked in diluted soap for a while. I began to start scrubbing the dirty cloths against the washboard after putting on a glove.
A drop of sweat rolled down my chest and it felt airless in the toilet, so I stopped at the third diapers and exited to get a breather. I checked on Malik, who was playing well by himself with his caterpillar pillow.
Then my radio made a sound. Hassan must have something to tell me. I took off the glove and reached for the radio on the sofa.
"Babe?" His voice materialized. He didn't sound urgent, but there was a hint of hesitation.
"I'm listening," I answered through the transmitter.
Hassan then said that they found a lead for the bomber. He heard from Jim that there was a weapon supplier in Gotham.
"There's weapon supplier? I didn't know that," I blurted. Then, I went back into the toilet and scrubbed the diapers.
"Yeah, and we got help," Hassan informed, making me raised both my eyebrows. "The government sent a troop."
Took them long enough. My sarcasm was evident.
"I should say Alhamdulillah but I'm angry," I muttered to myself. I heavily sighed. I should be grateful that the government finally made a move. "Alhamdulillah." I praised my God.
At least help is here. But what shocked me was their new suspect for the bombing. Hassan said that Nygma bought two RPGs from the supplier. I stopped washing my son's reusable diapers and quickly reached for the radio transmitter.
"What?" I was astounded. That can't be. I had met him and questioned him about the ruins. He didn't look false. "Hassan…"
"I know… you're coming to the precinct, right?"
Imagining his disappointed face, I gulped. "Yeah."
There was a pause. No doubt he was sighing and conflicted about this. "I'll wait for you."
"Jim! Jim!" I called out, ignoring the military agents at the precinct.
When I exited the apartment building, I saw many of them outside. They ignored me since I didn't look like a threat while holding a baby in my arms.
"Sarah!" I saw him raising his arm to get me to notice him. Beside him is a soldier, most probably the leader of the troop. "What's going on?"
I ran up the stairs, suppressing the prickly feeling in my thigh. The bullet wound is acting up again. "Why do you think it's Nygma?" I blurted out the question.
Jim's expression changed from worry to anger. "Is he with you?" he accused, glaring at me.
"No," I argued. "I want to know why do you think it's him. The bombing is not Nygma nor Riddler's style of taking lives… as much as I hate to explain this. "
"We have prove. Does your husband know you're here?"
"He does," interrupted someone, out of breath. Hassan must have been sprinting to reach here. He was with Lucius, taking care of the ruins at Haven, looking for other bodies. The dirt and tears on his clothes showed how hard he was working to get things done.
"Jim… I-I talked to him," I confessed. Jim became more upset. He gritted his teeth, marching forward as I squared up my shoulders and stared at him, hard. "Trust me. It's not him. I saw him a few days ago, after the ruins, on my way to the precinct. He was busy with something else. He said that 'Ed' is trying to take control of his body. Now, you and I both know that 'Ed' is better than 'Riddler'. And think about it. The bombing. Were there any riddles before? Were there any games? No. Both 'Ed' and 'Riddler' loves games. The bombing is not him."
"And you tell me this now?"
"Because you sent a BOLO on him. You were wrong about Zsasz and it cost you your people… You're wrong, again. Please listen to me."
"No, you listen to me. You think you know him, but you don't. Ed is a psychopath. Riddle, too."
I bit the insides of my cheeks. Jim is not entirely wrong. Nygma could do it. It's not impossible.
The soldier who was quiet and listening the whole time took a step forward. "Ma'am, as far as we know, the evidence point to Edward Nygma. We found him this morning and he basically confessed. He escaped after setting a bomb trap on us," he said.
"And I guess you are the supposedly aid sent by the government after… what… three months?" I bitterly laughed, slowly getting frustrated. "The government betrayed us; left us to die. Suddenly they care? After the death of 300 people? Then they just…" I paused to snap my fingers. "…finally sent help." Tears pooled in my eyes. "The government is worse than the bomber. My ki…" I stopped myself, suppressing the strong ache in my heart as I remembered the orphans again. Hassan wrapped an arm around me.
"Sarah," Jim uttered. He appeared to be sad as well. "If Ed drops by, you gotta tell me."
I want to get this murdered as much as everyone else. ButI believed that Nygma is not the bomber.
"Worry not, captain. He won't. Knowing these guys are here, coming to my place is the last thing he'll do."
I know I shouldn't be hostile towards the soldiers. They were just following orders from the higher ups. But giving them stinky eyes is automatic. Hassan and I decided to spend the day together instead of being separated. He is in turmoil as well because of the destruction of Haven. We need each other. But I made a promise to Beth to visit her everyday.
So we are on our way to the hospital. My brain memorized the place so my muscle memory got us to Beth's room in no time. When I looked at her bed, a different woman was there. I furrowed my eyebrows together.
I stopped a nurse, who was making her rounds. "Where is Beth?" I asked.
"She gave up her bed to people who need it more," the nurse answered. "She's at the hallway with other patients with light injuries. There were no more rooms and beds."
Why didn't I see her when I walked across the hallway?
"I'm sorry but we got our hands full and we can't monitor her like before. But before I came in here, she's still at her spot," she added.
I quickly thanked her and stared at Hassan. "She should be okay, right?"
"Let's find her," he suggested, taking Malik from my hold. I nodded in agreement.
Exiting the room, I scanned the hallway, meticulously looking at each face. Then I found her, sleeping while sitting up, with her back against the wall. She wasn't cuffed or strapped. But she was holding her abdomen. She opened her eyes and winced, trying to find comfortable position on the floor.
I briskly walked to her and stood before her. My shadow caused her to glance up. "Stand up," I said. She didn't glare at me like she used to be, but she didn't make a move to rise from the floor. "I said, stand up."
"Honey, she's still hurt," Hassan whispered in my ear.
"She's strong. She can stand up by herself," I replied to my husband in loud voice so that she could hear it. "Beth, stand up. We're getting out of here. You're staying with us."
"What?" both Hassan and Beth blurted.
"You just need to heal and I could help with that. I don't see you as a threat anymore. I hope you feel the same with me. There are more pressing matters here. Hassan and I will be busy trying to find the bomber with the blue boys. Now, what is your role here? Are you just going to stay as a patient or are you going to do something?"
Then she mumbled something but I could not hear her. I asked her to repeat because her voice is too small.
"I… I want to stay here. I can help around here…" she said. "I was a medical student… I have a nursing license but was unemployed for a long time.
"Let me guess… Juan doesn't want you to work in hospitals…"
She looked disturbed by my words. I surmised my guess is accurate. Something about the explosion in Haven must have changed her. And I felt glad at her transformation so I smiled softly.
"No one is in control of your life. It's your choice. But if you have any problems, you can see me… I'll be there…" I said, crouching down at her level. "How's the wound? You don't look comfortable."
"I'm fine… Just need rest."
"Thank you for giving up the bed for others… That was nice of you." She blushed at my compliment. "Can I trust you now? I'll visit you but not everyday."
She nodded slightly. I rose from my crouching position. I really hope that Beth will be alright. After that, my family and I went home to prepare for the horrendous life that we're having here in No Man's Land.
Day 100
Hassan and I had spent a couple of days ago at home, tending the plants, sewing teared clothes, cleaning Malik's diapers, and being on watch out. But now, Hassan is out there (it's still his turn out in the field). The soldiers and GCPD were still looking for Nygma. Even the people were looking for him. I noticed a few soldiers kept an eye on us; no doubt under the suggestion of Jim.
He really think that Nygma would come here? That's just stupid.
He might go to Oswald. Nevertheless, they were friends.
Wait… that's right. There is a chance that Nygma would go to Oswald.
Hassan's out there with Lucius - his favorite staff there among others.
Then, I heard static noise from my radio. "Sarah? We heard Nygma is at the City Hall."
I knew it! He's meeting Oswald. "Noted," I responded. "Keep on updating me. If they got him, tell me. I'll try to convince that it's not him."
When they got to the City Hall, there was no Nygma, but they got Oswald and he is at the precinct at the moment. They suspected him of hiding Nygma somewhere else. Well… Oswald is famous of selling out his 'friends' to save his ass so I'm sure he knows where Nygma is. And I predicted that Jim would let Oswald go after he told him the location of Nygma.
I radioed Hassan that I'm going out, leaving baby Malik with Rue and Troy. "Where?" he asked.
"City Hall," I casually replied.
"I told you Penguin is here at Gotham Central."
"Oh, no, no, no. He's going to be at his turf. I know his games. Jim will let him go..."
Oswald's place is huge but it felt stuffy and not homey. It's no wonder tjat he always felt lonely. I managed to pass the guards, and waited in the main room, sitting on the huge comfortable chair. Oswald barged in dramatically and slammed the door closed. He had a sour face on and he hadn't notice me yet.
"Took you long enough to get away," I said.
He snapped his head towards me. "How did you get here?" Oswald chastised.
"Now, my dear Oswald, be a good boy and tell me where is Nygma."
He stormed forward and slammed his hands on the table. "You dare to come here alone! I'll have your insides gutted out!"
I didn't fazed by his outburst, instead I responded with the same manner. "Do you really want Nygma dead?!" I challenged, standing up. "Have you seen those soldiers? They are going to get anyone in their list. Dead or alive. He's in the list. You are in the list. You're not fighting against a precinct, Oswald. You're fighting against an army. You're gonna lose."
"I never lose," he spat. He was trying to be strong.
"Yeah… because you think you're so smart." I walked around the table. "I think you know that Nygma is not responsible for the Haven's ruin. Unlike you, I really really want to find the culprit. If you don't want to tell me where Nygma is… at least, tell me who might be responsible."
He grinded his teeth, while I waited patiently for his answer. "Hugo Strange."
