"It's garbage, all of it! Utter garbage!" shouted Commissioner Gordon. "Why would Batman go around blowing up people?! He doesn't kill, everyone knows that! He's never done anything but saved people's lives! Why would he suddenly have snapped now?!"
He slammed his fist down on the newspaper on his desk, the headline of which read Batman Goes Bats. The story itself was apparently an investigative journalist scoop broken by the paper, confirming that the police had found evidence to implicate Batman in the bombings.
"Comish, you've seen the evidence," retorted Bullock, lighting a cigar. "It's pretty conclusive. And I ain't surprised. Always knew the freak was just like the rest of them. What kinda mind have you gotta have to dress up in a bat costume and beat up people anyway? A disturbed one, if you ask me. And now we've found the proof."
"Bullock, you know him as well as I do," retorted Gordon. "I know you and he have never been friends, but you know he isn't capable of plotting terrorist attacks!"
Bullock shrugged. "Guess you never really know what people are capable of, huh, Comish? And I ain't never trusted the caped freak. He always seemed to know too much of what was going on in this city, y'know? Clearly had inside information, or he just committed a lotta these crimes himself and let others take the blame…"
"I'm not the kind of man who tries to shift blame," said a voice out of the shadows. They both turned as Batman appeared. "Nor am I the kind of man who fails to take responsibility for my actions."
"But these aren't your actions, Batman!" snapped Gordon, gesturing at the paper. "You've been set up! I know that!"
"I have," agreed Batman, nodding. "But the best way to make myself appear guilty would be to hide in the shadows and avoid facing judgement. I am innocent of these attacks, and I'm fully prepared to cooperate with the law in order to prove that."
"No, Batman, you can't do that!" snapped Gordon. "If you hand yourself in, they're going to confine you to Arkham! You won't last five minutes in there! The freaks will eat you alive!"
"I can handle them," retorted Batman. "That's why they're in there. I'm not afraid of them."
That was a lie. Batman's face behind the mask was calm and composed, but inwardly he was afraid. If he was to be confined in a small space with all of his enemies, he wasn't sure he could beat them. But he couldn't run from this. Batman knew who had set him up – he knew who was behind the bombings. Ra's al Ghul was a cruel and intelligent man, with friends in high places. Only he could have masterminded something as ruthless and clever as this, something that would destroy his image as a hero if he remained free, and might destroy his life if he was incarcerated. Either way, he would lose something. And he would rather lose his life than have everything Batman stood for be destroyed. He had to prove his innocence by any methods necessary. Even if it meant sacrificing his life.
"I need you to negotiate for me, Jim," he murmured. "I need my identity protected at all costs, not to protect myself, but to protect the people close to me. I need to be able to keep my mask in Arkham. Can you ask Dr. Leland if that would be allowed?"
Gordon nodded. "Dr. Leland's a reasonable woman. I've already been on the phone to her – she thinks this is madness too, and doesn't believe in your guilt for an instant. I'm sure she'll do what she can to accommodate you."
"That's gratifying to hear," murmured Batman.
"Yeah, well some of us ain't pig-headed enough to ignore facts when they stare us in the face," snapped Bullock. "I don't take back any of what I said, Bats – you are just like the rest of them. I'm glad you're finally being locked up where you belong."
He left Gordon's office, slamming the door. Batman stared after him and then said quietly, "I would say I'd like to turn myself in with as little attention as possible, but I imagine the media could never pass up this particular photo opportunity."
"I'll do what I can," muttered Gordon. "It's not much, mind. Everyone's out for your blood. The news, the papers, the radio, everyone baying about how they should have seen this coming, warning signs of a psychopath…"
"Yeah, I've heard," interrupted Batman.
Gordon stared at him. "I don't believe it for a second," he muttered. "None of it. Tell me who's responsible and I swear I'll get them to clear your name."
Batman shook his head slowly. "I don't think you'll be able to touch him, Jim. He's too clever for that. I'm the only one who can stop him. And I will. I'll find a way out of Arkham – there must be about a million escape routes if you consider how frequently the inmates bust out," he said, forcing a smile.
Gordon didn't smile. "This city needs you," he muttered. "If you go down, we're lost. All of us. I…don't know what I'll do without you."
Batman lay a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be the fine police officer you've always been," he murmured.
Gordon clasped his hand tightly. "If…something happens to you," he murmured. "I just wanna say…thanks. For everything. You've done more for this city than you'll ever know."
"My life's not important, Jim," murmured Batman. "But Batman is. He's the only thing that matters. If…I don't survive, make sure he does at least. In your heart if nowhere else."
"I promise," murmured Gordon. He glanced out the window and sighed again. "Bullock's been busy. Camera crews outside. Fortunately we can process the arrest quietly in here, but after that…I can't protect you from them."
Batman nodded, but didn't say another word. He simply looked at Gordon and held out his wrists.
Gordon gazed at him, and then slowly placed the handcuffs on him and led him out of the office. There were tears in his eyes.