Gordon stared at Bruce. After a while, he patted Bruce on the shoulder, saying, "Well, I admit, what I said to you before was a bit harsh. I know you're a good man, always trying to help others. You shouldn't be wanted."
"Don't be fooling around, Bruce. This is a matter of life and death. The Angelica Theatre Troupe has only been in Gotham for a few days, and their most famous leading actress has been murdered. She has a lot of fans. We need to give the public an explanation."
"Moreover…" sighed Gordon, "Vivian has a very good reputation in the industry. Everyone says that she is a beautiful, gentle and talented actress. If she left the theater industry and tried her luck in Hollywood, she would undoubtedly achieve great success."
"We can't just stand by and watch such an innocent life be taken. Bruce, you should be able to piece together some clues, can't you?"
"I…" Bruce's arm was trembling slightly. He didn't feel the sense of restraint that the solid armguards usually gave him, nor did he feel the resistance from the wind blowing against his cape. He didn't have a mask on his face, no weapons around his waist, and most importantly, no one was expecting Batman to appear.
He wasn't Batman right now.
Many fragmented clues swirled in his mind, but they did not form a complete logical line. Something was hindering his thinking. Looking carefully, Bruce realized these obstructions were Bruce Wayne's memories.
A life of debauchery, chaos, and failure defined Bruce Wayne, an irredeemable fool and a scoundrel. He couldn't save his parents ten years ago, and today, he still can't save anyone.
Seeing that Bruce didn't respond, Gordon stamped his foot and says, "Please, I really don't know who else I can count on... Oh, God, I really don't want to call him!"
Seeing Bruce space out, Gordon pursed his lips helplessly. After a while, he called over a police officer and said, "Make a call. Ask the professor to come over. You know who I'm talking about."
At Shiller's mansion, Shiller was having dinner with Aisha.
He pointed with his fork to the last piece of broccoli left on the plate. Aisha shook her head vigorously. Shiller pointed again, Aisha held a sad expression, but still picked up the broccoli with her fork and put it in her mouth.
Just then, Merkel came over and said, "Gotham Police Department is calling. Another murder has occurred, and Chief Gordon hopes you can come over."
As Shiller got up to leave, Aisha turned her eyes towards him. As soon as he turned around, she immediately spat out the piece of broccoli from her mouth.
Moving towards the phone, Shiller asked Merkel, "What is it? Where is the murder?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I heard a lot of noise in the background of the call. It could be a place with a lot of people?"
Shiller frowned, picking up the phone receiver set aside, he said, "…what did you say? Gotham Grand Theater? The leading actress of the Angelica Theatre Troupe? … Bruce is also there? … Who else is there? Alright, I got it…"
After hanging up the phone, Shiller told Merkel, "Keep an eye on Aisha and make sure she finishes her vegetables. I might not be home for the whole night."
With that said, he picked up an umbrella and left the mansion.
By the time Shiller arrived at the Gotham Grand Theater, the rain was pouring down heavily. The old theater looked even more timeworn under the deluge.
As Shiller walked into the theater's lobby, the receptionist came over and took his umbrella. Seeing that Shiller insisted on taking his umbrella with him inside, the receptionist could only wipe the handle clean for him.
When he got to the third floor, the crime scene had already been cordoned off. Gordon approached and hugged Shiller, saying, "I'm truly sorry for calling you over so late every time. But I don't know why tragedies only ever occur after dinner."
"Mysteries always unfold after dinner," Shiller shook his head and said, "But perhaps this will be the most heartbreaking case for me because I was really looking forward to their performance."
Just then, the manager of the troupe came over and shook Shiller's hand, hearing what he said, he explained: "No, Macbeth will proceed as usual. Vivian was not involved in the performance of Macbeth, that role didn't suit her, the leading lady is of a mature age and will be portrayed by another veteran actress."
Shiller frowned, looking at him and asking, "Was this arrangement made a while ago? Or is it a temporary change made due to Miss Vicky's unfortunate demise?"
"It was arranged long ago," answered the troupe's manager, "in dozens of Macbeth performances we have done, Miss Vicky never played the leading lady."
Shiller nodded, looking at Gordon, he asked, "Where's Bruce? Didn't you say someone identified him as the first one to discover the body?"
Gordon led Shiller forward, saying, "I was about to discuss this with you. His mental condition is not quite right. You should take a look..."
When they pushed open a door, Bruce was seen sitting inside. His expression was back to normal, no longer blank, but Shiller could still tell that his mental state was not good.
After opening the door for Shiller, Gordon left the room. Before closing the door, he said, "My colleagues and I have to interrogate a few others first. You two have plenty of time to do some therapy."