When Shiller arrived at the Gotham Police Department, Gordon received him with great enthusiasm. Specifically, all heavy weapons were drawn, aimed at Shiller's direction, ready in case he suddenly pulled out something and blew up the police station.
Shiller, on the other hand, was completely unfazed and quite satisfied with the security arrangements.
Nowadays, the firepower of the Gotham Police Department was not to be underestimated. With their wealth, the number of armed police had tripled, fully armed and equipped with armored cars specially designed for them by Wayne Enterprises. They were now a force even the Twelve Families would choose to avoid.
Furthermore, the department had not had a chief since the unfortunate demise of the last one. However, it could be expected that Gordon, being the most highly educated, experienced and accomplished detective, would soon be appointed.
Shiller and Gordon arrived at the reception room of the station. Shiller looked around at the décor and said, "It seems you've redecorated. Nice style."
"Only by doing this can we attract more talent," said Gordon, pulling out a pack of cigars from under the table. Shiller raised his eyebrows, for these cigars were quite expensive, quite a luxury even in Gotham.
"I've noticed something," Gordon began, "When I try to teach the police academy students about justice, it doesn't resonate. But if I show them photos of this extravagant office, cigars, and Dionysium, many of them show interest."
"Aren't you afraid that they'd come simply for the money?" asked Shiller.
Gordon looked at him somewhat puzzled and said, "Now what's got into you? You aren't aware that everyone in this station, except me, is here merely for the money?"
"Well, regardless of their motives, they have to work. It's a hellish task to do something meaningful in a cursed place like Gotham. So anyone willing to work forms good company, and if they're prepared for night shifts, they could even be considered Justice Messengers. It's only fair that they get paid a little more."
Shiller nodded in understanding. In a place like Gotham, where people wouldn't come even if they were paid, those who came for money certainly possessed some sense of justice and readiness to risk their lives. Simple armaments could easily equip them to be quite excellent cops.
"You said a serial killer is now after you? What, they want to learn the trade from you?" Gordon, looking at Shiller, asked.
Shiller twisted his mouth into a wry smile and said, "Do you think I'm a serial killer too?"
"Oh, no no no," Gordon looked at him and said, "You're way scarier than a serial killer. I think you're more like a professor who teaches killers how to kill. You know, the ultimate villain in TV shows, like Moriarty, you get it?"
"You're giving me way too much credit." Shiller shrugged and, taking the scissors, cut the cigar and said, "I definitely don't have the capabilities of that professor to become a crime adviser. In the beginning, I came to Gotham to avoid my enemies."
"Right, about those KGB agents last time…" Gordon hesitated.
"What are you worried about?" Shiller, with a light laugh, looked at Gordon and said, "If they're capable of liberating Gotham, wouldn't that help you realize your dream?"
Gordon pondered for a while and nodded, saying, "That's true."
"Anyway, I need your help. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay at the station for a few days to avoid the troubles outside," Shiller said, hoping Gordon would agree.
With a cold snort, Gordon said, "I knew you'd finally spit it out. You must've cooked up another roundabout master plan to frame Batman, or someone similar. Afraid of their retaliation, you want to hide here, right?"
"So you've figured it out." With a puff of his cigar, Shiller leaned back into his sofa and said, releasing a trail of smoke, "Well, I do have a plan. Or rather, it's not exactly my plan."
"You should know, I have dissociative identity disorder. The Shiller you know is essentially one of my personalities." He didn't attempt to give a deep explanation to Gordon. Just using the basic concept of split personality was enough to explain his condition. He continued,
"You must've noticed, Batman has significantly transformed. He's found his own path, his own theoretical thoughts. To put it simply, he plans to eradicate crimes by solving societal issues."
Gordon nodded and said, "That's not incorrect. If everyone is well-fed and well-clothed, the crime rate would certainly decrease."
"However, there are many natural-born madmen in this world. Even if they're satiated and warm, even if they're able to fulfill all their desires, they still want to kill, and they enjoy killing."
"Only solving social issues won't completely neutralize these people. The professor, Batman's mentor, or the other 'me', thinks it's necessary to remind Batman of this. Moreover, he thinks it's advisable for Batman to accumulate some practical experiences beforehand."
"You mean…"
With another drag of his cigar, Shiller slowly said, "Simple, it means I'll find some psychopathic killers for him to practice on... Don't look at me like that, I'm just an ordinary person."
Looking at Gordon's disbelieving face, Shiller sighed helplessly, then said, "But the professor has some other commitments and can't control the body for the moment. So he handed this task to me."
"In order to complete this task, I need to find a way to contact those serial killers. Fortunately, the previous professor had set up a club. Simply put, this club allows serial killers to communicate and exchange ideas through various literary magazines."
Gordon's eyes grew wide, a look of "Are you seriously saying I falsely accused you?!" spread across his face; he escalated his tone: "You established a club for serial killers?!!"
"Don't fuss about it," Schiller waved his hand dismissively, "And like I said, it wasn't me who did it; it was the professor."
"I considered for a moment," Schiller stroked his chin, "It's too laborious to summon the serial killers one by one, hence, I capitalized on the particularity of this club, summoning them all at once."
Gordon was close to popping his eyes out. Schiller displayed a smug expression, elaborating, "The club's mode of operation, in simpler terms, is embedding in published articles a secret code that only the insiders can decode."
"When the readers discover these codes, they realize this is an article written by their peers, thus prompting them to consider the viewpoints expressed in the articles or even rebut them with another article."
"Also, we agree on a specific time; after the local newspaper reports a murder, the killer claims the crime with a unique code, which makes other club members aware of the murder method and details—thus providing them an insight about the murderer's skill level. We call this academic exchange."
Gordon shivered; observing Schiller's nonchalant demeanor, he felt a chill run down his spine.
"After I took over the body, I found an almost completed paper written by the previous professor. Only a few details were left unresolved, as the overall structure and critical sections were already written," Schiller shared.
"So, I slightly revised the paper."
Gordon stiffened, sensing something ominous. Therefore, he asked, "…what did you modify?"
"Simply put, I freely bragged about Gotham, the Gotham Volunteer Police Batman, and myself!"
Laughing, Schiller added, "The point was to create an impression that 'one isn't a real man if they do not come to Gotham.'"
"In the paper, I emphasized the chaotic security situation of Gotham—a city reminiscent of a living hell, a city with a frenzied, chaotic, and evil environment, and a traffic system so ruthless even a demon would give way."
"Next, I outlined the formidable Gotham Volunteer Police Batman, his supernatural foresight, impeccable deduction abilities, world-beating high-tech equipment, indomitable willpower standing among all sentient beings, his seamless movements in the hell-like city, and the awe he strikes into the heart of all criminals," Schiller continued.
"Then, with Batman as a backdrop, I highlighted the most potent psychologist in the world, Schiller Rodriguez—me." Schiller slapped his thigh and broke into laughter.
"Such opportunities to boast about oneself don't come often! I portrayed myself as a powerful psychologist, capable of even treating Batman, victoriously outsmarting him in each of our confrontations, making me his most formidable nemesis. Ha ha ha ha ha!"
Gordon, a bit perplexed by Schiller's laughter, observed Schiller who, after finishing his laughter, asked him, "What's the matter? Don't you find this hilarious? I used one exaggerated story to highlight another, and then another exaggerated story..."
"…where's the exaggeration?" Gordon inquired.
"Wasn't it exaggerated?" Schiller paused, interrogating back, then unsurely added, "Didn't I exaggerate? … I did, didn't I?"
Gordon's expression remained unchanged, he simply shook his head quickly, suggesting, "I would find it too subtle even if it was made into a documentary."
Failing to find resonance in Gordon, Schiller pouted and shrugged, "Anyway, those arrogant brutes won't take it lying down and are bound to flock to Gotham. They will surely clash with Batman, providing him with ample practice."
"Moreover, if Batman could annihilate them all… Or, no, even half would do. If the club's membership could reduce by half, I could update the secret code leisurely…"
"Also, if all their attention is fixated on me, they won't target Batman, so, I plan to lie low for a while. I reckon the Gotham Police Department is a decent hideout. Wouldn't you agree I could squat here for some time?"
Gordon responded indifferently, "You staying here is not an issue at all. But do you genuinely believe you'll be safe from those serial killers acting this way?"
"Won't I?" Schiller questioned, "Isn't this the classic 'hiding a leaf in the forest'?"
"No, that's not what I am referring to." Gordon shook his head, then leaned back slightly and examined Schiller from head to toe. When blood drained from Schiller's face, Gordon probed,
"Schiller, don't you feel you're sort of… unlucky?"
"Unlucky?" Schiller seemed puzzled, "Unlucky how? I feel pretty…"
"Bang! Splatter!"
"Chief Gordon, we meet again! Drop to your knees, hands on your head, now! Or else… Schiller???!!!"