"In my career, few people like you understand the situation so well. Most people believe that their high social status and good reputation will accompany them all their life. Therefore, they disdain us when we want to talk to them."
"But in the end, these people can only curse at our treachery and injustice from within the dark and cramped cells of a remote prison."
Davis described himself with a few negative words without any avoidance. He stopped walking, turned around, and looked at Shiller. "This is what we do for a living. Because you are willing to lighten the load of my work, I'm willing to give you a chance to negotiate with us."
Shiller nodded as if he had accepted his fate, and then he said, "I know what you guys want, so I won't propose conditions like 'Can I be acquitted of this charge'."
Davis nodded, seemingly satisfied with Shiller's attitude. Shiller then continued, "I hope you can satisfy my three requests."
"Go ahead."
"You've put in so much effort just to put me in prison, I can assure you that I won't cause you any trouble on the way to prison or during my sentence, but I have a request for the location of my imprisonment."
"You're not saying that you want to go to Blackgate Prison in Gotham, are you?" Davis put his hands on Shiller's chair armrests, looking into his eyes. "Everyone knows that young Falcone is your proud pupil. Being in Gotham Prison is no different from being at home."
Shiller shook his head, looked up at Davis, and said, "On the contrary, I can serve my sentence anywhere, except Gotham."
Davis frowned and squinted as if he wanted to understand the purpose of Shiller's demand. Then Shiller quickly stated his second request:
"Before I go to serve my sentence, I hope to see Bruce Wayne and our conversation should be free from any surveillance."
"Are you hoping that he'll save you?"
Shiller shook his head and said, "I hope he can relay a message to my proud pupil not to cause trouble to you guys."
Davis sensed the warning in his tone. The implication in Shiller's words was clear: If they didn't let him see Bruce or if they monitored their conversation, Shiller would definitely try to incite the new Godfather to cause troubles for the FBI.
Of course, Davis knew that he couldn't show fear towards a mob leader. However, the fact was that Gotham was an odd place. Since even Shiller was willing to back down, Davis had no need to seek extraneous problems.
"My third request is..." Shiller looked down at his suit, showing a disgusted expression, and said, "You put things in the pocket of my clothes without my consent, which makes me very uncomfortable. So before I leave, I hope to change into fresh clothes."
Davis released his hands, stood up straight, lowered his eyes, and looked down at Shiller from a higher perspective. After a moment of silence, he said,
"Many people do not understand our work, thinking that our lifelong pursuit is to oppress others and create wrongful convictions, but we are just tools of the state machinery. The national stance is based on interests, not justice."
"Professor, you chose a way that allows the FBI to handle this matter in the most decent manner. You respect us and our work to the greatest extent. Therefore, we of course do not mind maintaining your dignity as much as possible."
Davis personally unbuckled Shiller's handcuffs and held out a hand to him, looking into his eyes, "We agree to all your three conditions, and also, after your release, we are willing to provide you with as much help as possible for your future employment. You should know where to find me."
Shiller extended his hand and clasped it with Davis. They both looked composed as if they were not enemies but friends who had known each other for many years.
In the FBI's corridor, Angela quickly caught up with Bruce and stopped him, "What on earth are you doing? We're here to save Shiller, aren't we?"
Bruce kept walking forward with an indifferent look on his face. He turned to the policewoman and said, "You should ask what Shiller is doing. I didn't make him confess to the murder."
"But, but..." Angela stammered, covering one of her eyes with her hand. "Jimmy couldn't possibly have been killed by Shiller. He didn't have the time to do it. A single pen cannot prove anything."
"You should ask the FBI why they deliberately ignored the glaring timeline evidence and insisted on convicting him based on a single pen." As Bruce continued walking briskly, he said.
Angela took two quick steps forward, blocking Bruce's path, "Bruce Wayne, don't you find your behavior a little strange? You act as if you've got everything under control, but you actually haven't done anything. You seem to be very proactive, but also very passive, what exactly are you thinking?"
Just as Bruce was about to respond, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind them. They turned around and saw a group of detectives heading their way.
"The murder charge against Shiller Rodriguez has been confirmed. Given the extremely vicious nature and method of his crime, he will immediately be detained, undergo a non-public trial, and then serve his sentence in prison."
"Professor Rodriguez wishes to see you before he departs... Please follow us, Mr. Wayne."
Bruce Wayne looked hard into the detective's eyes and asked him, "What color is Shiller's clothing?"
"What?"
"I asked you, what color is Shiller's clothes now?"
"Uh... a burgundy suit, light blue shirt, and navy blue tie."
In an instant, Bruce's hand trembled. He then lowered his head and took a deep breath.