Chapter 16: Every One of You Has a Special Talent

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“If that’s what you mean, then wouldn’t that…” Harvey’s expression grew increasingly grim, as if he were about to be mounted by Reaper, a bull elephant in heat.

“Mm.” Roland nodded bitterly.

“Maybe we should just make a run for it. Falling into the hands of gangsters has to be better than getting trampled by an elephant,” Harvey sighed.

“We won’t be crushed to death. There’s plenty of room in here—even with an elephant’s trunk added,” Roland urged. “We’ll endure this humiliation for now. One day, when we get our hands on those gangsters, we can let them experience what it feels like to be assaulted by an elephant.”

The two men remained anxiously hidden inside the elephant. Meanwhile, members of the Falcone family searched the zoo frantically, but they could not find them anywhere.

“Where could they possibly be hiding?” the Riddler wondered aloud. The entire zoo had nearly been searched, yet there was still no sign of the Holiday Killer.

“I think I’ve figured it out.” Falcone’s face was ashen. “They’ve already left Gotham City Zoo.”

“Do they have wings? Could they have flown out?” the Riddler asked incredulously.

“Didn’t we let a group of people go earlier?” Falcone said. “Friends of our family, business associates, and Gotham’s influential figures. If I’m not mistaken, the Holiday Killer is very likely among them.”

“That’s it!” Johnny Viti nodded. “Uncle, you really are brilliant.”

“Begin the investigation.” Falcone’s expression was dark. “I have a feeling the Holiday Killer may be someone close to us.”

“Godfather…” Falcone’s trusted men began speaking one after another, eager to say something.

Falcone waved them off. “Enough. Go investigate. Leave a few men behind at the zoo, just in case, and keep an eye out for anything unusual.”

“Yes, sir.”

Roland and Harvey remained hidden in the hot, humid darkness. Although the bull elephant had not yet entered, their condition was steadily deteriorating.

“It’s been so long. Surely we can leave now.” Harvey was beginning to have trouble breathing. “If we stay any longer, I think I’m going to suffocate.”

“Don’t rush. Let me listen.” Roland released a weasel to gather the sounds around them.

After a while, delight appeared on Roland’s face. “All right. Most of the gangsters have left. Only a few men are still keeping watch. We can slip past them and get out.”

“Are your ears really that good?” Harvey asked in surprise.

“Of course.” Roland nodded and climbed straight out of the elephant.

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Harvey followed him outside. Just as Roland had said, there was hardly anyone left, and Harvey could not help secretly marveling at Roland’s hearing.

“Then I’ll be on my way. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday,” Harvey said, taking his leave.

“Hey, wait a minute. We went through thick and thin together. At least give me your name and a way to contact you.” Roland called him back. “We came out of that place together. In a way, we’re practically brothers now.”

“…Don’t make it sound so sentimental.” Harvey shrugged. “You’re better off not knowing my name. It would only bring trouble your way. But you can write down my phone number. If you ever need help, give me a call.”

With that, Harvey turned and left.

“What a mysterious fellow.” Roland shrugged and headed out through an unoccupied exit.

When Roland returned to the church, all the younger men stared at him with wide eyes.

“What the hell is that all over you?” Jason asked, staring at the foul-smelling slime covering Roland from head to toe.

“This? I went to play a little swallowing-whole game with someone,” Roland replied casually.

“…What the hell is that?”

“Good children don’t need to know.” Roland shrugged. “Anyway, did everyone make it back safely?”

“They all came back, but…”

“But what?” Roland suddenly sensed trouble.

“The money didn’t.”

“Who touched my money?” Fury flared in Roland’s eyes. He had gone to considerable trouble to get that money. Because of it, the Riddler had mistaken him for the Holiday Killer, forcing him to hide inside an elephant for so long that he still reeked of seafood.

And now they were telling him the money was gone?

“It was the First Street gang from the East End. They were blocking the entrance and using the opportunity to extort everyone,” Jason explained. “Several of our men were beaten and injured.”

Roland glanced around the room and saw that several people were indeed missing. His anger intensified.

“Jason, do you know where their hideout is?”

“Right beside Crime Alley in the East End. They call that street First Street,” Jason hurriedly replied. “But they’ve got dozens of men under them, and they have guns. Even if we went to their doorstep, there wouldn’t be much we could do.”

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“Boss, how about we go over there tonight and take a leak on their doorstep?”

“Let’s sneak over and let the air out of their tires!”

“I’ll steal a garbage truck and use it to block their entrance with trash!”

The younger men offered suggestions one after another.

“All right, all right…” Roland waved his hand, signaling them to stop. “I get it. Every one of you has a special talent, but none of that is necessary. Jason, just take me there. I’ll walk right in and take them on myself!”

“You’re serious?” Jason froze.

“Of course. They’re just a bunch of petty thugs. What’s there to be uncertain about?” Roland raised his head. “Or are you scared?”

“I’m not scared!” Jason declared, walking straight out the door. “Come on. I’ll take you to those bastards.”

“That’s more like it.” Roland followed behind him.

Gotham City’s East End

The area was as chaotic as ever. The two men entered a dim alley, where the surroundings were even more nauseating.

Wine bottles and syringes littered the ground, along with foul-smelling human waste. From time to time, a few heavily made-up middle-aged prostitutes stood along the roadside, soliciting customers. Homeless men slept curled up against the walls, while several addicts crawled about in the shadows.

“This place really is…” Roland frowned. “Disgusting.”

“That’s Gotham for you.” Jason pointed toward a building in the distance with its lights still on. The rousing sound of rock music poured from inside. “The First Street gang is in there.”

“All right. Wait here, and stay safe.” Roland pointed at the women nearby. “Keep yourself under control. Don’t let them seduce you.”

Jason responded by raising his middle finger.

“There are more than thirty people inside…” Roland released a weasel and sensed the activity within. Then he kicked the door down, ripped off the doorknob, and blasted the chandelier inside the room.

“Do you people have no consideration for anyone else? Making all that noise—don’t the neighbors need to sleep? They have to work tomorrow!”

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