Chapter 57: Forced Prison Break

"If we can't hold out, the topic will generate even more heat." Roland patted Batman on the shoulder.

Batman irritably swatted his hand away. "I have another idea: capture Clayface before he can pull off whatever he's planning."

"That guy isn't easy to catch, physical attacks are useless," Roland suggested. "Why don't you go find a magician to try?"

"There is no magic in this world," Gordon said.

"I don't want to deal with that crowd," Batman shook his head. "I have a way to handle Clayface, but right now finding him is the tricky part."

"I'm counting on you, Detective," Harvey gave Batman an encouraging gesture.

"Hmm," Batman replied, his voice carrying a trace of exhaustion.

"By the way, Harvey, you and Clayface shouldn't have any personal grudge, right? Chances are he was hired. Do you have any leads on this?" Roland asked Harvey.

"The people I've offended are too numerous to count, but there aren't many who could afford to hire Clayface..." Harvey stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The most likely suspects are Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni. Sal Maroni especially—the last person who stole my medical records was from the Maroni family."

"How about we go make things unpleasant for the Maroni family first?" Roland suggested.

"The Maroni family hasn't been quiet lately, be careful not to walk right into their trap," Gordon warned.

"Don't worry, they can't outsmart me," Roland said confidently. After exchanging a few more words with the group, he headed towards the East End alone.

The chilly Gotham rain began to drift down, sending a shiver through Roland. He lit a cigar, the faint glow illuminating his face as a wisp of white smoke drifted upward.

Swaggering in through a poorly guarded perimeter into Sal Maroni's mansion, Roland spotted a familiar face in the grand hall.

Hugo Strange? Wasn't this guy sent to Arkham Asylum? How did he get out so soon?

"Hey, you didn't seriously think getting thrown into Arkham Asylum meant you didn't have to pay back your debts, did you?" One of Maroni's thugs grabbed Professor Hugo by the collar, lifting him into the air while shoving a revolver into his mouth with his other hand.

"Mmm... I'll pay... Please give me... a little more time." Professor Hugo trembled all over. With the barrel of a revolver still stuck in his mouth and lacking any training in such matters, his words were nearly impossible to decipher.

"Oh, do you think we're some kind of charity organization? You ask for an extension and we just grant it?" The thug used the revolver to strike Professor Hugo across the head.

Hugo let out a muffled groan as blood trickled down his face. "But... I really don't have the money right now."

"Heh..." The thug raised his fist to continue beating Professor Hugo, but a cough from Sal Maroni stopped him.

"Since you don't have the money to repay your debt, Professor Hugo, let's talk about your genetic research instead." Maroni stroked the British Shorthair cat in his lap, the sleek fur putting him in a good mood. "Your reason for borrowing the money in the first place was to fund your research. Now that the money is spent, how is your research coming along?"

"This..." Professor Hugo hesitated.

"Hm?"

The thug delivered a brutal punch straight to Professor Hugo's stomach, the intense pain causing him to double over in spasms.

"My... my research is already showing results," Professor Hugo said through the pain. "It's just that the test subjects still have a few minor flaws..."

"What kind of minor flaws?"

"Well... their intelligence is a bit low, and they don't follow commands..."

"You call that a minor flaw?" Maroni raised an eyebrow. "Then what use are your test subjects? Just strong? In that case, I might as well go to the zoo and lease an elephant."

"This... this problem can be solved!" Seeing that another beating was imminent, Professor Hugo blurted out, "As long as I can get Batman's DNA, I can create test subjects that are both intelligent and obedient."

"Batman's genetics? You aren't just making that up to buy time, are you?"

"No, it's true... As long as I can get Batman's DNA, my experiments will be completed in no time."

"Very well. You'll stay with the Maroni family for a while, and I'll go get Batman's genes," Maroni said indifferently. "However, if you still can't finish your research by then..."

Maroni left the sentence unfinished, offering only a cold smirk. The threat hanging in his smile made Professor Hugo shudder involuntarily.

Listening to every word clearly from outside the window, Roland decided to give Maroni something new to worry about.

Professor Hugo had been locked in a basement near Maroni's mansion, guarded by four Maroni family thugs.

After scouting the location, Roland stopped by a costume shop to purchase an ape suit, threw it on, and burst straight into the basement.

The four thugs were momentarily stunned as a hairy monster charged at them out of nowhere.

Roland, however, didn't hesitate. He knocked them all out cold, then—much like King Kong grabbing Ann Darrow—he scooped up the scrawny Professor Hugo and bolted.

Professor Hugo was terrified out of his wits. "Wh... who are you?"

"Take a guess?" Roland let out a loud monkey screech.

"Are you an enemy of the Maroni family?" Professor Hugo guessed. "But why did you kidnap me? I don't even know you..."

"I just need you to go into hiding and drain the Maroni family's resources and energy," Roland smiled. "I'm guessing Maroni really wants to slaughter you right about now."

A wave of overwhelming dread washed over Professor Hugo, cold sweat soaking his back. "You... you... I have no personal beef with you, why are you trying to ruin me like this?"

"Nonsense, how am I ruining you? This is what we call a win-win," Roland explained. "Look, you don't have to worry about paying back your debts anymore, and the Maroni family will be too busy hunting you down to bother us. Isn't that great?"

Professor Hugo felt like crying, though no tears came. "But I never planned on dodging my debts in the first place!"

"So you actually believe Batman's DNA could complete your research?" Roland shook his head. "Then you really are out of your mind."

"What do you know about biology?" Professor Hugo scoffed disdainfully.

"I don't know biology, but I do know freaks who are utterly obsessed with Batman," Roland shrugged. Just as Professor Hugo opened his mouth to hurl insults, Roland scooped up a handful of mud and sealed his mouth shut.

"Mmm-mmm..." Professor Hugo struggled frantically, but he was completely powerless to escape Roland's grip.

Maroni Family Estate

"Wonderful. Hugo Strange. Absolutely wonderful. He actually managed to play me for a fool." Maroni clenched his fists, suppressing his fury.

"Boss, what should we do now?"

"Find him! Even if you have to tear the entire city of Gotham apart, find Hugo Strange and bring him to me!" Maroni slammed his fist down heavily onto the desk. "I'll make sure he learns the consequences of making a fool out of me!"