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Chapter 48: No One Can Fool The Penguin
Several days later.
Gotham, Iceberg Casino.
"So, Two-Face really turned back into the old Harvey Dent? Not only did he voluntarily surrender to Blackgate Penitentiary, but he also repented to everyone in court?"
The Penguin asked his subordinate below while reading the newspaper in his hand.
"Boss, our informant inside Blackgate just sent word. He said Two-Face is indeed different from before," the subordinate replied.
Crinkle, crinkle—
Penguin crumpled the newspaper into a ball, a trace of cold severity flashing in his eyes.
"Then, the newspaper report stating that Phantom Thief Kid caused all this is also correct?"
"I don't care what Two-Face has become. Since Harvey chooses to be a wimp, let him rot in Blackgate. But! The one thing I cannot accept is someone deceiving me!"
The Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot, the undisputed King of Gotham's underground, whose power at its peak surpassed even the entire Falcone family.
Just what kind of foolhardy person would dare deceive the Penguin?
It turned out that after Harvey Dent was arrested, he detailed the entire process of the crime in his statement—from how he plotted to kidnap Robin, all the way to Kid taking the coin. He recounted everything he knew in minute detail.
Given that he still retained the basic literacy of an excellent prosecutor, his logic while giving the statement was very clear. Because of this, even those who hadn't witnessed the scene could imagine the picture in their minds after reading the transcript.
Although criminal statements aren't usually public, the magically capable reporters of Gotham could always use various means to get the information they wanted.
In short, Gotham's newspapers these past few days were full of reports on Two-Face and Phantom Thief Kid.
At first glance, neither Two-Face nor Phantom Thief Kid seemed to have anything to do with the Penguin.
But the Penguin didn't think so.
He spotted a blind spot in the sparse records of the newspaper.
That is, the series of preparations Kid made against Two-Face could not have been completed without knowledge of ACE Chemicals' internal structure and ample time.
He must have known beforehand that Two-Face was hiding in ACE Chemicals to make arrangements in advance.
But how did Kid know Two-Face's hideout?
Neither the GCPD, Robin, Oracle, nor the enemies in the underworld who held grudges against Two-Face guessed the location of ACE Chemicals.
Only a very few existences with connections and intelligence networks not inferior to the Penguin could master this information.
Penguin didn't think Kid had such an intelligence network. If he did, the Penguin would definitely be part of that network.
Penguin had absolute confidence in this.
So when he learned what Kid had done to Two-Face, the Penguin immediately realized where the problem lay.
Because many days ago, he had made a deal with someone, telling him Two-Face's hiding place.
"Lupin III... that monkey-faced gambler must be Phantom Thief Kid!"
The Penguin said with a gnashing grin.
"No wonder I sent people to follow Lupin III that day, and he not only shook off all the tails but vanished like he evaporated from the face of the earth. We searched all of Gotham and couldn't find him."
"Turns out he is Phantom Thief Kid. With a disguise technique similar to Clayface, dodging surveillance is no difficult task."
That day, Lupin III used joining Penguin's subordinates and helping them fix the defects in the casino's hidden mechanisms as a bargaining chip to trade for Two-Face's whereabouts.
Penguin sent people to watch him, intending not only to prevent Lupin III from running away but also because he wasn't sure what Lupin wanted with Two-Face. If he wanted to cause trouble for Two-Face or resell the intelligence, the watchers would "protect" Lupin immediately.
What a conscientious boss!
Lupin III, however, was ungrateful. He slipped away as soon as he left the casino gates, becoming untraceable.
For the next few days, there was no movement at ACE Chemicals. Penguin thought Lupin had been taken out by Two-Face.
Or that he simply didn't dare to go.
Of course, as a good boss, Penguin asked himself and found he wouldn't be angry just because Lupin III deserted immediately after joining.
Everyone has their own aspirations.
At least the mechanisms in the casino were fixed by Lupin, and the money won in the casino stayed in the casino without a cent missing. Penguin didn't consider it a loss just to tell him Two-Face was at ACE Chemicals.
At least until yesterday, Penguin thought so.
Because one of his subordinates returned.
This subordinate happened to be the engineer who originally designed the casino's hidden mechanisms. He had been out of town overseeing the construction of an Iceberg Lounge branch and only returned yesterday.
The reason for his return wasn't that the branch was finished, but that he heard his meticulously designed mechanisms had defects. Worried the boss would fire him in a fit of rage, he rushed back to see what was going on.
Good lord, upon inspection, there was no problem at all!
The mechanism system "repaired" by Lupin III was exactly the same as when he built it!
Only then did Penguin know the truth.
The so-called defect was a play directed and acted by Lupin III himself, used to cheat him out of Two-Face's location.
Comparing this with the matter of Phantom Thief Kid, the Penguin immediately understood everything.
"In all of Gotham, besides Batman, this is the first time someone has dared to play me for a fool!"
At this moment, the Penguin could no longer suppress the anger on his face. The subordinate responsible for gathering intelligence could only lower his head in silence, cold sweat dripping down his back.
Afraid the boss would vent his anger on him.
"Phantom Thief Kid. I must have him dead!"
Penguin declared viciously.
"Killing him isn't an easy task."
Just then, a gloomy voice suddenly came from outside the door.
The door opened automatically, and a figure appeared before the Penguin.
"You? A rare guest today."
In an instant, the anger on Penguin's face vanished, restoring his usual steady elegance.
"You shouldn't be here to play a few hands. Speak, what do you want with me?"
"I'm not the one looking for you. It's my employer."
The person in the shadows replied with a strange voice.
"Like you, he hates Phantom Thief Kid to the bone. So he is prepared to cooperate with you to kill Phantom Thief Kid."
"Who is your employer?" Penguin asked in a deep voice.
"You're familiar with him. The Riddler."
"Isn't he still in Arkham? How can he cooperate with me? If you want me to help him break out, don't even ask."
"It's very simple. He has formulated a plan. As long as you proceed according to this plan, you can lure Phantom Thief Kid into a deadly trap..."
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