Chapter 23: A Free Man Part 2

Inside the police commissioner's office, James Gordon began his investigation into Arias.

"As you know the Gotham PD are in the midst of building an extremely detrimental case where any piece of information would be of help. In exchange for a plea deal, Eric Valentine admitted that the charges he laid against you were false."

"Videos from the club also showed that you and Dmitri were quite friendly and so does your history, along with the wealth you made from gambling, it makes the kidnapping charges that the mayor is pressing also bland. Finally the car you drove away in belonged to Dmitri and multiple witnesses saw that he was the one driving, hence the theft charges are also un applicable. You're basically a free man."

The commissioner revealed while sighing but Arias didn't look the least bit happy about it. He seemed to be upset, as evidenced by his body language, which the commissioner undoubtedly saw.

"Did you find Craig and Savanna's killer?" He questioned bitterly while casting a vengeful glare at Commissioner Gordon.

The Commissioner shook his head, grumbled, and massaged his temples.

"I'm ashamed to say it but no, right now no one has admitted to their murder. During our inspection of his hope, we found a photo album that contained photos in which you featured, at times with him and Savanna so I can tell you were close. I know this isn't really what you want to hear in a period like this but if you have more information, it could be the key to putting away these people for good and ensuring his work wasn't for nothing." The commissioner urged.

Arias briefly laughed in jest.

"What makes you so sure I'm his friend? He shot at me the day I had to flee Gotham remember?" The commissioner glared back at Arias when he asked.

"That's true but my theory is, you worked with him. Him and you being there was just too much of a coincidence, you who had disappeared and had been living in Nevada suddenly came back to Gotham to see your child hood friend while Eric Valentine was present? I don't think so."

"Something went wrong that night while you two were investigating. Craig went after you to keep up appearance and missed on purpose because under normal circumstances an officer wouldn't fire as that wasn't protocol, he must've been trying to keep up images."

"Finally, when Craig, who was the sole bread winner for his family died, his grand mother received lots of money. The bank tried to claim it was always in his account but an investigation revealed that the money was deposited that same day from a bank in Las Vegas, where you were at the time."

Arias was smiling inside as the pieces he had laid out were put together so beautifully by the commissioner.

He did everything, believing he was encircling Arias, but in reality, it just cemented Arias' freedom because none of it was immediately apparent and required some careful digging to uncover a connection.

"I wasn't even able to go to their burial."

The commissioner, who was an honorable man, felt some shame as a result of what Arias murmured.

"I take the blame for allowing the corrupt officers in my department to falsely accuse you. But please, I cannot give Craig the justice he deserves without learning more information. If not for me, do it for the son he left behind, so he can grow up knowing his father died in order to make the city a better place. I've looked at your history extensively Arias, you're not a bad man. I know this, Craig, Savanna and Dmitri obviously knew this but it's time Gotham knew as well, don't you think?"

Arias became silent and dropped his head as if seriously considering the suggestion made to him. His performance was flawless as he even displayed signs of emotional instability.

"Don't speak about Dmitri like it's confirmed he's dead. But fine, I'll tell you what I know, in exchange I want all the credit to go to Craig still, I don't want little Jamie to grow thinking his father was just the unfortunate one between us."

Arias offered, referring to the baby Craig and Savanna had left in the world.

"I apologize, we're doing our best to track him down so any information you have regarding him could be useful as well. As for your terms, I agree and I understand."

Gordon waited patiently, not wanting to rush him in any way, while Arias sighed and took a sip from his cup of coffee after receiving confirmation.

Next, Arias simply went about filling in some of the spaces he had intentionally left out in the paperwork he had initially presented to Vicki. Arias didn't want to make it too clear, so he did it in the shape of a tale, which meant commissioner Gordon had to take bits himself.

The chat went on for more than two hours with Gordon paying close attention and taking notes on anything he thought would be useful.

Even so, Arias withheld some details about a few people so that he could maintain his leverage over them through blackmail; otherwise, if they had nothing to lose, they might expose him as well.

He needed to give them just enough breathing room to think that, provided the information he held wasn't used against them, they could still be able to flee or perhaps serve a light term.

This was fine with him, after all, he hoped they either got short sentences or were freed, because he already had a solution for them.

After reviewing the material provided to him, Commissioner Gordon nodded in agreement.

"Is that it?" He asked because some things were still missing or he didn't form a conclusion using the pieces Arias had laid out but that was fine.

"No, I can't reveal everything I know. At least not yet, I won't change my stance on this."

Arias replied with a firm expression but commissioner Gordon didn't push him. "That's fine, I understand and thank you. I'll have a flight arranged to return you to Las Vegas first thing tomorrow."

The commissioner made an offer when he stood up, but Arias declined it right away.

"I won't be going back there, so that won't be necessary. Craig did his part for Gotham, it's high time I did my own. I only need a lift to a hotel, I can handle myself from there."

…

As soon as they finished talking, the commissioner led Arias out of the building, where a mob of media had been waiting like vultures.

"Commissioner? Over here? Vicki Vale here."

Prior to sighing and ignoring the majority of the media, the commissioner noticed a familiar face that he regrettably couldn't ignore.

"Just a moment, it'll be over soon." He said to Arias, who simply shook his head and followed along.

"I have some words for the public as well."