Now in Gotham, he's probably the only one who can call Penguin Lady a little cripple.
There's no disdain, no emotion, as if the words are coming from his mouth, just like talking about a disappointing younger relative in his family. It's just two old friends chatting about daily life, without any reservations.
Gordon frowned. He was somewhat confused about Falcone's intentions. Using dozens of guns to kidnap him, was he only here to reminisce?
Falcone took a sip of wine, sat back in his seat, and let out a light sigh.
"After I returned, I observed her territory. I have to say, she's far worse than her mother. As her uncle, I feel ashamed."
"Penguin Lady....."
"Yes, now everyone remembers her as Penguin Lady. She also takes this as her nickname... but she forgot, she should be Miss Kobert, not this name derived from her limp." Falcone also leaned back on the sofa, lightly rotating the ring in his hand.
"She's different from you guys." Gordon also picked up his cup, took a gentle sip, facing Falcone, needing some method to calm down and think seriously.
"Yes, that's why I saved the Kobert family for her to assist you. At the time, I thought she would have a promising future." Falcone reminisced with a smile, looking up at the pitch-black ceiling, as if gazing at the sky: "But over the years, she's lost too much territory, allowing new clans to rise. That's the biggest mistake. Look, she even let the Japanese Yakuza come into Gotham."
"The Yakuza came into Gotham under the guise of legitimate companies, using investment operations as a cover, but one day I'll bring them to justice."
Gordon certainly knew about these Japanese people. Now most of the biker gangs in Gotham are run by them, handling underground racing and a series of other activities. He just needs some evidence and has been working hard on it.
Falcone nodded, slightly waving a hand at Gordon.
"Yes, I understand, but this isn't your task. You're in the light, this belongs to Miss Kobert." Falcone said the words that shattered Gordon's worldview with a smile: "Before I left, I arranged with her, I saved her family and territory to assist you, and she agreed to it."
"What...." Gordon was shocked, what was this all about?
"You're a police officer, you can arrest any criminal, but when people like the Yakuza enter Gotham in a legitimate disguise, aren't you out of your depth?" Falcone said calmly, as if everything was within his foresight: "That's why I left Kobert, so that when darkness arises beyond your capability, she handles it in the way of the streets. But she...."
Falcone shook his head, smilingly looking at Gordon, his ring clinking against the glass.
"Now her operations are a complete mess, she's like a frightened mouse... The rise of Black Mask and Silence I can still accept, the Seanis Clan and the Eliot Clan are old fixtures in Gotham, though some of these new generations are quite crazy." Romans said, words of reprimand spewed quickly from his mouth, although the volume was low, the powerful presence was palpable: "But Red Hood, Two-Faced Woman, Mud Face Gang, and dozens of other gangs, what are they? No honor, no rules!"
A lion remains a lion even when old, such majesty, Gordon has only seen on him.
And now, Falcone isn't even angry, he just casually expressed a few complaints.
Yes, these new emerged forces are lunatic gangs conducting black-market deals, almost everyone among them is abnormal.
What they care about isn't business, but... fun.
Gordon was still struggling to digest this startling news, feeling as if everything was manipulated by the old man in front of him, while trying to understand his intentions.
Falcone looked at him again and said: "And you, Kobert is only moving some goods in her territory, and it's merely arms trade. Why are you always sweeping her places? Has she troubled you, or disrespected you? Threatened Gotham's safety?"
In the Amazon's rule, the arms trade is legal, in their view, weapons are mere external objects, and the warriors participating in battle are what's important. So long as weapon origins and destinations are reported to the council, anyone can partake in this business.
A coward can't beat a warrior wielding a wooden stick even with a gun, so to Amazon, selling arms is akin to selling wood...
The Amazon Council rules the world, they have millions of ground's strongest warriors, among whom many possess divine power, what is there to fear?
Except Penguin Lady conducts this business, with a massive quantity of weapons, and never reports it.
It's illegal, but barely so, because all she needs is to submit a form and some extra tax. But legal, not quite, she's still short of some procedures.
She's now more like Gotham's 'gray area' boss, her actions ambiguous and unclear.
Unfortunately, Penguin Lady is the sole heir of the ten families, which have a blood feud with Briss. Batwoman keeps an eye on her every day. Not to mention secretly selling arms, even if she sold a boat of fish without paying tax, Bat would inform Gordon.
Gordon, being an upright person, with a steady stream of evidence from Briss at his disposal, the block he clears most often is Penguin's.
To be honest, despite Penguin Lady's short stature and comical gait, she's shrewd and completely without any moral restraints.
Flattery and bootlicking are her forte, walking the old clan's path while executing new forces' tactics.
She doesn't need honor but remembers the rules.
Penguin Lady seldom causes Gordon trouble. Most of the time she's managing her restaurant. Sometimes, when crossing paths while driving, she warmly invites Gordon for a meal, loudly introducing the origins of the day's lobster and salmon at a crossroads, claiming their authenticity and freshness.
Gordon would quickly roll up his car window, cutting off her endless promotion, then drive away. But Penguin never minds, the next time they meet, she recommends new dishes.
She is closely connected with many city officials; the Iceberg Restaurant is among the city's most popular spots. Each night, city dignitaries gather there, and she deftly navigates among them.
Just like the ten families used to be, Gordon doesn't appreciate such an atmosphere.
"Because she breaks the law." Gordon said to Falcone.
"I know what kind of person you are; you can't tolerate the slightest grain of sand, haha." Falcone laughed again, picking up a white handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth: "But I also know, it's that Vayne girl stirring you, isn't it? She forever hates us."
"Because you killed her parents."
"It wasn't just us... The Vayne family are also founders of this city, we share the city's glory and wealth. She should have become an outstanding entrepreneur or a boss, not today... not today." Falcone displayed remorse. Briss's parents were actually also his friends, they often watched plays together.
"Become today's hero?" Gordon raised his eyebrows.
"Become today's madwoman...." Falcone raised his head, his old eyes looking at him, as if scrutinizing his soul: "Tell me, Gordon, do you think Briss is still normal? She dresses like a small animal, flies back and forth in the city, releasing her inner fears... spreading fear to her enemies, and amplifying it back to herself, is this normal?"
Gordon moved his lips, as if dryness made him lose his voice, wanting to say something, but unable to utter a word.