Phantom Kid in the World of American Comics

”I was wondering if something would happen when Queen Elizabeth came to Gotham?”, Mathison laughed ironically.

”She’s the queen, mighty protection must surround her. What sort of thing do you think will happen to her?”, Barbara asked in amazement.

Pointing to a specific sentence in the paper, Mathison said, “Look, it says here that the Queen wears the legendary necklace, Tamil Ruby, when she travels. Let’s see, now, hmm… hasn’t there been a recent appearance in Gotham of a thief who specialises in stealing large gems?”

”You mean Phantom Kid!”

Barbara covered her mouth in surprise, “That’s the royal necklace of Queen Elizabeth’s family that we are talking about. It’s essentially different from the Cat’s Eye Emerald and Adam’s Star, would Kid really dare steal that?”

”That’s what I thought, no matter how daring that strange thief was, he couldn’t possibly offend a country directly.”

Mathison was secretly relieved that he had finally managed to divert Barbara’s attention.

But, in fact, the reason Barbara did not continue the conversation was not that she believed what Mathison said; on the contrary, she thought very seriously about the possibility of Phantom Kid taking action.

For some reason, Barbara’s instincts told her that, even if Phantom Kid wasn’t really Mathison, there would be at least something that relates them, still, Barbara didn’t want to believe this.

With all her might, she wanted a chance to prove that Mathison wasn’t Kid.

The easiest way to do that would be to have Mathison and Kid appear at the same time.

If Kid really had his eye on the Tamil Ruby, then the teaser letter should be released soon.

”When that happens, I’ll invite Mathison along to see her Majesty Elizabeth…”

Thinking about it, Barbara gave a sneering smirk that sent chills down Mathison’s back.

”Hey!”

Wait a minute, Mathison suddenly noticed something very weird.

”Barbara, if you were just wandering off, then how did you get in my house? And why do you have its keys? I didn’t hear you knocking on my door.”

”Huh?”

It was an awkward situation for Barbara. Why did she have the keys to Mathison’s house? Obviously, she had secretly made a copy!

She had thought that Mathison might be hiding some of the tools he uses as Phantom Kid to commit his crimes. And since she hadn’t heard any noise, she sneaked into Mathison’s house, knowing at this time that he usually wouldn’t be there.

By this time of the day, Mathison would have gone to the stronghold to train, under the excuse that he had a new magic teacher and was learning new tricks. He had often done this in the past ten years, so Barbara did not suspect him.

But it is impossible for Barbara to find anything in Mathison’s house; everything related to Kid had been moved to his stronghold in the Edinburgh district. Mathison’s considerations were proven to be correct: Barbara is suspecting him.

Anyway, Barbara unlocked the door and invaded the house. Who knew that such a quick glance would reveal Mathison sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper with a puzzled expression on his face.

Thinking of Mathison’s unusual behaviour at school today, Barbara subconsciously rushed over.

It was an embarrassing moment.

It could only be blamed on the fact that the two were simply too familiar with each other, so familiar that they were completely familiar with each other’s presence.

Otherwise, if it was a random person who had sneaked in, Mathison would have heard their footsteps before they reached the door.

”Uh … I actually knocked on the door, but you didn’t hear me before I came in.”, Barbara said stiffly.

”As for why I have the keys to your house, of course, you gave it to me before!”

”Did I ever give you the keys?”

”You hadn’t given them to me?”

”I don’t remember any such thing.”

”Maybe you’ve forgotten?”

Mathison: “…”

Barbara: “…”

Mathison stared at Barbara with a gaze of doubt that made her heart pound.

”Well, maybe I forgot, then.”, said Mathison as he withdrew his gaze.

He guessed that Barbara was mostly trying to investigate him, but couldn’t say anything about it. In any case, he wasn’t worried that Barbara would see anything suspicious around.

It was only this incident that alerted Mathison to the fact that he let his guard down too easily with Barbara and that, sooner or later, things may go wrong.

He had to change his habits now, even in Barbara’s presence, he should never forget his poker face.

”Jeez, it’s getting dark now and I’m hungry, so forget about all the irrelevant stuff and get cooking!”

Barbara shouted while pointing at Mathison.

”Barbara, this is my house.”

Mathison’s eyes popped out, what the hell was she doing?

”Jeez, it’s not the first time I’ve eaten at your house, and you know I love your oriental cooking the most.”

”The food in Chinatown is too expensive and it doesn’t taste as good as yours.”

Barbara pulled Mathison up by the hand and pushed him into the kitchen.

”Does your father know that you are going to eat at my place tonight?”

”I talked to him before I came!”

Meanwhile, Gordon was busy at work, outside Gotham City Hall Plaza.

Queen Elizabeth was coming to Gotham for a visit and this place was a must.

It was quite empty. But, on the day of the Queen’s visit, it would be so crowded that no one could imagine which kind of people would be present.

That’s why it’s so important to secure the area, with snipers from the GCPD on the heights of every building around.

Tens of thousands of police officers are located in every street and alley around the city hall.

The main road is even directly arranged with a large number of GCPD-trained honour guards, neatly standing on both sides of the road until the end of the avenue.

”Jim Gordon, Gotham’s only light of justice, I’ve heard great things about you for a long time.”

At that moment, a young woman in her late thirties, dressed in a tidy suit, approached Gordon and initiated a conversation with him, seeming to praise him with her words.

”If I’m not mistaken, your Excellency is Agent Clarice Starling of the FBI, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Gordon raised his head to look at her. The only people who could have entered the square at this point in time could have been sent by the FBI or the CIA to assist.

By this time, both sides should indeed be arriving soon as well.

Only the CIA had asserted that it won’t send a female agent from their side, so, it could only be someone from the FBI.

”Hasn’t Agent Bob arrived yet?”, Starling asked.

”Not yet, it’s still about half an hour from the time agreed on.”, Gordon replied.

”Ha, how true about the CIA…”, Starling referred sarcastically. 

   The FBI and the CIA had always looked down on each other, not only because of the massive conflict between the two agencies in recruiting personnel but also because the CIA would often interfere with FBI’s missions during international operations.

Within the borders of the country, the CIA is ruthlessly suppressed by the FBI.

The two sides had a long history of tearing each other apart, and it was only a norm to mock each other now.

Gordon had seen it all too often and had neither sided with the FBI or the CIA anyway.

”Do people from the FBI only say spiteful things about others behind their backs?”

At that moment, a magnetic voice broke in between the two of them, and at a cursory glance, he looks like a middle-aged man.