Gotham: After Dark - The King Slayer Read Free

foyer besides the uniformed officers and the maid who was still sobbing on the stairs. The butler was sitting beside her and trying to comfort the heartbroken woman. As the two prosecutors walked in, one of the uniforms recognized Dent and pointed to their right to give them direction.
    “Mr. Grisham is in his den.” The officer told them. “The women and kids were in their rooms when they were killed.”
    “The kids are dead too?” Tony asked.
    “Killed in their sleep.” The officer replied. “I don’t think they struggled or suffered but I cannot say the same for the adults in the house. Their killings were very, very messy.”
    “Come with me.” Dent said as he grabbed Tony by the sleeve and walked him towards the den. As they strolled into the room, the mess was evident. Mr. Grisham was face down into his desk, with a large and very menacing knife sticking out of his back. There was blood everywhere that suggested the old man had bleed out from his wounds.
    “I don’t get it.” Tony said as he looked around. “Why didn’t he call for help or try to get to a phone?”
    “He was stabbed in the back.” Dent said back to him. “The knife not only severed his spinal cord but also punctured a lung. When someone stabs you there, you can’t even whisper much less scream for help.”
    “Did the killer know that?” Tony asked.
    “I’m sure of it.” Dent said as he walked around the desk, trying to gaze at it from every angle. “His death didn’t wake the kids or their mother. It allowed him to go up there and kill them without so much as a peep. This guy whoever it is knows how to kill properly kill people quietly.”
    “A professional?” Tony suggested.
    “Maybe.” Dent answered as he looked back at Tony. “But the manner in which Grisham was killed suggests otherwise. Look at it from this angle and you’ll see something you can’t from over there.”
    Tony was still in front of the desk when Dent made that statement. He walked over to where his boss was, which was behind the desk to view the body from behind. When he got there, it was evident what the old man was referring to as it looked even worse when looking at it from behind.
    “There are multiple stab wounds.” Tony said.
    “As many as a dozen,” Dent confirmed. “This was personal. Whoever did this has either lost their marbles or they knew this man and had a real bone to pick with him. The multiple would also suggest why there is so much blood.”
    “And it also explains why he bled out so quickly.” Tony also added. “All these wounds would have drained him in less than five minutes.”
    “It was quick but by no means painless.” Dent said as he turned to walk away from the desk.
    “If this is personal, why kill the family?” Tony asked.
    “Maybe it was so quick he wasn’t satisfied.” Dent suggested, “I’m not entirely sure but I’ll be happy to ask him once these competent detectives have brought the man to justice.”
    “I heard that.” One of the suits in the room called out. “Try not to put too much pressure on us, Dent.”
    “Mossan.” Dent said as he called out to him. “Am I happy to see you here on the case.”
    “I’m not.” Mossan replied, “I’m just observing, Captain’s prerogative. Loeb and Dix are on the case. They’ll take care of it.”
    “I’d feel much better if you were handling it.” Dent confessed.
    “I am,” Mossan corrected him. “I’m just doing it from a distance. I’ll stake take a peek and make inquiries to make sure things are by the book.”
    “I don’t need a babysitter.” One of the other suits then said.
    “You’ll do as you’re told, Loeb.” Mossan fired back.
    “Yes, Sir.” Loeb said before going back to work.
    “They’ll be fine.” Mossan said to Dent with a grin. “They’re young but they need to get their feet wet. I can’t be here all the time. Detectives come and go so you’ll have to adjust and work with the hand you’re given.”
    “I’m