"Jim?" He said, "You look like a mess. Come on in."
Gordon entered the house with a nod of gratitude. "Thanks, Andrew. It's been a long day. You know how it is."
"Tell me about it," Andrew replied, leading Gordon into the living room where the rest of the family was gathered.
Travis's mom and Sarah exchanged a glance, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected visit. Gordon was a familiar face, known to them as a long-time family friend and a respected police officer. He had been a part of many of their family gatherings over the years.
Travis used his super speed to dash into his room to avoid any unnecessary troubles. He can't let him see his face.
Gordon entered the living room, his tired gaze meeting those of Travis's mom and Sarah. His presence brought a sense of authority and seriousness to the room, immediately shifting the atmosphere.
Travis's dad greeted him with a handshake. "It's about that murder, isn't it?"
"Yeah, Andrew. Last night we found three dead bodies in the construction area, shot dead, and now six more dead bodies with exploded chests," Gordon replied, his tone somber.
Andrew exchanged a concerned glance with his wife. "That's... horrifying. What kind of person could commit such acts?"
Gordon sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "We're still trying to piece it all together. It's not every day we come across something like this. The brutality of it is... unsettling."
Travis's mom spoke up, her voice laced with worry. "Is there any lead? Anything that could help you find who's responsible?"
Gordon's expression grew grim. "Right now, we're working on gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. But it's a complex situation. There's no clear motive, and the pattern of these killings is... disturbing."
'So, they found the goons I killed at the construction site,' Travis thought.
"It's not another one of those cult, is it?" Sarah asked.
Gordon sighed, his fatigue evident in his voice. "We can't rule out anything at this point, but it's certainly a possibility we're considering. The level of violence and the apparent lack of motive suggest that this could be more than just a random act."
Andrew leaned forward, his expression serious. "Do you think the city is in danger?"
Gordon hesitated for a moment before answering. "I won't deny that this situation is concerning. We're putting all available resources into investigating these cases and ensuring the safety of the citizens. But until we have more information, it's hard to say for sure."
Travis's mom glanced at her husband and Sarah, her concern evident in her eyes. "What can we do to help?"
Gordon offered a small, appreciative smile. "Right now, the best thing everyone can do is to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. We're doing our best to get to the bottom of this, and any information from the community could be crucial."
The atmosphere in the room was heavy with the weight of the conversation. The mention of multiple deaths and the apparent brutality of the crimes had cast a shadow over the household, leaving everyone on edge.
"Oh, by the way, Lara, can you fill this up with coffee?" Gordon said, handing Travis's mom a thermos he had brought with him. "I've been running around all night, and I could really use a caffeine boost."
"Of course," Lara replied with a nod, grateful for the opportunity to do something tangible amidst the uncertainty. She headed toward the kitchen to fill the thermos with coffee.
Gordon turned his attention to Travis's dad. "Andrew, do you mind if we step outside for a moment? There are a few more things I'd like to discuss."
"Sure thing," Andrew agreed, standing up from the couch. He exchanged a quick glance with his family before following Gordon out of the house.
[Outside]
"That's not all, is it?" Andrew asked.
Gordon's weary expression remained as he glanced at Andrew. "No, it's not. I'm here as a friend as well as a police officer. I trust you, Andrew, and I need to talk to you about something off the record."
Andrew's brows furrowed in concern. "What is it, Jim? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Gordon took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "It's about Travis."
Andrew's eyes widened in surprise. "Travis? What about him?"
He hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "There have been... unusual reports. Sightings, if you will. People claim they've seen someone who looks strikingly similar to Travis."
Andrew's heart raced, his mind trying to process the implications of Gordon's words. "Sightings? But that's not possible. Travis... he's..."
Gordon nodded, his expression grave. "I know it's hard to believe, but these reports have been consistent. People describe someone who matches Travis's appearance. And then there is that incident with his grave."
After a pause, he continued, "Andrew, I am asking this as your friend, not a police officer... Do you know anything about this?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Andrew finally replied, his voice tinged with unease. He couldn't bring himself to admit the truth, especially when the consequences were so unclear.
Gordon's gaze remained steady, his eyes searching Andrew's face for any signs of deception. "Andrew, I've known you for a long time. I can tell when something's bothering you. And right now, something is definitely bothering you."
He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "Jim, you have to understand, it's complicated."
Gordon's expression softened, his tone empathetic. "I get it, Andrew. I know that you're a protective father, and you'd do anything for your family. But if there's something you're not telling me, I need to know. This isn't just about your family anymore. It's about the safety of the city. Travis's appearance and then all those murders..."
"I assure you the deaths of the homeless people have nothing to do with me," Travis walked out of the front door with the thermos.
Gordon turned to face Travis, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. He took in Travis's appearance, his brows furrowing as he noted the familiarity of the features and the subtle differences that set him apart.
"Travis?" Gordon's voice held a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. "No, you look older. But this uncanny resemblance..."
"Well, I just arrived yesterday and rumors have already started," Travis chuckled shaking his head, "And now you are trying to connect me with murderers. Come on officer, I don't think it's a crime to take a stroll or come to visit a friend of mine. Oh, I am Travis Taylor..."
He extended his hand toward Gordon.
Gordon stared at Travis for a moment, clearly taken aback by the situation. He hesitated for a brief moment before shaking Travis's hand. "Travis Taylor, huh? You certainly have a striking resemblance to someone I know."
Travis's dad stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and caution. "Jim, let me explain."
Gordon held up a hand, his gaze shifting between Travis and Andrew. "Hold on a second. Let's take a step back here. Travis, you say you just arrived yesterday? And you're claiming to be Travis Taylor?"
Travis nodded, his demeanor calm and composed. "That's right. I know it's a bit strange, but it's the truth. Their son's name was Travis Evans and I am Taylor."
Gordon's expression was a mix of skepticism and curiosity. He seemed torn between his experience as a police officer and his understanding as a family friend.
"This situation is... baffling. The resemblance is uncanny," Gordon said, his voice serious.
"Yeah. I know. But what can I do? It's a God-gifted face. And that look on your face says I just crawled out of the grave and standing before you. Travis Evans died of cancer. And a dead man can not come back to life," Travis said with a gentle smile.
Travis's words carried a weight of truth, and Gordon's expression shifted from disbelief to a more thoughtful consideration. He seemed to be processing the situation, his trained instincts battling with the unconventional nature of what he was witnessing.
"Haaa. Sorry about that," Gordon shook his hand, "The almost same face and name made me a bit suspicious, but yeah, you are right. He died that day."
He turned toward Andrew.
"Sorry about that. For making things uncomfortable..."
"Hey, it's alright. You better take some rest. You are killing yourself by drowning in your work," Andrew said with a worried expression.
"Yeah... Yeah, just need to see the forensic reports," Gordon replied, "Well, be careful out there..."
He finally left.
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As a cop, Gordon would ask for ID. He's not sloppy enough, even when tired, not to confirm what someone says.
We'll see how good the author knows Gordon by what he does. As Gordon is smart enough to know he can't handle supernatural or superhuman stuff. But he can pass the info off on Batman.
ID for what??? You know the police rules, right?
@UnknownMaster You mean the whole, "A body in a graveyard is gone, and this guy looks like the dead guy" part? People can fly, so why not someone coming back from the dead? Batman knows. He's had to deal with the Lazarus pit.
You can't tell me Travis isn't sus as hell. A stranger suddenly shows up at a dead kid's house looking an awful lot like the kid, but grown. Specifically the day after the grave was "dug up". No shovel marks, and a dirt pattern indicating an explosion from within the grave itself.
Gordon would be worried about cults with six dead guys with their chests ripped open. Though later autopsy would show it happened from within the chest based on how the bone would be outside, no tool marks, and no bone inside as would indicate a forceful intry.
@Daitengu It was raining heavily, that would remove any marks. And one can not ask for ID in a private property without proper evidence. And how the heck would Gordon know about the pit? As you said, only Batman knows that. And he has weird murder mystery to solve.
@UnknownMaster Rain doesn't wash away grass cut by shovels.
There's usually a dirt mound or ring around a dug up grave, but with Travis punching his way out the pattern would be clumpy and over a wider area. The grass would be ripped apart and wouldn't show the usual cuts from shovels that show even after heavy rain.
Gordon wouldn't know about the pit, but he'd know about Superman and Wonder Woman, and who ever else is a big league hero or villain, cause they make the news. He'd know the grave is weird and so is Travis.
He doesn't need evidence to see an ID. He just needs probable cause. Like looking like a dead guy and showing up at the dead guy's house. It's FAR too coincidental for Travis to be there and not be the victim, a clone of the victim, or a perp tied to grave robbing. Possibly Clayface, possibly someone/thing new in town tied to the supernatural. But, like you said, he's dealing with a bunch of murders.
He'll likely pass off the weirdness to Barbara, who'll hand the info on all the murders and the grave to Batman. Batman would likely look into the murders and have Robin and Batgirl on the grave case to see if there's a league of assassins tie in. If nothing pans out, Batman likely contacts a hero that deals in supernatural stuff like Constantine or Zitana. No one wants a necromancer or possible cult.
to be fair this is the world where people who cant figure out who superman is even though he just puts on glasses.
@UnknownMaster don't forget it not our reality maybe laws are different where he can ask for them without reason
@jdogzero it possible to happen, there was a study conducted were the acter of superman walked in broad daylight with his Clark Kent form even wearing a Superman shirt if remember right and no one noticed. Cause no one thinks about it as in their mind he's just random do and even if they notice it it might be him or it's not him and think their mind is trucking them. Though it's been few years since I learned about the study so I might be wrong so maybe look it up if you want to?
@Demain_csomic_winters people would have to be extremely stupid to have that poll work like you said. i mean like asking a rock to explain traganamitry level stupid.