Gordon pulls the car up to Christiansen's home. He looks to Sarah, then
steps out. 

There's another car in the driveway, a long, low-slung black Cadillac with
New York plates. 

Sarah glances sidelongs at Gordon, before stepping out herself, the door
closing as she glances around. Her eyes glance at the car, mentally
memorizing the plates, before taking a slgiht breath. 

Gordon moves up to the door, and rings the bell.

Sarah shifts slightly as she moves to stand next to Jim. Her fingers
running through her hair, before her gaze darts over the grounds once
more, giving it a slight sweept. 

Arthur himself opens the door. "Commissioner." he says. "Lieutenant...come
in, please." He smiles paternally. 

Sarah's head inclines to Arthur, a polite smile on her lips, as she makes
her way inside. "Afternoon Mister Christiansen." 

Gordon nods slowly, entering the building, "Thank you."

Arthur Christiansen nods and moves towards the study with the safe. One of
the policemen assigned to the room steps aside and nods to Gordon and
Sarah. The other person in the room is an olive-complected man in a very
black, very smooth silk suit. He looks perfectly relaxed and at ease.
Christiansen says "This is Mr. Botoro of the Mataxis Combine. This is
James Gordon, our Commissioner of Police, and Lieutenant Essen." 

Sarah's eyes turn to regard the man, her head inclines ever so politely,
her smile, the ever so polite and kind, as she nods a greeting. 

Botoro nods. "Pleased to meet you both." he says. He doesn't get up or
extend a hand, and has a very thick Asian accent. 

Sarah's voice, a combination of soft tones, with a quiet voice.
"Pleasure." Her features remain neutral, as her mouth slides into a line.
She glances at Jim through the corner of her eye, before returning to eyes
front. 

Gordon nods, taking a look around the room "Hope we havn't been keeping
you long." 

Arthur Christiansen shakes his head. "Not at all. It's a relief not to
have to hire private security guards, actually." He smiles a little
ruefully. 

Arthur Christiansen says "Perhaps we should get this underway." He goes to
the safe and begins fiddling with the knob. 

Gordon smiles and nods "Yes... they can be expensive... Please do."

Sarah simple nods, a soft smile replacing the line. . o O(Mm-hmm, I'm sure
it was.) She takes a step to one side, as her gaze darts to the window. 

Arthur Christiansen opens the safe and removes a small glass case, the
Clarridge diamond sparkling within it. He closes the safe carefully and
approaches Botoro, who has slid a magnifier and a small mirror from his
pocket. 

Sarah watches Arthur, then Botoro, for but a second, before her gaze darts
to the window again, then back. Seeming to keep a sweep of the room with
her eyes. 

Botoro peers at the diamond through the magnifier, then scratches the
mirror with it, examining it again. Outside, the day is as beautiful as it
ever gets in Gotham: the sun is toying with the idea of coming out from
behind those smog clouds (it of course never really does). 

Gordon waits patiently and calmly. He seems more focused on the exchange. 

Botoro nods. "Everything seems to be in order." he says in clipped tones,
to Christiansen. He puts the case in a metal briefcase and locks it. He
rises. "The payment has been put in the accounts you requested, Mr. 
Christiansen." That said, he turns to Gordon and Sarah. "I must drive to
the airport. One of your officers indicated that I might have to be
escorted. Is this the plan?" 

Sarah keeps herself alert, her body forced into a relaxed, as she turns to
glance at Gordon, then back to Botoro. She lets out a soft breath, her
mouth pursed into a slight line. 

Gordon nods to Botoro "Yes. I'm sure you'll understand that with all
that's happened with that rock we want to make sure it is safe." 

Botoro bows slightly. "Of course. I appreciate your concern and
assistance. Goodbye, Mr. Christiansen." Arthur does a pretty good job of
appearing casual. "Goodbye." he replies. 

Gordon nods "There are some cars out front, they have already been
briefed." He says to Botoro. He then turns to look at Christiansen. 

Sarah's hands hang at her sides as she turns her gaze from Botoro, to
Arthur, watching him a moment, before her eyebrows arch ever so slightly. 

Botoro nods. "Thank you." He walks outside. A moment later, the engines of
the cars start, then fade into the distance. Arthur says "Well...I'm glad
that's over." he says, fervently. "I really do want to thank you, this has
been such a strain." 

Sarah's voice is strained to remain neutral, though she accomplishes it
quite well. "I'm sure it has been a stress, Mister Christiansen." Her gaze
turns to fall directly onto Arthur, eyes scanning his face. 

Gordon nods slowly "We can imagine Mr. Christiansen. You'll also be
pleased to know we found the Joker's radio equipment last night as well.
So you can count on that not happening to you again." 

Arthur Christiansen nods..."Is there...is there something else I can do
for you? I really ought to get to work transferring that money to the
proper accounts..." 

Arthur Christiansen nods. "You did? Well, good, you should have him
captured soon, then, I'm sure." 

Sarah's mouth twists. "Oh, yes, he'll soon be in Arkham." Her eyes never
leave Arthur, as she waits for Jim to continue. 

Gordon nods slowly "Yes he should be, perhaps with a little help from you
as well Mr. Christiansen." 

Arthur Christiansen blinks, shocked. "Well...how could _I_ help?"

Sarah doesn't refrain from turning her mouth into a slight smirk, before
dropping it slowly, her face turning back to neutral, as she blinks once,
her gaze still on Arthur, a slow, quiet look that never leaves. 

Gordon takes out his notepad and flips though it a bit, then looks up
again towards Arthur "We also found a phone be the equipment. A line trace
registered two calls made here. Would you mind explaining this Mr.
Christiansen?" 

Arthur Christiansen manages to look surprised. "No...no, I don't think I
can...I had a few prank calls that I never figured out, but I don't...do
you think they were the Joker?" 

Gordon hms "Perhaps Mr. Christiansen." He nods "Could you answer another
question for me then? What's your financial situation like Mr.
Christiansen? Doing well before this sale?" 

Arthur Christiansen is getting manifestly a little more nervous. He even
shoots a look at the phone. "I really...don't know what that has to do
with anything. I've had a few bad investments, I won't deny that I need
the money..." 

Sarah's eyes now turn intense as she watches Arthur 'sweat' just a bit,
her mouth strays into a slight scowl. Her body shifting just a bit, as she
keeps thsoe eyes on Arthur. 

Gordon nods slowly "I see..." He gives Arthur a good look "We've already
done a financial check on you Mr. Christiansen, and one on your old
partner as well. It seems you do need money, that is true." 

Arthur Christiansen leans against his desk as if suddenly unsteady, but he
summons up a little steel for his question: "What are you driving at,
Commissioner?" 

Sarah's body shifts, a relaxed and still calm posture, full of self
confidence, as though stating. 'I know something you don't'. She keeps her
gaze on Arthur. Lips forming up just a bit, as she gazes at him, remaining
ever so silent. 

Gordon says "I'm just looking for the truth Mr. Christiansen. That's part
of my job you see." 

Arthur Christiansen nods limply. "All right." he says almost resignedly. 

Gordon hms "You have something to tell us. Don't you Mr. Christiansen."

Arthur Christiansen looks up. "No. I've got a lot of work to do,
Commissioner. If there's nothing else you need..." he almost looks
hopeful. 

Sarah's voice comments quietly, as she eyes Arthur, "I think, you might
want to contact your Lawyer, Mr. Christiansen. We have all the time to
wait, and a lot more questions." Her gaze stares straight at Arthur,
unrelenting as she states it, knowing full well its required before any
statement can be made.

Gordon nods slowly to Sarah's words in agreement.

Arthur Christiansen freezes. "Am I really under suspicion?" he says
meekly. 

Gordon says "You also have the right to remain silent as well Mr.
Christiansen. Unless you choose to tell us more." 

Arthur Christiansen listens to the pair carefully...then he nods and
reaches for the telephone. 

Gordon watches Christiansen closely "Keep in mind Mr. Christiansen that
once you make that call. There is no more that we can do to help you." 

Arthur Christiansen pauses.

Arthur Christiansen then picks up the phone. "I'll cooperate." he says
carefully. "But I want some assurances. I'll need to talk to my lawyer to
get those." 

Gordon nods slowly "Very well Mr. Christiansen. That's all we want."

Sarah's arms cross, as she eyes Arthur, she shifts slightly, gaze never
leaving him, as she inclines her head slowly. 

Sarah turns momentarily form Arthur, to glance around the room, before
turning back. 

Arthur Christiansen dials the phone. "I never thought..." he says
reflectively. "Nobody was supposed to get hurt. I guess that sounds
awfully naive now." Then his lawyer is on the line. Christiansen explains
that he needs to see him right away. Then he hangs up. "What happens now?"
he says resignedly. "Am I under arrest?" 

Gordon takes a slow deep breath "Why don't you sit down Mr. Christiansen,
and start from the beginning. I'm sure we can delay a trip to the station
to protect your privacy." 

Sarah nods slowly. "We can wait for your lawyer, to give you the
protection you need." 

Arthur Christiansen nods slightly and sits. "I...don't want to say
anything until my lawyer arrives and I've had a chance to talk to him." He
looks unutterably frail and helpless. 

Gordon nods "Understandable. Can you answer me this though? Why?"

Arthur Christiansen smiles a little ruefully. "I owe a lot of people a lot
of money, Commissioner. I was quite desperate." He looks at the phone
again. "You know," he says, his smile fading a little, "I bet he's
transferring his share now." He looks up. " You can still stop him from
getting away with the money..." Then he shakes his head almost tearfully.
"God, now I _do_ sound like a criminal." 

Sarah moves, taking out her radio to speak into it quietly, stating whats
going on, and getting the boys at the station to assist in stopping the
Joker from getting his share, she turns to Arthur, waiting for the
information. 

Arthur Christiansen murmurs. "The Combine was going to put the money in a
number of accounts...the SEC has them, it was a registered transaction.
Just put a hold on them, that should take care of it..." 

Sarah nods to Arthur, as she speaks the information into the radio,
getting the accounts put on hold. Her eyes still intense, before she
places the radio back into her pocket. 

Gordon looks to Sarah and nods, he doesn't need to say anything to her. He
then looks back to Arthur "Thank you Mr. Christiansen." 

Arthur Christiansen nods slightly and rests his head in his hands.

The minutes pass slowly, Arthur remaining glumly silent. Word that Botoro
has reached the airport and boarded a private jet bound for India comes,
followed by Christiansen's lawyer, a young, worried-eyed man named Marcus
Cohen. He nods to both of you when introduced and takes Christiansen into
the next room for a 'short conference'. It takes a long time. The SEC
calls: they put a stop on the accounts, but the minute the money was
transferred from India, someone started moving some of it around: probably
about hundred thousand dollars worth slipped through their fingers, but
the remainder (some 6 million and change) is intact. 

Sarah mutters softly about the hundred thousand dollars, to herself,
before waiting calmly for Arthur and his lawyer. 

Gordon looks to the two in the other room, then says quietly to Sarah "At
least we got most of it." 

Sarah's head nods to Jim, glancing at him for a moment, not needing
anything else to say, as she offers a slight smile, before turning back,
letting out a soft sigh. 

Cohen and Christiansen return from the next room. Cohen looks even more
worried. "Commissioner," he says. "I really think we need to speak to
someone in the District Attorney's office. My client has a great deal of
information, but it will definitely incriminate him to give it to you." He
pauses. "He is willing to plead guilty to some of the lesser charges if an
agreement can be reached. I know you can't directly authorize that. What
do you think should be done?" 

Sarah's eyes dart to Jim, before turning back to the lawyer, letting Jim
handle it. 

Arthur Christiansen looks as if his dignity has somewhat been restored. 

Gordon hms, taking some time before saying "I can make the call. But my
priority here is still to catch the Joker. If he knows where he is I need
that information right now." 

Cohen looks at Christiansen, who says, "I was supposed to have no contact
with him after the night of the robbery." 

Arthur Christiansen shakes his head. "I don't know where he is. I'm
sorry." 

Sarah's hand runs through her hair, as she shifts her stance, her
expression forming a scowl. The corners of her mouth shifting more, before
relaxing, a shake of her head, ever so slight, as though wishing there was
more. Before she turns, glancing at Jim.

Gordon hms, looking from Sarah to Cohen and Arthur "I'll need to run a
trace on the phone records here... Perhaps we can look into where the
money went again as well." He puts his hands into his pockets, "You don't
need to apologize to me any more Mr. Christiansen. But keep in mind what
will happen next if the Joker remains at large." 

Arthur Christiansen nods. "I understand. Of course you have my permission
to run a trace." he says. Then Cohen coughs. "And about the plea bargain,
sir?" 

Gordon's eyes narrow slightly, his patience running thin "We shall see Mr.
Christiansen." 

Arthur Christiansen nods slightly and falls silent again.

Gordon waves a hand "A car will meet you out front Mr. Christiansen. Your
lawyer can go as well. The DA will meet you at the station." 

Arthur Christiansen nods. "All right." Cohen helps Christiansen with his
coat. The pair sombrely leave the house, and head for the car. 

Sarah makes her way out as well, walking with Jim, a silent expression on
her face. 

Gordon leaves the home, knowing this is the best they can do for now. But
he still doesn't have to like it.