Trouble with Kingpin

"Unbelievable... it actually worked!"

"Don't say it like that, Dad. Sounds like you didn't have much faith in me."

Norman was stunned by the series of test data, while Harry slowly pulled on his clothes.

"I'm sorry, son, but this is astonishing... You know, the most successful example of Human Augmentation Technology dates back to World War II..."

"Yeah, Captain America. Almost every American knows him."

"I'm proud of you, son." Norman put down the documents in his hand and hugged Harry tightly.

"I told you, you need to have faith in me." Harry smiled and patted Norman on the back.

"So... what do you plan to do with this technology? This is... groundbreaking stuff."

Harry had already figured out how to answer Norman's question.

First, making the technology public was out of the question. Keeping it for secret personal use was the best option. Besides, Harry had carefully evaluated the tech involved—the Spartan Project's success rate wasn't one hundred percent even with sufficient resources, let alone with the current incomplete state of the technology.

Harry's own enhancement had relied on the system's help; otherwise, the success rate of this surgery might have been in the single digits.

As for certain components of the technology, Harry planned to neuter and break them down, then bring them to Osborn Enterprises to patent and industrialize, thereby strengthening the company.

Once the company was stronger, he would continue supporting Norman Osborn's political activities—following this model until he became the US President.

"Good. Looks like you've already thought this through." Norman felt gratified. This son of his had truly given him too many surprises.

The conversation ended quickly, and then the phone rang.

"Harry, where are you?" It was Heli.

Under Norman's eye roll, Harry smiled and walked over to the windowsill.

"Miss me, sweetheart?"

"You sound pretty happy. You're not out on a date with some girl, are you?" Heli's voice was like an angry little girlfriend. Harry had to admit, this woman must have practiced—it made his heart itch.

"Come on, I'm still a minor. Can you watch your language?"

"Hmph, a battle-hardened minor, huh? Mr. Murdock called. He wants to meet you."

Harry swirled his glass: Looks like our Daredevil has made some progress. Time to deal with that arrogant fat man.

Evening, Hell's Kitchen, Nelson-Murdock Law Office.

"Looks like you didn't use the money I gave you to fix this place up." Harry said, looking at what was supposed to be a law office.

It was a rundown old building. Matt's law office was in the corner on the first floor—damp, cramped, and poorly laid out.

As he approached the office, a chubby guy in the same suit as Matt opened the door.

"I suggested he find a better place too, but that's just how he is." Foggy Nelson, Matt's assistant and good friend, said.

"I won't use that money until I confirm the client is innocent. You know that." Matt said.

"Hey, Mr. Murdock, I thought you were the type who only takes cases where the client's innocence is confirmed. Also, could you not say that to my face? It's hurtful."

Harry grumbled a bit and walked into the office.

"There's no one else here, so I'll be blunt. Why do you think... Wilson Fisk is this 'Kingpin' you mentioned?"

Hearing Matt's question, Harry smiled.

"Osborn Enterprises is the top company in the country, remember? I have my ways."

Matt fell silent. That wasn't the answer he wanted, but he was quiet for another reason—what he sensed from Harry told him Harry had changed drastically.

"Alright. Anyway, following that lead, I did find some clues."

Matt nodded at Foggy and pulled out a stack of documents.

"This Mr. Wilson Fisk founded several large companies, including United Construction Company, a few years ago. He's become known as a millionaire and a big philanthropist, but no one knows where all his money came from."

"But after my investigation, this guy—I mean the Kingpin—has been involved in crime for many years."

"So, Mr. Osborn, I don't think you're lying. This guy is hiding deep."

Harry finished reading the materials, took a sip of water, and sighed deeply.

"So this is all you've found in over a month? Legally speaking, none of these materials form a closed chain of evidence. To an amateur like me, most of it is just speculation and conjecture."

Harry was a bit disappointed, but the result wasn't surprising. After all, when the Kingpin built his criminal empire, his methods were bloody and ruthless, and it was expected that he'd clean up his tracks when going legit.

"We don't have an entry point." Foggy chimed in for Matt. "We're not private detectives, after all."

"You're right." Harry had anticipated this too. Fortunately, he had already made arrangements.

Harry turned on the TV.

"Osborn Enterprises has announced today that the municipal power grid project will add a new partner, United Construction Company..."

"You're working with him?!" Matt was shocked. "What are you planning?"

"To give you an entry point, of course. Look at this list of companies. You're now the chief legal counsel for many of them, and also the CEO, CTO, and all that nonsense."

A month ago, Harry had agreed to share a portion of the profits with the Kingpin and secretly funded the purchase of some shell companies under the Kingpin's name used for money laundering—paying protection money to the Kingpin.

In reality, Harry had wanted to acquire equity in United Construction Company, but the Kingpin's men weren't slacking off. He couldn't find an opportunity.

"You want us to look for clues in these companies' accounts?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure how to go about it either." Harry spread his hands; he really didn't know much about this. "But I do know that establishing a financial connection is the best entry point, so I'll have to trouble you with that. Please make sure you nail this guy before the power grid project lands, or I'll be losing a lot of money."

"Right now, the 'Idiot' Group—the new company I set up for this—I want you to investigate these acquisitions and the issues involving these companies. After all, the investors all think they've been cheated."

Matt and Foggy exchanged a glance: rich people really did things differently. Now it was time for them to get to work.

On the other side, at the United Construction Company building.

New York's gang kingpin, Kingpin, was looking down at Hell's Kitchen—his territory.

"Wesley, have you found out? What the hell happened?"

Wesley was his most trusted subordinate; much of Kingpin's criminal empire was managed by him.

"It was Harry Osborn. He bribed those guys and pulled off these moves in secret." Pausing, Wesley continued, "Those traitors have all been relocated to a residential complex outside the city. The NYPD has beefed up security there, so it looks like they've struck some kind of deal."

Kingpin said nothing more.

But he felt that this time, he might have made a foolish decision. The New York power grid project was too tempting, and that Harry Osborn was too young—that was what had made him want to expand his business. But now, it seemed things had gotten a bit troublesome.

"...Have Bullseye go scare that greenhorn kid. Maybe that'll make him easier to talk to."