Testing the Waters

The weather was bright that day, with sunshine everywhere and a dry, cool breeze.

Dr. Wells appeared at the Central City Police Department.

Barry and Iris ran into him in front of the police department's mural of Truth, Liberty, and Justice.

Because of the Speed Force, speedsters often shifted from their excessively powerful high-speed state back to the ordinary state of normal people, creating a kind of reversed sense of time that distorted their perception of it. They could be incredibly fast, yet still arrive late or forget the importance of time.

Barry was like that today. He had arranged to watch Simon Stagg's acceptance speech with Iris and had even promised to explain the scientific concepts to her, but Barry had forgotten every last detail of their plans. If Iris had not come to find him and urged him to go back and change into a suit, he would not even have realized it.

The Speed Force's time discrepancies—sometimes fast, sometimes slow—were vividly displayed in him.

Barry looked at Wells with an unnatural expression and asked, "Dr. Wells, what are you doing at the police department?"

"Hi, Barry. Miss West."

Wells greeted them calmly. Iris had visited STAR Labs when Barry had been brought in for treatment, so Wells remembered her as well.

Iris politely nodded in reply. "Hello, Dr. Wells."

Then she said nothing more and stood beside Barry.

Wells smiled and nodded at Iris before continuing, "I came to see Detective West to discuss a possible collaboration."

Barry frowned slightly as all kinds of suspicious speculations flashed through his mind.

At that moment, Joe spotted Wells from inside the police department. He came out and patted Barry on the shoulder.

Joe said, "You and Iris go see that technology award or whatever. Bring me a pepperoni, olive, and jalapeño pizza tonight."

It was a hint. Those were the three pizza toppings Joe had bought to eat with Barry last time, which was also when he had begun to suspect Wells.

Barry was very smart and immediately understood. Joe meant that he would talk to Barry tonight after probing Wells. For now, Barry should go do what he was supposed to do instead of stubbornly staying here.

Having received Joe's hint, Barry said goodbye to Wells and left the police department with Iris.

"Detective West, we shouldn't discuss this right at the entrance, should we?"

Wells gestured to the busy doorway around them. It was hardly a quiet place to discuss anything.

"Of course not. Since Barry's out, let's sit in his lab. Want coffee? Sugar and cream?"

"Black coffee."

When they arrived at Barry's lab, Joe set the coffee on the table and briefly cleared away the documents on its surface, stacking them to one side.

Wells sat down on the other side, guiding his wheelchair up to the table.

The two took a sip of their warm coffee.

Wells spoke first. "Detective West, I strongly support the plan you mentioned for apprehending superpowered criminals. STAR Labs truly needs to take responsibility for this."

Joe smiled confidently. "Very good, Dr. Wells. Ordinary people at the police department can't handle these superpowers. Once a metahuman is discovered, we'll need Lin Li and your team's assistance."

Wells said, "It is our duty. This is what I should be doing. I'm deeply sorry for the harm and mutations brought to this city. STAR Labs will make every effort to control the danger posed by metahumans."

The two clinked glasses, and Joe covertly fixed Wells with a scrutinizing look.

Afterward, they talked at length about investigating, preventing, and combating superpowered threats. Joe also stated that he would cover for them for the time being to avoid causing public panic. When the time was right, they could apply to the police department for official authorization. For now, Joe would help handle all matters involving superpowered threats, gradually allowing both the department and the public to accept them.

The cooperation was expected, and Joe had not intended to discuss it for very long. They only needed to exchange a few words and get it settled.

Joe's main purpose today was to probe Wells and see what actions and motives he had. He used their cooperation in combating metahuman crime as an opportunity to begin a tentative conversation.

Next, they casually chatted about daily life and public affairs, and seemingly without meaning to, the subject turned to Barry.

Finally, Joe asked as though it were an offhand question, "Dr. Wells, why did you choose Central City to establish STAR Labs in the first place?"

Wells smiled. "Naturally, because the scenery is pleasant, the climate is comfortable, and because of people like you. Central City is the city where one feels safest."

With that, he raised his cup in salute to Joe.

Joe shook his head in disbelief and stared hard at Wells's face. "Not necessarily. Have you heard of Barry's mother's murder? I think the original judgment was wrong. Ever since you gave Barry super speed, I've suspected that someone with abilities like Barry's killed his mother."

Wells looked confused and resistant. "Detective, that is difficult to believe. Barry gained his superpowers from the thunderstorm caused by the Particle Accelerator's accidental explosion. Even Lin Li, who was struck by lightning alongside Barry, did not gain Barry's super speed."

Joe's gaze gradually turned sharp. "What if there was? What if there had been one fourteen years ago?"

Wells said, "I don't think that's possible. Fourteen years ago, there was no technology capable of creating a Particle Accelerator. It was the dark matter waves released by the Particle Accelerator's explosion that gave Barry his super speed. That is an indispensable premise, one that cannot be erased."

Joe stood up, his tall figure radiating pressure.

His voice gradually became stern. "Dr. Wells, what if you were capable of creating a Particle Accelerator fourteen years ago?"

Joe's forceful intimidation did not frighten Wells. It did not even stir his heart in the slightest.

He put on an expression that said, You've wronged me. I'm utterly helpless. This is merely your own assumption.

Wells took off his glasses and met Joe's eyes. "I thought I came here today for a genuine partnership, one that could repair the harm STAR Labs has caused Central City. It seems that this was your real purpose all along. Detective West, you are hurting me—hurting me with baseless accusations..."

A fierce glint appeared in Joe's eyes. Many criminals, when their minds lacked resolve, would become hurried and uneasy under his stare. It was a psychological tactic. Those who were guilty, those with a guilty conscience, would reveal flaws through darting eyes if they lacked strong enough willpower.

Yet Wells calmly met his gaze without yielding in the slightest.

Joe spoke slowly, his tone unwavering, intensifying the psychological pressure once more.

"You... are..."

"I'm the killer!"

An incomparably magnetic voice.

A blurry yellow figure appeared, with a red lightning emblem against a white background on his chest.

Red arcs of electricity crackled around him.

He suddenly appeared, and the wind he stirred scattered the documents from the other side of the table.

Joe's eyes abruptly widened as he stared behind Wells in horror.