Probing

The weather was bright and sunny, with a refreshing breeze.

Dr. Wells appeared at the Central City Police Department.

Barry and Iris met him in front of the mural depicting truth, freedom, and justice at the Central City Police Department.

Speedsters, due to the Speed Force, an overwhelming amount of speed, often transition from super-speed back to normal human speed. This creates a temporal displacement, causing a discrepancy in their perception of time. Despite moving incredibly fast, they might still be late or forget the importance of time.

That was exactly how Barry was today. He had a commitment with Iris to watch Simon Stagg's award acceptance speech and had promised to explain scientific concepts to her. He had completely forgotten their plans. If Iris hadn't come to find him and urge him to go back and change into a suit, he wouldn't have remembered at all.

The temporal discrepancies caused by the Speed Force, the effect of time speeding up and slowing down, were perfectly evident in him.

Barry looked at Wells unnaturally and asked, "Dr. Wells, why are you at the police department?"

"Hi, Barry, Ms. West."

Wells greeted them calmly. Iris had also visited STAR Labs when Barry was being treated there, so Wells remembered her.

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

Then she fell silent, standing by Barry's side.

Wells smiled and nodded at Iris, continuing, "I'm here to see Detective West to discuss some cooperation."

Barry frowned slightly, various suspicious thoughts flashing through his mind.

Just then, Joe, inside the police department, saw Wells. He walked out and patted Barry on the shoulder.

Joe said, "You and Iris go watch that tech award. Bring me some pepperoni, olive, and jalapeño pizza tonight."

This was a hint. These three types of pizza were what Joe had bought and eaten with Barry last time, and it was also when he started suspecting Wells.

Barry, being very intelligent, understood immediately. Joe's meaning was that after he finished testing Wells, he would talk to Barry later tonight. For now, Barry should just continue with his own business and not linger here.

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

"Detective West, we shouldn't be discussing this at the entrance."

Wells gestured to the people coming and going at the entrance, indicating it wasn't a quiet place to discuss anything.

"Of course. Since Barry is out, let's go to his lab. Do you want coffee? Cream and sugar?"

"Black coffee."

Upon arriving at Barry's lab, Joe placed the coffee on the desk and tidied up the files on the desk, stacking them to one side.

Sitting down on the other side, Wells also maneuvered his wheelchair to the desk.

Both took a sip of the warm coffee.

Wells spoke first, "Detective West, I strongly agree with your proposal for capturing super-powered criminals. STAR Labs does indeed need to take responsibility for this."

Joe smiled confidently, "Excellent, Dr. Wells. The police's regular officers cannot handle such super-powered individuals. Once a meta-human is discovered, your and Lin Li's assistance is crucial."

Wells replied, "We have a duty to do so. This is what I should be doing. I apologize for the harm and mutations brought to this city. STAR Labs will do its utmost to control the dangers posed by meta-humans."

The two clinked their cups together, Joe's gaze subtly fixed on Wells.

Afterward, they discussed the investigation, prevention, and crackdown of super-powered individuals at length. Joe also stated that he would provide temporary cover for them to prevent public panic. They could apply for official action with the police department at a later time. For now, all efforts to combat super-powered individuals would be handled with Joe's assistance, gradually allowing the police department and the public to accept it.

The cooperation was expected, and Joe didn't intend to discuss it for too long; a brief chat would suffice.

Today, Joe's primary goal was to test Wells, to see his behavior and motives. He used the cooperation to combat meta-human crime as an opportunity to initiate a probing conversation.

Next, they chatted about everyday life, and seemingly casually, the topic shifted to Barry.

Finally, Joe asked, as if by chance, "Dr. Wells, why did you choose to establish STAR Labs in Central City in the first place?"

Wells smiled and said, "Of course, it's because of the pleasant scenery, comfortable climate, and because of you all, Central City is the safest city."

With that, he raised his cup to toast Joe.

Joe shook his head in disbelief, staring intently at Wells's face and said, "Perhaps not. Have you heard about the murder of Barry's mother? I think I made a mistake in my initial judgment. Ever since you gave Barry super-speed, I suspect someone with abilities similar to Barry's killed his mother."

Wells looked confused and resistant, saying, "Detective, this is hard to believe. Barry gained his super-speed because of the particle accelerator accident, which caused a thunderstorm. Even Lin Li, who was struck by lightning along with Barry, doesn't have Barry's super-speed."

Joe's gaze gradually sharpened, "What if he did? What if it was from fourteen years ago?"

Wells replied, "I think it's impossible. Fourteen years ago, there wasn't the technology to build a particle accelerator. It was the dark matter wave emitted from the particle accelerator explosion that gave Barry his super-speed. This is the premise, an unerasable premise."

Joe stood up, his tall figure exuding pressure.

He gradually said sternly, "Dr. Wells, what if you could have manufactured a particle accelerator fourteen years ago?"

Joe's stern tone and the pressure he exerted did not startle Wells; his heart remained unmoved.

He feigned an expression of being wrongly accused and helplessly resigned, suggesting it was merely Joe's personal opinion.

Wells took off his glasses and met Joe's gaze, "I thought we were here for a genuine collaboration today, to mend the damage STAR Labs caused to Central City. It seems that's not the real purpose now. Detective West, you are hurting me, slandering me without any evidence..."

A fierce look flashed in Joe's eyes. Many criminals, when their minds were not firm, became uneasy under his gaze. This was a psychological attack. Those who were guilty or had a guilty conscience, without strong mental fortitude, would have their eyes darting around, revealing weaknesses.

However, Wells calmly met his gaze, showing no sign of yielding.

Joe slowly, with an unwavering tone, intensified the psychological pressure.

"You... are..."

"I am the killer!"

An incredibly magnetic voice.

A yellow, blurry figure, with a red lightning bolt emblem on its chest.

Carrying red arcs of electricity.

Suddenly appeared, the gust of wind it kicked up scattering files on the other side of the desk.

Joe's eyes widened, staring at Wells's back, an expression of terror on his face.