The weather was bright and sunny, with a cool, dry breeze.
Dr. Wells appeared at the Central City Police Department.
Barry and Iris met him in front of the "Truth, Liberty, Justice" mural at the Central City Police Department.
Due to the Speed Force, a power that is too strong, speedsters often switch from an extreme speed state back to a normal human state, which can cause a distorted sense of time, leading to discrepancies in their perception of time. This manifests as being incredibly fast but still arriving late or forgetting the importance of time.
Barry was just like this today. He had promised Iris to watch Simon Stagg's acceptance speech and explain scientific knowledge to her, but he had completely forgotten everything. If Iris hadn't found him and urged him to go back and change into a suit, he wouldn't have realized what was happening.
The time difference, the fast and slow effects caused by the Speed Force, were vividly displayed on him.
Barry looked at Wells uncomfortably and asked, "Dr. Wells, what are you doing at the police station?"
"Hi, Barry, Miss West."
Wells greeted them calmly. Iris had visited when Barry was sent to Star Labs for treatment, so Wells remembered her.
Iris nodded politely in response, "Hello, Dr. Wells."
Then she said nothing more, standing by Barry's side.
Wells smiled and nodded at Iris, then continued, "I'm here to see Detective West to discuss some cooperation."
Barry frowned slightly, various suspicions flashing through his mind.
Just then, Joe, who was inside the police station, saw Wells. He walked out and patted Barry's shoulder.
Joe said, "You and Iris go watch that science award. Bring me some Italian pepperoni, olive, and jalapeño pizza tonight."
This was a hint. These three types of pizza were what Joe had bought to eat with Barry last time, and it was also when he first began to suspect Wells.
Barry was very smart and understood immediately. Joe meant that he would talk to Barry tonight after he had tested Wells. For now, Barry should continue with his own business and not linger here.
Receiving Joe's hint, Barry said goodbye to Wells and left the police station with Iris.
"Detective West, we shouldn't discuss this at the door, should we?"
Wells gestured to the busy doorway, indicating that it was not a quiet place to discuss anything.
"Of course, since Barry is out, let's go sit in his lab. Do you want coffee? Sugar and milk?"
"Black coffee."
Arriving at Barry's lab, Joe placed the coffee on the table and briefly tidied up the files, stacking them to one side.
Sitting on the other side, Wells also maneuvered his wheelchair to the table.
Both took a sip of the warm coffee.
Wells spoke first, "Detective West, I strongly agree with your plan for apprehending metahuman criminals. Star Labs indeed needs to take responsibility for this."
Joe smiled confidently, "Excellent, Dr. Wells. The ordinary people at the police station can't handle these metahumans. Once a metahuman is discovered, Lin Li and your assistance are greatly needed."
Wells said, "We are duty-bound. This is what I should do. I apologize for the harm and anomalies brought to this city. Star Labs will do everything in its power to control the danger posed by metahumans."
The two clinked cups, and Joe's hidden gaze fixed on Wells.
Then the two talked extensively about the investigation, prevention, and combat of metahumans. Joe also stated that he would temporarily cover for them to avoid causing social panic. At an appropriate time, they could apply to the police department for official action. For now, all matters concerning combating metahumans would be handled with Joe's help, gradually allowing the police department and the public to accept it.
Cooperation was expected, and Joe didn't intend to discuss it for long. A brief overview of the key points would suffice.
Today, Joe's main purpose was to test Wells, to see what his actions and motives would be, using the cooperation to combat metahuman crime as an opportunity to engage in probing conversation.
Next, they chatted casually about daily life, and seemingly inadvertently, the topic turned to Barry.
Finally, Joe asked, seemingly casually, "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 you are here, Central City is the safest city."
After speaking, he raised his cup to toast Joe.
Joe shook his head in disbelief, staring intently at Wells's face and saying, "Not necessarily. Have you heard about Barry's mother's murder? I believe the initial judgment was wrong. From the moment you gave Barry his super speed, I suspected that someone with abilities similar to Barry's killed his mother."
Wells said, confused and resistant, "Detective, that's hard to believe. Barry gained his super abilities because of the particle accelerator's accidental explosion and the resulting thunderstorm. Even Lin Li, who was struck by lightning with Barry, doesn't have Barry's super speed."
Joe's gaze gradually sharpened, "What if there was? What if there was fourteen years ago?"
Wells said, "I don't think it's possible. Fourteen years ago, there wasn't the technological capability to build a particle accelerator. The explosion of the particle accelerator, and the dark matter waves it emitted, are what gave Barry super speed. This is a prerequisite, a prerequisite that cannot be erased."
Joe stood up, his tall figure creating a sense of pressure.
He gradually said in a stern voice, "Dr. Wells, what if you could have built a particle accelerator fourteen years ago?"
The pressure from Joe's stern voice did not scare Wells, nor did his heart even waver.
He feigned an expression of being wronged, utterly helpless, as if this was merely Joe's personal opinion.
Wells took off his glasses, looked Joe in the eye, and said, "I thought I came here today for a genuine collaboration, to repair the damage Star Labs caused to Central City. It seems this is the real purpose now, Detective West. You are harming me, slandering and harming me without any evidence…"
Joe's eyes revealed a fierce glint. Many criminals, if not mentally strong, would become agitated and uneasy under his gaze. This was a psychological attack; those with a guilty conscience, without strong mental fortitude, would have flickering eyes and reveal their weaknesses.
However, Wells met his gaze calmly and composedly, showing no weakness.
Joe's slow, unwavering tone intensified the psychological pressure once more.
"You… are…"
"I am the murderer!"
An incredibly magnetic voice.
A yellow, blurred figure, with a red lightning bolt logo on its chest.
With red electrical arcs.
Suddenly appeared, and the swirling wind scattered the files on the other side of the table.
Joe's eyes suddenly widened, staring at Wells's back, revealing horror.