Nighttime drew closer as the sun set over the city. Norio and Francoise stood together in Falcone Warehouse, awaiting another meeting with the knight. The air inside the building was as dank as ever, and the temperature was dropping fast. However, fortunately, the wait was short as Daniel came into the room, slamming the door open.

  Daniel marched to the two police officers standing behind the table in the center of the room with Tommy following behind him. As he arrived, he furiously slammed a Daily Saturn newspaper on the table.

  "You seem to be in a good mood, Knight," Norio said.

  "This isn't the time for jokes, Chief. The courts let one of the Santini guys off the hook on a technicality."

  "Really? Which one?" Francoise asked.

  "Cutter Duncan, the crook infamous for carving his name onto some fool's back."

  "You lie," Francoise retorted.

  Daniel pointed at the newspaper on the table as evidence. And as Fran?oise took it into her hands, her eyes widened as she read through it.

  Norio sighed. "Listen, knight, I know how you feel, but there's nothing we can do for now. We just have to be patient until we get a chance to catch them properly."

  Daniel groaned. "You're the chief."

  Norio chuckled. "Thanks."

  "But there's one more thing I need to talk to you about."

  "What is it?"

  "Our usual meeting time isn't going to work anymore. We need to schedule a new time."

  Norio jovially rubbed his chin. "Why? Do you have some new job outside of that armor?"

  "Yeah, in business. As in none of yours."

  Norio laughed. "Okay, okay, consider it done."

  After the meeting with Norio, Daniel walked down the corridors of the warehouse with Tommy.

  "Man, I'm still mad." Daniel kicked the wall beside him. "I still can't believe they let that guy go."

  "Yeah, I know, Mr. Knight." Tommy exhaled heavily. "The system may not be perfect, but it's all we've got."

  "The system," Daniel groaned. "No matter what side I'm on, it's always against me."

  Tommy scratched his head. "I'm sorry, but what do you mean by that?"

  "Nothing, kid. I just misspoke."

  "Oh, okay." Tommy joyfully snapped his fingers. "But at least there's still tomorrow to look forward to."

  "What's happening tomorrow? You got a hot date with some dame?"

  Tommy laughed nervously. "I'm not going to lie, that would be nice too, but I'm talking about something else."

  Tommy reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. As he unfolded it, he revealed to Daniel that it was a flyer for a charity race.

  "I think I heard about this race somewhere. Do you plan on winning?"

  "Absolutely not. I wouldn't have a prayer." Tommy laughed nervously again. "I just want to finish. The people hosting the event will donate more money for each person that completes the run."

  "That does sound like you." Daniel laughed. "Well, good luck, kid."

  "Thanks a thousand, Mr. Knight."

  Daniel finally returned to his and Karen's apartment after a long day of work. The couple was once again caring for Hope as the child's parents were preoccupied with the FBI. Daniel sat close by as he watched Karen put her to sleep. As Hope fell asleep, Karen gently placed a kiss on her forehead, and the two quietly left the room with Daniel slowly closing the creaking door behind them.

  "Good work in there, angel." Daniel sighed. "I don't think I could take care of this kid without you."

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  "It was my pleasure. I adore caring for her. Remind me to thank Charity and Charles for rewarding us with the honor again."

  "Sure." Daniel cracked his neck. "But still, I wonder how much longer the FBI will be at their throats."

  Karen pouted. "It's wrong, but I hope it's a long time."

  Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You really want the kid here that much?"

  "Yes." Karen walked to Daniel, hugging him. "But even I must admit she can't stay here forever. So, I simply must find something else to do with my free time."

  "Such as?" Daniel asked.

  Karen tightened her grip on Daniel, pressing her breasts against his chest. "Well, I'll gladly d—"

  "No thanks."

  "Pardon?"

  "I don't know if you noticed, Karen, but the world is on fire."

  Karen rolled her eyes. "You worry too much, love."

  "With all due respect, I worry the right amount." Daniel gently pushed Karen away. "I'm going to bed."

  Later, Daniel lay in bed, staring at the ceiling in his and Karen's bedroom. Karen entered the room wearing her white, short-trimmed, silk nightie. As she saw her beloved lying in bed, she sprouted a smile that said more than words. Karen hurriedly jumped on the bed, landing on top of Daniel's lower area.

  "What's this about?" Daniel asked.

  "You mean it isn't obvious?" Karen gently ran her hand against Daniel's cheek. "So, shall we?"

  "But today isn't Thursday."

  "Seeing that I'm in such a good mood, I thought it warranted a special exception."

  "Still, no thanks."

  Karen's face lost color as she heard Daniel, and she swiftly placed a hand on his forehead.

  "Karen, what are you doing?"

  "I'm checking for a fever. You've never turned me down this many times before. Love, do you feel nauseous at all?"

  "No, Karen, I'm just not in the mood."

  Karen rested her head on Daniel's chest, looking at him with the piercing ruby eyes he knew too well. "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing."

  "Liar," Karen retorted.

  Daniel breathed in sharply. "It's all too easy now. I don't trust it for a second."

  "I'm afraid I don't understand."

  "Too many good things are happening at once. Our money, our friends, and everything. When we were at the bottom, all I could think about was reaching the top, but now as we climb higher, I'm getting more afraid of the fall."

  Karen kissed Daniel. "As I said before, you worry too much, my love."

  "But—"

  "Please, can we just be thankful for these gifts?"

  Daniel blew out a heavy breath and cracked a slight smile. "For you, angel, I'll try my best."

  Karen kissed Daniel again. "Music to my ears."

  As the morning came, the many shouts and vehicle horns from the citizens around Luthor Tower greeted the new day. However, above their heads, Marcus and James were engaged in a meeting in the penthouse. Inside, James placed three pictures on his father's desk before him. Marcus looked closer at the pictures, seeing that the images were of Tommy, Elena, and Fran?oise.

  "We're certain that these are Chief Fa's co-conspirators?" Marcus asked.

  "Yes, sir. We did multiple checks on their records to be sure. There's absolutely no one else Fa would trust but them."

  "Is Miss Graves in position?"

  "Yes, sir. Natalie awaits the final go or no-go."

  Marcus glanced at the pictures again. "To inspire such loyalty in his followers, the chief would have been an invaluable employee."

  "Father?"

  "Begin operation clean slate immediately."

  "Yes, sir."

  Meanwhile, Norio sat by his desk in his home, doing paperwork. Charlotte brought her husband a food tray containing hot coffee and a cheese sandwich as he worked. But as she arrived, she looked at her lover longingly.

  The rotary phone on Norio's desk rang, and he answered it. "Yes."

  "Chief Fa, we have a slight problem. The staff at Waller's prison is requesting to see the arrest records for the guys we brought in," Phineas said over the phone.

  "Well, Phineas, tell them to be patient—"

  Charlotte passionately kissed Norio without warning.

  "Chief, are you still there?" Phineas asked.

  Norio hastily pushed Charlotte away from him and brought her over to a corner far away from the phone.

  "Honey, we've discussed this before. You can't do these things while I'm working."

  "I can't help it, Norio, my love."

  "Listen, I'll take you on a nice, long date later at our favorite place. Please just let me work."

  "Fine." Charlotte looked at Norio longingly again. "But first I need something quick to hold me over."

  Norio sighed in defeat. "Just get it over with."

  Charlotte hurriedly tackled her husband to the floor, having her way with him.

  The knight was on patrol in the city. Daniel jumped from building to building, scanning for any danger. He finally stopped, landing on one that overlooked a park as he found nothing. However, as he began to relax, loud horns boomed through the air. "What the hell?" Daniel readied for battle, but he stopped as he saw that the noise was coming from a band playing at the event on the ground.

  "Isn't that Tommy's race?" Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. "Maybe Karen's right. I should try and relax. Let's see if I can find a good spot to watch the kid run."

  As Daniel surveyed the area, his eye caught a glimmer of light coming from the roof of an adjacent building. He looked closer at the light and saw that it was coming from the sun reflecting its rays off a man's gun. Daniel acted the second he saw the man aim his weapon at the race below.

  Daniel jumped from the building towards the assailant at immense speed. As he neared his foe, the man spotted him and aimed his gun at him instead. The man fired two shots; one grazed Daniel's leg, while the other missed. As Daniel landed on the building, he gave the criminal two blows in return. Daniel punched him on his side and gave an elbow to his face, knocking him down.

  "You won't save your friend, knight."

  "Friend? What are you talking about?"

  The criminal swallowed. "Nothing. I misspoke."

  "Is that so?" Daniel grasped the criminal's shoulder, squeezing it with his super strength and making him scream.

  "We were given orders from the big man to kill some coppers," the criminal shouted.

  Daniel released the criminal. "Tommy Black?"

  "Yes, he was one of them."

  Daniel's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he heard the criminal. The big man had found them out. He wondered what else the crime lord knew and about the safety of Norio and the others. But before he could gather his thoughts, the roar of car engines hit his ears.

  Daniel looked downwards and saw three black cars racing towards the event. "What's that?"

  "The contingency plan." The criminal chuckled.

  Daniel quickly stomped his foot on the criminal's face, knocking him unconscious.

  On the ground, Tommy and the other competitors were about to start running as a referee was ready to give the signal. However, the three cars came into view, and the crowds quickly dispersed in a mad panic, running and screaming in multiple directions as they smashed through several vending stands. Tommy saw a young woman collapsed amongst the chaos and ran over to her aid.

  As Tommy helped the woman to her feet, one of the cars rushed towards them. The car was about to run them over when it stopped moving inches away from hitting them. As the sound of the car's tires scratching against the pavement intensified, Tommy looked behind to see what was stopping it. It was Daniel holding its back bumper.

  The car's roof soon opened and revealed a Gatling gun.

  "Not this time," Daniel said.

  Daniel picked up the car and threw it at a tree, stopping it. Still, the two remaining cars rushed toward him to retaliate. The second car, like the first one, ignited its Gatling gun and aimed at Daniel. But Daniel clapped his hands together, sending out a shockwave that knocked it down. However, the final car continued the assault.

  As the last car charged at Daniel, it activated its battering ram, pulsing with energy, in its front bumper. He remained calm as the familiar weapon came at him. "Oh please." Daniel summoned his intangibility, capturing the car in his energy field. The car phased into the ground, where Daniel ripped open the roof and delivered numerous blows to the criminals inside, subduing them.

  Tommy ran to Daniel as the battle was over.

  "Thanks for the rescue, Mr. Knight."

  Daniel took a deep breath. "Tommy, they know."

  "I—I don't understand. What are you talking about?"

  Daniel groaned. "It's the big man. He knows about our deal. That's why his thugs tried to kill you."

  "No." Tommy swallowed. "I—it can't be. We were so careful."

  "Tommy, listen. I need to know where everyone else is."

  "I don't know where Francoise is. But I know where to find the chief and Elena."

  "Show me right now."