"Tell me again about Stheno?" Akilah asks, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, ready to take notes.

  I shift in my chair, trying to organize my thoughts. It seems so obvious to me now, but explaining how I made the connection might be tricky.

  "It started with Aaron McKinley's lawyer," I begin. "Katherine Huang, from Tremont & Fairfax."

  "The New York firm?" Akilah interrupts, her eyebrows shooting up.

  "Yeah. When I gave my deposition about Aaron's arrest, I overheard something weird. Another lawyer asking Huang why someone from Tremont and Fairfax was in Philly handling a pro bono defense case for a random fire-powered thug."

  "That is weird," Devonte agrees, wheeling his chair closer. "T&F doesn't typically do criminal defense, and they definitely don't do pro bono work for nobodies. Their hourly rates start at like four figures."

  "I mean, any firm worth its salt does pro bonos, and some of them even do criminal defense. But some random case from Philly raises eyebrows," Akilah corrects.

  "Exactly," I nod. "So that got me thinking about why a fancy New York law firm would care about Aaron. And then, when Richardson announced Argus Corps, I noticed something in the paperwork filing."

  "Let me guess," Akilah says, already typing. "Huang was the attorney of record."

  "Bingo. Same lawyer representing both Aaron and filing the paperwork for Richardson's personal superhero squad? That can't be a coincidence," I continue.

  "So you connected Tremont & Fairfax to Richardson, and by extension, to the Kingdom," Devonte says, following my logic. "But how did you get to Stheno specifically?"

  "That part was mostly Jordan," I admit, gesturing to the phone screen where Jordan is still watching. "They figured that if Tremont & Fairfax were doing legal work for Kingdom shell companies, there might be business filings that would show the connection."

  "I pulled all the new LLCs registered in Pennsylvania over the last year," Jordan explains, taking over. "Then I filtered for any that listed T&F attorneys as their legal representatives. That narrowed it down from almost fifteen thousand to like seventy something."

  "From there, we basically had to guess," I continue. "We looked for companies that seemed like they might be involved in pharmaceutical production or research. Stheno Biopharma stood out because its registration paperwork was filed by Martin Calloway, a junior partner at T&F."

  Akilah and Devonte exchange a look that I can't quite interpret.

  "What?" I ask. "Did we miss something?"

  "No," Akilah says slowly. "It's just... impressive. And a little annoying, honestly."

  "Annoying?" Mom asks, speaking up for the first time in a while.

  Devonte laughs. "Yeah, because we've been tracking Kingdom shell companies for months, we've never been able to pin them to T&F - we noticed the filing, of course, but figured that was just Maya flexing her money - and this just sort of falls into your lap?"

  "Pure luck," I shrug. "If Aaron hadn't attacked me, if Huang hadn't been assigned to his case, if I hadn't overheard that conversation... we never would have known."

  "Dayenu," Mom mumbles, chuckling.

  "That's how investigations work sometimes," Akilah says, a hint of grudging respect in her voice. "One lucky break can unravel a whole operation."

  "So now what?" I ask. "I mean, even with Stheno out of commission, the Kingdom still has other facilities, right? Other shell companies?"

  "Almost certainly," Devonte confirms, turning to his computer and gesturing at a complex diagram. "Based on what we know about their money structure, they're likely operating through at least a dozen different fronts. But knowing about Tremont & Fairfax gives us a new angle to attack."

  "This definitely needs further research," Akilah says, jotting notes in her small pad. "I'll have to run this by Chambers and Woo on Monday, see if they'll approve the budget for additional corporate records searches. These filings don't come cheap, especially across multiple states."

  "And we'll need to look beyond Pennsylvania," Devonte adds. "Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland... they probably have operations far beyond the Philly region, especially for distribution."

  "What about Rogue Wave?" I ask, remembering our other major problem. "Have you guys been tracking them too, or just focusing on the Kingdom?"

  Akilah and Devonte exchange another look.

  "We've got a file on them," Devonte says cautiously. "But substantially less information than we have on the Kingdom. They're newer, more erratic in their operations. Harder to pin down."

  "What do you know about their contracts?" I press, leaning forward. "The way Monkey Business can basically mind-control people who sign with him?"

  "Not much," Akilah admits. "We know about as much as everyone else does - we saw that news hijacking - but the people we interviewed wouldn't explain exactly how it works."

  "Wouldn't or couldn't?" Jordan asks from the phone.

  "Both, I think," Devonte says. "We didn't press too hard. I remember you talking about with Rampart, how you found some drug dealers that went zombie mode. And I heard there was some incident at a high school where someone pressed a contracted security guard?"

  I glance at the webcam, hoping Jordan sees me.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  "That tracks with what we've seen," I say. "They basically turn into zombies if you push them too hard about it."

  "Do you think there's any connection between the two?" Mom asks, leaning in like she's actually interested in the conversation. "Between the Kingdom and Rogue Wave, I mean."

  "We've been wondering the same thing," Devonte admits. "They seem to be operating in direct competition, fighting over territory and market share. But sometimes..."

  "Sometimes it feels like they're avoiding each other too neatly," Akilah finishes. "Like there might be some unspoken arrangement. But that's pure speculation at this point."

  "If there is a connection," I say slowly, "that would mean Richardson might have ties to both organizations."

  "Which would explain a lot about her anti-vigilante legislation," Jordan points out. "Keeping heroes off the streets benefits both the Kingdom and Rogue Wave."

  "That's a big leap," Akilah cautions. "We need evidence before we start building conspiracy theories."

  "But it tracks with what we already know," Devonte adds. "Richardson could be positioning Argus Corps as a 'solution' to a problem she helped create, or at least exacerbate."

  "Legally authorized to detain people without warrants, no less," Akilah mutters darkly.

  Mom clears her throat, drawing our attention. "This is all very... intricate. But what does it mean for Sam's safety? If the Kingdom thinks she was involved in destroying one of their facilities..."

  "They'll be watching, but I doubt they'll move against her directly," Akilah says, her tone reassuring. "High-profile attacks aren't their style – too much attention. They prefer to work through proxies or legal channels."

  "Like siccing Argus Corps on us," I suggest grimly.

  "Exactly," Akilah nods. "But now that we know more about their network, we can start building countermeasures. Surveillance detection, security protocols, maybe even some legal preemption."

  "Legal preemption?" Mom asks.

  "Filing reports about suspicious vehicles near your home," Akilah explains. "Creating a paper trail that establishes harassment patterns. Not enough to trigger immediate police action, but enough to build a foundation if things escalate."

  "Sort of like – if I get attacked later we have a preexisting chain of 'this was premeditated', rather than this just being sudden?" I guess. "So someone other than, like, Argus Corps, and the Kingdom, might take us seriously?"

  "Exactly," Akilah nods.

  Devonte yawns.

  "D, can you pull up the Kingdom financial flow chart?" Akilah asks suddenly, turning back to the whiteboard. "I want to see where Stheno fits in relation to their other pharmaceutical operations."

  Devonte swivels to his computer, fingers flying across the keyboard. "There was that cluster of companies registered in Delaware last year – PharmaSyn, NextGen Biologics, Helix Innovations..."

  While they dive into their research rabbit hole, my attention wanders to a framed photo on Akilah's desk. It shows the Young Defenders at what I recognize as our first official team photo – all of us in costume, awkwardly posed in front of the DVD headquarters. Liberty Belle stands in the center, her face serious but her eyes crinkled at the corners in a subtle smile. Everyone looks so young, so uncertain, even Akilah and Devonte. I wonder what Belle would think of us now – Akilah and Devonte as investigators, , me... well, still getting into trouble, honestly.

  "Sam?" Mom's voice brings me back to the present. "You okay?"

  "Yeah, just..." I gesture vaguely at the photo. "Remembering."

  Mom follows my gaze, her expression softening. "She meant a lot to you, didn't she? Liberty Belle."

  "To all of us," I say quietly. "She saw... something in me. Still not sure what."

  "She saw a bullheaded teenager with a death wish and thought 'perfect superhero material,'" Devonte calls over his shoulder, but there's no bite to it.

  "Takes one to know one," Akilah murmurs, eyes still on her screen.

  "I heard that," Devonte says, spinning in his chair.

  "You were meant to," Akilah replies primly.

  "Jeez, you two still bicker like an old married couple," Jordan observes from the phone.

  "Don't insult either me or the institution of marriage, Safeguard," Devonte says, pointing a finger at the screen. "Besides, I only go for white and Asian,"

  "DEVONTE!" Akilah shouts, invisible threads of shimmering telekinetic force yanking on his hair, pulling coils loose.

  "Ow! I go for Hispanic chicks too!" he shouts, waving his hands and trying to tangle them into Akilah's threads so that he can yank them loose. Her telekinetic attack subsides as she composes herself, smoothing her blouse with exaggerated dignity.

  "You are, without question, the least professional person in this office. And that includes the spider plant in the reception area."

  "That plant has a doctorate in being boring," Devonte retorts, fixing his hair with an injured expression. "While I have a PhD in keeping things interesting."

  Mom stifles another laugh behind her hand, clearly finding their antics both amusing and a bit overwhelming. She catches my eye with a look that says we should probably leave before Devonte says something even more outrageous. I nod slightly in agreement. She checks her watch and starts gathering her purse. "It's getting late, and I think these two are going to be busy handling Jordan's. Data. I should call your father and see if he's ready to pick us up."

  I sort of just tune out Akilah and Devonte arguing with each other in the background, while Jordan gets the picture and hangs up nonchalantly and unceremoniously. A tiny bolt of anxiety shoots through me as she pulls out her phone. Dad's been out there a while. What if something happened? What if the Kingdom found him? What if—

  "Ben? Yes, we're about wrapped up here. Can you pull around front? Great, see you in a few." Mom ends the call and turns to me. "He'll be here in a minute."

  The relief is immediate but embarrassing. I'm being paranoid. Dad's fine. Everything's fine. Just because bad things have happened before doesn't mean they're happening now. "So we have a plan moving forward?" I ask, trying to refocus. I clap my hands a couple of time to get Devonte and Akilah's attention. She blinks at me.

  "We do," Akilah confirms. "We'll analyze the data you've provided, continue tracing the Kingdom's shell network through the Tremont & Fairfax connection, and look into finding someone who might be able to help with the encryption."

  "And in the meantime, keep your head down," Devonte adds, suddenly serious. "I know that's not your style, but with Argus Corps and the Kingdom both potentially gunning for you, it's the smart play."

  "I'm grounded anyway," I remind him. "Not like I have much choice."

  "Being grounded hasn't stopped you before," Akilah points out with a raised eyebrow.

  I glance at Mom, who gives me a look that clearly says "don't even think about it."

  "This time it will," I promise. "Scout's honor."

  "You were never a scout," Devonte snorts.

  "It's the principle of the thing," I say loftily.

  Mom stands, extending her hand to Akilah. "Thank you for your help. It's... reassuring to know Sam has people looking out for her."

  "She's one of us," Akilah says simply, shaking Mom's hand. "Even if she is a pain in the ass sometimes."

  "Language," Devonte mock-scolds, grinning as Akilah shoots him a death glare.

  After confirming plans to stay in touch and promising to be careful at least seventeen times, Mom and I finally head for the door. Devonte gives me another quick hug, whispering, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," which is basically permission to do almost anything.

  "Keep us updated," Akilah calls as we leave. "And Sam? Good work. Belle would be proud."

  My face scrunches up. I try to pull it into a smile but it doesn't quite work.

  Outside, Dad's car is just pulling up to the curb. The streets around Temple are quiet for a Sunday afternoon, a few students wandering between buildings with backpacks and coffee cups, but otherwise calm. No suspicious vehicles, no men in suits watching from corners, no signs of danger at all.

  Just a normal day in Philadelphia. For now, anyway.

  As we climb into the car, Dad turns to look at us expectantly. "Well? How did it go?"

  Mom and I exchange a glance, a whole conversation passing between us in that single look.

  "Productive," Mom says carefully.

  "We have a direction," I add.

  Dad nods, accepting this cryptic summary without pushing for details. As he pulls away from the curb, I watch Chambers & Woo Investigations recede in the side mirror, wondering what Akilah and Devonte will find in our data.