Julian stared at the photograph displayed on Vincent’s phone, his fingers tapping against the table as he examined the information accompanying Felix Granger’s criminal profile.
The café had grown considerably busier since Vincent arrived, with customers occupying most of the surrounding tables, but Julian appeared completely oblivious to the noise.
His laptop sat open beside his unfinished breakfast, displaying several browser tabs containing local news reports, public criminal records, and archived articles from his media company’s website.
Vincent watched his friend work with mild amusement.
Only ten minutes earlier, Julian had been laughing about a wealthy businessman whose wife was sleeping with his fitness trainer. Now, the same man looked as though he were investigating a major political scandal.
"All right, let’s see what we’ve got here," Julian murmured, adjusting his laptop screen. "Felix Granger, twenty-six years old, registered Rank 1 Superhuman, supernatural ability classified as Kinetic Acceleration. Wanted for armed robbery, aggravated assault, and repeatedly evading arrest. His last confirmed sighting was somewhere in the East District."
Julian paused, scrolling through the available information before looking at Vincent. "Not exactly the kind of gentleman you’d invite over for dinner."
Vincent leaned back in his chair. "That’s why he’s on the Villain Database, genius. I didn’t expect him to have a spotless criminal record."
Julian gave him an unimpressed look. "And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why our newly licensed Hero needs professional assistance. He thinks reading a criminal’s profile is the same thing as knowing how to catch him."
Vincent laughed. "Professional assistance? Since when did following cheating husbands qualify you as a criminal investigator?"
"Since those cheating husbands started becoming more difficult to track than wanted fugitives," Julian replied without hesitation. "You’d be surprised how much effort people put into hiding their affairs. Fake business trips, secret apartments, prepaid phones, borrowed cars. I’ve seen people construct more elaborate cover stories for a weekend affair than some criminals manage for actual robberies."
Vincent shook his head, smiling as he finished his coffee. "You really need a healthier hobby."
"Coming from the guy who voluntarily registered to fight dangerous criminals for a living, that’s rich," Julian countered, pointing at him. "At least when my clients get angry, they usually threaten to sue me. Your clients might throw a car at your head."
Vincent couldn’t argue with that particular observation.
Although he had defeated Gareth Morrow during his licensing examination, the confrontation had taken place inside a controlled arena under the supervision of experienced Hero Association personnel.
Hunting a wanted Villain through an unfamiliar district was an entirely different matter. There would be no examiner announcing the beginning of the fight, no reinforced arena walls, and certainly no guarantee that his opponent would remain in one place long enough to be confronted.
Julian turned his attention back to the laptop. "Now, here’s the first thing you need to understand. Knowing someone’s name, photograph, and superpower doesn’t mean you know where to find them. Felix has been avoiding arrest for weeks. If the authorities could simply walk into his apartment and drag him out, somebody would’ve done it already."
"So what do you suggest?" Vincent asked, leaning forward.
"We start with his habits," Julian explained, opening another browser tab. "People are creatures of routine, even criminals. They need somewhere to sleep, something to eat, people they trust, and places where they feel comfortable. Unless Felix plans to live inside a sewer and survive on rats, he’s going to leave traces of his movements somewhere."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. "That’s a surprisingly reasonable explanation from someone who spent yesterday spying on a married couple."
Julian smiled proudly. "Thank you. I’ll put that compliment on my business card."
He continued examining the available records, occasionally writing information into his notebook.
His victims had described him as exceptionally fast, capable of closing considerable distances before ordinary people could react. However, the reports also suggested that his ability had limitations.
Felix rarely remained in prolonged confrontations, preferring sudden attacks followed by immediate escape whenever resistance became serious.
"Interesting," Julian muttered, studying one of the reports. "Look at this. Three robberies in different neighborhoods, but all within the eastern half of the city. He hasn’t been operating randomly."
Vincent examined the locations Julian highlighted on the screen. "Maybe he just knows the East District better than anywhere else."
"That’s possible," Julian acknowledged, nodding thoughtfully. "But we shouldn’t assume anything yet. The important thing is figuring out whether those locations tell us something about where he’s staying, who he’s working with, or how he’s moving stolen goods."
Vincent studied the information for another moment before asking, "Can you access the police investigation files?"
Julian gave him a sideways glance. "Vincent, I’m a reporter, not the police commissioner. I can access public reports, archived articles, business records, and whatever information my contacts are legally willing to share. Confidential investigation files are another matter. Besides, you’re the one with the official Hero License. If anyone has access to additional mission information, it’s probably you."
Vincent reopened the Hero App and checked the available mission details. Unfortunately, the information provided little beyond Felix’s criminal classification, known offenses, recent sightings, and basic ability description.
There were several incident reports attached to the profile, but none identified a confirmed current residence.
"Not much here," Vincent admitted, handing the phone back.
"Then we work with what we’ve got," Julian replied, opening his contacts. "Fortunately, unlike you, I actually know people who spend their days asking inconvenient questions."
Vincent snorted. "You mean people unfortunate enough to have your phone number?"
"Exactly. It’s called networking," Julian answered cheerfully. "You should try it sometime. Preferably before you become famous enough to start charging people for autographs."
While Julian searched through his contacts, Vincent ordered another drink and watched the steady movement of pedestrians outside the café window.
It felt strange sitting there discussing criminal investigations with someone who had once shared his lunch during high school.
Back then, their biggest concerns had been examinations, assignments, and whether they could afford tickets to the latest superhero movie.
Julian had always been fascinated by mysteries and investigative journalism, while Vincent had dreamed of becoming a professional Hero.
Somehow, despite the unexpected turns their lives had taken, they had ended up sitting together again, discussing those same ambitions as actual careers.
Julian eventually selected a contact and raised his phone to his ear.
"Hey, Marcus? It’s Julian," he greeted casually when the call connected. "No, I’m not calling about the council investigation. That’s already with my editor. Listen, I’m looking into a series of robberies around the East District. You remember that delivery vehicle incident near the old commercial warehouses?"
Julian listened for several seconds, then opened his notebook. "Yeah, that one. I’m trying to establish whether there were any similar incidents nearby. Nothing confidential. Just information that’s already circulating among local businesses."
Vincent remained silent while Julian continued the conversation, occasionally asking questions and writing down details.
After several minutes, Julian thanked the person and ended the call, looking considerably more interested than before.
"Possibly," Julian replied, examining his notes. "That was Marcus, a local crime reporter I’ve worked with before. Apparently, several businesses in the eastern commercial area have reported suspicious activity recently. Small robberies, missing shipments, and delivery vehicles being intercepted along certain routes."
Vincent frowned. "You think Felix is responsible?"
"I think Felix might be involved in some of them," Julian corrected. "That’s different from saying he’s responsible for everything. We need evidence before making connections. Otherwise, we’re just inventing stories, and my editor already accuses me of doing that whenever I submit an article five minutes before the deadline."
Vincent chuckled. "Maybe your editor wouldn’t complain if you stopped spending half your working hours chasing cheating couples."
Julian placed a hand against his chest in exaggerated offense. "Excuse me, those cheating couples are paying for my retirement. Journalism pays the bills, but marital disasters are funding my future beachfront apartment."
"At this rate, you’ll probably own the entire beach," Vincent replied dryly.
"That’s the dream," Julian declared, grinning. "Although now that my best friend is a licensed Hero, perhaps I should start charging consultation fees. Hero investigations sound considerably more dangerous than divorce cases."
Vincent crossed his arms. "You haven’t even found Felix yet, and you’re already discussing payment?"
"Naturally. Successful businessmen think ahead," Julian replied, before his expression softened slightly. "Relax, idiot. I’m helping because you’re my friend. Besides, I’ve spent years listening to you complain about that agency. Now that you’re finally doing something you actually want, I’m not going to sit around pretending I can’t help."
Vincent regarded him for a moment, then smiled. "Thanks, Julian. Seriously."
Julian waved dismissively. "Save the emotional speech until after you’ve captured somebody. Preferably without getting yourself hospitalized. I don’t want to explain to your doctors that my brilliant investigative advice sent you straight into a wall."
They spent the next hour examining Felix’s known activities, comparing incident locations, and discussing possible investigative approaches.
Julian insisted that Vincent shouldn’t immediately rush toward the first suspicious address they discovered.
Instead, they needed to establish whether Felix had actually been seen there recently and determine whether the surrounding businesses might provide useful information.
Vincent agreed, recognizing that his friend’s investigative experience could save him considerable time and unnecessary risk.
As they prepared to leave, Julian’s phone vibrated with an incoming message. He glanced at the notification, then stopped gathering his belongings. His eyes narrowed as he opened the attached information.
"Well, now," Julian murmured, slowly sitting back down.
Vincent noticed the change in his expression. "What happened?"
Julian turned his laptop toward Vincent and pointed at a location marked on a map of the East District. "Remember those delivery vehicle robberies? My contact just sent me something interesting. A witness reported seeing a man matching Felix Granger’s description near an old warehouse complex two nights ago."
Vincent leaned closer. "How reliable is the sighting?"
"Not confirmed," Julian admitted, his expression growing serious. "But the witness mentioned something unusual. The man disappeared down the street so quickly that they barely saw him move. That sounds remarkably similar to Kinetic Acceleration, doesn’t it?"
Vincent studied the marked location, feeling his interest sharpen.
Julian closed his notebook with a satisfied smile. "Looks like we’ve finally got somewhere to start looking, Vincent."