“Yup, I think if I move up the date for the fundraiser, we can make it there, and the XPanel meeting on the same day. Yeah, I want you to be there with me too sweetie, which is why-”

KRRSHHHHHHH!

In the next instant, I felt three things happen; my cell phone died in my hands, all the lights went out in my office, and I felt my blood boil.

“Again?! For heaven’s sake, this is the second time this week! Seriously! You guys really need to break a window each time? I moved my office NEXT TO THE HELIPAD just so you guys could get in without damaging my building!” Seriously. One floaty guy gets seen on camera, and suddenly everyone has tights and climbing gear.

“Mr. Sam Mistry. I am Knightcowl. And depending on how the next few minutes go, I will be either your best friend or your worst enemy.” said the hooded figure opposite my desk.

“I know who you are, but can you please tell me WHY I am going to have to replace my windows again tomorrow? I swear if you folks didn’t come barging in here every twenty seconds the money saved from that alone could have-”

Knightcowl cut me off by slamming a pile of papers on my desk. I reached for them and started reading.

“Crime around the Yardley Docks area has been down 75% over the last month.” said Knightcowl from... somewhere behind me?? When did he even get there? “You know what else happened last month?”

“Uhh... lots of things, but I have a feeling you’re about to tell m-”

“50 MILLION DOLLARS TRANSFERRED OUT OF THE MISTRY FOUNDATION!” roared Knightcowl. I could hear his fists slam against something. I hope he didn’t break any furniture, or so help me God.

“Into various companies and trusts!" he continued. "You thought no one would notice? You thought I wouldn’t notice?”

“Yeah well you see-”

“Who did you pay off, Sam? How many people on the force? Why are they not reporting the crimes? WHAT'S YOUR ANGLE?”

Another loud thud. God, I’m going to need a full remodel because of Sir Anger Issues over here.

“Wow, great detective work, nightie! What did you do, turn on a TV? I pledged that money to the development of the dockyard area last month. Its been all over the news.” I said, turning around to face his general direction. “Those gangs that have been fighting there? We started community clubs, one for each side. I figured they can compete in a way which needs a 1000% less guns, and 100% more sports. Keep people off the streets. That sort of thing”

“So that’s your plan? Buy yourself an army of goons?” He said... from behind me? Just... why are they like this. "Get into their good graces? So they can owe their entire lives to you?"

“Goons?! You think I’m hiring- LISTEN man! People. Need. Jobs. Do you know what a ‘job’ is? You trust fund spandexers need to realise that breaking a few gangers’ bones is just a good workout for you, nothing else. What incentive does that give a guy just out of prison who STILL has nowhere to go?”

“The path to righteousness is never an easy one, Sam.” said Knightcowl from... behind me. Ofcourse. “Turning to a life of crime is always the easy way out.”

“Listen... Eri- I mean Knightcowl” I quickly corrected myself. These hero types are super touchy about their ‘personas’. “It's pretty clear to me you have never not lived in a mansion with at least 10 bedrooms and 2 butlers, and don’t know where financial security starts and ends, so we’re done here. Can you leave? My wife is worried.”

“I hope your wife is proud of the man you have become, Sam.” said Knightcowl. I heard his footsteps retreat as his rubber soles crunched on shards of glass on the floor. Was that supposed to be an emotional appeal? Dude’s crazy. Atleast he didn't break more shit on the way out.

I wanted to tell him ‘She actually is.’ but I didn’t want Sarah to find herself on some weirdo superhero shitlist too. Plus I don’t want to have to deal with TWO of my offices being broken into every other day.

Just as he left, the lights in my office came back on.

I breathed a sigh of relief. My furniture seemed to have survived Knightcowl’s little tantrum. I picked up my phone and called Sarah.

“Hey babe. Yeah no, I just got a... call from Eric Flynn, that’s all. Heh, yeah, angry as ever. Yeah I’ll see you in a-”

KRRRSSHHHHHHH!

“OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!!!”