Wells's published research showed interest in dimensional theory going back decades. Papers about parallel universes and alternate timelines.
Theoretical frameworks for interdimensional travel. Nothing conclusive but consistent curiosity about the multiverse.
His wife's death in 2000. Car accident on a rural road. No witnesses. Police report said brake failure. But the timing was convenient.
Wells became more focused after her death. More driven. Like a man with a singular purpose replacing the distraction of personal life.
And there were gaps. Small ones. Periods where Wells's whereabouts were unaccounted for.
Days or weeks where no records existed of his location or activities. Most people had gaps like that. But combined with everything else, they formed a pattern.
Not proof. Not even strong evidence. Just enough irregularity to trigger Barry's enhanced analytical instincts.
'Something isn't quite right,' Barry thought. 'Not necessarily wrong. Just not completely standard.'
He ran probability calculations. Likelihood that Wells was Eobard Thawne: 8.7%. Low but not zero.
Likelihood that Wells was exactly what he appeared to be: 73.2%. High but not certain.
Likelihood that Wells had some secret that didn't involve being Reverse-Flash: 18.1%.
The numbers didn't give a clear answer. Which meant Barry needed more data. Direct observation. Behavioral analysis. Checking for micro-expressions and speech patterns that indicated deception.
Today's lunch would provide that opportunity.
"Gideon, prepare behavioral analysis protocols. I want you monitoring my phone's microphone during lunch. Real-time analysis of Wells's voice patterns. Stress indicators. Deception markers. Anything unusual."
"Acknowledged. Analysis protocols ready. I'll need uninterrupted audio feed for optimal results."
"You'll have it."
Barry powered down the Thinking Cap at 7:03 AM. He had five hours until lunch. Enough time to handle other priorities.
His phone showed three missed calls from Tesla Energy Solutions. Barry called back immediately.
David answered on the first ring. "Mr. Allen. We need to talk. The test results came back."
Barry's enhanced hearing detected excitement in his voice. Not skepticism. Not disappointment.
But excitement.
"And?" Barry kept his tone neutral.
"Your batteries performed exactly as specified. Better actually. We ran every destructive test we could think of. Thermal cycling. Overcharge scenarios. Physical puncture tests. They exceeded every metric." Chen paused. "This technology is legitimate. We want to discuss commercial arrangements immediately."
"What kind of arrangements?"
"Licensing agreement. Exclusive supply contract. Whatever structure works. But we need this technology. Every electric vehicle manufacturer in the world needs this technology."
Barry smiled. "I'm not interested in exclusive arrangements. The technology is too important to limit to one customer. But I'm open to volume purchase agreements with favorable pricing for early adoption."
"How early can you scale production?"
"Six months for initial production runs. Eighteen months for full-scale manufacturing."
"We'll send a purchase order for initial quantities. Five hundred thousand units. Delivery in six months."
Barry did the math instantly. Five hundred thousand units at the pricing tier he'd calculated. Approximately $87 million in revenue. From one customer. One order.
"I'll review the purchase order when it arrives," Barry said calmly, despite the massive number. "But preliminary agreement pending final terms."
"Understood. You'll have it by end of day."
Barry hung up and sat down slowly. Eighty-seven million dollars. One deal. One customer.
And Tesla was just the beginning. Ford had requested samples. Samsung was testing units. A dozen other companies were in preliminary discussions.
If every negotiation went this well, Barry's company would generate $500 million in revenue within two years. Possibly more.
Unicorn status wasn't years away. It was months away. The battery technology was so revolutionary that market adoption would be explosive.
Barry's phone rang again. This time an unknown number.
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