The Step Forward

[fast_thrower]

(Three days after this)

Owen returned to the meeting place. He'd dug up a few personal effects from his old man's caches. A hair-brush with strands that didn't match Digger's, a piece of ribbon, a greeting card written in some weird language he couldn't place. Everything else had been the normal stuff. Cash, ID packets, weapons, clothes, and the

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[flash_fact]

Something glinted on the monkey bars, a wristwatch, old style with hands and a ticking second hand that could faintly be heard beneath the crystal dial. It had been wrapped around one of the thicker bars like a wrist. Closer examination revealed a gear on the side for winding, and another button, marked 'radio'. The back had etched upon it a small lightening bolt.

[fast_thrower]

Owen examined the watch, blinking at it.

"Seriously?" He looked around, winding the first gear as he muttered to himself. "Wonder how many proofs of purchase he had to send in for this..."

He switched on the radio.

"Good afternoon, avid listeners. This is your prince of all media, Owen Mercer, taking your calls and playing the greatest hits of yesteryear. Let's go to the lines. First caller?"

[flash_fact]

"Ah good," came the sligthly crackling response. "You found the watch. Keep it. Call it a good will gift. I guess you've found some of what we need for the testing?"

Barry could have been at the location before the radio waves could carry the response, yet he used it anyway.

"No doubt you're wondering why I haven't just run over there," he said, "And the answer is simple. I need time to clear and set up the lab. I figured that the police station isn't where you'd like me to test for this," he said, "So I've asked a friend for some time at the university laboratory. He's agreed. I'll make the call and meet you at the campus. Central City U, my old alma mater. Science building. You know it?"

[fast_thrower]

"Um, yeah. some things that don't quite fit with the rest of the old man's stuff. Chance there might be something on it you could use."

He gives an affirmative grunt. "I'll be there." Owen gets the next cab across town. He gives the cabbie a nice tip, although not nice enough to be remembered, then moves quickly across the campus, waiting at the door to the science building when a door requiring a card swipe stops him.