The next morning, Lock and Dio hitched a ride to the Metropolis Annual Tech Expo.
Outside the exhibition hall, a massive holographic projection spun in the air, showcasing the latest quantum computer model. Below it, crowds surged in like a tidal wave.
As for Lock, his hand stayed firmly on Dio's shoulder.
Ever since he noticed they were being followed last night, he'd kept Star Platinum's sensory range locked within a ten-meter radius.
"Dad!" Dio tugged at Lock's arm, pointing at a giant transparent sphere. "Is that VR?"
"Too bad," he added, pouting at the winding line. "Way too many people."
Eyeing the snaking queue, Dio suggested, "How about you grab a drink, Dad? I'll hold our spot in line."
Lock's expression tightened. "You sure you'll be okay alone?"
"It's packed with people. What could happen?" Dio rolled his eyes. "Plus, I've got The World."
"Alright," Lock sighed, patting Dio's shoulder.
Maybe he was being too paranoid.
And honestly, in broad daylight, at an expo crawling with big shots from every industry, no organization or assassin would be dumb enough to cause trouble here.
Besides, the vending machine was just a few meters away, and Star Platinum could keep an eye on Dio the whole time.
"I'll grab you a drink. Stay right here," Lock said. "Yell if anything happens."
Dio nodded, shuffling forward with the slow-moving line.
But just as he was about to enter the VR pod, a sudden commotion erupted behind him. A group of excited kids pushed and shoved their way forward. Dio frowned, stepping aside to avoid the little brats.
Before he could move, a strong, searing hand clamped onto his shoulder.
The hand was unnaturally hot, the heat seeping through his clothes. Dio summoned The World and whipped around, but all he caught was the back of a burly man walking away.
Dressed in a plain black jacket, the man's sleeve revealed faint, dark red patterns—like burn marks from a branding iron. He pushed a cart loaded with heavy equipment and vanished into the crowd.
Meanwhile, Lock, tasked with monitoring Dio through Star Platinum while wrestling with a stubborn vending machine, was growing irritated.
"Who made this piece of junk?" he muttered, smacking the button. "I'm never buying from them again!"
The machine clunked and groaned but refused to release the soda stuck at the exit. Lock's fist twitched, ready to give it a taste of his Stand's fury.
"Sir, need some help?" a warm voice interrupted, breaking Lock's golden spirit.
He turned warily to see a well-dressed middle-aged man smiling at him, a dark-haired boy of about twelve standing by his side.
"That vending machine belongs to Wayne Enterprises," the man began.
But before he could finish, Lock's face paled.
Dio!
Without a word, he bolted, leaving the soda behind, weaving through the crowd so fast he was gone in a blink.
The man from Wayne Enterprises stood frozen, blinking. "Well, that's something."
Was their company's name so terrifying it sent Metropolis locals running?
Clunk!
The vending machine finally spat out the soda.
"Dad," the boy said, picking up the bottle, his gray-blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Should we go after him?"
"Yes, Bruce," the man replied, ruffling his son's hair with a smile. "Let's at least return his drink."
"What if he's gone?" Bruce tilted his head.
"Then it goes to lost and found," the man shrugged, leading his son toward where Lock had vanished. "But I've got a feeling we'll find him."
---
Back at the VR line, Dio stood rooted, staring in the direction the man had gone.
The World hovered at his side, on high alert.
The scorching sensation of that hand lingered on his shoulder, making his skin crawl.
"Dio!" Lock raced back, panting, Star Platinum materializing behind him. "You okay?"
"Dad, someone touched me," Dio whispered. "His hand… it wasn't normal."
Lock's face darkened.
His eyes scanned the area, landing on a few drops of dark red liquid evaporating on the ground nearby—
Just like what he'd seen in the alley behind the restaurant last night.
It was clear now.
This wasn't just some random stalker. This guy had abilities—dangerous ones—and was skilled enough to use the crowd and disguises to probe them.
This wasn't your average tail.
This was a stalker who needed a Star Platinum beatdown!
Could this be the life-or-death crisis Logan warned about?
Lock gritted his teeth.
If it was just him, he wouldn't care. But Dio was here.
He wasn't afraid of a straight-up fight. It was these sneaky, underhanded tactics that got under his skin.
"Dio, until I deal with this," Lock said, grabbing his son's wrist, "I'm sending you to Lionel's place. Let's go now, okay?"
"Dad!" Dio protested.
They'd planned three days of fun!
Spending the rest of it playing house at Lionel's estate with that bald kid sounded like zero fun.
"Dio," Lock said, rubbing his temples in frustration. "I'm sorry, but this guy had the nerve to—"
"Sir, your soda."
The familiar middle-aged man held out the bottle, a friendly smile on his face. Beside him, a boy studied Dio curiously.
"Thanks," Lock said cautiously, taking the soda. Star Platinum quickly scanned the pair.
Yup. Normal humans.
"Hey, I'm Bruce," the boy said suddenly, his eyes on the silver coin around Dio's neck. "That coin's pretty cool."
"Bruce!" the man scolded. "It's not polite to strike up conversations like that."
"Sorry, Dad," Bruce said, stepping back sheepishly. "Sorry, sir."
"No worries, and thanks for grabbing my drink," Lock said with a nod. "Sorry for running off like that."
"The hand that gives a rose retains its fragrance," the man quoted with a smile. "I'm Thomas Wayne."
"I thought you were upset about the vending machine," he continued, "but it seems like you've got something urgent going on."
"I won't keep you, then," Thomas said, touching his son's dark hair and noting Lock's tense expression. "But if you need help, Wayne Enterprises' booth is at B-23."
With a nod, he handed Lock a business card and left with Bruce, heading toward Area D for a stroll.
Wayne, huh. Nice guy, Thomas, but now's not the time for making friends.
Lock stared at the card for a moment before pocketing it.
"Let's head to Area B," he said.
"Why?" Dio asked, confused.
"It's on the expo map," Lock explained. "Wayne Enterprises' booth is right next to the Special Affairs Security Center run by the military."
"We'll hang out there for a bit. I doubt that guy'll try anything in a place like that."
"Plus, it'll give me time to call your Uncle Lionel to arrange a pickup."
Seeing Dio's smile fade, Lock sighed. "I promise, once I handle this, I'll bring you back for a whole week in Metropolis!"`