“Go babysit the suspects to the station Leopard. That’s the protocol, right? Let me question this … gentleman who just did a great public service.”

The hero was reluctant, but she did walk out without a word. The other two police officers had taken the robbers away, and the customers began to filter out of the diner. Officer Filler stood beside her father and ordered a coffee. He took a sip and nodded his approval.

“Great coffee.”

“Thanks.”

“Good place too. Didn’t know there’s such a place along King’s Hill. Outside today, you had any other problems so far?”

Jennifer didn’t know why the officer was asking her these questions, but if it didn’t get her father into trouble, she was more than happy to answer them. “Not really. A few break-ins over the years, and we had to close for a few days when they came for Red Maddy, but overall things have been relatively okay.”

“Ah, the Red Maddy incident.” The officer nodded sagely. “That was a mess. He’s still missing you know, and no one had the guts to take over the area since they don’t want to get on Maddy’s bad side if he ever returned. It would help if some villain had the balls to step up and take over. Would make life easier for all of us.”

The officer drank the rest of his coffee without saying anything else. He gave Jennifer his thanks and walked out. He never asked his father a single question, and Jennifer knew better than to ask the officer to pay for the coffee. She just chalked it up as the cost of doing business in King’s Hill. By now, her father was the only customer in the diner, and Jennifer told his staff to clean up the diner and to leave early. As they began to work, Jennifer stood near her father, ready to answer any question he had. She didn’t have to wait long.

“Red Maddy?”

“Local crime boss. He ruled almost the entire outer eastern district of the city. Then a few months ago, the heroes came for him hard. No one knows why but a lot of people died, and the fight destroyed parts of the city. Maddy disappeared, and it has been a free-for-all in the King’s ever since.”

“That officer said something about everyone been too afraid of Maddy?”

“He was powerful. Technically he has a superpower, but it came late. I think he was already in his forties when it manifested, and it was a powerful one. He was a fire wielder, but he was too old to enter a hero academy and that was a problem.”

“Why? Having a superpower is a good thing.”

“That may be true in the past, but it’s different now. If you have a superpower and had not graduated from an academy, you will be deemed as dangerous by most countries. Companies won’t hire you and since independent heroes are no longer a thing anymore, most late bloomers would turn to villainy to make a living.”

“What? That’s stupid. That’s like forcing people into villains.”

“That’s the way it is now, and it’s not that big of a problem. Most superpowers manifested early and some hero academies even have courses for late bloomers. They are there to train people on how to use their superpowers after all, and they accept people even in their thirties. Even if the late bloomer is unable to attend the course, that’s not really an issue if the superpower isn’t that powerful. If the superpower is on the lower tier, most people would close an eye to the matter.”

“Lower tier?”

“Oh, you don’t know about that. They have begun ranking superpowers based on how powerful or useful they are. It’s a way for employers to filter out the heroes and make it easier for them to decide who to employ. The problem with Maddy, a new powerful superpower in his forties, is something that almost never comes up.”

Her father shook his head again. He looked like he was thinking, and Jennifer quietly stood by as he gathered his thoughts. By this time, her staff had cleaned up the diner. Jennifer gave them her thanks and told them not to come in tomorrow. After the excitement, they deserved a day off.

They were glad to hear that, but Jennifer could see them wondering if it was safe for Jennifer to be alone with this man. Jennifer smiled at their concern and waved them to the door. His father was far more dangerous than she had expected, but she knew she would be safe with him. Jennifer poured herself a cup of coffee and couldn’t help but ask.

“You don’t take coffee with sugar?”

“Uh?” Her father was wondering where this came from. His daughter replied.

“With a name like Sweet Fist, I always thought you would have a sweet tooth.”

Her father’s eyes widened, and a chuckle escaped him. He raised his cup in appreciation. “Good one.”

Their cups clicked, and father-and-daughter drank their coffee.