Knight Rider 2000

Knight Challenge

Written by

M9J14C7

&

Scott Kirkessner

Based upon KNIGHT RIDER

Created by

Glen A. Larson

Original KNIGHT RIDER 2000 Concept by

Rob Hedden

New concept by

Scott Kirkessner

In the high-speed lane of free-lance crime prevention, there is no room for competition. The Knight Foundation must battle a new free-lance organization to solve a case first and win a contract with the government.

Rated PG-13 for language.

“You know, Walter,” William Taylor said, “things are just perfect for us. Do you know what I mean?”

“Absolutely.”

“Medallion has just completed its twentieth-case and we've got a chance to sign a contract with the government.”

“Yes, Will. It'll be perfect, the Medallion Association for Law and Government.”

“It does have a nice ring to it.” Will Taylor was a fairly tall person, with reddish brown hair. He had been working with Medallion ever since it had started, a little under a year ago. They had done outstanding work ever since they had begun as a freelance organization.

“When will the car be ready?” Will asked.

Walter Anderson who had started Medallion and hired Will to get it up on its feet answered with enthusiasm, “By the end of this week. Will, your going to be impressed with her. She's one mean set of wheels. You're lucky I've still got you employed after what you did to it on the test run. But, if that's what you needed to do to get the job done, then that what you needed to do.”

William thought about what Walter was saying for a moment. He should have never gone along with that mission, it just wasn't right. He tried to get his mind off of it, “How fast?”

“The engineers estimate that her top speed is about 267 miles per hour. Although, I can't think of when your gonna need to go that fast.”

“Neither can I.”

“But this isn't just a isn't just some fast car. No, it does a lot more than just look good. It's got a full array of sensors and scanners that'll help you out at a crime scene. It's pretty much voice command activated.”

“Can it drive itself?”

“A little. That's still untouched technology. Mainly set up by labs testing artificial intelligence. It can drive on roads with a line for it to guide itself. But, it has to be sunny and it can't go any faster than sixty-five miles per hour.”

“That's still pretty impressive. Tell me, what's our competition for this?”

“Well, there already is a freelance organization which has FBI ties. The Knight Foundation.”

“What's this Knight Foundation?”

“I don't know. I've seen their name come up every once in a while, but they don't sound very big. Will, we have everything set up the way we want it. If we win this contract, it shouldn’t be hard to stamp them out.”

There was a secret that involved Medallion in the Harrison case. It didn't seem to be much of a problem for Walter Anderson, but it was getting Will concerned.

“Aren't you just a bit scared about them choosing that particular case?”

“I don't see why I should be. After all we have been working on it for the past three weeks.”

“I like the way you put 'working on it,'“ Will Taylor said sarcastically.

“Look this is nothing to worry about. The Knight Foundation will never be able to figure it out. Don't worry.”

March 18, 2002

1011 Hrs MST

Billings, Montana

Shawn McCormick had only been in the States for a few months after returning from England for Christmas. She spent a day with her family at the Knight Foundation, but quickly returned to Billings, Montana with her father, Harold Johnson.

Ever since the incident involving the serial killer just a few months shy of a year ago, Shawn hadn’t been the same. She had to spend time with her family, and even herself to get things back into perspective. Shawn had lost her purpose, the same factor she called on Michael two years ago.

But Shawn knew that she couldn’t give up and promised that she would soon return to FLAG. She just didn’t expect it would be this soon… of course, she didn’t expect to be gone this long either.

Glancing out the window, Shawn saw two familiar figures approaching the door. A balding man with a mustache and wearing a business suit in his late forties, and a young brunette woman in her early thirties.

A single knock at the door shaped Shawn’s life for the days to come.

“Can I get you anything?” Shawn asked, sitting down at the table with Natalie Markins and Russell Maddock.

Maddock and Natalie declined and decided to get straight to business.

“Shawn,” Maddock said, “the reason we came is because we need your help.”

Deep down inside, Shawn knew that this wasn’t a courtesy call. Her friends at FLAG ensured her ‘alone time’ and figured that FLAG was in danger if they needed her back before she came on her own accord.

“Shawn,” Natalie started, “FLAG already has a government contract with the FBI, but a new contract is up with Homeland Defense and the White House is ready to give a contract to one freelance agency to cooperate with Homeland Defense and Security. There is one other agency going for the job. There is one case that we have to solve. Whichever agency solves it first and more efficiently is chosen.”

“And you're afraid that you won't be able to get the contract?” Shawn asked, concerned at the pessimism.

“Exactly.” Maddock said.

“And you want me to help you with the case.” Shawn said, revealing their intentions.

There was an awkward pause while both parties waited for someone to say something.

“Well?” Natalie asked.

“You got it.”

Maddock and Natalie both let out a relieved smile.

“Tell me about the case.” Shawn said.

“The Harrison case involves a young woman by the name of Julie Harrison, who was brutally murdered at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Police have been trying to solve the case for nearly a month and haven't had any luck at all.” Maddock explained.

“What about evidence at the crime scene?” Shawn asked, her police and forensic skills coming out.

“With the little we've been able to come up with from Seattle, there really is none.” Natalie said.

“I don’t understand how you guys are concerned about losing the contract. I mean, Natalie you’re the criminologist, this should be a snap for you.”

“Yeah, it should, but things don’t add up, not to mention that we’ve just started investigation once we learned the other agency was on it for three weeks.”

“What about any information on Julie Harrison?”

“That's what you two have to find out,” Maddock said, “There's not much to know, its like everything about her has been deleted or locked up in a vault.” He handed her a photo of Julie Harrison.

“We do know,” Natalie continued, “is that she's twenty-three, she lived in Edmond, Oklahoma. Wherever her parents or other family members are we don't know. We know she had some kind of job, but what or for who we don't know. So far the information that we do have is small.

“And Natalie your FBI connections can’t dig up anything?” Shawn asked.

“Absolutely nothing. Something isn’t right with the case.”

“Something’s telling me that this other agency is hiding something.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking too.” Natalie said.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s crack the case.” Shawn said, getting up.

A fire-engine red car was sitting outside on the street. A few neighborhood kids were admiring its splendor, and the chasing red lights in the front.

The three partners walked out of the house and towards the car, causing the kids to leave knowing the car would soon be gone anyway. “I knew you would be able to get her!” it said.

“Hey KITT.” Shawn said. “How are you?”

“I am very happy to see you again. December seems like such a long time ago.” KITT said.

“It does,” Shawn said, getting into the passenger side.

Natalie paused briefly. She expected Shawn to drive. Natalie let the issue go and walked over to the driver’s side, and allowed Maddock to climb into the backseat.

“Mr. Maddock, I called the plane and the jet is fueled up and ready to go.” KITT reported.

“Very well,” Maddock said, “let’s get to work.”

It took no time to reach the airport and pass security to gain access to the tarmac where the Knight Foundation’s 747 was waiting for them. KITT pulled into the rear entryway into the planes belly. Just like old times, Bonnie Barstow was waiting for him and his occupants.

“Shawn!” Bonnie yelled, before Shawn even opened the door.

Shawn got out and hugged Bonnie.

“Welcome back.” Bonnie said. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too,” Shawn said, “I’m glad to be back.”

Kevin Williams, KITT’s other technician walked into the garage, not knowing that Shawn had returned. “Shawn?” He asked, surprised.

“Kevin.” Shawn said, with a hint of happiness in her voice. The two hugged and Kevin welcomed Shawn back to the game.

“I hate to be the party-buster, but we gotta put reunions aside and get to work.” Maddock said.

“KITT,” Shawn asked. “Anything else we have on Julie Harrison?”

“I probably know whatever Maddock already told you. But, I can check again if you like,” KITT answered.

“Please do.”

As KITT began a picture of Julie Harrison appeared on the screen. “Julie Harrison lives, correction: lived, in a small apartment complex called Greenfront Apartments. She was employed however for who and doing what is still unknown. There is no information on her family, but I am compiling a list of names under Harrison and cross-referencing them to several databases across the country as we speak. There are no autopsy reports to explain how she was murdered, and for some reason, I am having trouble gaining access to the police databases.”

“Terrific,” Natalie said.

“It sounds like someone's trying to keep the murder under wraps,” KITT said.

“Yes,” Natalie added, “but who and why? KITT, where did the murder take place?”

“At Greenfront Apartments, Natalie.”

“Then there should be some kind of witness we can talk to.”

“Natalie,” Shawn asked, “what makes you think that they haven't been told not to talk.”

“I never said that I did, in fact being forced not to talk wouldn't be impossible right now. One thing's for sure, someone is definitely trying real hard to hide this murder and they're doing a really good job of it.”

1447 Hrs CST

Edmond, Oklahoma

The sight of Greenfront Apartments was not the most beautiful thing. It was old and run down. Most of the people who lived there looked like they hadn't taken a shower or changed their clothes for nearly a week. Anyone who did own a car didn't take very good care of it or anything else that was displayed outside.

So, it seemed odd to the people who lived here when a second hot sports car pulled into their apartment complex. This time it was red and had some kind of weird dancing light effect on the front.

“That silver car looks out of place, doesn’t it?” Shawn asked.

Natalie looked out of the window and saw the shiny new concept-looking car ahead. Shawn was right, it certainly didn't fit into the surroundings, of course neither did KITT. Natalie knew the answer to her question when he saw a man dressed in khaki pants and a tan sports jacket with dark sunglasses started walking to open up the car's door.

“I think we've just met the competition,” she said.

KITT spoke up. “His name is William Patrick Taylor, he works for Medallion, the competition.”

“Anything you can tell us about that car?” Shawn asked.

“It's not anything special compared to me, however it is equipped with an array of sensors and a nice computer system with the latest processor. I’m tempted to show them who is going to win in the end.”

“Not quite yet, KITT, we should keep a low profile.” Natalie said.

“Right, we don’t wanna blow our wad just yet,” Shawn said, “of course, we aren’t doing much use just sitting here.”

“Full surveillance, KITT.” Natalie said as the two got out.

William Taylor didn’t get a chance to get into his silver car as he saw Natalie and Shawn coming. He was concerned that they would discover the secret, so he decided that he should try to intimidate them. What could a couple of women show him up on anyway?

“This is an official crime scene area ladies, I'm afraid that you can't come here unless your authorized,” Will said.

“We are authorized. I'm Special Agent Natalie Markins, and this is my partner FLAG Agent Shawn McCormick.”

FLAG… Will thought in his mind. He should have known with the flashy car that this is his competitor that would be stamped out soon enough.

“You really shouldn't bother,” Will said. “There's really not much here. Besides, Medallion has been involved in this case for three weeks already. If you're only starting now, you girls are too far behind to catch up.”

“Don't worry about us, Mr. Taylor, we'll do just fine,” Shawn said.

“I don't think so. You two should go back to your homes, maybe take a vacation, you look overworked.”

“I've been on vacation for enough already,” Shawn said. “I've got enough energy to get this case finished a lot faster than you.”

“Whatever, Ms. McCormick. You know, that's a nice set of wheels over there. Of course, it's probably nothing compared to this thing.”

“No,” Shawn said, “I don't think you could put the two in the same class.”

Taylor said nothing and got into his car. He started it, revved the engine, and sped away. As Shawn watched, she brought her watch up to his mouth, “KITT,” she said, “track him on GPS. I wanna see where he's off to.”

“I've got him,” KITT answered.

“You want me to call him back so you two which one of you can piss farther?” Natalie asked.

“Condescending prick,” Shawn replied, “I hate guys like that.”

“KITT,” Natalie said into her comm-link, “activate your spectral analyzer and see if you can find any blood or any other form of DNA traces.”

“Right away.”

Natalie looked closely at the ground. There wasn't much to see. All of the blood, if there was any had been washed away. But, she did see a very noticeable grey streak on a large dumpster, near the place of the murder.

She took a key out of her pocket and scraped at the streak. Some chips stayed on her key. She walked over to KITT.

“KITT,” she said, “This looks like car paint. Will you take a look at this sample for me?”

“Of course,” KITT answered, “If you'll just insert it into the analyzer.”

Natalie tapped the key and let the small chips fall into a tray that came out of KITT’s dashboard. “I wonder how Shawn is doing?” she said, looking over at Shawn.

Shawn walked over to a woman that was sitting in the courtyard of the complex. She was slightly overweight, with light gray hair. Shawn guessed that she was probably in her late sixties, early seventies.

“Excuse me, ma'am?” Shawn said.

“Oh, no you're not another one of those damned policemen asking me if I'd like to come down and talk are you?”

“No, I'm Shawn McCormick from the Foundation for Law and Government. We're a non-profit organization devoted to solving crime.”

“Ain’t that nice,” the lady said, not giving a damn.

“I just wanted to ask you a few questions.”

“Okay, as long as I don't have to go no place.”

“No, you can stay right here.”

“Good.”

“What do you know about Julie Harrison?”

“Not much, she lived over on the other side, I saw her a few times here in the courtyard. I like coming out to the courtyard. It's very peaceful here, you know. You get to hear the birds chirping and watch the kids playing when they come out. Julie was a very peculiar girl, she just moved here a little while ago. She never really came out of that apartment, she always spent her time in there, doing God knows what. No one really knew her here, we all went to the service, but everyone felt weird because they really didn't know her. She'd never really make friends with anyone. People would reach out but she wouldn't accept.”

“Were you here when Julie Harrison was murdered.”

“Oh, no. No one was.”

“No one in this entire apartment complex?”

“Nope. Everyone was gone, even the landlord.”

“Is it usually like that?”

“No, you see they evacuated this whole area that night because of a potential gas leak. Julie must of gotten here from her job, whatever that was, a little too late. Although, I am very grateful that the gas leak had gotten us evacuated because if hadn't then there may have been others that could have been killed.”

“Or, Julie could still be alive today,” Shawn mumbled to herself as she stared off into the distance. Her eyes returned to the woman. “Thank you for your help ma’am.”

“Any luck?” Natalie asked as Shawn returned to the car.

“None.”

“That woman couldn't tell you about who was here when the murders happened?”

“That's the problem, no one was.”

“What do you mean no one was here?” KITT asked.

“The entire area was evacuated because of a potential gas leak. That means there weren't any witnesses in the complex or in the local area.”

“That's not much to go on,” Natalie said as they got in the car.

“Any results with the spectral analysis?” Shawn asked.

“All results turned up negative, Shawn,” KITT said. “There's not a spot of blood or any other material that could contain DNA here.”

“Terrific,” Shawn said sarcastically.

“KITT,” Natalie said, “how about we see where our good friend Mr. Taylor has gone off to.”

An image of a map appeared on the monitor and was projected on the windshield. “Taylor left about eight minutes ago,” KITT said, “in that time he has traveled to a small unmapped area. The only thing I've been able to come up with is that he's gone to a wooded area. I'll continue cross-checking several different maps and documents to find out where he's gone, but so far it looks like he gone nowhere special.”

“What about family members?” Shawn asked, out of current subject, “There's got to be someone she's related to.”

“I have looked through all of the Internet archives that I could find, Shawn. I've searched phone listings and genealogy home pages, there hasn't been anything that I've had any luck with. Maddock was right, it appears as if anything and everything about her has been deleted or locked in a vault somewhere.”

“Keep looking,” Natalie said, “we've got to come up with something some--,” Natalie was interrupted by a knock at the passenger side window.

“It's the woman you were talking to earlier, Shawn,” KITT said.

The window rolled down and Shawn looked up at the old woman that stood above him.

“Ms. McCormick,” she said. “It's me Pearl Butler, you were asking me about Julie before. I thought I had told you everything that I knew but I remembered suddenly that there was a young man that also moved in here recently that lives on her side of the complex. He was the only one we ever saw going into her house. I guess he was her friend or something.”

“Thank you very much, Ms. Butler. Can you tell me his name?”

“I think its Jim or Joe, something like that. Yes, it was Jim Walker, or is it Joe Walker? Well, he was a peculiar fellow as well, just like Julie, so I guess they were made for each other or something like that.”

Shawn pressed the buzzer and waited with Natalie for this Jim or Joe Walker to answer the door. Just as Shawn was about to ring the buzzer again, they heard some fumbling from behind the door, like someone was trying to unlock it. The door swung open and a tall man with dark hair and blue eyes opened the door.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes,” Shawn said, “I'm Shawn McCormick and this is my partner Natalie Markins. We understand that you knew Julie Harrison.”

“Oh yes, I'm Joe Waters. I knew Julie a little. I went over to her place a few times, and we talked. It's really a sad thing what happened to her,” he said staring off into the distance.

He woke up out of his daydreaming state and invited them inside. Shawn walked in ahead of Natalie, and she fell behind for a moment as she brought the comm-link to her mouth and talked to KITT.

“KITT,” Natalie said, “record this for me. Audio and video.”

Natalie followed behind Shawn and Joe. Joe invited them to sit down in the living room of the run down apartment. There was a big screen TV full with surround sound theater, along with a DVD player. A very nice computer setup sat on a desk in the bedroom that he could see down the small hallway. The couch and all of the other furniture in the room was clean and brand new, much to Natalie's surprise.

“So,” Joe asked, “how can help you two?”

“We were wondering what you could tell us about Julie. You might be surprised to know that we can't find very much on her,” Shawn said. “Did she have any family?”

“I don't know. I never knew her well enough. I think she has a brother around here. I'm really not sure.”

“What about her job?” Natalie asked. “Who was she working for?”

“I don't know that either. You know, she did tell me, but I can't recall.” Suddenly, the phone rang. “Excuse me, I'll have to get that,” he said getting up.

“Tap and trace this call, KITT,” Shawn said into her comm-link.

“Have any of you noticed the safe yet?” KITT asked.

“What safe?”

“The one in the large speaker to left of the television,” KITT said.

Natalie and Shawn got up and walked over to the large speaker that went from the floor to the ceiling.

“There's an electronic pad on the side. Don't worry, I've all ready accessed the code and the safe should open,” KITT said.

Shawn opened up the safe, and inside there were the usual secret documents that would be found in safes like this.

“KITT,” Natalie said, “let me know when our friend has gotten off the phone.”

“Of course.”

Shawn opened up one of the folders inside the safe, “KITT, take a few pictures of these.”

She pointed her watch down at each piece of paper that was inside of the folder. Natalie noticed a small compact disc sitting on the top shelf of the safe. She began to pick it up.

“He's off of the phone,” KITT said.

Shawn put the folder down, and closed the safe. They both quickly sat down where they were sitting. Joe came back in the room, and sat back down in the chair.

“I'm awfully sorry about that. Where were we?” Joe said.

“I think we were talking about Julie's job,” Shawn said.

“Ah, yes. Like I said, I really don't know who she was working for. I remember her mentioning something about emblems or jewelry. She could have been working at a jewelry store or even a pawn shop.”

“You don't know which one?”

“No, I don't.”

There was an awkward pause as Natalie and Shawn quickly tried to ponder more things to ask him. They didn’t come up with anything.

“Well, Mr. Waters,” Natalie said, “thank you very much for your time. If you remember anything else, this is where we can be reached.” She said handing him a business card.

“Well, what do you think?” Shawn asked once they had gotten back in KITT.

“I'll say one thing,” Natalie said. “He certainly doesn't belong here. Look at this place, its old and run down. You wouldn't expect to find a home entertainment center, new furniture, expensive new furniture, and a safe like that one.”

“There's more,” KITT said. “I was unable to record the entire conversation. The phone has a very expensive scrambler on it. It took me twenty seconds to break the code. I was only able to trace the first five digits of the number.”

“That's okay,” Natalie said, “play back what you've got, and see which possible combinations of that number exist.”

“Your last request may take some time.”

An image was projected on the windshield display. It was a thermal recording of Joe Waters on the phone.

“—ndation. I told them nothing,” Joe said.

“I hope so,” another voice answered. “These guys aren't that stupid. If they find out we'll all be the creek. But, you the most.”

There was a dial tone.

“That's it?” Shawn asked. “That didn't help us at all.”

“Use your voice print identification to get a match.” Natalie said.

“That may take even more time.” KITT said.

“I don't care, just do it.”

“We should check out that gas leak next.” Shawn said.

“I agree,” Natalie said, “if someone meant to have the area evacuated, just so they could get to Julie.”

“That's a long shot.” KITT said

“True,” she said, “but it's our only shot.”

Joe Waters breathed a sigh of relief. He thought he did pretty well. He sat down on the couch, and grabbed a remote control from the coffee table.

He turned on the TV, when a message appeared on the screen. “SPEAKER DOOR NOT SHUT.”

He walked over to the left speaker. He thought that he had shut that before. No, he knew that he had shut that before. What the hell was going on?

That's when he realized, it must have been those women from the Knight Foundation.

KITT pulled into the parking lot of the Edmond Gas Utility Department. The two women got out of the car.

“Activate Surveillance Mode.” Natalie said, closing the door.

They both walked through the entrance to the gas utility center. Before they could even say anything, the woman sitting at the receptionist desk spoke to them. “Hello there, how may I help you?”

“I'm Natalie Markins and this is my partner Shawn McCormick, we were wondering if we could talk to whoever is in charge of monitoring gases and gas leaks.”

“Yes, we've been getting a lot of complaints about that.”

“We're not complaining,” Shawn said, “we're here to ask them a few questions about that night.”

“Let me see if I can get him,” she said picking up the phone and dialing the number. After a moment of talking to him she let them go into his office.

“Hello,” he said as they walked in, “I'm Edward Neilson. Why don't you have a seat?”

“Thank you,” Shawn said.

“Care for a piece of candy?” he asked gesturing to the large jar of candy that sat on his desk.

Natalie noted her hunger, but rarely accepted candy from executives. “No, no thanks.” she said.

“We’re agents from the Foundation for Law and Government. I'm Shawn McCormick,” Shawn said, “and this is Natalie Markins. We're investigating the death of Julie Harrison.”

“I read about her in the paper a few weeks back. It's so tragic, what happened to her. But, what's that got to do with EGU?”

“Well, there are no witnesses, because the entire area was evacuated. We’re investigating if there really was indeed a leak.” Natalie said.

“At about 9:00 that evening our computer monitors went off detecting a leak. It was supposedly significant enough to cause an explosion near by and so we didn't want any incidents on our hands. The alarm automatically called the police who then had the area evacuated. When we went to check it out the valves were sealed and there wasn't any sign on a puncture. We're now sure that it was a simple computer error.”

“Is it possible that the computer could have been tapped into,” Shawn asked.

“There is a program that we can run from here that will allow us trigger an alarm to notify the police. But that computer keeps a record of every program it runs.”

“Is it possible that someone could have triggered it remotely? Could someone have accessed a network from the outside?”

“Well, I don't know. I'm not what you would call a computer-whiz. There is a number that our technicians can call that would access the computer. Are you saying that someone could have triggered this from the outside?”

“We don't know, but it is a possibility,” Natalie said. “Could we have the number to that network?”

“Oh, I couldn't give it out for security reasons. You understand don't you?”

“Yes, of course I understand. Well, thank you for your time.”

They walked out of the building feeling some sense of success. “Well that was a plus.” Natalie said, getting into the driver’s seat.

“I’d say so,” Shawn said getting in, “there's a network in there that has a phone line hooked up to it. KITT, can you locate it and trace it to a number?”

KITT paused for a few seconds before he spoke up. “I’ve traced the number. It’s 918-555-3668.

“Great job, KITT,” Natalie said, “Have you come up with anything yet on the paint chip, the location Will Taylor drove to, the combinations of that call, all that shit?”

“I'm having a difficult time with the paint chip, it’s really unlike anything I've ever seen, but I'm working on it. The location Will Taylor drove to is still in the middle of the woods but I cross-referenced topographical maps and local residence maps and I found that there is a small shack there. I don't even know if anyone lives there.”

“Well, something made him go there.” Shawn said.

“Yeah, and something is making us too,” Natalie said, “let’s go.”

They left the parking lot and were shortly speeding down the road.

Natalie activated the Auto Cruise and yawned. An idea suddenly came into her head. “KITT, I need you to list all of the local pawn shops and jewelry stores in the area. Even department stores that sell jewelry. Joe said something about Julie working for some kind of jewelry store.”

“Or emblems,” Shawn added.

“That's quite a bit,” KITT said, as a long list of names went down the screen. “Edmond may not be a metropolis but it's still a large town. It could take the entire week. Not to mention I have plenty on my plate already.”

Shawn pressed a few buttons and Bonnie’s face came on the center monitor. “Hey Bonnie. We’re overloading KITT here with a lot of stuff, do you think you and Kevin could take some of the load of him?”

“Of course. What do you need us to do?” Bonnie asked.

Natalie explained to them her recent request to KITT and added more. “We need you to contact every single one of those numbers. I need to know who she worked for. They're probably the only ones who knew her. Besides they would probably have forms she filled out that gave her birth date and family members.”

“Sure, we can do that.” Kevin said, his face coming on to the monitor. “But for God’s sake, take it easy on him. If you aren’t driving him like a mad-woman, you’re overloading his systems with tasks.”

Shawn smiled. “You two are starting to sound too much alike.”

The two technicians smiled over the monitor and disappeared to do their work.

Natalie shook her head. “You have no idea.”

“No idea what?” Shawn asked.

“How much the boy genius and her are starting to act like one another.”

“KITT, what can you show us from the pictures I had you take of Mr. Waters safe?” Shawn asked.

A few blurred images appeared on the windshield display. Natalie and Shawn instinctively squinted.

“Sorry,” KITT said apologetically. “As you can see, the image is blurred and distorted. I've tried digitally enhancing the images, but its no use. The micro camera in Shawn's comm-link must be jammed.”

“Damn.” Shawn said. “Can we get it fixed?”

“Yes,” KITT said, “back at the Foundation.”

“How about we take a look at the thermal recording of our conversation.” Natalie said.

“I'm playing it back now,” KITT said. The blurred images on the windshield were replaced by the thermal recording.

“What about her job?” Natalie asked. “Who was she working for?”

“I don't know that either. You know, she did tell me, but I can't recall,” Joe answered.

Suddenly, the recording paused and KITT repeated Joe’s last statement.

“I don't know that either,” Joe's recording repeated. “You know, she did tell me, but I can't recall.”

KITT paused the recording again. “If you know how to read thermal images, then you can tell that he's lying. In fact he was lying all throughout the entire conversation.”

“Maybe it wouldn't be so bad checking our friend out after all,” Shawn said.

The windshield changed back to a transparent state and KITT was now driving down a dirt road.

“We've arrived,” KITT said.

“Where’s the shack?” Shawn asked.

“Over there,” Natalie said, reassuming control and driving over, “let's check it out.”

“My sensors detect no people inside that poor excuse for a building,” KITT said. “But my sensors are being blocked by a large piece of lead plating under the floor boards.”

“Great,” Natalie said, “more shit that doesn’t belong.”

“What could be under there?” Shawn asked. “Use your infrared and try to penetrate it.”

“I'm trying, but this is a high class of lead. Its impenetrable by X-rays and almost impossible to scan through with infrared.”

“Is it safe inside?” Natalie asked.

“From what I can tell.”

“Let’s check it out.” Shawn said.”

They both got out of the car as KITT's scanner worked rapidly to get the answers that he wanted. They cautiously walked up the dirt path to the steps of the shack. Weeds and cobwebs covered the tiny porch. It looked like it hadn't been touched in decades.

Shawn was quickly getting back into the game and stepped inside first. Natalie followed and took out her FBI issue handgun. She cautiously scanned the shack looking for anything.

It was empty. The floors and walls were bare. There was not even a light fixture hanging from the ceiling. The windows were caked with dirt, dust and cobwebs, light barely came through. “It looks like no one has been here in years.” Shawn said, slightly annoyed.

“Looks like it, yeah,” Natalie said, “but there are tire tracks out front. Besides, there's a large room 20 feet below our feet encased in lead. Something very weird is going on here.”

“Taylor had some reason for coming here. Maybe this is where the murderer lived.” Shawn said.

The two of them took one last look around and walked back to KITT.

“Any luck?” Shawn asked.

“None,” KITT said. “The lead is just too much for me to scan through. But I have found that it encompasses an area of nearly 100 feet by 100 feet below. The height of the lead room is 20 feet.”

Natalie started the car. “A man living in a run-down apartment complex with hundreds of thousands of dollars in new electronics and furniture? A large lead room 20 feet underneath the ground. This whole situation is fucked up.”

“KITT, check with the phone company's records and see if you can find what number called that network on the night of Julie's murder,” Shawn said.

“You're really certain that the gas leak was a ploy to get everyone away so Julie could be murdered aren't you?” KITT asked.

“Let's just say that we've come up with one coincidence too many,” Shawn said.

“I have a number that called the network at 7:13 that evening.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“788-7917,” KITT answered.

“Terrific.”

Natalie sat up, as if she had just thought of something, “KITT, what were those five digits that you were able to trace from Joe's.”

“78879.” KITT replied.

“No shit? Another coincidence,” Natalie said. “That says that Joe probably knew a little bit more about Julie's murder than we thought he did.”

“Do you think he was involved?” Shawn asked.

“I wouldn't be surprised,” Natalie said, “it’s kind of too early to tell, but those thermal graphs don’t lie.”

Natalie changed her attention back to KITT. “Speaking of the traced call any luck on the combinations.”

“Yes. As a matter of fact I was able to determine that because it took so long for me to trace the first five digits that it was a mobile phone. Using that information I was able to narrow it down to seven possible combinations. 788-7936. 788-7916. 788-7986. 788-7912. 788-7993. 788-7917. And, 788-7951.”

“What do you know?” Shawn said.

“KITT, check out 788-7917. Who activated that number,” Natalie asked.

“It's unknown.”

“Think the boy genius can hack is way through?” Natalie asked.

“He does have a name.” KITT said. “I'm dialing him now.”

After a ring or two Kevin had answered the VideoPhone and his picture appeared on the screen.

“What's up?” he asked. “No we aren’t finished.”

“We're giving you something to stretch your wings, Kevin,” Natalie said. “There's a mobile phone under 788-7917 that KITT is having a hard time finding the owner of. Can you see what you can find?”

“I will. How is the case going?”

“A lot of puzzle pieces that don't fit together yet, and a shit load of coincidences.” Shawn said.

“No witnesses?”

“No,” Shawn said, “the entire area was evacuated because of a gas leak.”

“Perfect timing, eh?”

“We’re running on the possibility that that the killer purposefully triggered an alarm at the gas company so that he or she could get to Julie alone,” Natalie said.

“Could be possible.” Kevin said.

“Yeah,” Shawn said, “it's a long shot. But it could be the one thing that helps put the killer away. That's why we need that number. The gas company's computer network was dialed into by that number from the outside just minutes before the area was evacuated. If we can trace the number to a source, then the killer won't be hard to find.”

“Well, if KITT had trouble finding it I doubt I'll be able to do much good. But, I’ll try my hardest.”

“That’s all we ask.” Natalie said.

“Anything else?”

“Yeah. Put the home bureau on finding out information on a Joe Waters. Who he works for, if he has a record.”

“That reminds me,” Kevin said. “We got a call from a Joe Waters. Did you give him a card?”

“Yeah, as a matter of fact I did.”

“He said something about more information. He wants you to meet him at his place at five tomorrow evening.”

“We'll be there.” Natalie said.

“That’s it?” Shawn asked.

“That's it,” Kevin answered. “Maddock will be in touch soon.”

“You screw this up,” the man said, “and it's all over for you Joe.”

Joe said nothing. He looked away from the intimidating man, and stared out of the window of the small roadside diner that they were sitting in. They were sitting in a booth, the waitress had come to ask what they wanted several times, but that wasn't what they were there for.

“You're pretty lucky I didn't kick your ass after what you did. You know that don't you?”

Joe made a quiet, “Yes.”

“Now once again I have to clean up after you for your stupid mistakes.”

Suddenly Joe had an impulse of anger. “My fault? You blame this entire thing on me?” He looked at the man, with a fiery rage in his eyes. “If you hadn't of hired--,”

“That's enough Joe,” the man said in a controlled manner. “If you had kept your nose out of my business--,”

“That stuff wasn't your business. It wasn't Walter's either. Both of you should have stayed out of it. We're supposed to help people not hurt them.”

“It was all for the greater good, Joe. We were going to pay them back in time. But, because you had to step in the way…. You said it just slipped out of your mouth. Every ounce of dignity that we had was shot all because of you. Not only that, but now we've got this damn Knight Foundation all over our backs. If we ever make it out of this, you can bet that's its gonna be a long time before you get any respect from me, Walter, Will, or the boss.

“Don't worry about the Knight Foundation. They’re being taken care of.”

“You better hope so.” The man said, getting up, and left the diner. He got into a navy-blue Suburban and sped off. Joe hoped that things were going to turn out as they wanted. He knew what would happen. Every word that the man had said was true.

March 19, 2002

1641 Hrs

It had been an unsuccessful day for Natalie and Shawn so far. They searched through every single pawn shop and jewelry store but there was no luck.

Shawn was driving KITT now, alone. Natalie had decided to personally ask people in all of the pawn and jewelry stores that she could find. Sitting behind the wheel of KITT once again felt new and weird.

“It’s good to have you behind the wheel again, Shawn.” KITT said.

“Thanks,” Shawn said, “it feels… different.”

“Natalie’s calling.” KITT said, before he could continue talking to Shawn.

Natalie’s voice came over the speakers. “I’m done here,” she said, “how’s it going with you?”

“What’s your location?” Shawn asked.

“Main Street and Leroux. How’s it going with you?” Natalie repeated.

“KITT and I searched through databases on every Internet archive imaginable, but no luck finding Julie Harrison.”

“This is weird, Shawn. There has to be some one, some friend that she had in Edmond. I can’t believe we haven’t come up with anything.”

Shawn was about to ask if Natalie had any luck when she saw her standing on the corner. Once she was all settled in, she shut the door as Shawn asked with hesitance, “Any luck?”

Natalie shook her head. “Zilch.”

“I just don't understand,” KITT spoke up. “Everything was going along so well for us yesterday, and now things have wound down.”

“Maybe not,” Natalie said. “Shawn it's a quarter till five. Let's head on over to Mr. Waters' apartment and see what he can give us.”

When they arrived at Greenfront Apartments, right at 5:00, of course, they went straight to Joe's apartment. Shawn rang the buzzer once. No one answered. She rang it for a second time. Nothing. She decided that she would ring it for a third and final time. No response.

“What the fuck is going on?” Natalie said, drawing her handgun and heavily pounding on the door. “Federal agents, open the door!”

They waited a few minutes before Natalie pounded again.

“Let’s do it.” Shawn said, drawing an ultrasound handgun.

Natalie shook her head and kicked the door in. The two women busted into the apartment, quickly scanning their present room for any people. Natalie ran down the hall to check the other rooms while Shawn cleared the kitchen.

They both met in the living room once they found the apartment clear.

“Okay KITT, crack the safe.” Shawn said.

After a few seconds, KITT answered, “Done, Shawn.”

Natalie walked over to the large speaker that was doubling as a safe. She opened the cabinet and picked up the small compact disc that was sitting on the top of the shelf. Before they had left the car she grabbed another small compact disc, which was blank. She took that out of his pocket and placed it on the shelf while she took the original one.

Shawn picked up one of the file folders that she had had KITT take pictures of. She thumbed through the papers inside, looking at what appeared to be simple accounting figures. Natalie transmitted images through her comm-link.

There wasn’t anything else inside the safe save for the items the two women were inspecting. Shawn shut the safe once they had decided that there was nothing else to find and they left the apartment.

They closed the door, which sustained little damage to their forced entry.

Shawn looked at her watch, “It's 5:23, he's not going to show up.”

“All right,” Natalie said, “we've got what we need anyway.”

They walked down the stairs of his apartment and back over to where KITT was parked. Shawn got into the driver’s seat once again.

“All right, KITT,” Shawn said, pulling the disc out of her pants pocket, “I need you to check out this CD for me.”

The CD tray opened from the bottom of the dashboard. “Just put it in.”

Shawn set it in as Natalie looked around. “I guess he's not coming.”

From inside of his old, beat up car, Joe watched as the bright red Knight 4000 left the apartment complex. He knew that they had been inside of his house, and he had seen them leave. The flashy car passed and he smiled.

“Any luck on that paint chip?” Shawn asked.

“So far, no,” KITT answered. “This is definitely no ordinary car paint. But, I'm working on it.”

“How about the CD?” Natalie asked.

“I'm having trouble reading the data, Natalie,” KITT said. “It's definitely not a music CD. However the formatting of the computer data is hard to read.”

“Is it scrambled?” Shawn asked.

“No, I don't think so.” It was a brief moment he said, “Wait a minute, I'm getting something.”

“Terrific,” Shawn answered, turning on the auto cruise, “put it on the main display.”

Something appeared on the windshield, but whatever it was, it wasn't readable. It looked like just a bunch letters all scrambled up together. “What is it?” Natalie asked.

“I'm not sure,” KITT answered with a slight bit of alarm in his voice. “I thought I had something just a second ago. But, now it appears to be gone.”

“Could the laser have skipped a spot? This road isn’t the best you know.” Natalie said.

“The CD-player doesn't skip. I'll try to search for it again, but I'm not sure I'll find anything.” KITT continued to vigorously scan the CD for what he thought he had found, but it wasn't showing up. “I just don't understand.” KITT said.

“Maybe the CD player is malfunctioning” Shawn said.

“I’ll keep trying.” KITT assured.

After a few minutes, Natalie and Shawn noticed that something was wrong. KITT was losing control of the car. He was beginning to swerve all over the road.

“KITT,” Shawn said, “are you okay?”

“What?” KITT asked.

“I'm taking over.” Shawn said, grabbing the wheel and slowing the car down until it was completely stopped on the side of the road.

“What happened?” Natalie asked.

“I-I-I-I don't know.” KITT said, his voice skipping and repeating the ‘I’ sound.

“KITT,” Shawn asked, “what's wrong?”

“Could you speak up a bit more, I'm having trouble hearing you.” KITT said.

“What's going on?”

“I don't know. It's like I've suddenly lost all self control.”

“Okay,” Shawn said, “something’s wrong so I’m going to shut you down. We're going back to the plane.”

“You can do that?” Natalie asked, surprised.

“What, shut him down?” Shawn asked as she felt around under the dashboard. “Yeah, you didn’t know?”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Yet another thing Bonnie neglected to tell me.”

“Hang in there KITT, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”