They’d been doing this since Danny was nine. Sax would steal their designs, or hire an industrial spy, or kidnap someone close to Danny, in an effort to get Sharp’s latest technology. This wasn’t even the first time his father had been tied up in the Sax Enterprises building. Danny always found a way out. He always thought of something.

Until today, Sax had never done anything personally incriminating. He was careful to use cutouts and henchmen. He had plausible deniability and a dozen high-priced lawyers. He was always smart enough to slide away from the consequences of the things he’d done.

Then he’d sent Danny the videotape. Showing his father bound in the chair. Giving Danny all the clues he needed to find him here, in Sax’s office.

Danny, of course, came running to the rescue. It was what he did. It was what he always did.

Still, it bothered him. Danny had never liked Sax, but he’d always been smart. Not as smart as Danny, of course, or Danny’s father — if he was, he’d have realized he could have built his own tech rather than spending all that time and money on his sleazy and desperate schemes. But he was smart enough to stay in the game.

This? This was just stupid.

Sax was different, too. Danny had seen him rant and rave and swear revenge against the Sharps. He’d threatened to kill Danny multiple times, screaming at the top of his lungs. Somehow none of it ever seemed serious.

Until today. Today, Sax didn’t seem angry or unhinged. This worried Danny a lot more. He saw no doubt or hesitation in this man.

He looked calm. Almost beatific.

He looked like a man who’d found an answer.

“Put the gun down, Dr. Sax,” Danny said. “It’s over.”

“Over?” Sax said. “No. It’s not. Not for me.”

Danny’s father, Dan Sr., gave a short, barking laugh. He hadn’t yet noticed the difference in Sax. Maybe he’d been in this situation too many times to take it seriously.

“Give it up, Edgar. I have things to do today, and you’ve already cost me the whole morning.”

That made Sax angry. Danny saw his eyes narrow and his nostrils flare.

Danny pressed a button on his SharpWatch, which was like a tiny portable keyboard strapped to his wrist. In response, RANN-D turned toward Sax.