A routine traffic accident, resulting in the death of one Martin Valada, has Barry Allen investigating the case as a crime. Despite the efforts of the assistant chief of detectives, John Hinchman, to dismiss Allen's notion, Allen continues his investigation. A man named Norville White reaches out to Allen for assistance, but by the time Allen can make contact, White has been murdered by Dark Matter. Allen, as the Flash, squares off against Dark Matter, but is subdued. Hinchman lays Allen off the police force, but Allen continues with his investigation. Dark Matter's next victim is an elderly woman, named Elizabeth Chen. Searching for clues at Chen's apartment, Allen, as the Flash, is asked, by HInchman, at gunpoint, to leave the scene of the crime. An unexpected break in the case comes in the form of one of the Flash's Rogue's Gallery, Captain Cold. The frosty felon was acquainted with Chen, and points the Flash at Lannister Labs. The Flash has his second encounter with Dark Matter at Lannister Labs. Unfortunately, investigative reporter Iris West is also on the scene, and suffers great injuries at the hands of Dark Matter. Allen has maintained a vigil at West's hospital bedside, ever since.West awakens and explains her presence at Lannister Labs. She had tried to help Allen after Hinchman laid him off. Delving into Hinchman's phone records turned up several calls to Curfew Cosmetics. Another source revealed that Hinchman had been asking for directions to Lannister Labs, ostensibly to purchase property nearby. West was aware that both Valada and Chen had worked at a lab, though had never heard of Lannister Labs. Allen reveals to West that Dark Matter's murderous motivations seemed to revolve around the death of his parents. West suddenly remembers that John Paul Curfew, the head of Curfew Cosmetics, also lost his parents, at a very early age. Allen leaves West's bedside to mull over the case. As he wanders the streets of Central City, he becomes aware that he is being...