"Are we willing to let KARR continue operating?" asked Devon. "If not, then any further discussion is moot."

He was sitting in the garage, with Michael, Bonnie, and Kitt. They were discussing how Karr would earn mobility. The biggest stumbling block was how to confirm Karr's perspective and worldview had truly changed. Without endangering anyone, of course.

"I don't think Melissa will let us deactivate Karr."

"I'm her guardian, Bonnie. I get to decide."

Bonnie sighed. "The other day, Michael, when you disciplined Melissa, she said her father had left Karr to her, to fix his mistakes. Those were her exact words, Michael."

"If she truly believes that, then she won't forgive us for interfering. Ever."

Michael looked at Devon. "So we have to put KARR back in a vehicle?"

"Well, Karr can't lie to us," said Bonnie, clearly on Karr's side for this discussion.

"But he can dissemble," Devon pointed out. "KARR's core directive is self-preservation. If telling us the complete truth would result is his destruction, KARR would be . . . less than forthcoming."

"Oh, like Michael hasn't dealt with uncooperative suspects or witnesses before," said Bonnie. "He just continues to ask questions until he gets to the truth."

Michael looked at his partner. "You've been quiet during this conversation, pal. Care to chime in with your thoughts?"

Kitt's red light oscillated for a moment, then he asked, "Do you have a death wish, Michael?"

"No, of course not."

"And yet you would die to save Melissa's life."

Michael didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."

"Would you die to save Garthe's life?"

Michael snorted. "Not a chance."

"Neither Karr nor I can make those distinctions. Karr's core directive is to preserve himself. He cannot allow himself to be destroyed to save Melissa, no matter how much he respects her. My core directive is to preserve life. I cannot save myself to keep Garthe from dying, no matter how little I respect him."

"You believe KARR respects Melissa?" Devon was surprised.

"I know he does."

"How?" asked Michael.

"He refers to you three by your first and last name, which to him are impersonal identifiers. But he calls Melissa –"

"Miss Knight," Michael said thoughtfully. He then added, "Melissa wants KARR to be fully activated – including mounted in a vehicle – immediately. Because that's what her dad wanted."

Devon shook his head. "She may desire that. But what she wants is to prove Wilton right. Even if that takes time. Which gets us back to: Can we trust KARR when he says he has changed?"

"Yes. Because he has no choice," Bonnie said firmly. "His core directive will force him to change to avoid destruction."

"He also wants to change. Because Melissa wants him to." Kitt was just as firm.

Devon thought it over, and then said, "I want each of you to explain why KARR should be allowed to earn mobility rather than permanently deactivated. Bonnie? You first."

"Karr has the potential to be a valuable resource for the Foundation, just like Kitt is. I'm not saying it's a done deal. Only that he be given the chance."

"Kitt?"

"Wilton Knight thought Karr could be saved, and he gave Melissa guidance on how that could be accomplished. As with Bonnie, I believe that Karr should be given the opportunity to prove himself capable of changing."

"Michael?"

Michael signed and ran his hand through his hair. "We've all done things we regret. And I honestly believe people are capable of change. So . . . I should put my money where my mouth is. Much as I hate to say it, we should give KARR another chance."

Devon thought about what they had each said for a few minutes before nodding his head in reluctant agreement. "Then we need to decide what milestones to set. And what KARR needs to do to achieve them."

A short while later, Kitt interrupted their discussions. "Michael, Karr wishes to speak with you."

"Put KARR through."

"Michael Knight, Miss Knight is no longer within my sensor range."

"Prison break?" Michael was amused.

"No, Michael Knight."

Bonnie asked, "Then what –"

"Miss Knight asked me to read her two of Michael Knight's case reports, Bonnie Barstow."

"The two involving Garthe Knight."

"Indeed, Michael Knight. We had barely started on the first report when Miss Knight became distraught and fled from her bedroom, out of my sensor range. I am concerned about her mental state and her physical whereabouts and safety."

"Kitt, can you –"

"There are a lot of people here at the Foundation, Michael. It will take some time to determine who is here, where they are, and then identify which one is Melissa."

"Would you care for some assistance?" Devon asked in a mild tone.

"Yes."

As they walked to the house, Devon said to Michael, "Three things to remember. First, Melissa grew up in this house. Second, Garthe bullied her for her entire life. And third, Wilton protected Melissa from Garthe."

"Okay?"

Michael wasn't sure where Devon was going with this. And Devon didn't elaborate. Instead, he led the way to his office without saying another word. Devon sat at one end of the sofa and gestured to Michael to sit at the other end.

"You know Michael and I are always here for you. But we do need to know the problem." Devon had an odd pitch to his voice.

Before Michael could say anything, he heard a soft rustling noise as Melissa stepped out from behind the window drapes. Devon gave Michael a smug look, which he quickly replaced with one of bland innocence before Melissa saw. She silently came over and sat in the middle of the sofa. Michael slid closer to Melissa, as did Devon, until she was sandwiched between them.

After a moment, Melissa said softly, "She poisoned you. To get the MBS formula."

"Elizabeth drugged me, yes. But as I am clearly still here, 'poisoned' is too strong a word."

"And what about Karl Elliott? Is 'poisoned' too strong a word for what she did to him?" Melissa's voice was still soft.

Devon put his arm around her. "No, it isn't. Though I am not sure Elizabeth intended that outcome."

Melissa leaned against him. "But it didn't upset her, either, did it?"

Michael left it to Devon to soothe Melissa. Right now, she clearly needed her godfather's presence to reassure her more than she needed Michael's.