A week had
passed since the crash of the Javelin and almost nothing new had come out.
While some groups were still feverishly looking for solutions and explanations,
there were others who had long since ignored the case because it did not affect
their own interests.
CHAPTER
AVENGERS
Pepper was
unfortunately one of those who didn't belong to the latter. As suspected, Bruce
Wayne had sent one of his highest representatives. While she could have lived
with Lucius Fox, this Dick Grayson was a different caliber. He was highly
intelligent and, as the adopted son of Bruce Wayne, very much involved in his
business. He had arrived in New York only one day after the crash and had
immediately started his investigations. Happy had been near him the whole time
and yet they hadn't found the slightest trace yet.
"Mr.
Stark. I checked your safety precautions carefully. I have to admit I'm
impressed." Dick smiled friendly, but the sight of the young man in his
suit deceived.
"Well,
kid, I got it..."
"Mr.
Stark. I'm not your kid. And just because I said I was impressed doesn't mean
my father will be. And Batman will be much less pleased." He said calmly
and firmly and interrupted Tony before he could even start treating him from
above. "In fact, either someone built one of YOUR oh so famous ARC reactors
or someone is smarter than you and defeated your security system."
Pepper had
to grin. This Grayson was extremely clever. He grabbed Tony right where he
needed to be grabbed. By his ego.
"What
are you thinking?" Tony yelled at him and jumped out of his seat but
Pepper just pushed him back on the chair.
"What
Mr. Stark wants to say is that he's fully aware of the special situation and
that we've intensified our efforts to protect the reactors."
"That's
exactly what I wanted to say," said Tony and Happy, who sat in the corner
grinning broadly as he saw how easy Pepper could calm him down.
"I saw
that, Miss Potts, but let me get something straight. The Justice League is
paying Wayne Enterprises a fortune to sell the camouflage to them only. You
have no idea how bad this attack was for us. No Javelin has ever been taken
down before."
"I
understand that ... Mr. Grayson! But my company has nothing to do with it! We
have been robbed! How many times do I have to say that?" said an angry
Tony.
"I
totally believe that, Mr. Stark. And I also think my father will understand
that. What I can't understand, though, is the fact HOW the technology was
stolen. Your bodyguard was an excellent support. We were able to rule out
almost all potential sources of fraud."
"And
what does that mean, Mr. Grayson?" asked Pepper.
"I
quote one of my father's favorite sayings from Sherlock Holmes. If all
possibilities have been excluded, what must remain, no matter how unlikely it
is to be the truth."
"Aha?
asked Tony and crossed his arms.
"Boss.
By that he means that only three people could have stolen the thing without any
traces. And we're all here in one room." Said Happy insecure and Grayson
nodded.
"That's
exactly how it looks."
"Do
they want to blame Pepper or Happy?" Tony growled and Dick realized that
he was moving on thin ice from now on.
"I'm
not accusing anyone of Mr. Stark. I'm just saying your security system has no
flaws I could find. And that means either that it was a thief who could go
through solid matter... or that your security system had a flaw I couldn't
find. With that I finish my investigation for now. I will inform my father that
it is unlikely that Stark Enterprises or the Avengers were directly involved in
this incident, but are partly to blame. I hope that will be enough for certain
other people." He said when he rose. Happy opened the door for him again
and as soon as he was outside Happy sighed.
"Good
boy boss. Pretty tough and clever."
"Thank
you Happy. Really helpful. You watched his every move?" Tony asked again.
"Every
single boss. He has a good eye for such things. We double-checked and
triple-checked everything. He's right. We have no idea how the device could
have left the storage."
"What
about Ghost? He can go through solid matter!"
"Yes,
only the ghost is in a prison right now, Pepper." Thrown Happy in.
"Yes...
but his phase technique could have been copied, right?" She asked
curiously.
"Yes
the possibility we have also considered boss. But that's an estimate. So we
don't get any points in the leaguewith such a theory."
"It's
okay Happy. Pepper. I'll look into it myself. I want a connection to SHIELD.
It's time I had a talk with Ghost."
"I'll
take care of it right now." Said Pepper and left the office.
Half an
hour later Happy knocked on her door and entered. He could still see Pepper
closing the blouse and looking at him as she hurriedly pressed the keyboard.
"Can't
you wait for a welcome Happy?" she grumbled and rubbed her temple.
"What's the matter?"
"I'm
here to pick you up to the contract with Cyberdine boss. Is everything all
right? he asked confusedly.
"Yes,
everything is fine. Just a little headache," she said and finally buttoned
her blouse. "Well then let's go!
"Sure,
boss." Said Happy and pulled up a brow but then shook her head. Nothing
touched him!