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[ Finding out that Pepper's stocks in Stark Industries have been transferred to him - and because she'd been running it, he can only assume that it's the lion's share - and that that means she's presumably gone is not the way he wants to start the day. But it is what it is and there's nothing he can do about it.

He's wearing the suit, though the helmet's off, and the expression on his face is as professionally detached as the matter-of-fact tone of his voice when he speaks. ]

It's come to my attention that Pepper Potts may no longer be in residence in the city.

[ That covers that and he's not lingering on it. If he does, he'll wonder what that means, if some piece of her has gone back to the world she remembers or if she's dead and her body is being recycled or whatever it is they do with clones when they're gone. It isn't something he needs to worry about right now. Not in front of an audience. So he moves right along to business. ]

I've been informed that per her request, her interests in Stark Industries have been transferred to me. For those of you don't know, I'm Tony Stark, and if you work for SI, it means you're working for me.

[ May whatever aliens people consider gods help them all. ]

If you do, I want to know who you are and what you do for the company. If you don't, and you want to, talk to me.

And be prepared for change. It's coming.

[ What that change is, he doesn't know yet. But once he finds out what the company's been doing, he'll figure out the right path for it to take under his leadership. And this time, it's going to be a damn sight better than the last time he was at the helm. ]

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I don't have many details. But I can tell you it's a man and he's at least as tall as me. Maybe a little taller.

[ Maybe that's giving too much away for someone who's used to dealing in subtleties, but that's what he knows and he isn't going to stand in the way of the guy's capture by squeamishly withholding information. ]

A man, as tall as Tony and possibly a little taller. "Did he say anything? Could you tell if he was one of the kedan or a foreigner?"

Thank God. She'd thought he might offer her a job in security. This is much, much better.

Kedan are shapeshifters, right? I couldn't really tell. He just looked like a drifter. Shabby. Worn clothes.

But they always have something that gives them away. Maybe he hid it with the clothes.

[ She thinks for a moment. ]

I'm going to need you to tell me as much as you can. When and where did the murder happen? How did he kill?

[ She gives him a level look. ]

I take it you were one of the people killed.

[ Maybe she knew beforehand that Tony had been murdered. Maybe Pepper's disappearance isn't the only reason she's worried about him. Could it be? I DON'T KNOW THAT THREAD IS STILL IN PROGRESS. We'll find out! ]

It happened a few weeks ago on a city street. That's about all I can tell you.

[ Quite literally. If he tries to keep talking about it, he's going to freak out and he doesn't want to do that. Besides which, he's almost out of details anyway. ]

Sorry it's not much, but that's all there is.

[ No, Tony. That can't be all you can tell her. It can't possibly be all. There are too many things she doesn't know. ]

Whom did he kill, Tony?

[ Yeah, she's going to make him say it. ]

Two people that I know of.

[ It's not that easy for him to say it. But then again, he doesn't intend to. She's smart. SHIELD agents always are. He trusts she'll figure it out. ]

Probably more. People like that usually don't stop at two.

[ Getting information out of him when he's not keen on getting it isn't as painful as giving a cat a bath, but it's almost as frustrating. But this is Tony. People need patience with Tony. And forgiveness.

Goddamn it. Has she been watching Oprah in her sleep or something? ]

Any names you can give me would help, Tony. Then I can go bug them and give you some time without me.

I can't give you names.

[ It's not his place to point fingers in Hayley's direction. It might get Sharon off his back about it, but he doesn't want to talk about it and he's a grown man. He can't imagine that a kid's going to want to relive it. ]

I told you all I've got. If it's not enough, it's not enough. There isn't any more.

[ Her mouth sets in a grim line. ]

Fine. I'll make do.

Try to stay out of trouble, Tony.

[ She kills the feed. She has work to do. And it feels freaking great. ]

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