tushanshu | 004 || video

As some of you may know, I was hired to find the person responsible for multiple killings in September, along with an attempted homicide. That person has now killed the Emperor. [ There's a flash of something like remorse, but it only lasts a second before her jaw tightens. There's no time to feel guilty for not catching the person sooner. She has to stop him now, before he kills again. ]

I have a list of suspects. I've narrowed it down significantly. If you were one of the people I talked to about it, please see me immediately.

[ The message is simple, one she can essentially cut-and-paste to each person. It's short, but far from sweet. She doubts they'll appreciate it. If the killer is killing again, then they have to move to catch him, and quickly. So screw pleasantries. ]

Get in touch with me as soon as possible.

[ Sharon looks tired. She doesn't want to have this conversation, but it's part of the job. The horrible thing is, Barry seems like a nice guy. A good guy. But that doesn't mean he can't be a killer. ]

Barry, I hate to ask this, but do you have an alibi for the time when the Emperor was killed, and is there anyone who can verify it?

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[Bruce hasn't forgotten Sharon or that Tony hired her, and he's grimly pleased to see someone worked on this with far more efficiency than he has been. It makes up for his own failure somewhat.

His voice is crisp, but calm, as he answers.] What can I do to help?

[ She doesn't waste any more time than she already has. She looks faintly apologetic, but it's only faintly. She doesn't have time for emotions to get in the way. None of them do. ]

I need to know what happened to you the week everyone switched powers, and I need to know if you have an alibi for when the Emperor was killed. I also need to know if anyone can verify any of it.

[ And then, after a moment, she adds a more personal note. ]

I have to ask, Bruce.

[ But she won't apologize. She's a Carter, for God's sake. ]

[He approves of not letting emotions get in the way, though Bruce has to take a short breath to manage it himself. He knows what she's after. She wants an alibi, and although it makes something in his chest clench to be thought of as a potential murderer, he's bleakly aware the description fits him well.

He casts his mind back to answer her question. He doesn't need an apology. This is what she should be doing, implies a professionalism and thoroughness that is encouraging for her chances at finding the killer.]

The week everyone switched powers, nothing happened to me. I wasn't even aware something had happened to Tony until-- until JARVIS contacted me. [His lips thin. Bruce knows he couldn't have been there, done anything else, but his guilt is not rational.]

I don't know the exact time of death for the Emperor. I was woken up about six AM that day by the turtle's grief... [He trails off pensively for a second before shaking it off.] The night before I was working late. There's probably five different people who saw me. That much I can verify.

[His own piece said, he abruptly tacks on his own question.] How sure are you that this is the same guy who got the Emperor?

Could I get their names?

And I'm not entirely convinced, but there's too much that the cases all have in common to ignore. I'm looking into getting more details. It would help if the Emperor came back to life, but I doubt she'd give a straight answer if she didn't have to anyway. [ She sighs. The case is at the point where things are going to get complicated. She hates this part. But enough info, and everything will become clear. Or at least, it had better. ] And we knew he would kill again if he wasn't caught in time. [ And he'd killed the Emperor. Sharon hadn't put everything together in time and the Emperor was dead. ]

I don't suppose you can account for your whereabouts at the time Zatanna broke the spell and everyone got their original selves back.

Yeah-- uh, the Archive, Natasha Romanoff, a few others. I don't keep a time chart at work but I'm... there a lot. [He gets paid by salary anyway, even if Bruce barely spends it.

Alibi provided, he's far more interested in what Sharon has to say next. His eyes are serious, expression drawn, a very familiar and comfortable look on Bruce's face. He's habitually pensive.] I think I was with Tony when the spell broke, [he says, not explaining why. She might be able to guess that it was to rescue him from a nervous breakdown in the shower due to his murder, but Bruce certainly isn't going to state it outright.]

Whatever you find out, I want to know. I think you're right that it's too much of a coincidence. I immediately suspected... [He trails off.] Just keep me in the loop. I can do DNA testing for you. I could set up a UV light for fluid detection. Anything. [More quietly,] He needs to be caught.

[ Sharon nods. Natasha is helping with the case; the alibi will be easy enough to verify. The bit about Tony, too. ]

I'll let you know. Whoever it is, they know about crime scenes. But it seems he's finally starting to slip. It's only a matter of time now.

[ Her words are more confident than she is. The fact is, the guy could disappear from the turtle at any second and they would likely never identify the guilty party. They would never be able to bring him to justice.

But she has the suspects list down to the thirties. It's promising, if not ideal. ]

I think right now, the thing I want you to do more than anything is to look after Tony. I think he's upset that the guy is still killing.

[ Because Sharon didn't catch him fast enough. But she won't say that. Her guilt in the matter can wait until they've caught the guy. And if Tony wants to blame her, then he can. ]

[That they know about crime scenes is new, and instills a matching determination in Bruce to catch the bastard. He won't be outwitted by an amoral, heinous murderer, just as he's never accepted that he could be outmatched by the Hulk.]

I'd do that anyway, [he returns, voice growing somewhat tight. He doesn't mean to take it out on her, but the situation is untenable and Bruce has never dealt with helplessness well.] I'm upset about it. I can't believe I've missed so many things--

[Stop. No. He doesn't know Sharon well enough to express his feelings to her. Bruce reins it in quickly.]

Sorry. Never mind. Just tell me what I can do if you think of something. I won't let anything happen to Tony while you're looking. [He's not going to fail again to protect someone he's decided to protect.]

[ Sharon nods. ]

Thank you. I'll be in touch when I've got something.

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