tushanshu | 004 || video

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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What do you need?

[This is such a mess. As if people disappearing wasn't bad enough, now they've got murder to go along with it. And the fact that Malicant's response was right after Evandau's announcement carries an even more disturbing implication with it.

He would actually take Fury on the turtle at this point.]

I have to ask. I need to know where you were when the Emperor was killed and if anyone can verify that.

What the hell?

[He's kind of irritated by that question, because as far as he's concerned, he shouldn't be an assumed suspect. This is stupid. And he's not going to play if there's no real reason to pull him in.]

Considering the announcement? Home. Counting the marks on my ceiling. And, no, unless someone's been creeping in without my permission, no one can verify that.

I also don't have any motive to do it.

Tony. [ She likes Tony. She does. But sometimes she just wants to squeeze his neck so tightly that his head pops off. She doesn't feel like doing it yet, but she can feel the inclination creeping in. ]

During the week in September when people switched abilities, genders, and ages, what happened to you?

[That's just short of "Anthony", which is why he doesn't hang up on her. He understands why she's doing it, he really does, but at the same time he's offended that she would think that of him. He's not that kind of guy. He has limits.

And then the rest of what she says sinks in.]

Why? You think that this is ongoing?

Yes, Tony. I do.

[ There's a half-breath's pause, then she double-checks the encryption before she talks again. ]

Last time he killed two people and tried to kill another, all in the space of a week. This time, he's killed the Emperor. Whoever it is will kill again if he isn't stopped.

I don't really think you did it, Tony, but if I find someone I think is guilty, I don't want people saying I only think they're guilty because I automatically cleared my friends, okay? [ She's pulled out the F-word, Tony. The F-word. Manipulative, maybe. But her usual interrogation tactics involve beating people senseless when they don't give her the information she needs, so... manipulative might be better in this situation. ]

So just tell me what happened to you that week, your height, and your weight so I can try to clear you.

[He looks impatient as Sharon starts her explanation, but at the mention of the other murders his expression stiffens. Even with his bruised pride, the thought that other people were being murdered makes his eyes narrow and his teeth clench.

He didn't know. Damn it, he wasn't paying attention. Too frustrated, too distracted chasing around everything else to look at what was right in front of him.]

You just said that you don't think I did it. What do you need to prove?

[He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.]

I got switched with Bianca. And I'd like that to remain off-record if that's all the same to you. It's not something I want to pass around. And I visited a few friends. Nothing interesting, and not someone who could surprise people in the palace.

I won't pass it around. Whoever it was who killed them was in the body of a man at the time. The names of the friends who know, and I'll talk to them. That should be enough to clear you.

I'd rather not.

[He's not fighting quite so rudely now, but Tony isn't playing along either.]

You said you don't think I did it, but you're still questioning me. Is there some reason you think I did kill people? Don't tell me it's because of my capability either. If we're going on that, I could just as easily ask you what you were doing during those times. How do you know it was a man anyway?

Witness descriptions, Tony.

Give me a name.

[ She likes you, Tony. Usually. But she hasn't hesitated to break into your workplace before, nor to slap you. Don't tempt her. It's fun. If T'Challa were still around, he and Sharon would compare notes about how fun it is. But for now, just give her a damn name. ]

What's the point of dragging people into this when it won't help you figure out anything? You know I didn't do it. Find the person who did.

[He's aware that people have a tendency to be frustrated by him. At the moment, he both isn't feeling generous and doesn't want to call on other people for help.]

Are you going to interrogate Bianca too? Because the last thing she needs is more trouble right now.

I'll do what I have to in order to find the person responsible.

[ She sighs and rubs her temples. ] I started out with over a hundred suspects. I'm down to almost thirty suspects. I can justify taking each name off the list so far. I have to justify taking off each name. Each name. Even yours.

I'll be as respectful and polite as possible.

[As disgruntled as Tony is about being called out, he does acknowledge that look. He's well-acquainted with frustration.]

Look, I don't really care what you think of me. You could hunt me down and force the answers out of me, but we both know that won't get you anywhere. Just... I'd rather just send you the archive of the network. I got into an argument with Loki and Bianca during that mess. It's better than talking to her right now.

[And it's Tony's turn to make a face.]

I dropped by to see Scott Lang. Those two are the only ones still around that I talked to during the mix up.

We really don't need this right now. Not on top of everything else.

No, we don't. Which means that we're going to get it out of the way as soon as possible.

I'll talk to Scott.

Thank you, Tony.

Mm. [Yeah, he isn't thrilled and he assumes she isn't either. But there's something else.]

That's a pretty bold advance. You said it happened in September. Going from exploiting the confusion to hitting the palace? That's a big upgrade.

There were only two options. He would either kill again, or he would disappear. I think this is him either taking on a challenge or showing off. Everything else matches.

But why her? Your killer could have picked people off in the streets and gotten a lot less attention. Not only are you hunting them down, but now they've got the Commander's attention.

Does that really add up?

If I had to guess? I'd say he got bored picking people off the street.

I'm willing to bet that he'll be taunting the police soon.

Who would you kill?

[Because that's a totally normal question.]

If I were a homicidal psychopath, or as myself?

[ Should that question concern her more? ]

[Maybe. It's Tony's nature to question though, so she could always call it his horrible quirk.]

In general. If you weren't going to get caught. If it were personal, you'd start with people near you. If it's resentment, you stick to a certain type.

Why would you risk getting caught to break pattern? If this person is really as crazy as you think they are, they're doing a good job of pretending not to be.

[While he's still under suspicion, at least he can offer his two cents to help.]

I think the person is incredibly intelligent. Their insanity lies in their thinking they can kill people and get away with it.

If you think I'm going about this the wrong way, I'd love to hear what you think I should do.

[ SARCASM.

SARCASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. ]

Oh, no, I agree. I think the person who managed to commit murder in the palace with the Commander on hand had to know what he or she was doing. I think you're mostly on the right track. More or less.

[And he's just as sarcastic in response.]

But having the potential and having the motive are two entirely different things. I mean, if we're talking about capabilities, you have just as good a chance as I do, if not better. Stealth missions aren't really in my repertoire, right?

Wait, are we talking about capabilities or opportunities?

The first two murders were more than likely matters of chance, people in the wrong place at the wrong time. The attack happened right before and during when the spell was undone. Therefore, we can rule out anyone who was elsewhere during that time.

The victims were able to give a vague description of their attacker.

So the first step, what I'm working on now, is ruling out everyone who couldn't have done it. Women, men of a certain height, people who can be vouched for during the time the spell fell apart.

Which means you, my testerone-laden former boss, have far more of a chance than I do in being the killer. Or would, if no one could vouch for you.

I really don't have much to go on.

And you're right. You wouldn't know stealth if it blew something up in your face.

I thought we were talking about capabilities. I think you're just as capable as I am of catching people off-guard. I think you know just as much if not more than I do about what it would take to catch a victim alone and make it look like someone else.

And can we drop the former boss thing? I'd rather we kept the dirty name-calling to a minimum.

[He tilts his head, still keeping the cocky posture but with a little less bite.]

Look, I have no reason to want anyone killed. Can we agree on that? I have nothing to gain. If I were going to get rid of anyone, I'd go after myself. He's got better stuff than me. And before you get on that, I wouldn't. I like the guy. He's a pain in the ass.

[This has been a very long month.]

Nothing of mine was involved with the other murders, was it?

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