Chapter 56: Lynn: Pepper, Turn Around
As Tony Stark was speaking, a video suddenly hijacked the TV.
In it, the Mandarin, wearing sunglasses, declared that he was personally responsible for the terrorist bombing in New York.
He then announced that his organization, the Ten Rings, would continue to launch more attacks, and that their next target... was Tony Stark himself.
Tony grabbed the remote and killed the TV, his brow furrowed. "The Ten Rings? So this Killian guy... he's working for them? They're funding his experiments? Paying for his human bombs? No wonder he mentioned me. He's looking for revenge."
"He knows the people I care about most are Pepper and Happy. So he went to Pepper... as a declaration of war."
"Tony, why would he want revenge on you?"
Pepper looked at him, completely lost.
Tony sighed. "It's... probably because I left him waiting on a rooftop all night. Back in 1999."
Just then, his security detail came in to inform him that the press was massed outside.
Tony nodded and looked at Lynn. "Lynn, can you do me a favor?"
"What favor?"
"I need you to protect Pepper for a few days. I'll call the Manhattan precinct, file a protection order, and specifically request you."
Before Lynn could even respond, Pepper, who knew him best, cut in. "Tony, are you planning on going after the Ten Rings alone?"
"I have to."
He nodded, his face grim. "I can't drag you into this, Pepper. It's too dangerous."
"Lynn will stay with you. Trust me, when it comes to weird, magic bullshit, he's the best protection you could ask for. Better than anyone on the team."
Without another word, Tony slid on his sunglasses and walked out of the hospital.
Lynn just stared at his retreating back and threw up his hands. "But I didn't even say yes. I was supposed to go apartment hunting!"
"You don't have a place to live?" Pepper asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Nah. My last apartment got shot full of holes by a bunch of assholes. I've been living in a hotel ever since."
"Then let me handle that."
Pepper smiled. "Consider it payment for protecting me. I'll find you the perfect place."
***
Outside.
The second Tony Stark stepped out, he was mobbed.
"Mr. Stark! All our sources are saying this was a coordinated attack by the Mandarin!"
"Mr. Stark, the Mandarin has threatened you directly! Are you scared?"
"Mr. Stark, when are you going to take out these terrorists?"
A forest of microphones was shoved in his face, the reporters all shouting at once.
Tony took off his sunglasses, his expression dead serious. "I know what you want. So listen up. I have a little holiday message for the Mandarin."
"My name is Tony Stark, and I'm not afraid of you."
"You're a coward. You only attack people when I'm not around. So here's the deal: I will find you. And I will kill you."
"No politics. This is just good, old-fashioned revenge. Just you and me."
He stared straight into the camera. "If you're a real man, you'll find my address. It's public. I'll leave the front door open."
He pushed through the crowd, got into his sports car, and floored it, disappearing down the street.
***
Inside the hospital.
Pepper watched the live feed of Tony's speech and sighed. "I know what he's doing. He's trying to draw all the hate onto himself. To protect me... so what happened to Happy doesn't happen again."
"It's just…"
She trailed off, noticing Lynn wasn't listening. He was staring intently down the hallway. "Lynn? What are you looking at?"
"Nothing."
He was looking at a translucent spirit, weeping tears of blood. It was staring right at him... and pointing.
"I'm gonna go check something out."
Pepper, curious, followed him as he walked down the hall and around a corner.
He stopped at a stairwell. "This just goes to the basement," Pepper explained. "We store extra equipment down there. Is there a problem?"
"Don't know yet."
He walked down the stairs, following the spirit's guidance, until he reached a door with a keypad. He turned to Pepper. "Can you open this?"
"Of course."
She had no idea what he was doing, but if Tony trusted him, that was good enough for her. She walked up and pressed her thumb to the scanner.
Click.
The lock disengaged. Lynn pushed the door open.
The basement was filled with medical equipment, still in its packaging. All of it looked brand-new. 'Backup gear,' Lynn guessed.
The spirit drifted to the far-west wall... and just pointed, staring at Lynn.
'It's saying there's something inside the wall.'
Lynn walked over and knocked. It sounded hollow. He turned to Pepper. "If I were to knock this wall down... how much would I owe you?"
"Huh?"
Pepper was completely baffled.
'Tony was a genius, obviously. And from what he'd said, Lynn was some kind of genius, too.'
'A... wizard, maybe? Given the magic potions?'
She thought for a second. "You know what? Don't worry about it. Go ahead. No charge."
"Then I won't be polite."
Lynn glanced around, found a toolbox, and pulled out a sledgehammer.
He walked back to the spot the spirit had indicated and swung.
The plaster cracked. He swung again, and again.
The wall crumbled, revealing a black body bag stashed inside.
"Oh my god."
Pepper recognized it instantly and clapped a hand over her mouth, taking a step back.
Lynn tore away the remaining drywall, pulled the bag out, and said to Pepper, "If you have a weak stomach, I suggest you turn around."
Pepper nodded, not arguing, and faced the other way.
Lynn unzipped the bag. Inside, the body had long since decomposed, leaving only a skeleton.
----
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