I hope you enjoy Chapter 4. Thanks for reading!


Chapter 4

Despite her promise to Thompson, Peggy was starting to become very worried about Daniel. She knew that there could be a perfectly sensible reason for his absence but something in her gut told her to be worried. She could not even read the criminal files correctly, she was so upset. She was angry and frustrated but what was worse, she could not find a reason to explain these emotions.

Maybe Angie was right…maybe she did carry a torch for Daniel. It would explain why she felt flustered when the idea of marriage came up. She never would have felt flustered over a friend!

"Carter…Carter…Agent Carter are you even listening to me?!" Agent Jones demanded loudly.

Peggy looked up awkwardly and found there was an irritated agent looking at her while she daydreamed during her work. "Um…yes. Sorry, what was the question?"

"I was wondering why you ordered my sandwich with rye bread!" Jones fumed. "You act like some big shot but you can't even get a lunch order correct! I said white bread not rye bread!"

Closing her eyes, Peggy rubbed her temples and sighed. "Look, if you think you are better at ordering lunch then you do it yourself! I have enough to worry about other than your preferences for bread. Right now Agent Sousa is missing and you are nitpicking something so insignificant."

"Insignificant?" Jones spat angrily "This is my lunch, my fuel that helps keep this country safe! I fought for my country and I work long hours at this office. You forget your place Agent. This is insubordination and I won't stand for it. When I tell Chief Thompson, you'll be in big trouble!"

Rolling her eyes, Agent Carter got up and began gathering her things. She had done what she needed to do and staying here was not making things any better. "Well go on then," Peggy goaded him spitefully. "You can also tell Thompson that I am breaking my promise. I'm going to go out there and look for Agent Sousa with or without the SSR's help. I need to know that Daniel is okay."

Agent Jones gaped at her, watching as she left the front door. "But what about my sandwich?!"

The door slammed shut and Peggy ignored the man's whining complaints.

Nobody seemed to care that she was leaving early; they didn't even look up from their work. However, she could not help but feel a little worried about the repercussions for leaving in the middle of a work day without permission. Between her leaving and her recent behavior, Chief Dooley would have been furious. Jones was technically a higher ranking agent then she was.

But it didn't matter now. Roger Dooley was dead and the SSR was too busy picking itself up to pay much mind to her rebellious actions, no matter what Jones had threatened. It still did not get rid of the persistent guilt that had been nagging her all day. All the things she could have prevented if she had just known. She was determined to follow her instincts with this situation.

Checking her watch, she had precisely 30 minutes until Stark and Jarvis would arrive at the rendezvous point. Mr. Jarvis was always on time. Hailing the first taxi cab she saw, Peggy breathed a sigh of relief when she got inside. So far so good, Thompson had not stopped her from leaving.

"Where to sweetheart?" The cab driver asked casually, breaking her from her thoughts.

"I need to get to the big penthouse on 50th Street." Peggy said politely. For a moment, the elderly man gave her a knowing look and an exaggerated wink. "Okay, Howard Stark's penthouse it is."

As the taxi took off, Peggy scowled to herself irritably. She really didn't like the connotations that came from that look…or that tone. How many cab drivers were ordered by women to go to Howard Stark's penthouse? At least a hundred before she made the building her new home. This wasn't the first time this happened either. Every cab driver in New York had given her that look!

Frowning, Peggy leaned back and closed her eyes. She started going over the plan in her head. It should be simple but going after Dottie Underwood was not a one person job. She would need help. Yet no matter how many times she wanted to focus, the image of Daniel and Dottie killing him was haunting her brain. It also did not help that it was her fault that the Black Widow was still free.

But her guilt and anger would not help. She needed to think clearly. All that really mattered was getting Daniel Sousa home safely. Peggy gave a sigh. She was really starting to think about that particular agent a lot lately but maybe carrying a torch for Daniel Sousa was not a bad thing. It could even be a good thing…if she allowed herself to feel that way. Peggy mused thoughtfully. Perhaps she would take him up on that drinks offer when this was all over. It was long past due and she did want to go out with him. Hopefully it wasn't too late.

Suddenly the cab pulled to a stop and Peggy was thrown from her thoughts. With one look, she already knew that Howard Stark and Mr. Jarvis were at the penthouse. Perhaps it was the bright red Cadillac sitting in the driveway, looking shiny and expensive but mostly it was the laughter and the loud swing music that was playing from inside the house. Howard Stark always did like a party, even when they happened at the most inappropriate times. Peggy rolled her eyes but could not help but smile indulgently.

Then she realized with a sinking heart, that those loud giggles and excited chatter were also coming from her friend Angie. Peggy groaned at the realization. Of course it would be Angie's day off! How could she have possibly forgotten? An overly curious Angie could be a problem.

"I'm just waiting for the callback, Mr. Stark." Angie explained. "It should be her any day now. The director said that he liked my looks and that he'll talk to his people, whatever that means!"

"Well I am sure that you did an ace job, Ms. Martinelli!" Howard said breezily. "Perhaps with a recommendation from yours truly, that director would even give you that starring role in that play of yours. It's the very least I could do for Peggy's best friend. She did once save my life!"

"You'd do that for me?" Angie gasped. "I just don't know what to say! Thank you Mr. Stark!"

"You are very welcome." Stark grinned flirtatiously "Oh and call me Howard! We're friends now."

As Peggy Carter came slowly up the sidewalk towards the house, she saw Jarvis and Howard sitting on the couch, drinking martinis while Angie was practically gushing with happiness beside them. Peggy gave them an awkward smile when Howard finally waved her over and the moment Angie noticed her friend, she dragged Peggy over to sit right on the couch next to them.

"Peggy, did you know Mr. Stark wants to help me with my acting career? Isn't that marvelous?"

Sitting down, Peggy met Howard's eyes and looked at him suspiciously.

"Did he now?" She asked pointedly but Howard just shrugged. Peggy turned to her friend and smiled sweetly. "Well, that is good news! I am sure you will do a splendid job, Angie. You are a great actress and Mr. Stark is not only generous but very lucky to have backed such a talent."

Angie grinned and hugged Peggy before turning back to their guests.

"So what brings you over for a visit Mr. Stark?" Angie asked him curiously.

Howard gave Angie his award winning smile. "Oh, I'm just helping out my pal! Over the phone, Peggy had mentioned that there had been trouble and we wanted to make sure everything was alright. Isn't that right, Jarvis? Somebody stole Peggy's clothes and there was a kidnapping?"

"Kidnapping?! What's this about a kidnapping?" Angie asked, shocked.

"It's nothing Angie." Peggy interjected quickly. "But I want to talk to Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Stark alone now, if you please. We have a lot to catch up on. We think we know who the burglar was who stole my clothes and this person might be involved in a missing person case I know about."

Jarvis nodded his head. "It's a bit hush hush at the moment. You understand Ms. Martinelli?"

"What do you mean it is hush hush?" Angie protested irritably. "I live here too! Shouldn't I know more about the burglary that happened in my home? Peggy, I understand you have secrets but I am getting tired of being in the dark. You know that I know that you don't really work in a phone company, but can't you trust me a little? I can keep a secret! Who was kidnapped and why would someone break into our home to steal your clothes? Please…tell me what's going on."

Howard and Mr. Jarvis looked at Peggy helplessly but she shook her head.

"This is for your own good Angie." Peggy said quietly. "The burglar was obviously targeting me. They kidnapped my coworker because I happened to care about him. If you know too much, they might kidnap you too or worse. I just…I can't take that chance. Please, you have to understand. This is not easy for any of us. I would tell you if I could but right now…I can't."

"Alright, keep your secrets, English." Angie sighed, frowning in disappointment. "I get it. It's not like I'm your best friend or anything. You already have Mr. Stark and Mr. Jarvis to confide in and I'm just your roommate. There's nothing special about that. I have some errands anyway."

She wiped a tear from her eye and slammed the door behind her, leaving the three occupants of the living room slightly stunned. "Is she going to be alright?" Jarvis asked, after a moment of silence and awkward exchanges. "Ms. Martinelli seemed to be pretty upset about all of this."

Peggy sighed. "I know but it can't be helped. I can't exactly explain to her that I have a mad Leviathan agent wanting to kill me and who likes to raid my wardrobe. The SSR is a secret organization and the only way it can stay secret is if we all keep to the rules of engagement. We could not even tell Chief Dooley's wife how he died! So in turn, I have to lie to my best friend."

Howard nodded sympathetically. "Take it from me Peg" He said sagely. "Lies will only get harder to tell the longer you have to tell them. Sometimes it is easier to tell the truth. Just pull it off like a band aid! It may hurt a little at first but it's still a lot easier in the long run!"

Jarvis rolled his eyes. "Maybe it's easier for you perhaps. You don't have to deal with the tears."

"Well, tears are better than another kidnapping." Peggy said flatly. "I'll apologize to Angie later but for now, I have to deal with the fact that Dottie Underwood is probably still out there waiting for me. It just seems too convenient…a burglary followed by Daniel's disappearance. She is a master at disguises and she knows me and it's possible she might have found out about Daniel."

"About that…" Howard Stark began, looking at Peggy curiously. "Why Daniel in particular?"

Peggy glared at him angrily but Howard just grinned at her teasingly. Suddenly, their silent standoff was broken by the sound of the phone ringing on the table next to the couch. Anger suddenly evaporating, Peggy jumped for it impulsively. "Hello? This is Peggy Carter speaking."

"Hi Peggy!" A high pitched feminine voice boomed through the receiver. "This is Dottie! Remember me? I haven't talked with you for ages since you went away. I just wanted you to know that I have a few things of yours and a very handsome man is keeping me company. Why don't you come over to my place and we can catch up. Mr. Sousa is just dying to see you again!"

There was a stunned silence and Peggy just stared at the phone. Howard Stark and Jarvis looked puzzled but finally Peggy broke the silence. "If you hurt Agent Sousa, Dottie then so help me…"

"Oh, relax Peggy!" Dottie laughed. "I won't kill him…at least, not yet. I'm having too much fun and I want to play with this dreamboat a little. So why don't you come find us? You're the gumshoe agent who figured out about Leviathan. I'm sure my hideout is easy enough to find."

"It would be faster if you told me where you were." Peggy retorted irritably.

"But it wouldn't be fun unless you play detective!" Dottie explained. "You have until dawn tomorrow and if you don't come to pick up your clothes and your agent, the next bullet I fire won't miss and Agent Sousa will be dead. I suggest you hurry, he's lost a lot of blood as it is."