Avengers Noir Chapter 4

By Cadet Deming

Rated T for violence and adult content. I don't own the rights to the Avengers, Marvel and Disney do, so please don't sue. Natasha/Loki. Please read and review!

The Odinson family estate looked like a palace. I tried to imagine what it would be like growing up in such luxury. The luxury was muted by the sadness of the guests in the home.

Thor walked in with another blonde man. They looked so much alike I assumed he was a relative of the Odinsons, until he was introduced as Steve Rogers.

Rogers said to Loki, "I'm sorry for your loss. "

Loki gave him a terse thank you.

"If you don't mind, I need to take your official statement. Is there a place where I can speak with you in private?"

Loki said, "I mind. This is still the day of my father's funeral."

Rogers said, "If you don't want to talk to me today, you can come to the police station in person tomorrow."

Loki frowned and glanced quickly at me and then away.

"Very well then," Loki said. "But I'd like Ms. Romanoff present as a witness so there are no misunderstandings."

Rogers looked at me appraisingly. I kept my face neutral.

He said, "I'm not crazy about when personal investigators get in the way of police business."

I said, "I'm just an observer. Loki's request for a witness is reasonable."

Rogers agreed with obvious reluctance and Loki led us to another room. He locked the door behind us. I selected a chair between both men so I could see their faces.

There was a side table next to Rogers' seat covered in Odinson family pictures. They showed a progression as various family members grew from childhood to adulthood. Thor and Odin's blood connection was unmistakable. They looked like the same man with different hair and at different ages.

The photographs were the black and white that fades to a brownish sepia tint. Thor and Odin both looked golden. Compared to them, Loki's black hair and pale complexion contrasted so much he may as well have been a different race. I assumed he took after his mother as they both had the same high cheekbones.

Rogers took out a notepad and pen. I saw he had scribbled pictures in the margins of patriotic symbols and wholesome pin-up girls. They were actually quite good.

Rogers asked Loki, "How would you characterize your recent relationship with your father?"

Loki said, "It was fine. Perfectly fine."

His delivery was completely calm.

Rogers wrote in his notepad. "Perfect? No problems at all?"

"No more problems than any other fathers and sons have. If anything my father fought far more often with Thor. Have you interviewed Thor yet?"

"I'm interviewing all family members. Did your father have any significant conflict recently? Did he feel threatened by anyone?"

"There was the recent lawsuit between our company and Stark Industries. Over the patent for the new Tesseract Technology. Things were getting rather heated between my father and Tony Stark. And there's been bad blood between Laufey and my father for decades. Why just today Laufey and Thor publicly threatened to kill each other. Did Thor mention that to you?"

Rogers looked up from his note-taking. "I'm not interviewing Thor. I'm interviewing you."

Loki waved his hand dismissively. "Next question then."

Rogers frowned at him and curled his lip. He turned the page in his notepad.

"Where were you on the evening of September 12, 1949?"

"My wife Sigyn can testify I was home with my family."

"And how would you characterize your relationship with your wife?"

Loki scoffed. "Excuse me, but I don't see how that is relevant to my father's murder, nor is it your business."

Rogers was silent for a few moments, and then wrote on his pad. "I'm sorry, am I striking a nerve? I'll make a note you were uncooperative and refused to answer questions."

Loki looked steamed. "My marriage is wonderful. I've always provided for my family financially. Sigyn is an excellent wife. She's always been loyal, affectionate, obedient and guards my children from harm."

Rogers said, "It sounds like you're describing a Golden Retriever."

I burst out laughing. Both men turned to me. Loki had an angry "whose side are you on" look.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Just forget I'm here."

Rogers said, "Wouldn't it be fair to say that Sigyn would have a motive for lying to protect you?"

"You dare accuse my wife of lying? Maybe you shouldn't be on this case. The honorable thing to do would be for you to withdraw and have a less-biased man take over. I may have a talk with your superiors."

"How am I being biased and dishonorable?"

"I know you don't like me Rogers. You never have."

"You're right. I've never liked you. I think you're a spoiled brat who thinks he's better than everyone and hides behind his families' money and power. I think you're a draft dodger who sat out the War while honorable men like your brother had the courage to fight."

"I had medical reasons. I was exempted from fighting! I had…migraines."

"When the War first broke out I tried to enlist, but was rejected for being too weak. I spent the next few years getting into peak shape and taking experimental medications to cure any illnesses I had. And you shirked your responsibilities because you had headaches?"

Loki said, "You're my witness Natasha. This man is clearly biased against me."

Rogers said, "You think I can't do my job because of personal dislike? As a police detective I've lost count of how many cases I've had where every single suspect was a lowlife. I may not like you, but I hate men like Laufey and Tony Stark even more. I may not be perfect, but I do take my job seriously and want to see the right thing done. I want to see your father get the justice he deserves by finding his real killer. You can help or choose to be an obstructing pain."

Loki crossed his arms and pouted. He did look rather immature for a moment.

I decided this was a good time to get involved and said, "Maybe we can put aside our personal differences and work together. How about the police will share information with Clint and I, and vice-versa? Sharing intelligence is better than getting caught up in petty squabbles."

Rogers said, "That depends on what Loki is willing to do."

Loki said: "Fine. I won't file a complaint about you yet. Cooperation is better than being petulant. I loved my father more than anyone could understand and want to see his death avenged. Ask me the rest of your questions."

To be continued.

Author's Note: I'm on vacation this week so I may be able to update more often.