I bit the end of my thumb as I stared at the business card. I held a look of concentration as my mind raced. My eyes flicked back to the hologram image in front of me. I got into the hotel's database to look into their bookings. Room 602 was booked the same day Ryan was released on parole. But, the room was booked before the paperwork had even been signed. Whoever did this knew without a doubt he'd be out.
The person behind this also knew how to cover their digital footprint. They paid via cash and enough of it where Ryan could stay there for a long period of time. Clearly, the person I'm looking for is somebody wealthy. I need more information to go on, but I planned on doing it without accepting Ryan's "offer". I refuse to be manipulated by him.
I had been racking my brain on how to go about this next. I heard the sound of my cell phone vibrate. I glanced over to the lit up screen to see Pepper's name on it.
I leaned back in my chair and set the business card down. I grabbed my phone and opened up the message. She sent a text then attached a file that contained a photo.
'Though you might want to see this.'
I gave a confused look to the text before tapping on the file. My eyes widened slightly seeing the photo that came up. It was a picture of Morgan and Dick together. I recognized the tree fort Tony had built Morgan when she was younger. The two of them were clearly playing together. Morgan stood inside the fort while Dick was on the ground.
I could see Morgan wearing her red fingerless gloves with the fake repulser in the palm. She also had the plastic Iron Man mask we had gotten from the gift shop of the museum. She had her palm out to Dick as if the repulser was real. Dick was facing towards the side in the photo but I could make out part of what he was wearing.
I couldn't help but smile seeing the makeshift costume from around Pepper's home he threw together. He had a red shirt on with a green 'R' made from paper and colored in with marker taped to the left side of the shirt. A yellow cloth wrapped around his neck as if it were a cape. I recognized a black eye mask from a robber Halloween costume Morgan had worn one year. This was a homemade version of the Robin suit Dick had seen so many times in the Batcave.
The two of them were playing Superheroes. Morgan's favorite game to play. I saved the image to my phone and made it my new home screen image.
'I love it. Thanks for sending this.' I sent back a reply.
Pepper quickly sent back a reply, 'You're welcome. I'm just glad they're getting along now.' I agreed with her one that one.
'What did Bruce think of this?' I didn't see Bruce in the photo and since Pepper's the one that sent it. I assume she's the one that took it.
I could see Pepper typing a response but then it stopped. It would start again and stop again. I raised an eyebrow at that. That's unusual for her. The text finally sent and my jaw went agape slightly reading her reply.
'He told me you asked him to go see you back at the compound. He's not with you?' What?!
'No. I asked him to do the exact opposite. To stay away from the compound. Keep an eye on Dick for me.'
'I will. He's in your car. You can track him.'
"Damnit Bruce! What are you doing?" I muttered angrily under my breath. He lied to Pepper about where he was going and never bothered to call me. That tells me he's off somewhere doing something he's not supposed to. I put my phone in my pocket before activating the Voltess suit.
"Athena, pull up the GPS coordinates of my car." I instructed the AI as I walked for the front door of the compound. In an instant a map of the New York area popped up in my lenses. A red blinking dot showed on the map where my car was currently at. It wasn't moving which meant it was parked.
The nano board disappeared as my feet landed on the concrete of the parking garage building. I walked around my car as my mask dropped down. I placed my hand on the hood of the vehicle. Cold. The engine has been off for a while now. I frowned as I looked around the open slots of the parking garage building.
What was around here that Bruce was being secretive to get to? I took steps away from my car and my eyes caught seeing a security station. There was currently a security guard sitting at his post. Perfect. Maybe he saw Bruce.
I jogged over to the security station and knocked on the glass lightly. The security guard practically jumped in his chair hearing the tapping. He spun around with his phone in hand. He had a random video playing on it. The guard's eyes widened seeing me. He opened the top half of his door.
"Voltess! Hi, oh my god I can't believe I'm meeting an Avenger." He said with a large open smile on his face.
"Hi.." I read his name tag, "George. Have you been posted here for a while? Hours maybe?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I've been here since nine this morning. We run twelve hour shifts. Why?" He asked, confused.
"Did you see when this vehicle was parked?" I questioned and pointed to my car.
George leaned out of the half door and followed my finger. "Can't say I have. I see so many cars drive by here. It's hard to keep track. Sorry." He pulled back and gave me an apologetic look. I bit my lip in thought and my eyes flickered up. My attention was soon caught on the security camera above our heads.
"The security cameras. Could you pull up today's footage and rewind through it?" I asked him.
George nodded, "Yeah, I can do that. Give me a second." George turned to the few monitors of the security system. He began messing with the controls and began to rewind earlier footage.
"So huh, why are you tracking down the driver of that car?" George made small talk as he rewound the footage.
"Just trying to flag somebody down." I answered vaguely. George peered over his shoulder before back to the monitor.
"Is it classified Avenger's business?" He asked again.
I gave a small shrug, "In a way I guess." Technically, I'm an Avenger and this was my current task. Tracking down my husband who happens to excel in stealth and covering his tracks.
I stared at the monitor keeping an eye for my car showing up in the security camera footage. I suddenly caught the front of the car entering the parking garage building.
"Stop!" I called out. George immediately paused the footage, "Go back." I told him. He rewound it and paused it again. I could see the front of my car. You could make a figure in the drivers seat.
"Play it." George unpaused it as we both watched in silence. My car drove into this level of the parking garage building. Another camera angle caught it as the car was parked.
Bruce exited the driver side of the car, "That's the guy right?" George asked.
I only answered with a brief nod. My attention is currently on watching the footage. Bruce made his way to the elevator of the building. I watched him go in. Two minutes went by until he reappeared on the ground level of the building. The security cameras only showed so much as he exited the building. He paused for a second before taking a left.
"What's in the immediate area in the direction he just left?" I asked George.
"Uh, not much. This is the heart of Midtown. Central Park isn't too far from here and there's several hotels." Hotels…no. There's no way.
"Thanks for your help George."
"Wait!" I stopped mid step hearing him.
I turned to him, "My buddies here won't believe me if I told them I met you. Could I get a picture?" At least he asked.
"Sure. You did help me." I leaned back at the half door. George leaned forward with his phone out. I smiled as he took a quick selfie of us.
"This is awesome. If you need anything else, Voltess. Just let me know." I gave him a friendly smile.
"Thanks, George. I'll leave you back to your video." My mask formed around my head again. My nano board formed as soon as I jumped off from the concrete below.
I flew in the same direction I had seen Bruce walk off to. I stopped in midair as I stared at the hotel building in front of Lotte New York Palace hotel. The same hotel that Ryan is currently staying at. This can't be a coincidence. How did Bruce know about any of this? He wasn't there at the compo-
My eyes widened as a memory came to me. I had heard a noise just before Athena alerted me about Ryan showing up on the roof.
"Athena. Pull security footage from the compound from this morning. Around the time I was in the lab before going to the roof." I informed the AI.
"Right away, Mel." Athena pulled up multiple camera feeds on my lenses.
I could see myself entering my lab. I began to look at the different feeds. I had heard the noise come from the main lobby of the compound. I focused my attention on that camera feed. My brows furrowed slightly as I caught the side glass door opening.
Bruce snuck in and I recognized through his body language he was using his stealth techniques to walk in undetected. He came to a stop and peered just over the wall. I see him pull back and take out his phone. That's when he had texted me.
I thought he had sent it to check on me but in reality he was checking for himself if Ryan had arrived yet. I could see myself text him back. I then could see Bruce make a frantic move and cover his phone. I saw myself spin around in alarm.
So that's what I heard. Bruce had forgotten to silence his phone and covered it and lowered the volume. I could see Bruce stay still while covering his phone with both of his hands to his chest. Moments later I could see myself leave to head for the roof stairwell. That's when Ryan showed up.
I saw Bruce peer over and quickly made his way into my lab before the glass door fully closed. What was he doing in my lab? I watched as he began to search my lab. He eventually discovered the false switch on the wall of my lab. He tripped the false switch and I could see the false wall back out to show some of my Voltess gear. Including my previous cloth suit before I got my vibranium suit.
I could see Bruce pause as he looked at the suit. He then started to filter through my gear and put some if tucked away in his pockets. He wanted some of my gear for whatever he was planning. I tried to recall what gear I had last left in there. My magnetic disks, the electrocution ones and… That's what he was looking for. My tracking disks.
I then see him look up before making his way out of the lab. I watched as he made a dash for the second floor. He got out to the balcony and my jaw nearly dropped at what he did next. He got onto the railing and then used that to jump to grab the roof edge. He easily pulled himself up and quickly hid behind the power box.
Myself or Ryan never noticed movement. Even in broad daylight, Bruce could remain undetected. Wait…that means Bruce heard what Ryan said to me earlier. He heard Ryan ask me out to dinner as a manipulation tactic. Great way to go Ryan. Piss off the bat and put him in a mood.
I could see Bruce take his chance once my back was turned to him. He quickly threw the tracker onto Ryan as he took off into the air. I saw him pull out the device that was tied to the tracker. He waited for me to leave the roof and he made his way down off the roof.
The footage disappeared off my lenses as I looked up at the building. Bruce had tracked Ryan here. Is he seriously planning on confronting him?
No One's P.O.V
Bruce stood in the corner at the end of the hall. There was a wall that hid his current location. He looked down at the tracking device and the blinking red dot on the screen. Bruce leaned forward and eyed the door with '602' number. Ryan Hayes still resided in the room.
Bruce didn't like the idea of Melody confronting him alone to begin with. Melody didn't need to know that he snuck back to the compound. She didn't need to know about him placing a tracking device on Ryan and following him. While Melody worked the legal route with a lawyer trying to remove Ryan's parole. Bruce wanted a much more direct approach. Such as searching his hotel room.
The door handle to the room began to move. Bruce pulled back slightly. He watched as Ryan,now in civilian clothes, walked in the direction of the elevators. He had his head down looking at his phone. Bruce looked back at the tracker. The dot was still stagnant showing the suit with the tracker still in the room.
Bruce waited until Ryan was in the elevator and it showed it descending the levels. Bruce walked over to the door and pulled a magnet from his pocket. Melody had shown him this trick years ago. Many electric locks in hotels could be tricked using a strong enough magnet.
Bruce hovered the magnet and the electric lock showed a green light. He entered the room and looked around the vacant room.
"What are you hiding, Hayes?" Bruce muttered as he began to search around the room.
Melody's P.O.V
I waited impatiently for the elevator door of the hotel lobby. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. My eyes widened seeing Ryan. He had his head down looking at his phone screen. I quickly hid behind a pillar. I watched as he walked into the lobby. He went out the front doors and headed to where a black car with tinted windows waited.
I tilted my head as I watched him get into the vehicle and it took off. I bit my lip now having to make a decision. Do I go upstairs and confront Bruce or do I track where the car is going?
"Screw it. I can track it with CCTV later." I muttered and walked into the elevator.
It didn't take long to head up to the sixth floor and find room 602. I placed my hand on the handle and bypassed the electric lock. I opened the door and half expected to see Bruce but nothing.
I let the door close behind me, "Bruce, I know you snuck into the compound and put one of my trackers on Ryan. I know you're in here." I said out loud.
Seconds later Bruce walked out from behind a wall. He had a look on his face that knew he was busted.
"How'd you know?" He finally asked.
I crossed my arms, "Pepper sent me a picture of Dick and Morgan playing together. I asked about you and she told me she thought you were with me." Bruce grimaced and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I tracked my car to the parking garage. I talked to the security guard on post and he showed my surveillance footage. You headed off in the direction of this hotel. The same hotel Ryan is staying at. I put two and two together and found out you snuck onto the compound when I said to stay with Dick." Bruce gave a mix of an annoyed and frustrated sigh.
"I knew Dick was safe with Pepper. I didn't and still don't like the idea of you doing this alone, Mel. I'm not just going to stand idly by as my wife, who is currently carrying our child, will be put into possible danger. Ryan Hayes has always been unpredictable and don't say he's only like that with me around. He's unhinged and you know it. I am being protective as a husband and future father should." Bruce argued.
My frown grew deeper but Bruce remained unfazed. He knew I was angry but he also felt justified. In all honesty, I should have known that Bruce wouldn't have just stayed still at Pepper's. That's just not who he is.
I gave in and sighed, "Fine, but you need to stay out of Ryan's sights. He still believes we're separated." I could see Bruce's jaw tighten.
"I know, but it doesn't mean I'll like it. I heard him on the roof." My gaze softened as I walked over to him. I wrapped my arms around Bruce and he returned the hug.
"I would never do that to you, Bruce." I said against his chest. I felt Bruce's hold on my tighten.
"I know you wouldn't. It just pissed me off hearing him blatantly ask you while knowing about us." I pulled back in his grip.
"Ryan's living in a fantasy world where he thinks just because we're separated that the two of us would get back together. But it's just that. A fantasy. Now, did you find anything?" I asked and changed the subject.
Bruce gave a nod and walked over to a laptop, "I found this. It's password protected. I can't get through it but I know somebody who can." I gave a smirk at the look Bruce gave me. I shot a bolt at the laptop. Bruce returned my smirk as he began to go through the laptop.
"He's exchanged a dozen emails with somebody. It's a private email address. It's not giving a name." I joined Bruce at his side as I looked at the laptop.
"Whoever it is, this is the person that gave Ryan his new suit." I said as my eyes read over the multiple emails.
"What's your working theory?" Bruce asked and glanced to me.
"Considering Ryan was able to get parole and out in twenty-four hours. An expensive hotel suite rented out to him for as long as he needs. A brand new suit. I just thought whoever this person was only rich but after seeing this. This person is not only wealthy but is also in a position of power. We just don't know exactly what position that is." My phone started to vibrate in my pocket.
I pulled out my phone and looked at the caller ID. "Matt Murdock" was on the caller ID.
"Who's Matt Murdock?" Bruce asked out loud.
"My lawyer friend," I answered the phone, "Matt, please tell me you found something." I asked.
"I did but I don't think you'll like it. Can you meet me at the cafe just off 22nd?"
"Yeah, I can be there in twenty." I hung my end of the call.
"Did he find something?" Bruce asked.
"He did but he said I wouldn't like it." I placed my finger on the USB port of the laptop, "Athena, copy down these emails and start tracking the source. It's a private server so you'll have to be creative." I said as a spark came from my finger.
"I'll do my best, Mel." Athena's voice came from my bracelet.
"So much for our vacation." Bruce commented as I closed out the windows on the laptop.
"Eh, we only have two days left anyway." I joked back. Bruce gave a chuckle and smile. I closed the laptop and headed for the door.
"Let's not keep Matt waiting too long." I advised and opened the door.. Bruce followed close behind me.
"His case was marked as confidential?" I asked Matt. I kept my eyes on the case file Matt was able to get his hands on.
"That can't be that unusual considering what Hayes can do." Bruce remarked. He leaned back against his chair on the outside patio of the cafe.
Matt kept his hands folded on his white cane and pointed a finger at Bruce, "You'd be right. Typically, any formal and official documents pertaining to enhanced individuals are marked as such. That's not what's strange about his case file. The file up until a couple days ago was marked as public knowledge." I looked up and frowned at Matt.
"You're saying there's information that was public days ago that is now suddenly withheld?" Matt nodded his head.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Whoever was responsible for getting Ryan Hayes out on parole and marking his case as confidential is very high up in the chain of command." My ears perked hearing those words.
"Chain of command as in…?" I trailed off.
Matt turned his head slightly in the direction he heard my voice, "As in the United States Military." My eyes widened and my jaw went agape. Somebody in the military let Ryan go?!