As expected of Stark's assistant, Pepper wrote out a million-dollar check in front of Mike without batting an eye.
Skye leaned over from behind Mike, her head over his shoulder, her eyes close to the check: "Is this real?"
She didn't realize that her front and Mike's back were pressed tightly together, like a lover embracing from behind, wrapping their arms around his waist.
Please forgive Skye for being a country bumpkin; she had never seen a million-dollar check. After dropping out of school, Skye had been living on the streets, seeing too many people throw punches and pull knives for a hundred dollars, and two small gangs fight like dogs for ten thousand dollars.
Mike put the check away, pressed a finger against Skye's forehead, and pushed her away.
"Regardless of whether it's real or not, it's certainly not for you."
"Tsk!"
Skye suddenly remembered Old Earl saying that Mike's job was very dangerous. At the time, Skye didn't take it seriously, only thinking that Mike was a scumbag who was always in a love triangle.
"A million-dollar commission must be very dangerous," Skye began to worry about Mike.
Pepper said, "Since Mr. Tang has taken the money, can you tell us what you plan to do? It wouldn't violate any rules, would it?"
"You can."
Mike's gaze fell on Pepper's bodyguard. At this time, Happy hadn't gotten as fat as a ball yet; he was just relatively solid.
"Is there a problem?" Happy felt inexplicably puzzled.
"There is indeed a problem."
Mike's answer was unexpected. "If I remember correctly, this bodyguard…"
"Happy Hogan," Happy introduced himself.
"Is this Happy Mr. Stark's personal bodyguard and driver?"
"Yes!"
As Stark's personal bodyguard, Happy often appeared in public and had a high profile.
"Then why weren't you by Mr. Stark's side when he was attacked?"
Happy's face darkened, full of regret.
"Let me answer that for him," Pepper took over the question. "Tony told him to stay and protect me."
"You suspect me?" Happy asked.
"Why not?" Mike retorted.
"You can, as long as it helps find Mr. Stark," Happy wasn't annoyed.
Happy was more accurately described as a trusted friend of Stark rather than just his bodyguard, similar to Pepper's role as an assistant. If Happy wanted to harm Stark, there were at least a hundred better ways.
Mike didn't suspect Happy; he was just purely curious.
In the movie, Happy helped Stark take his luggage onto the plane but didn't appear in Afghanistan.
"The information I have is limited, only some immature ideas," Mike said.
"You dare to accept a million dollars without knowing anything…" Skye mumbled, her voice so low that only Mike heard her.
Mike turned and glared at her, then continued, "According to the news, when the convoy was attacked, was Mr. Stark in the lead vehicle?"
Normally, the protected target would be in the middle of the convoy, guarded from front and back.
Pepper said, "Tony switched vehicles at the last minute. He doesn't like… restrictions."
"Restrictions" was a very euphemistic word; it should actually be said that he acted on his own initiative.
Stark's current kidnapping had an element of his own recklessness.
"First, if the attackers' goal was to kill Stark, then why did they take Stark away? If not, why did they directly missile attack the vehicle Stark was in? So…"
"I lean towards the employer not telling the Terrorists that Stark was in the convoy; the Terrorists only discovered Stark after the attack and kidnapped him…"
"Wait," Happy interrupted, "there's no evidence that this attack had a mastermind behind it."
Mike motioned for Happy to calm down and asked, "Mr. Stark's route in Afghanistan was strictly confidential, right?"
"Yes," Happy nodded.
Mike continued to analyze:
"So someone leaked the convoy's whereabouts to the attackers, but the attackers didn't know Stark was in the convoy, which indicates that the mastermind and the implementers are most likely not the same group, but rather in an employer-employee relationship."
"Also, Mr. Stark has been kidnapped for so long, yet no one has contacted you to demand a ransom or other requests. Why?"
Pepper and Happy's expressions changed drastically.
Mike knew they were thinking the wrong thing and quickly said, "It's not what you think; Mr. Stark is definitely still alive."
The two looked at Mike hopefully.
Mike explained, "If Mr. Stark unfortunately died, given the nature of Terrorists, they would definitely use it as a 'battle achievement' to show off. Haven't you seen how whenever there's a major attack, a bunch of various large and small Terrorists claim responsibility… Moreover, even if you were to ransom Mr. Stark's body, I'm sure you would be willing to pay an astronomical sum. Mr. Stark is still alive; I'm certain of that."
It must be said that Mike's analysis made a lot of sense.
All this time, Pepper had only heard phrases like "uncertain," "unable to determine," "awaiting further news," "will not give up." Now, hearing Mike's certainty that Stark was still alive, even if it was just theoretical analysis, Pepper's emotions finally erupted. She covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.
Mike awkwardly said to Happy, "I usually don't make women cry."
Happy looked at Mike gratefully.
After Stark disappeared, Pepper's mental state was very poor, but she had been holding on. Releasing her pent-up emotions would be good for her.
Then Skye pinched Mike hard from behind.
Mike: (O_O)?
What did I do to upset you?
Skye thought, "What do you mean you don't make women cry? What about all those women who were wailing on the bed because of you? Scumbag! Scumbag! Scumbag!"
Ten seconds later, Pepper controlled her emotions. "I apologize for losing my composure. Please continue, Mr. Tang."
As expected of a strong woman who could control Stark Industries, she recovered so quickly.
Skye thoughtfully handed her a tissue.
"Thank you," Pepper didn't forget to express her gratitude.
Mike continued, "The attackers weren't without extortion; they discovered that the employer concealed information, so their first target for extortion wasn't you, but the employer."
"How many people have the ability to obtain Mr. Stark's whereabouts, the power and connections to hire Terrorists in the Middle East, and can benefit from Mr. Stark's Death?"
Mike counted on his fingers, "Within Stark Industries, business competitors, the Military… no more than ten. Then, eliminating a few based on the actual situation, it should be narrowed down to five, right?"
"Rhodey!"
"Obadiah!"
"Impossible." x2.
Both of them simultaneously denied their own guesses.
Rhodey was Stark's good friend and Stark Industries' Military liaison. What benefit would he gain from Stark's Death?
Moreover, Rhodey was in the convoy during the attack. If Stark died, Rhodey would surely be made a scapegoat and thrown out, then transferred to some unknown corner to do clerical or logistical work, with no bright future.
As for Obadiah… his relationship with Tony was like family.
Mike didn't say much, only quoting Sherlock Holmes: "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."
Pepper and Happy simultaneously fell silent.
"Finding the mastermind will naturally reveal the identity of the attackers, and perhaps even the direct location of Mr. Stark."
Mike said, "I need some preparation time, then I'll leave immediately. The domestic investigation can only be done by you. Uh, it's best to bring Coulson in."
Pepper said, "Tony's private jet can take off within an hour."
Pepper took out her checkbook, quickly wrote an amount with seven zeros, and said, "As long as you can rescue Tony, there's no limit to the budget."
Now, Pepper was full of confidence and expectation in Mike.
Mike didn't take the check. "I said a million dollars; no extra money. People should keep their word."
As he said this, Mike's heart was bleeding.
Happy was stunned for a moment. He had initially felt that Mike was quite fixated on money, but now he seemed to regard money as dirt?
Pepper left a tablet. Jarvis would put the collected intelligence on the tablet for Mike to access.
Time was pressing, so they split up.