United Chapter 73

“What the FUCK did you just say?”
Eidra was taken aback by Fury's reaction. She put her hands on the back of one of the chairs in front of his desk.
Thor frowned, his answer tinged with irritation, “I said we cannot find my brother. We wished to know if he was here on Midgard.”
Eidra felt the babies tumble. She inched forward, Jane's hand on her shoulder as she made her way to the seat of the chair.
“Y'all might want to sit down.”
Jane took a seat beside Eidra who had begun to tremble but Thor remained standing.
“I thought you were here because of your daughter.” Fury came around from behind the desk to stand in front of them.
“No,” Eidra saw Fury's face fall, “We were hoping she might know where her father is.”
“May we call her?” Jane added.
Fury eyed Thor and crossed his arms, “Eidra, your daughter is missing.”
Eidra felt the world start to spin on its axis, heard a shout and was plunged into darkness....

...she coughed, waved her hand before her face, touching something tiny, then another hand. She opened her eyes, looking about to see faces peering down. Two agents, one whom she recognized, “Lily?” Thor and Jane, Fury.
Lily was holding a small bottle in her hand, “Sorry about that, smelling salts are nasty. Are you feeling better?”
Eidra could only shake her head as she began to cry, a hand to her mouth, “Where are Brenna and Loki? Are they together?”
Fury squatted before her chair, “That's just it, we don't know. Brenna took off about five days ago without a trace. We thought she might have gone back home but we didn't exactly have a number we could call you at if you get me.”
“Five days?!” Thor shouted, “And no one has found her yet?”
Fury stood up, “No and we're doing everything we can to find her. Maybe you should ask your brother where she is.”
Thor bared his teeth, Mjolnir shook in his grasp, “Do not insult me with such base sarcasm.”
Fury ignored Thor, turned again to Eidra, “Listen this is very important. Did you and your husband have any big arguments recently? Anything that would make him up and leave, come get Brenna and just waltz off?”
“I do not ken...” Eidra felt the dizziness returning.
Jane patted her hand, “I think he wants to know if you guys weren't getting along.”
Eidra tried to smile but it came out a grimace, “We have our quarrels as any couple but we are dedicated to one another. He is my heart,” She looked to Thor, “And I his.”
“Hey I had to ask. So the question here is are these disappearances coincidental or are they connected in some way.”
“What has been done to find Brenna?” Thor was on edge, starting to pace in the confines of the small office.
“Stark has been spearheading the media effort to locate her. You can't turn on one wireless device, phone, tablet, desktop computer without seeing Brenna's face. She's made national news, I watched Good Morning America today and they were talking about her. Stark has paid for countless commercial spots, ads in periodicals like People, Newsweek, Time. Newspapers across the country have full page missing posters in them. Hell he's even gotten her face on milk cartons. If she's out there, she's doing a damn good job of hiding and so is your husband.”
Eidra looked up at Thor who was starting for the door, “I am going to the school to speak with the headmistress there.”
Fury gestured toward the door, “Be my guest. I don't think you're gonna find out anything more than what we already know.”
Thor leaned over to Eidra, “We will find them.”
“Thor, they have both been missing for about the same amount of time.” Fury said, “This is more than a case of missing persons. I got a bad feeling.”
Thor held his reply though he nodded, then he put his hand on Eidra's chair, “I will return.”

Martin descended the stairs to the tarmac at JFK airport, stiff from the long flight. He'd watched out the window as they flew over New York, the morning mist off the Hudson softening the sharp angles and dark hues of the city. He'd seen Stark tower, sunlight glinting off the huge letters like a beacon. That was his destination. To hell with finding a hotel, he'd sleep on a park bench if he had to. He was going to fetch a cab and come what may, he was going to be standing before Mister Stark before the day was done.

He pulled his suitcase from the conveyor belt, then making his way through the vast terminal, following the stream of people to a line of yellow taxis waiting outside the doors. He grabbed the door handle of the nearest one, sitting down with his suitcase between his knees, “Stark Tower in New York please.”
“Hokay,” The driver picked up his two way radio, “JFK to Stark Tower,”
Martin sat back in the seat, watching the traffic. He patted his jacket, heard the crinkle of the letter in his interior pocket and lay his head back to rest. Soon it would all be over.

Brian came bursting through the library doors, startling Chase and the librarian. He skidded to a halt beside the table Chase was sitting at, his laptop before him and bent over gasping for breath.
“Jesus, Bri, what the hell?”
Brian held a hand up, “Hold on dude, havin' a heart attack.” he took a deep breath, “Bren's uncle is here.”
Chase shoved away from the table, “Thor? Did he say anything about Brenna?”
“I didn't talk to him, man. I just saw him.” Brian pulled at Chase's arm, “C'mon he's in Miss Munro's office. I bet they gonna wanna talk to you.”

Chase and Brian stood outside the door to Miss Munro's office, listening to the voices within though they were faint.
“Damn, wish he'd speak up. You'd think a guy like that have a big mouth.” Brian whispered.
Chase nodded, “Now shut up, I'm trying to hear them.”

“Both of them are missing?” Ororo had come around from behind her desk to stand before Thor, “Do you think they're together?”
Thor hefted the hammer into his palm, feeling its weight, “We do not know. I wished to speak with you. Ask if you had any knowledge that might be useful in finding them.'
“I know as much as you do, wait, actually less. I didn't know about her father.”

Chase turned to Brian, mouth open.
“They both gone?” Brian squeaked before Chase covered his mouth with his hand
“Geez, you're gonna get us busted, be quiet.” Chase hissed.

“They have both been missing roughly the same amount of time. It stands to reason their disappearances may be connected.”
Ororo picked up her phone, “Excuse me, I want Logan and Kurt in on this. Do you mind?”
Thor nodded at her, “Be my guest, if they have anything to offer, I wish to hear it.”

Brian yanked at Chase's sleeve, “Let's duck into the Staff lounge next door. I don't want Logan catching us creeping. Maybe we be able to hear them better in there.”
Chase cracked open the lounge door and peeked in, “Come on, it's empty.”
They slipped inside, leaning their ears against the wall bordering Miss Munro's office, waiting.

Mercifully Martin had remembered to exchange money at Heathrow before he'd boarded. He handed the bills to the taxi driver, thanked him and stepped out onto the sidewalk. He craned his neck upward but the words STARK were indistinguishable against the side of the building. Once more on habit, he touched his jacket where the letter sat safe and pushed through the revolving door before him.

The lobby was spartan. There were four plush gray chairs surrounding an immense round black marble table as one walked inside. In the middle of the table sat a crystal vase filled with  white lilies. Beyond the waiting area, across the expanse of polished gray marble flooring, sat the receptionist's desk. It looked to be made of the same black marble as the table. Behind it sat a beautiful blond woman, dressed in a smart blue suit dress. The spare decorating, the muted colors, he was sure were deliberate if only to draw attention to the five foot letters spelling “STARK INDUSTRIES” in red neon on the wall behind the woman.
He removed his fedora and held it in his hand as he approached the desk. The woman looked up at him, smiling, “May I help you?”
“I believe you may.” Martin fidgeted with the brim of his hat, “I need to speak with Mister Stark.”
The blond looked down at the tablet before her, ran her finger down it and tapped, “Do you have an appointment? I have nothing listed for today.”
“Ah no, I haven't but I've flown a long way to see him.”
The woman smiled wide, “I'm sorry but I'm afraid you'll have to make an appointment to see him. He has strict rules, no unannounced visitors.” She returned her attention to the tablet for a moment  and then produced a business card which she handed to Martin.
“If you'll call the number on the back and state your reason for the meeting, we'll be happy to set you up but I must warn you, Mister Stark is very busy at this time. You may not get in to see him for at least a month.”
In the polished marble reflection of the desk, he could see the red neon letters glaring back up at him. He stuck the card in his suit jacket and leaned over onto the desk, his hands on either side of hers. “It's imperative that I speak with him.”
She sat back in her seat, dropping her hands into her lap where he was sure there would be a panic button. “I'm sorry sir.”
He had no idea whom he could trust. Unfortunately she was going to force his hand, “If you are able to call him, I suggest you do so. I'm here about the missing girl.”
Her face relaxed as she sat forward again, “You and everyone else. You do know about the large reward Mister Stark is offering, don't you?”
“Yes, it means nothing to me.”
The woman tapped her finger on the tablet, “Sir, unless you have hard evidence, I would suggest you vacate the premises before I'm forced to call security.”
Martin reached into his interior pocket and produced a letter, “Indeed I do.”
She made to reach for it but he held it to his chest, “I will give it to Mister Stark if you please.”
The woman paused, then tapped the tablet, “Security?”
Martin took his gold spectacles from his head and wiped his brow with his free hand, “Listen, please could you tell Mister Stark? Tell him I have a letter addressed to Brenna's mother.”
Two overlarge men in blue security uniforms seemed to appear out of nowhere to flank him.
The receptionist sighed then, “Where did you say you traveled from?”
“Great Britain.” He felt the security guards move closer. “Please?”
The woman tapped the tablet, “Mister Stark?”
“Yes?” The voice filled the reception area, “What is it?”
“There's a gentleman here to see you. He says he came all the way from England.”
“I don't recall having any appointments this morning, sorry, tell him to make an appointment.”
The receptionist rolled her eyes, “I did that, sir. He says he knows where the missing girl is.”
There was a pause, “Sure he does, tell him to make an..”
Martin had finally had enough mincing and he spoke up, “I have a letter addressed to her mother. Her name is Eidra.”
He heard a smooth voice in the background though he couldn't make out the words then Mister Stark spoke again, “And your name is?”
“Martin Rutledge.”
Another short silence as everyone waited, “Shelby, will you send Mister Rutledge up to the penthouse with an escort please?”


The doors of the elevator slid open and Martin stepped out into a large room with sweeping views of Manhattan through large glass windows. A beautiful woman with honey blond hair who reminded him painfully of Anna, stepped up to him with a smile. She was dressed plainly in a T-shirt and jeans. “Pardon my lack of decorum, we weren't expecting anyone today, I'm Miss Potts, Mister Stark's personal assistant. Won't you come in and have a seat?”
She gestured to a long leather couch beside a massive stone fireplace and as he stepped down into the sitting area, he heard Miss Potts dismiss the guard, “Thank you Toby, we'll be fine here.”
As the elevator doors slid shut behind the guard, a man Martin knew from the television to be Mister Stark. He walked to the edge of the sitting room and stood there.
“You say your name is Martin Rutledge. You know what that means to me? Squat. What does matter is the answer to the sixty-four thousand dollar question. How do you know Brenna's mother's name? Do you have a child at the school?”
“What school? Oh, you mean the mutant academy, oh my no, you see I have a vested interest in helping you find Brenna.”
Tony stepped down into the sitting area and stood before him, “By vested you mean money?”
Martin shook his head, willing the tears to hold their place, “No, I mean the life of someone I hold dear.”
He took the letter from his pocket and handed it with a bit of hesitation  to Mister Stark who unfolded it and began to read as Martin talked.
“You see, David is a very persuasive man with important connections. He took my Anna, kidnapped her.”
“Who?” Pepper interjected.
“My companion. She's all I have. It's just her and I at home. He took her because he knew where I was truly from.”
Stark's eyes flitted to him, “England?”
Martin smiled, “Alfheim, so David forced me to travel to Asgard. He told me to deliver the letter to Brenna's mother so she would come here to Earth therefore drawing Brenna away from the school.”
“And who is David?” Pepper peered over Stark's shoulder.
“His full name is David Wells. How he even knew who Brenna was is beyond me.” Martin shrugged.
“His son's name is Chase. Chase is a student at the school and is seeing Brenna. The question is what endeavor is David talking about?”
Martin frowned, thinking, then put his hand up, “David said something about curing mental illness. What has that to do with the girl?”
Stark folded the letter but didn't return it to Martin, “Brenna has special abilities, David could use them to his advantage. Jarvis, I want a car in five.”
The room resounded with a disembodied voice, “Yes sir.”
Stark gestured for Martin to stand up and follow him, “Continue your story, Pepper I want you to ride with Mister Rutledge here to the office. I'll tell Fury we're on our way.”
“Well,” Martin began again, “I had no choice. I did as I was told. Only when I found where she lived, I didn't encounter her, instead, I was met by Loki.”
Stark stopped on his way to the balcony door, “So you're saying Loki got the letter instead?”
“Yes, and he said he was coming here to get Brenna. I can only surmise the worst if she is still missing.”
“Mystery solved.” Tony muttered as he opened the glass doors, “I'll meet you there.”
Martin watched in awe as Tony started to walk into the suit until by the end of the balcony, he was..
“Ironman.” Martin gasped, “As I live and breathe.”
“Come this way, Mister Rutledge,”
He felt Miss Pott's hand on his elbow and followed her into the elevator, terrified and at the same time almost giddy, light. His deed had been a heavy weight on his heart and now he was setting things right. He grinned at Miss Potts as the elevator door closed before them.

They had been talking or rather she had been talking and he had been answering when the TV went blank yet again and she screeched in frustation. “Damn you!” She walked over and slammed the top of the TV with her palm, then hearing footsteps in the corridor and her anger began to boil over. The door swung open and David walked in with a nervous looking young man, skinny, shivering. David had his arm around the boy's shoulders, “This is one of our young patients. He's a low functioning autistic. He's been with us about two years. His name is Cory.”
David closed the door behind him, “Cory is your next attempt.”
“No!” Brenna crossed her arms, “I refuse to pander to you until you turn on the TV again.”
David pushed Cory to one of the chairs at the table, “You'll pander to me or you won't see your father at all.” He bent down beside the TV, pulling the plug from the wall as Brenna gasped, rushing at him. He caught her wrists, surprised at her strength when it took all he had to shove her onto her bed.
“I am beginning to think Chase was feeding me a line of bullshit. This had better work.”
“Chase does not know what a monster his father is. How cruel can you be? When we are found, you will have no career to speak of!”
The young boy had started to cry. She felt sorry for him but right at this moment, she couldn't stop. Being cooped up here in this room alone, talking to her father when David willed it. Watching him grow sick and weak from the treatment he was receiving. She'd had enough.
David's face had turned crimson. He lifted the young boy by the arm, receiving a yelp for his effort, opened the door and shoved him out into the corridor where Leroy stood. He then turned, grabbing the TV and wheeling it out of the room on its cart.
“NOOO! Please do not do this, I will try, I promise. I need to speak to him. I need to speak to my Papa!!” She banged her fists on the door, reaching it as it slid shut muffling her screams.

David strode up the corridor with Cory before him. Leroy pushed the TV.  “It's only gonna make her angrier.”
“Good,” David spat, “She can wail and gnash her teeth all she wishes. I've got to make some phone calls. I want extra guards on. Get Leon back here.”
“Mister Wells, we had a deal. My brother stays out of it.” Leroy stopped wheeling the TV, stood up.
“Your brother is a tough guard and we need more of them. Leave him at his normal post out by the waiting area if you're worried.”
“I don't like it.”
David turned to him, “I don't care what you like. I'm paying you twice what you would make in a year. You don't have to like it, you just have to do what I say.”
David opened the door at the end of the corridor for Leroy to roll the TV out, “Make the calls.”
“Yes sir.”

In her room, Brenna sat on the floor in the space where the TV had been. She was trying to slow her breathing down, trying not to panic as she wrapped her arms about herself. As she started to rock gently, she could only wonder now, “Papa, where are you?”