Agent Blake's body was placed in a black body bag as the medical staff slowly pulled the zipper shut. As they carried it away, Ward offered Melinda, whose face was icy cold, a consoling remark. "No one could have predicted this. Still, you were lucky to survive an encounter with that kind of monster."
"But Blake died. I don't consider that lucky." Melinda gritted her teeth and turned to leave. She was consumed with guilt. The moment they had entered that sanatorium, she had begun to feel unwell. If she had realized sooner that it was because Ghost Rider was approaching, perhaps all of this could have been avoided. And when Ghost Rider had seized Agent Blake, if she had reacted faster instead of hesitating over whether to reveal her powers, she might have been able to save him.
But no matter what, it had already happened. It was too late to think about any of that now. However, someone still had to pay the price!
Melinda arrived at the conference room. Victoria Hand had also rushed over and was discussing with Coulson and the others whether they should continue the operation to capture Clairvoyant.
"This was just an accident, and I heard that accident has already been dealt with. Ghost Rider has temporarily lost the ability to act." The moment Melinda entered, she heard John Garrett's loud voice. He seemed more anxious than anyone else to capture Clairvoyant.
That was only natural. John Garrett had spent who knew how long laying the groundwork for today, carrying out who knew how many schemes. He had even put himself in danger and personally staged a bitter ruse. If Ghost Rider, who had suddenly barged in, ruined everything and made the plan impossible to continue, who was he supposed to cry to?