The Best Opportunity

"That alone isn't enough to prove that those devices contain Stark Studios ' technical documents," Nick Fury said, still puzzled.

Owen Davis explained, "But since the equipment includes cameras and other devices, it can't be said that there's absolutely no connection. And behind this matter, it's not just a simple case of Stark versus Sony."

The notion of a US-Japan confrontation is quite popular among certain groups. Sony not only can't find any allies, it's also looking for lobbyists.

They couldn't even make peace with the Stark.

"The Old Money is waiting for Sony to slip up. Once the opportunity arises, they won't swarm in like hyenas. In this situation, even if the evidence isn't entirely conclusive, it won't prevent the judge from issuing a ruling in Stark's favor."

Nick Fury remarked sarcastically, "So, Sony's biggest chance is to portray themselves as victims and obscure the truth about the industrial espionage. They didn't send anyone to convince you to refute the claim that the items were lost."

"Of course there is, how could there not be? They have a brilliant plan: as long as they can get the equipment into their hands, they can label it as a terrorist act by Henry Brown, and then there will be no question of commercial espionage."

"You didn't agree? Are you afraid of being implicated? Let me think... Compared to the charge of abuse of power, the punishment for negligence in safekeeping is lighter. Is that right?" Shaking his head, Owen Davis said righteously, "What If...? innocent civilians were injured or killed in today's bombing, regardless of justice and fairness, even if we have to bear legal responsibility, we will still put the terrorists in prison."

"But today's explosion is just a game of power between the rich. The dead, while innocent, aren't entirely innocent. I can say with certainty that none of my men wanted to die with Sony."

"Since I've already signed a acknowledgment of the lost items and accepted the administrative penalty, this matter is no longer our concern. At most, they'll launch an internal investigation and review the negligence. As for who mastermind behind the explosion, does anyone really care now?"

Even if an investigation into the bombing were to be launched, Owen Davis was prepared to find a few petty thieves to confess to stealing from the FBI's vault.

He had no intention of ruining his career or even going to jail for the sake of Sony and the greed of his unruly subordinates.

Nick Fury was also helpless. "Indeed. Once Stark Studios ' lawyers took over, the only thing the public cared about was how much money Sony would have to pay."

"Yes," Owen Davis said with a sigh, then added firmly, "That's all they can care about!" He then downed his whiskey in one gulp.

He took a banknote and placed it under the glass. Owen Davis stood up and said, "I'm leaving. I have a lot of paperwork to do and a self-criticism to write."

"Damn it, in the army I could delegate these things to the clerks. Why do I have to do it myself here? Nobody can help me." Nick Fury, without turning his head or looking away, simply raised his glass in a perfunctory manner and said, "Think of it this way: those subordinates who follow your orders can drive you crazy. Would you still dare to completely hand over the paperwork to them?"

"Fuck!" Owen Davis cursed, turned and walked away, leaving only the words, "See you later."

Nick Fury didn't respond to his old comrade-in-arms anymore, but sat quietly, drinking his favorite bourbon.

A moment later, another man in a black suit sat down in Owen Davis's original seat. He was a young man with a square face, wide ears, thinning hair, and a shiny forehead. "Sir."

"Just call me Nick Fury, Coulson."

"Yes, sir." The young man, who had just sat down, ordered a whiskey from the bartender. Maintaining the same impassive demeanor, he said, "Director Davis has already left."

"I know, and I'm not worried about him. I just wanted to have a drink with you today," Nick Fury said, swirling his glass to the side as if they were clinking glasses.

"Thank you, sir."

You seem to have a lot of questions you want to ask. Go ahead and ask.

Phil Coulson, taking a sip of his drink, asked, "Was the Sony Building case really Skrulls trap to frame Henry Brown?"

"It's possible, just a possibility. After all, considering the timing, the Skrulls certainly had the opportunity. But what about your intuition? Who do you think did this?" Nick Fury examined the newcomer before him.

Phil Coulson thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I can roughly guess the Skrulls ' behavior patterns. They're like infiltrator spies, utilizing everything and every connection they can. But I don't know Henry Brown well."

"That's very prudent, a very smart approach. That's what I admire about you. You have your own ideas, instead of being a mindless follower."

"Sir, do you think disobeying orders is a good thing?"

"No, of course not. People who only know how to obey orders are better suited for the military. Our unit needs more flexible personnel to prevent what happened before from happening again."

This undisguised praise made Phil Coulson, a young man who had only recently left the Army, feel embarrassed. He quickly changed the subject. "Sir, so who do you think is the mastermind behind this case?"

"Henry Brown," Nick Fury answered without hesitation.

"Wasn't he always being framed by the Skrulls? Although we don't know why."

Nick Fury analyzed. "There are many mysteries surrounding Henry Brown, such as his experiences before the age of twenty, which are basically as if they did not exist."

"A qualified spy, even if he doesn't create a perfect story, will at least fill in some details to prove that the identity he's pretending to have exists."

"Someone like Henry Brown is a complete failure. Of course, we know why today. It's because he's not even a human being."

"His intelligence played a large part in gaining Tony Stark's trust. However, he's not like the nerds I've seen; he's very shrewd."

"Such a shrewd person didn't rely on the advantage of a legal team to take a big bite out of the FBI's mistake. Instead, he hastily signed the agreement, took the compensation, and then Sony exploded."

"Would you believe me if I said he didn't do it? The only thing I can't figure out is how he detonated the bomb. That's the key to whether he's connected to this."

Phil Coulson exclaimed in shock, "But—that's not what you just said to Director Davis!"

"Because he doesn't need that explanation; nobody wants to get Henry Brown. Otherwise, wouldn't he think of the most likely suspect? You don't think the person who was promoted to assistant director of the regional office is a fool who lacks even basic judgment, do you?"

"No, sir, that's not what I meant." Phil Coulson for a moment, then said, "So, can we conclude that Henry Brown is a dangerous individual?"

Nick Fury shook his head. "Does he need to be watched? Of course. Is he in danger? Not necessarily. After all, he found the perfect opening to retaliate. And he's just retaliating."

Even if he harmed innocent people?

"Are thieves innocent?" Nick Fury retorted.

Phil Coulson tilted his head and thought for a moment, then muttered, "Hmm, it doesn't seem so innocent after all."