Defense Attorney (First Update)

"They treat every issue in the field of public safety as their own territory, like misers guarding their wealth. Not out of responsibility, but in pursuit of the honor that follows such actions. Tony Stark manipulates stock prices through his own actions; whenever he flies across the skies of New York City, Stark Industries' stock rises slightly."

"Too extreme, too cynical, too subjective. The Securities and Exchange Commission could never connect those two things." Natasha Romanoff shook her head. Salomon leafed through the thick stack of documents on her desk while the female agent sat beside him with a fragrant cup of hot black tea in her hands. She wore an exceedingly dull gray fleece pajama set, even her slippers a plain gray, just like the decor of this apartment. If not for her graceful figure and vivid red hair, she would have been as monotonous as a blade of grass chewed up and spat out by a goat.

She had not called Salomon here over that little matter in Hell's Kitchen.

She toyed with a golden tie pin Salomon had given her, quietly waiting for his conclusion.

"So, in that case." Salomon flipped through the legal provisions, trying to find some inspiration. "Has the Avengers ever considered that, while their actions may achieve justice in their results, they disregard a great many laws in the process? They see themselves as the sword of justice and presume to pass judgment on others? If Hydra were the largest local corporation and provided jobs for many people, then who would compensate those rendered unemployed after Hydra was eliminated?"

"That excuse is perfectly reasonable, but as long as it is framed as purging Hydra, no one will object, much less defend Hydra. Claiming that a politician or businessman is Hydra is now the