Tony ignored Yang Ming.
He stared hard into Steve's eyes.
"You knew all along," Tony said, his voice hoarse.
Steve opened his mouth. His Adam's apple bobbed twice.
"Yes," Steve answered.
Tony stood up, gripping the edge of the console with his left hand, veins bulging on its back.
"You knew all along that he killed my mom."
"Tony." Steve took a small step forward. "That file contained misleading information planted by Hydra."
"Answer me." Tony raised his voice.
Steve looked down at the crutch by his feet.
"I knew he was the killer."
Tony raised his right leg.
He sent the metal folding chair in front of him flying with a kick. It struck the load-bearing wall and crumpled, coming apart as metal tubes clattered onto the floor.
"He killed my mom!" Tony roared.
The backup power in his battered armor converged on his chest.
The Palm Cannon flared with white light. The beam aimed straight at Steve's chest.
Less than three meters separated them.
Steve looked at that white light.
He neither reached for the Vibranium Shield hanging on his back nor turned aside to dodge.
He closed his eyes. Blood from his thigh dripped down his trouser leg onto the floor.
"Bucky was controlled by Hydra," Steve said quickly. "They brainwashed him. Wiped his memories. He had no idea who he was killing. He wasn't in his right mind."
"I don't care whether he was in his right mind." Tony's arm didn't waver. "All I know is that bastard killed my mom. And you chose to keep it from me for him."
The Palm Cannon hummed, fully charged. Its light illuminated Tony's bloodshot eyes, the white glow already at its limit.
Steve stood three meters away, his chest washed white by the light. He neither raised his