"Is killing legal?"
"No."
"Then is the death penalty legal?"
"Uh, that's legal."
"The death penalty means killing bad people. Killing is illegal, but if I kill bad people, wouldn't that be legal too?"
"Uh... give me a moment."
Across from him, General Ross fell into thought. Why did that sound so awkward?
John took out several blueprints. "We've designed three versions of the Weapon Box, one each for land, sea, and air."
General Ross set aside that convoluted question of legality for the moment and picked up the three weapon blueprints to examine them.
"Sometimes I really wonder whether you've kidnapped Tony Stark." General Ross was very pleased with the Weapon Box designs. He took a puff of his cigar and said, "Stop beating around the bush. Tell me what you want."
"My father worked hard to build up a business in New York, and now someone wants to use it to threaten me." John smiled. "I'm very unhappy about that."
"District Attorney Reyes seems to have some misunderstandings about Taran Industries," John said. "I'd like someone to deal with her."
Hearing that John wanted him to go after a district attorney, General Ross took a deep drag on his cigar, his gaze turning cold. "Why would you think our business dealings would make me help you go after a district attorney?"
He liked clever businessmen, not people who thought they were clever.
He told John, "I can pay to buy those things. I'm not here to shield you."
"Of course I know that." Meeting his icy gaze, John remained composed. "But there's something else between us besides our business arrangement."
"I don't remember any..."
"You said you wanted to catch a beast?" John continued on his own. "Huge, fast, strong, and probably bulletproof too?"
General Ross paused. "Yes."