Chapter 8
Tony and Pepper were at the compound again the weekend before they were scheduled to drop their son off at camp. Peter wasn’t there; he was spending the night at Ned’s, and the two boys were getting their lists made (again) of what they were going to take with them. Phones weren’t allowed to be with the kids, according to the camp’s official paperwork. Yes, each child could bring one up with them, but when the camp started, all phones and tablets were confiscated and locked up for the week. The kids were supposed to be having fun with each other and with the camp facility and the staff. Phones and other electronics (including hand held video games) were off limits to allow that to happen. If there was an emergency and a parent needed to be contacted, then the staff would contact them. It was a strict rule, and everyone had to follow it
Including Peter Stark and his best friend Ned.
The boys had studied the list of approved items so often that the papers were wrinkled and worn thin from constant handling.
Digital cameras (not attached to cell phones) had been purchased for the boys. They both had swimming trunks, of course, and Ned had a beach towel but Peter hadn’t needed one so Pepper had taken him shopping for one. Other than that, though, the list was the usual things one would need if they were going to be away from home for a week. Jeans, T-shirts, shorts (including a pair for swimming), a sweatshirt and a water-proof jacket. Tennis shoes and underwear and socks. Toiletries such as toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen, and shampoo and/or conditioner if wanted.
Peter had considered bringing his Avenger Lego characters but had worried about losing them and wasn’t planning on bringing them, deciding to leave them home in his safe with his other treasures. The teddy bear would stay home, as well, he decided, because he doubted that any of the other boys were going to bring stuffed animals, and he was well aware that since he was usually smaller than the other kids his age and he didn’t want to be called a baby.
“Are we ready?” Tony asked the others, pulling a chair out for Pepper, and then seating himself in the upholstered chair in the briefing room.
Romanoff had taken the lead in the conversation.
“We just received the list of the volunteers and the community service people. Person,” she corrected. “There’s only one. And he’s unusual, but he isn’t bringing up any red flags.”
“Unusual how?” Pepper asked.
“He’s a retired brain surgeon.”
“Really?” Tony asked, raising an eyebrow. “Not your typical con, then, huh? What is he doing community service for?”
“Reckless driving. He’s going to be the camp nurse.”
“Kind of a step down for a brain surgeon, I suppose,” Tony said. “Does he have a criminal record beyond that?”
He was the only one who was, technically, going to be at camp against their will, and Tony wanted to make sure that he wasn’t some kind of psycho.
“No. He had a nasty car accident a while ago that damaged his hands – which is presumably the reason he retired. We’re still trying to figure out what he does, now that he isn’t a brain surgeon, but we don’t see anything that makes us concerned that he isn’t what he appears to be. Barnes and our in op people are going to go join the staff tomorrow. He’ll have the best chance to get eyes on everyone – including the brain surgeon – so we’ll decide then if he stays or if he needs to find a better way to take care of his community service.”
Pepper looked over at Barnes, who was sitting beside Phil and a couple of the younger SHIELD agents. She already knew that these would be the men and women who were going to join the camp’s weekly staff in order to keep a close eye on Peter while he’s enjoying himself.
“Thank you.”
He gave her a tight smile.
“You’re welcome.”
“What else?” Nick asked.
“The staff hasn’t been told Peter is coming, yet. Only Doctor Brown and the camp director know, so far. Once they’re let in on things, we’re going to be monitoring their social media and all communications. They’re going to be told that we would prefer that Peter’s presence isn’t bandied about, and then we’re going to use Tony’s AI to enforce it.”
“Is that legal?” Pepper asked, curiously.
Natasha shrugged.
“They already sign on to a contract that keeps them from doing any streaming or videos while they’re at the camp – mainly to ensure the privacy of those people who might be coming to one of the family camps – it uses fairly broad verbiage, and we can always apologize later.”
Tony was all for that, and had already told Natasha he’d have JARVIS keep an eye on things. Not quite as easy as if Peter was at the compound, but far from impossible, since JARVIS had potential access to all satellites that would be needed to upload those unwanted videos or social media posts.
“We’re ready for that,” he assured them all. Mainly Pepper.
“The staff is supposed to arrive at camp a day before the kid. That lets them get things set up for whatever is needed. Some of them live there all summer, the doctor, the camp director and the horse wranglers, specifically. We already have Barnes as Peter’s counselor, Phil working with the maintenance crew – since they have access to the entire place at any time.”
Coulson nodded.
“Katie is going to be a lifeguard,” Romanoff said, gesturing to the only female on the detail. “And Ray will be housekeeping.”
The young man nodded, too.
Tony didn’t know the last two, which meant that Peter most likely didn’t know them, either. Which was fine. He was supposed to be having fun, not worrying about who was watching him. He’d know Phil – and had already been told that the agent would be at camp keeping an eye on things – and of course he and Ned both knew Barnes and were looking forward to having him be their counselor.
“Kids start arriving the day after. Sunday morning.” She looked at Tony. “You guys aren’t taking Ned?”
“No. Eric and Linda are bringing him. The others boys want to take a look at the place since they’re going to be there the week after, so they’re all going, together. We’ll take Peter up and plan to arrive a little early, just so we can get him settled without making any more of a fuss than we can.”
And to avoid creating a buzz by being there when the other campers and their parents arrived. Tony liked being a sensation but not as much as he used to – and definitely not when Peter was involved.
“I’ll come meet you,” Barnes told him. “So I can make sure you know any last minute concerns.”
“And to make sure Peter gets a chance to find his way around the place,” Natasha added. “We’re not going to have him wander off in the woods and get lost.”
She pointedly looked at Barnes with an or else expression, but the Winter Soldier wasn’t concerned.
“Peter has his watch,” Tony told them. “He won’t get lost.”
The watch was the boy’s way to connect with JARVIS or Tony if needed and it also carried a tracker – even though Peter didn’t know that.
“And we won’t let him wander off,” Coulson assured him and Pepper both.
“Thank you.”
“Steve and I will be in the area,” Romanoff added. “But not at the camp to avoid causing a distraction. If anything comes up, route it through us.”
There were assorted nods, and she looked at everyone.
“Anything we’re missing?”
She was sure they had everything covered. This was definitely a new kind of assignment for all of them, but they were very good at what they did.
No one spoke up.
“Well, this will be interesting, won’t it?” Nick told them all.
“But fun,” the lifeguard to be added.
She was going to spend a week soaking up the sun and working on her tan while the others had to clean toilets and dig holes, after all.
“Hopefully.”