Search for the Cause
“So you don’t know what happened either?” Rhodey asks with a sigh before rubbing a hand over his face before returning his attention back to the video call. “Come on princess, it has been weeks and you are one of the smartest person in the world. You also have access to your tech over there.”
“I get the frustration but nothing shows what set him off. All of Wakanda is mourning the loss. I do not know what made him leave.” Shuri frowns. “Surely it was something on your end to be the cause.”
“No. Tony left enough innovations to keep SI happy while on his long vacation, and I have been looking after the bots. The AIs are not telling me anything, nor is any protocol in place, so it had to have happened there where their abilities are limited.”
“And just what are you accusing us of?” Her eyes narrow, but Rhodey isn’t one to be kowtowed.
“I’m not accusing you or your people of anything. I am telling you whatever it is stems from something not connected to here.”
The princess seems to ponder the words over, but eventually seems to relax. “So it has nothing to do with his company or his family there, and he was beloved here…………..could it then have something to do with Rogers and his team?”
That catches his attention and makes his sit up straight. “It is not a secret that he was heading to Wakanda, but do you think they are capable of communicating with him there? I doubt they could have snuck in.”
“They could have called or messaged him, as he did have access to his own devices, but I believe JARVIS would know about that.”
“Unless they snuck a device onto the jet. Something less technologically evolved.”
“Yes Colonel. I will see if there is footage of him on the jet. I feel bad for invading his privacy, but I will also look for footage of calls or messages that might have upset him.”
“Thank you, Princess. I’ll see if I can find things out on my end.” Rhodey ends the call before pulling dialing up a number he only had for times like this.
“Hello?”
“Did anyone try to reach out to Tony? Maybe say something to upset him.”
There was a pause as they mull it over, probably going over the past month or so, which was they only reason Rhodey wasn’t getting mad. The eidetic memory on top of their training was handy in times like this. “I have not seen anything suspicious, not after the last time they tried. But it is possible I missed something when I go out for therapy. I will look into it.”
“Thanks. I owe you one.”
“No you don’t. Tony deserves happiness.”
Rhodey smiles at that. “That he does, Sergeant Barnes.”