Honestly, Ivan was a little surprised. Was Edgar planning to make a move on him?
Then Edgar added, "You're Vought's vice president after all. More face time in front of the cameras isn't a bad thing. But I should warn you: there might be a few surprises at the hearing the day after tomorrow. Don't tense up. I've already arranged everything. You'll be fine."
The killing intent that had started building in Ivan's eyes faded. A mild smile settled back on his face. "Understood, Mr. Edgar. I'll follow your lead. Do I need to prepare anything? A statement, some documents?"
Edgar waved a hand. "Your competence isn't in question. Handle it however you see fit."
"I only called you in to give you the heads-up. If there's nothing else, you can go."
"Of course, Mr. Edgar. Have a pleasant evening."
After leaving the CEO's office, Ivan frowned slightly. If Edgar was willing to tip him off about trouble at the hearing, that meant the old man didn't want him dead. So the real goal of putting him in that seat was probably to let Victoria's power put the fear of God into him. A warning shot.
No wonder the bastard had that Colonel Sanders face. Schemes from the top of his head to the soles of his shoes.
Evening arrived.
Ivan was packing up to leave when he suddenly caught an unfamiliar brainwave.
It didn't belong to anyone in The Seven. Lamplighter? Ivan guessed Hughie had seen Vought's latest announcement and dragged the old flame here to break Starlight out. In the original timeline Lamplighter hadn't come to save anyone. He'd come to set himself on fire and end the guilt.
Walking straight into the net.
Right now Ivan was weighing the numbers. Killing Lamplighter would barely change the plot and probably net almost no Fantasy Points. Saving him and putting him to work would pay a lot better. And that waste of space A-Train was long overdue for a demotion.
At the same time—
Lamplighter led Hughie down a side alley near Vought Tower. He'd sneaked admirers in often enough back in the day that he still knew the layout cold.
He listed the most likely places they might be holding Starlight while he pried open an unmarked ventilation grate. They followed the passage until they stopped in front of an elevator.
"If Vought hasn't scrubbed my clearance, this lift should still take us into the core floors."
He pressed his hand to the panel. A few seconds later the light turned green.
"Looks like the system still remembers me."
They stepped in and rode all the way to the ninety-ninth floor.
"Whoa, whoa, why the hell are we up here? Starlight's the priority right now."
Hughie watched Lamplighter walk into the conference room, completely lost.
"They moved my statue." Lamplighter stared at the lineup of The Seven's statues with a hollow look.
He was about to do something when a new voice cut in.
"If you'd like, your statue can stand here again." Ivan turned slowly from the floor-to-ceiling windows and faced them.
The black suit and the quiet weight of someone used to being in charge made Lamplighter almost mistake him for Edgar for a second.
"You're… Vought's new vice president. Mr Greevs?"
"Ivan Greevs, actually. Pleasure you already know the name, Monsieur Lamplighter. And this is…?" Ivan's eyes moved between the two of them.
"I—I'm just a new janitor at Vought. Wrong room. Really sorry."
Hughie bolted out of the conference room, silently thanking whatever god was listening that he hadn't been recognized. In reality Ivan had seen straight through him and simply chosen not to say it.
"Sit down. No need to be so tense. You used to be one of The Seven. This place should feel like home."
"Yes, Mr. Greevs." Lamplighter pulled out his lighter, ready to set himself on fire right in front of Ivan.
"Lamplighter… a veteran hero who walked away from The Seven at the peak of his fame."
Ivan walked over with steady steps and stopped in front of him. "I'm curious about the reason."
"You'd better stay back." Lamplighter's voice was tight. He didn't want his suicide taking Ivan with him.
"Tell me. Maybe I can help."
"No one can help me but myself!" Lamplighter flicked the lighter open and backed away several steps at the same time.
Ivan's expression cooled. "What's this? Planning to attack me?"
"Don't get the wrong idea. I just want you away from me." He sparked the lighter and triggered his power.
One second… two… several more. Nothing happened.
What the hell? Lamplighter stared down at the lighter in confusion. The cotton wick had been severed clean at the root by something. Billy and the others? Impossible. He'd checked it before coming.
"Lamplighter, I seem to recall your father still lives in Texas. Have you thought about how he'll feel if you suddenly kill yourself?"
"How do you know that?" Lamplighter looked at him like he'd seen a ghost.
"Doesn't matter. Vought needs you back. I think you could take A-Train's seat."
Ivan patted his shoulder and gently steered him toward A-Train's chair.
"I left Vought for a reason. I'm not coming back." Lamplighter's face was set for death.
"You don't have to say it. I already know what happened. Captain Mallory's grandson died in a fire. That was big news back then. No hard proof it was you, but everyone with eyes knew."
"You think suicide will wash it clean? Bad idea. God won't forgive you. But I can help you atone. Set up something like a children's protection foundation. Donate every paycheck. Help kids who are homeless or dying of disease. That's worth a lot more than burning yourself alive, non?"
Ivan knew exactly where the soft spot was. Threats were useless against a man who already didn't care if he lived or died.
"Pretty words. Don't think I don't know how Vought works. That so-called foundation would just turn into another tool in your hands—another way to test Compound V on people. You want me to help you do more of that shit? Fuck that! I've had enough!"
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Read 12 Advance Chapters—P@t- Captain69