Norman Osborn

Karla couldn't help it and caughed when he let her go, and stumbled to hold herself on the chair. "Very clear, Sir. " she replied keeping her head down. A hand was protectively on the area where the stone was. That was very clear that this was directed at this. She had her other hand on her throat, massaging it gently.

Osborn took a miniscule step back just so he could observe her. "Good. Make sure your team is cleared and remind them of what I told you. Use whatever means you need to when you're clearing them. I don't want any stone left unturned."

She should have seen that coming. She felt the pressure on her throat and fought the urge to use her powers, fought the urge to panic. " I - understand" she articulated. She was trying to grasp for air as she felt the hand tighten. "I hav-n't ....s....aid...any...thing ...I...s...w...ear " she added in a strangled voice.

Norman kept squeezing, enjoying watching how she struggled to breath. "You better not have," he hissed just before he let her go, "If I find out you have betrayed me in any way, I will ensure that your last moments on this Earth will be slow and painful. Do I make myself clear?"

"That he despises the actions of our Zemo. " she replied , knowing just how careful she needed to pour information here. "Why are you so interested?" she tried to gain back control over the information by diverting the conversation on him and not on her.

He remained still for a moment. Not a single part of him moved until like lightning he reached out and grabbed her by the throat. His grip instantly tightened as he dragged her to her feet. "Do not test me, Karla. When I ask you a question, I expect an honest and complete answer. Do you understand me?"

Karla looked up at him, her eyes into Osborn's . This was a dangerous position to be in. She had no means to defend herself, not if she wanted to remain alive and working for Hammer. She was thinking how to get around it. " It was quite pleasant. " she replied. "I gathered quite a lot of information about the man."

"Did you?" he asked, remaining hovering over her as he spoke. He could sense her uneasiness and wanted to keep her that way. "What did you learn about our new friend?"

A cold shiver went down her spine at the contact. She had enough self control to not flinch, but she felt uneasy. "What about my chosen company? " she asked , just not saying anything more than she should.

Norman's smirk drew across his face. Playing dumb, was she? "Oh, Dr. Sofen, you think I haven't noticed how much time you've been spending with our new friend? How was dinner with Zemo the other night?"

Sin. Of course it was Sin. She wondered just how much truth those words were holding but she kept her mouth shut for now. "Of course Sir, I'll look into it. " she promised and went to stand up again , thinking this was done with.

Norman shook his head as he put his hand on her shoulder to keep her from standing. "I'm not done yet," he spoke, his voice scarily steady as he pushed her back down into her chair, "There is another matter I want to speak to you about. About your chosen company, lately."

It was with an uneasy feeling that she did close the door and went to sit down. She blinked at the information, someone leaking information about HYDRA ? How was she not aware of this, it did not bode well for the rest of this conversation. "Okay, I will look into it. Is there a lead as to what has been leaked or where it came from ? "she inquired.

As she came to sit down he got up from his seat so he could stand before her. "Schmidt seems to believe that it is someone within her organization or within SHIELD. While I believe that it is someone in Hydra, it does beg the question on whether or not there is a trade of secrets between our organizations. I will not tolerate traitors, Moonstone."

“Nope,” she replied, standing up to leave, “Pleasure doing business with you, as always.”

With a smile he turned to his computer. Waiting for Sin to have left, he dialed up a number. "Tell Meteroite to come to my office, now. " he ordered and hang up the phone.

Osborn smirked as he pushed the dagger towards her. "That may be the case, however....should I require your gifts again, I would sleep better knowing we can come to another arrangement?"

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you,” she replied very matter-of-factly, “I doubt you want money so I’m guessing either a favor or something more enticing.”

"A favor will do. If there is anything else I can do for you Miss Schmidt...I have things to attend to "

"A favor will do. If there is anything else I can do for you Miss Schmidt...I have things to attend to "

Norman never really understood why people felt like he was the type to help, he had no interest in helping Sin, less see her thrive. Yet even he wondered who let out all those details, himself did not know she was up to. " I will, for a price of course. But with what you are giving me , I am not sure I can do anything just yet, your information is very thin."