In the cell, Mercer sat across from Howard. Aside from a metal table and two chairs, the room was completely empty. Despite sitting in a prison cell with his hands restrained, there wasn't the slightest trace of fear on his face.
"Hydra?" Mercer frowned in confusion. "Did I ever say that? I only remember saying I was willing to tell you who I work with, and he is one of your higher officials. I don't recall ever mentioning the word 'Hydra.'"
"Don't take us for fools, Mercer," Howard replied calmly. "Your three accomplices told us everything about your involvement. Unable to endure our interrogation any further, they committed suicide. The way they died matches Hydra's methods exactly. We already know you're connected to Hydra, so don't think you can hide behind word games or any cover story you prepared."
Howard had never interrogated anyone before. A small earpiece hidden in his ear relayed Peggy's instructions, guiding him through each question while the others observed from the room beyond the one-way mirror.
"Those pieces of trash... did they really talk?" Mercer wondered. "Or is he bluffing?"
He also didn't know whether they were really dead.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Don't tell lies. I work for someone, not Hydra. I have no relationship with Hydra. You're framing me," Mercer said firmly.
Howard studied him for a moment.
"The truth is already out, Mercer. There's no need to lie anymore. Tell us what you know about Hydra."
Mercer raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not with any Hydra. Don't make false accusations against me," Mercer replied confidently.
"No need to act, Mercer. That Johnny even had letters mentioning that you work with them." Howard took out a few letters and began reading them.
Fake... or real?
Either way... Plan B is finished. There was no point pretending anymore.
It seems I've lost.
"I'm ready to tell you everything I know." He paused before continuing. "But didn't I already make my condition clear? I only want to speak with you... alone."
As he spoke, Mercer's eyes briefly shifted toward the one-way mirror before returning to Howard.
Howard caught the glance immediately.
He already knows we're being watched.
More importantly...
Mercer had stopped denying any connection to Hydra the moment the letters were shown.
The bluff worked.
The fake letters and made-up confession had convinced Mercer that his cover was blown. Howard kept his expression unchanged, not letting the slightest hint of satisfaction show.
"That's not going to happen," Howard replied without hesitation. "Whatever you have to say, you can say it here."
Mercer held Howard's gaze for a few silent seconds before slowly shaking his head.
Then he fell silent.
"..."
A few seconds passed. Then he slowly leaned back in his chair.
"No." His eyes never left Howard. "I don't like people listening to my conversations. So... I won't be sharing any information."
For the next several minutes, Howard continued asking question after question.
"What was Hydra planning?"
"What were you trying to do to Steve Rogers?"
"What exactly does that device of yours do?"
Each time, Mercer either avoided the question, answered with another question, or simply smiled without saying a word.
Howard frowned.
"Mercer, you don't have the luxury of making demands anymore," Howard said calmly. "You're a prisoner now. There are plenty of soldiers outside eager to make you talk, so don't mistake our patience for weakness. Cooperate with us, and it may even lessen your punishment."
Mercer simply chuckled.
Behind the one-way mirror, one of the officers frowned.
"Looks like you were right."
"He's with Hydra."
"If Hydra has infiltrated our organization, we need to find every traitor. And this Mercer... he's completely different from the man we saw before."
"Maybe this is his real face," Peggy said, her eyes fixed on the glass.
Howard continued questioning Mercer about Hydra, Steve Rogers, and the strange device, but Mercer either changed the subject, answered with another question, or simply refused to cooperate.
At one point, Howard noticed Mercer quietly murmuring something under his breath.
"...Thirty-seven..."
Howard frowned.
"What was that?"
Mercer looked up with a faint smile.
"Nothing."
The interrogation dragged on for several more minutes. Finally, Peggy's voice came through Howard's earpiece.
"Howard, he's not going to tell us anything. End it."
Howard sighed and stood up.
"Mercer, do you know what time it is?"
He straightened his coat.
"I should be home by now, asleep... or better yet, spending the night with a beautiful lady instead of wasting my time here."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"If you've changed your mind, let me know."
Just as Howard reached the door, Mercer's calm voice sounded behind him.
"...Forty."
Howard instinctively stopped and looked back. Mercer slowly raised his head. A smile spread across his face.
BOOM! BOOM!
The entire building shook violently as a series of explosions erupted throughout Camp Lehigh.
"What happened?!"
"Report!"
"Move! Move!"
Colonel Phillips immediately shouted as alarms echoed across the camp.
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