Chapter 23: Daredevil Matt Murdock

"Mr. Murdock, hello, we are agents from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. My name is Phil Coulson, and this is Agent Barton," Phil Coulson announced as he stood outside the door.

Inside, Matt Murdock was startled. He had sensed their arrival long before they knocked, but he hadn't expected them to introduce themselves so directly. These agents knew who he was.

How do they know about me? Matt wondered, already aware that the man with the bow, Barton, was no ordinary agent. He could feel the weight of Barton's presence, his skill, and the fact that in a fight, Barton might have the upper hand.

Matt took his cane and walked to the door, opening it just enough to face the agents.

"Officers, may I ask why you're looking for me? Do you need me as your lawyer? I'm not familiar with any government agency by the name of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division." Matt leaned against the door, smiling politely but reminding them he was a lawyer, implying that whatever this division was, it didn't have the legal authority to come knocking.

"Mr. Murdock, I wonder if you know a man named Ethan Hayes?" Coulson asked, a professional yet mild tone in his voice.

Matt froze momentarily, remembering Ethan. Ethan Hayes… He hadn't thought about him in a while, but his memory of the kid was clear.

"Why do you ask? He's a client of mine. If there's any trouble, I'd suggest you contact him directly."

Coulson's expression didn't waver. "Are you familiar with the 'Ice Demon'?"

Matt's brow furrowed slightly. "Given everything that's happened in Hell's Kitchen recently, it would be hard not to know about it," he replied, his tone cautious.

Coulson continued, "We believe your client, Mr. Ethan Hayes, might have connections to the Ice Demon. We would like for you to find him and bring him to the precinct for some questions."

As soon as Coulson finished, Barton, standing behind him, thought of New York Police Commissioner George Stacy and the potential ramifications of their inquiry. According to their intel, Ethan had a connection to Gwen Stacy, George's daughter. If they weren't careful, this could get very complicated very fast.

Matt frowned deeper. "He's just a high school student. If you think he's connected to this Ice Demon, then contact him yourself. He's an adult." With that, Matt closed the door, not giving either agent another moment to argue.

The name Strategic Homeland and whatever nonsense they came up with didn't matter to Matt. He wasn't going to let them involve his client, not unless they had something concrete. For now, he had no reason to trust them.

Outside, Barton's face tightened as he turned to Coulson. "Phil, why are we involving the police? This seems like a bad idea."

Coulson glanced at Barton and responded in a low voice, "The Ice Demon left a photo for Mrs. Gao's men. You know as well as I do that those men were involved in the death of Ethan's parents. If this is a revenge-driven attack, we need to confirm whether Ethan Hayes is the Ice Demon. Or worse, if he's developed an anti-social personality."

Barton mulled it over, realizing Coulson was setting up a situation where Murdock himself might investigate Ethan. It wasn't a bad idea—Murdock had a sharp sense for truth, and if anyone could figure out Ethan's real nature, it was him. But Barton still had his reservations. The idea of someone like Ethan being the Ice Demon didn't sit right with him.

"Ethan is just a kid," Barton said firmly. "The profiler already created a psychological profile of the Ice Demon. The profile describes someone cold, indifferent, and utterly ruthless. A devil returning from hell. That doesn't sound like a high school student."

Phil didn't respond right away but looked out into the quiet Hell's Kitchen streets. Even the crime lord Kingpin had started searching for the Ice Demon. Mrs. Gao had disappeared, fleeing the country, leaving behind crucial clues. S.H.I.E.L.D. had found their way to Ethan, and now Kingpin was likely not far behind. What concerned Coulson was how Ethan would react when confronted by all these forces.

Meanwhile, Matt Murdock sat in his office, turning over the conversation in his mind. The name Ice Demon hung in the air, and Coulson's approach had been subtle but revealing. They knew more than they let on. The agents hadn't left without letting him hear that last bit of conversation—Coulson had made sure to mention Ethan in relation to the Ice Demon.

But Matt wasn't just listening to their words—he was remembering. The night the Ice Demon confronted him. The Ice Demon could have killed him but didn't. Instead, the encounter had felt like a strange warning—perhaps even a joke. But the agents were right: if Ethan Hayes truly was the Ice Demon, and if he had psychological issues, then the power he wielded could spell disaster.

Matt had known darkness, having experienced years of his own hatred and vengeance. He understood how easily it could consume someone. The question was whether Ethan had fallen into that same trap.

In the car, Phil Coulson pulled out his well-worn copy of Fifty Shades of Grey, the book written by Ethan, and began reading again.

"Phil," Barton said, a slight warning tone in his voice.

"Hmm?" Coulson responded, not looking up from the book.

"Don't get too obsessed."

Coulson chuckled, closing the book. "I'm just saying, sometimes the most powerful people have their vices. They don't put all their energy into world domination."

Barton rolled his eyes, but Phil wasn't entirely wrong. People with connections, desires, and weaknesses can sometimes be easier to handle than those who are utterly focused.

"Let's hope you're right," Barton muttered as the car drove out of Hell's Kitchen.

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