Pepper didn't answer immediately, not hesitating so much as processing. This wasn't the first time she'd found out a friend nearly killed or actually did kill another friend, so it's not quite so difficult to hear.

"No, he didn't. But he still works with you and still calls you a friend and trusts you, so if you're going to try to use that as a way to get me to leave, save your mental breath. I trust him and I trust you, whatever it is."