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by Chip Caroon Originally presented at DC/Marvel: The Merging as Spider-Man #16-18 |
"Sir, what is this?" he asked.
"It's your latest assignment, Stacy," the officer replied. "There have been a string of murders in the city recently, and you have been put onto the case. All of the relevant information is in there."
"Serial killer?" the captain asked.
"All evidence points to that conclusion, yes. As I said, all relevant information is in that folder." The officer turned and walked away as Stacy picked up the folder with a sigh, and leaned back in his chair to study the case. After a couple of minutes, he turned to his computer and begin typing.
My latest case involves a serial killer. At least, that's what all evidence points to. The facts simply state that there have been numerous murders in a relatively short about of time, and that a mark has been left on the body of each victim. There is a picture of the mark from one of the victims, but I don't think I can properly describe it with words based on the mere photograph I have here.
Looking at the cause of death, I notice a pattern. The killer clearly has a set modus operandi. The only pattern I fail to see at this time is the connection between all of the victims. Usually, a serial killer kills certain people, and sticks to that pattern. Rarely do they kill others, and if they fail to kill a particular individual, they keep trying until they do it right.
No one has been able to get a good shot of the killer because the victims seem to be isolated at the time of their deaths. Whoever finds them doesn't find them until is very clear that the person is dead.
I have just been informed that another victim was found, and I am going to investigate it.
"Hey, Lois, what's the latest news?" he asked.
"Hey yourself, kiddo," Lois replied, looking up only briefly from her computer screen. "I'm looking over recent crime reports from the NYPD."
"What kind of crime reports?" Peter asked as he came up behind Lois to look at the screen.
"Murders. There've been rumors from police HQ that there's a serial killer on the loose."
Peter was intrigued, and stroked his chin. "Serial killer? You mean like in the movies?"
"It's much worse than in the movies. Usually, real life serial killers are much harder to track down."
"That good, huh?"
Lois turned her head to look at the young photographer. "Good isn't the word to describe them. More like . . . skilled."
"Gotcha. So, has anything been confirmed?"
"Not that I can see. At least, no official statement from the police."
"Maybe they just want to keep the general public from getting afraid. After all, people already have a lot to deal with."
"Or maybe they're not sure," Lois contemplated.
"Have you noticed any patterns in your research?"
"Not really. The stuff is really too scattered around to be of too much use. I need to organize it."
Peter decided to change the subject. "So, are there any other news stories that are noteworthy?"
"Luthor and Osborn just went public on a joint project."
This news concerned Peter. "What kind of project?" he asked.
"Something to do with robotics. I don't remember all of the details. You'll have to ask Ben Urich, or wait for the late edition."
"Those two guys worry me, and when they get together, I get a really bad feeling."
Just then, Ben Urich rushed by Lois's desk. "NYPD is reporting a murder . . . only a few block from here."
"You headed there?" Lois asked.
"Sure," Ben answered. "But since you've been doing the research of a serial killer, you should probably tag along. Even if this isn't connected, you might be able to get something out of the police."
Lois turned to Peter. "You coming?"
Peter hesitated. He wanted to go investigate, but if he went as photographer, it would be harder for Spidey to show up. However, if he went as Spidey, he couldn't get any pictures, because the others would wonder where he was, and why he wasn't with them.
"Sure, I'll come," he finally decided. After all, Spider-Man can always come by later.
It was about half an hour before the reporters showed up at the crime scene. They saw pretty much the same thing that I did when I arrived, except that the chalk line had already been made around the body.
The victim this time was a middle-aged woman, with graying blond hair. She was wearing a conservative tan dress. The body was laying in a rather odd pose. Must have been a nine-to-fiver, just getting off work when the killer got her. I couldn't tell at first if it was connected to my case yet, since none of us could find the mark.
The boys were getting ready to load the body into a meatwagon when one of the photographers noticed something . . . .
"What's that mark on her arm?"
"I'll be . . . " Stacy muttered. "That's the mark."
Peter snapped a quick photo.
Captain Stacy turned to the nearest police and sighed. "The serial killer has struck again."
"Lois, it looks like we have ourselves a story," Ben Urich said.
The reporters stuck around for a while, but soon seemed to get all they could, and left the police to their investigation. It wasn't long after the press left that a certain friend of mine swung by, literally.
Captain Stacy looked up to see the webslinger hanging upside down. "Doesn't that do something to your head?" he asked.
"Nope," Spidey replied. "It came as part of the package." He flipped over and landed on his feet, now facing the police captain. "Serial killer?"
"You've heard?"
"Only a little. Okay, I kinda overheard on my way here. I thought I could help."
"Well, I could use it, but the police department doesn't look too kindly to using vigilante justice."
"Vigilante? Me? I just fight the bad guys that no one else does. Besides, it's not like I take the law in my own hands. That's something Batman does."
"But you are known to have ties with him, which is what worries the chief."
Spider-Man thought for a moment. "What if," he finally said, "you deputize me?"
"Pardon?"
"I would be part of the police force, kinda. I'd be like a special agent, and have the authority of the NYPD. That way, we can sidestep the whole vigilante issue."
"I'd have to talk it over with my c/o . . . "
"In the meantime, you can give me some details here," Spidey said, bending down to look at the body. "This mark here . . . "
"It's been on all of the bodies found recently. That's why we think it's a serial killer."
"It looks pretty detailed. Too intricate for a knife, especially in that amount of time."
"That's what I assumed. A branding, perhaps?"
"Well, I can't tell right here - not being able to touch the body, and all - but I'd say probably not. It doesn't look like a burn mark. It's too clean looking."
"There's not much more it could be. It can't be a mere impression into the skin."
"It might be a meta."
"I was afraid you'd say that."
Spider-Man stood up. "Have you found any connection between all of the victims?"
Stacy shook his head. "I wasn't even assigned this case until about two hours ago. NYPD didn't assume serial killer until we arrived here."
"There's not much I can do right now, and I have to be somewhere. Keep me informed on this, will you?"
"I'll try."
"Thanks," Spidey said as he fired a webline. "And you'll talk to the higher-ups?"
Stacy nodded. "You have my word."
With that, Spider-Man swung away.
After Spider-Man left, the boys basically packed up the crime scene. I returned to my desk, trying to sort out the murder. Something was definitely wrong. This didn't look like a typical murder scene.
Shortly after I came back, the chief entered the station. I approached him about Spider-Man. He liked the idea of having a superhuman as an aid to the force, and he's been a big Spider-Man fan since the wallcrawler was a wrestler.
So, I'm still sitting here, trying to put all of the pieces together. So far, nothing is coming to me. All I have is a bunch of random murders committed in the same fashion.
Looks like another long night ahead of me.
"So, is there a connection?" Peter asked.
"It's appears to be, but I can't find the motive," Lois replied. "And all we can really report is the murder itself."
"It is getting late," Ben said. "We might as well finish up the articles, call it a night, and start working again in the morning."
Peter looked at his watch, and realized that he had an appointment to go to as Spider-Man. "Well, I hope someone figures this out," he said. "I have to go now. See you tomorrow?"
"We'll be here," Lois said.
"Yeah, we're workaholics!" Ben added. "We're always here!"
"Spider-Man! Always a pleasure to see you!" he exclaimed. "You said earlier that you wanted to make some modifications on your outfit?"
Spidey nodded. "I'm just getting tired of this one, and found something even better." He activated the hologram in his arm. It showed an outfit that was red and blue. Black webbing covered the red portions. The mask had two large white eyes bordered with black.
"Interesting," Hamilton said. "It should only take a minute to configure the equipment."
A minute later, Hamilton looked up from the circuit board. "May I see the watch which contains your nanomachines?"
Spider-Man handed him the watch. His outfit remained on him, however. Hamilton laid the watch down on the board, and pressed a few buttons. He handed the watch back.
Spidey put it on, and instantly, his outfit changed.
"I like it," Hamilton commented. "It's so much more . . . classier."
Spidey shook the professor's hand. "Thank you, professor. But now, I must be going."
"I understand. I have a lot of work to do as well. I'll see you around."
Spider-Man leapt out the window, and webslinged back to his home.
"Eleven-thirty," he said. "Way too late to be working on English on a Friday night. Better get to bed."
He walked to his bed and began pulling the sheets down, when he heard something from outside the window. He stopped and listened, and heard something breaking. Rushing to the window, he peered out and saw something running away from the Watson's house next door.
Peter rushed out of his room - making sure he had his watch with the Spider-Man costume in it - and down the stairs. He didn't even bother telling Aunt May what was going on because he didn't want to worry her.
As he entered the Watson house, he looked into the kitchen where he saw Mary Jane standing. She was trembling in fear. Peter rushed over, and gently laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"MJ, are you all right?" he asked.
She grabbed his hand, nearly in tears. "I think so," she said.
"What happened?" Peter inquired.
Just then, Anna Watson came into the kitchen. "Mary Jane! What's wrong? Peter! What are you doing here?"
"I heard a noise and then saw someone rushing away from the house. I ran over to find out what happened," Peter explained.
"He was big. Almost didn't look human. Burglar or something," Mary Jane said. "I don't think he'd had a chance to do anything. I think I scared him away."
"Maybe he's not far. I'll go look," Peter offered.
"Don't be crazy," MJ replied. "He's probably long gone, and there's nothing you can do!"
"Just stay here. Don't worry, I'll be back."
Peter ran back out of the house, and down the block. Turning a corner, he saw the same figure as he saw earlier running from the Watson house. Knowing he was too far away, he aimed his left arm, and part of the Spider-Man costume covered his hand. He fired a tracer, and it attached to the figure. The nanomachines of his costume retreated, and Peter looked down at the ring on his right hand. He pressed the stone in the middle.
Across town, Victor Cranston was alerted to the signal. He used his telepathy to reach out to Peter.
{You called?}
{Vic, it's Peter. Some guy just broke into MJ's house. I got a tracer on him. Can you follow him?}
{Yes. Your ring is sending the information.}
{Good. I have to go.}
Peter broke the contact, and ran back to the Watson house. By then, Aunt May had awakened, and come over.
"Did you find him?" Anna asked.
"I was able to see him turn a few corners, but I couldn't reach him."
"Good," May said. "I don't want you chasing after lunatics."
Everyone was silent for a moment. Finally, Anna clutched her chest. "It's so horrible," she said. "I must sit down."
"I'll sit with you," May said.
The two women walked to Anna's bedroom, so she could take some medication to calm her nerves. Peter looked at MJ, who was now sitting on the couch.
"I bet you won't be able to sleep tonight, huh?" Peter asked.
MJ shook her head, and then patted the seat beside her. "Sit with me, Peter. I don't want to be alone."
"Okay." Peter sat down. MJ grabbed his arm, and put it around her shoulder.
"Hold me," she said.
"Don't worry, you'll be safe . . . "
I could have stayed like that forever. Curled up on the couch, his arms around me . . .
It's that weird feeling I get every time he's around. I've never felt like that around any other guy other than him.
And then, this morning, he was sweet enough to even go down to the police station with us.
"It's not that bad," Mary Jane replied. "At least we've only been waiting for five minutes."
Peter looked around. Mary Jane and her aunt were sitting in the two chairs in front of an old wooden desk. He could see the clerk in the back of the station, talking to someone.
Hey, that guy looks familiar! Just then, the man turned and Peter could see his whole face. It's Captain Stacy!
The three watched as the clerk returned with the captain.
Stacy extended his hand, first shaking Anna Watson's hand, then MJ's, and finally Peter's.
"I'm Captain Arthur Stacy," he said, sitting down. "I'll be taking your statements. Based on what you have already told the clerk, it sounds like your incident might be related to a case I am currently working on."
"Would that be the serial killer?" Peter asked.
"Why, yes. How did you know that?"
"I'm a photographer for the Planet. Peter Parker. I was at the crime scene yesterday."
"Oh, yes. I knew I'd seen you before. You were the one that noticed the mark on the victim."
"Yup, that's me."
"Excuse me," Anna interrupted. "But what exactly does a burglar in my house have to do with a serial killer?"
"We can't be sure, ma'am," Stacy replied. "The intruder in your home may have intended to murder either you or someone else in that house. Because he ran off, we can't be sure if he was even planning on that."
"Murder one of us?" Anna asked, shocked by the captain's statement.
Stacy grabbed a pen and pad of paper. "Please," he began, "tell me everything that happened last night."
"I have to go to work," Anna announced. "But since we only brought the one car, and you have to be at work soon, I'll just take the bus."
"You don't have to do that," MJ said. "The Crib isn't that far from here."
"I insist. It's easier for all of us. Besides, I need some quiet time to do some prep work."
"Okay," MJ replied. "Thanks." She turned to Peter as her aunt walked off. "So, I do have a little while before I have to be at work. You want a ride somewhere, or maybe just cruise around for a while."
Peter chuckled. "I think you just want some time alone with me."
"Maybe," MJ replied, blushing. "So, what is it?"
"Well, I told Victor I'd meet him at The Crib. If we just went cruising around New York, we'd never get there in time."
MJ laughed. "True. Traffic is a mess." She began walking to the car. "So, you wanna ride or not?"
"Right behind ya!"
"Hold on," MJ said. "You want me to bring you something?"
"Sure," Peter replied. "Do you serve root beer here?"
"Of course! One root beer coming up, as soon as I go change!"
"Peter!" Vic called.
"I'm coming."
As soon as Peter slid into the booth, Victor leaned forward. "I was able to pick up on your signal. But I couldn't follow him for very long. I finally found this a few blocks away." He held out a small device. It was the spider tracer Peter had attached to the guy as he ran away.
"Shoot!" Peter exclaimed. "He must of found that. Oh, well, at least you tried. Thanks."
"How's she taking it?"
"MJ? She's doing okay, I guess. We just came from the police station."
"'We'?"
"The comforting neighbor," Peter said. "Just like when I stayed up with her all last night."
"Oooh," Victor teased. "Sounds like there's something between you two."
"I don't know," Peter replied. "It's not something I want to talk about right now."
"Here's your drink," Mary Jane said, as she walked up to the table, setting the glass down. She had changed into her waitress uniform of a red top and black skirt.
"Thanks," Peter said.
MJ turned to Victor. "Hi, Vic. You want anything?"
Vic shook his head. "Nah. I'm fine."
"Okay, I'll see you guys later." She walked off.
"Dude, how did you time it like that?" Vic asked.
"Spider-sense," Peter answered. "It's goes off when I'm in danger."
"Wow. It even works for your social life!" Victor paused for a moment. "You like her, don't you?"
Peter sighed. "Yeah. But I'm not sure when we can take our relationship any further. Right now, we're just friends. Anyway, we need to talk about the case." He pulled a folded up piece of paper out of his jacket. "I got this printout from the Planet."
"Let's go over the basics, just to make sure I heard everything right over the phone this morning. We have a serial killer, but no one has found a connection between the victims."
"Right. But the biggest mystery is who was he after last night? Mary Jane, or her aunt?"
Victor thought for a moment. "What makes us all certain that this is the work of a serial killer?"
"We're not. Everyone is just going by the assumption of Captain Stacy. We know for certain that everything before last night is connected."
"Does anyone even have a description of the guy?"
"Not really. Last night is the only time anyone currently alive has seen him, if it was him. And MJ couldn't see properly. All she knows is that he was big."
"That's the impression I got as well. I have a feeling it might not be a mere man."
"You mean a meta?" Peter asked.
"Using the DEO term, huh?"
"Sorry. I had a run-in with them recently. It's still irking me. But, back to the problem at hand, can we find a connection here?"
Victor looked over the printout. "I don't think this printout has enough information on it. All it has are names and addresses. There are so many different ways we can look at this."
"Maybe we should go over to the Planet," Peter suggested. "Lois is working on this story. Maybe she's found something."
Oh, being a teenager in love can be so hard! But sometimes, it can be extremely fun.
Diary, I think I'm in love with Peter Parker. I just don't know if he feels the same way or not!
Lois was studying the map when the boys walked in. Peter noticed the pushpins.
"What are those for?" he asked.
Lois turned around. "The pushpins? Oh, they're just for identifying locations. The red ones show where the victims lived. The blue ones show where they were murdered."
"Is there a pattern?" Victor asked. "Was the killer trying to write something across the city?"
Lois shook her head. "No. Nothing like that. Perry, Ben, me, and a couple of others were pouring all over the map for hours this morning, trying to find a pattern, but we found nothing."
"Have you looked for any other connections?" Peter asked.
"Only the most obvious at this point," Lois replied. "Should we go over to my workstation and compare the victims again?"
"Sure," Peter said.
"I don't like this," he said out loud, to no one in particular. "New York is my city, and I don't need someone coming in and killing everyone in it!"
The intercom buzzed. "Mr. Luthor, your eleven o'clock is here."
"Send him in," Luthor said, sitting up in his chair, and facing the desk.
Norman Osborn entered the office. "Hello, Lex," he said. "I take it things are well."
"Yes they are, Mr. Osborn," Luthor replied. "And I would prefer that you called me Mr. Luthor."
"It looks like your plan is beginning to work so far. In only a couple of months, the Daily Planet should be ours."
"Yes, Osborn, I am aware of that. But, keep in mind that it is my plan. I only brought you along for the support. Besides, I need to do something with the printing plant. My online news site won't be needing it."
Osborn nodded. "I have been doing a few things on the side of my own."
"Like what?" Luthor asked.
"I'm not ready to reveal them yet. It might spoil the surprise."
"I hate surprises."
"You'll like this one. However, it's still in the planning stage."
"Osborn, if you do something stupid, I will have you taken care of."
Osborn changed the subject. "Has there been any opposition to our takeover?" he asked. "No one is really noticing are they?"
"Of course not. And if anyone does, they can't do anything about it. I'm sure Jameson and his lackeys are aware of it, but they can't alert the public."
"Because then, the paper might go under on its own."
"And there would be nothing left." Luthor paused for a moment. "However, there might be some people within our own corporations aware of our plan."
"They are either in agreement with us, or staying in line. If not, they can be easily taken care of."
"Excellent." Luthor leaned back in his chair. "Now, we have some legal and business aspects to take care of. Do you have the time to do it now?"
"I have all the time you need."
"Man, we are getting desperate," Peter commented. "We've already gone through race, hair color, eye color, and hometown. But now, we're going for height."
"It's about all we have left," Lois said. "Maybe the killer just didn't like people taller or shorter than he was."
"I doubt it," Peter said. "Something that ridiculous wouldn't be so well planned."
All three were silent for a moment. Lois looked closer at some of the names. "Wait a minute," she said. "I think I recognize something about those names."
She opened up the Daily Planet database and typed in one of the names on the list. Almost instantly, an article appeared on the screen.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Victor asked.
"I remember seeing some of these names in stories over the past couple of years. In this one, it says that the lady on that list was dissatisfied with something at her place of employment, and tried some drastic measures to show her resentment. And in this one . . . " Lois pulled up another article. " . . . this gentleman was fired from his job for something he did, but quickly rehired. He has been very vocal about that."
"Sounds like the people weren't happy with their jobs," Peter noted. "But why would someone go around killing them."
"Maybe the boss is planning on doing something, and knows he will get opposition, so he's trying to eliminate it," Victor suggested.
"Good thinking," Lois said. "I'll try another search to see if there are any connections with their places of employment."
Before Lois could do anything, Perry White stuck his head out of his office door. "Urich! Lois! Come here now!"
Lois stood up and hurried over to Perry's office, where Ben Urich had already arrived. Peter and Victor were standing behind Lois.
"I just got a phone call," Perry explained. "Someone has just targeted Harry Osborn for murder. I have a feeling it might be connected to that serial killer story you're working on. I've already alerted the police, but I want you trying to find out everything you can."
"Sure thing, chief!" Lois said, turning around. "Well, boys, it looks like that search might . . . just . . . be . . . Uh, where'd you go?"
"Hold it there, now," an officer said. "We can't have you superhero types just coming in like this."
"We're here to see Captain Stacy," Spidey announced.
"It's okay, officer," Captain Stacy said. He looked at Spider-Man. "Looks like you changed your wardrobe."
"I like this design better," Spidey commented. "Did you talk to your chief?"
"Yes, I did," Stacy replied. "Here," he added, handing Spidey a badge. "You are a special officer on the force. Technically, you are an outside agent, working as an offshoot of the SCU. In this case, I am on loan to that branch because of the nature of this case." He looked around the webslinger and saw the Shadow. "Who's your friend?"
"He's the Shadow. We're here to help find Harry Osborn."
"Oh, yes," Stacy said. He grabbed two mini-headsets from a nearby desk and handed them to Spidey. "Use these to stay in contact. Now, move out!"
"Harry Osborn has been targeted for the next murder. And for some reason, no one seems to know where he is!" Spidey replied.
"So, we've been assigned to search the usual spots he'd be most likely to hang out at."
"Right," Spidey said as he jumped off a roof. As he descended, he created a web cushion for the Shadow to land on. They ran over into The Crib.
Mary Jane was the first to see them enter. "Spider-Man!" she exclaimed.
"And the Shadow. Don't forget the Shadow."
"Maybe if you didn't go invisible, people might see you," Spidey quipped. He turned to MJ. "Is Harry Osborn here?"
"No, you just missed him. He left about fifteen minutes ago."
"Did he say where he was going?"
"I think he was going to the library for some research. Actually, a study group or something."
That's right! Spider-Man thought. He did invite me to come . . .
"Thanks, miss," Spidey said as the two heroes left.
Spider-Man spoke into the headset. "Captain Stacy, I'm hearing that no one's seen Osborn in hours. And now you're saying that his father has no clue where he might be."
"We've checked everywhere," Stacy replied. "Osborn Industries, his house, the library, the school . . . "
"The Crib, and just about every other place an eighteen year old football star would hang out," the Shadow concluded.
"New York's a big city," Stacy said. "He could be anywhere. In fact, he could be at any one of the places we've already looked at."
A new voice came over the headset. "Captain Stacy . . . Spider-Man . . . We have a visual. He's getting into a cab, heading for Central Park."
Spider-Man used the technology in his suit to trace the signal to ascertain the location of the officer. "We're on our way."
"Happersen," Luthor said, "I need you to check on some bank accounts for me." He tossed a floppy disk across the desk. "All of the information you need will be on this disk. Look under the 'Arachnis Project' files. Further instructions will also be on the disk."
Happersen took the disk and waited.
"You may leave," Luthor said, looking down at the many papers on his desk.
"I can't tell which one is his," the Shadow said.
"For all we know, he's long gone . . . " Spidey replied.
"Everyone!" Stacy shouted over the headsets. "We've just got a report. The killer has turned up at the Daily Planet! I want all available officers over there now!"
It was a grotesque site to behold, even for someone who had seen it all. The creature was hovering in the air on a glider. His skin was a dark green, somewhat subdued. He wore purple pants and a purple cape. His shirt left the middle of his chest bare. The belt around its waist was green, with a medallion or something similar as the buckle.
"You're the Green Goblin, aren't you?" Lois asked.
"Yes, Ms. Lane," the Goblin replied. "And I'm here to kill one of you."
"Hold it right there!"
The Goblin turned around to see Spider-Man standing in the opening that he had just created.
"So, Spider-Man, you come to oppose me. Misguided fool."
"You're him, aren't you?" Spidey asked. "You're the serial killer."
"So nice to see someone actually figuring something out these days."
"And you sent the NYPD on that manhunt as a diversion . . . "
"So bright. A shame that I will probably waste you soon."
All this time, the Shadow had been sneaking up on the Goblin. He came up behind the green creature, and waited.
"So, Goblin, who are you working for?"
"Who said I was working for anybody?"
"Come on! Costumed villains like you don't just start killing people!"
The Goblin leaned over. "Who said I was costumed?"
Just then, the Shadow leaped up on the glider, and attempted to knock the Green Goblin off. However, his ploy failed as the Goblin was too strong for him to handle.
"Foolish hero," the Goblin said, flinging the Shadow to the side. "No one is a match for me!"
The Shadow landed hard against a wall. The impact was enough to return him to visibility.
The Green Goblin flew over and grabbed Lois, flying out through the gaping hole in the side of the building.
"You're not getting away that easy," Spidey said as he took off.
"I don't know," the Shadow replied. "It appears as if the Green Goblin has lured our friend Spider-Man away."
"And with my top reporter," Perry said. "Can you follow them?"
The Shadow peered through the new entryway. "Negative," he said. "I don't see a trace of them."
The Green Goblin looked back. "Cursed spider," he muttered as he raced downward.
Spider-Man saw the Goblin's downward trajectory. He aimed his weblines to bring him closer to the ground. Suddenly, his spider sense stopped buzzing. Where'd he go?
Spidey continued running in the direction as the Green Goblin had been headed, hoping to find something.
Even if he had dumped it, I would still pick up the buzzing. Did he smash it or . . . Spidey heard a low hum beneath him. He was headed down. Could the lead in the sewers be blocking the signal? Immediately, the web-slinger looked for the nearest manhole and climbed down.
"Light," he said as he touched the ground. His built in spotlight lit up, illuminating the sewer around him. As he lowered, he noticed the signal return, but very weak.
Spider-Man's only option was to run. There was no room for webs, and the walls were too slippery to crawl on. Within a minute, Spidey found the Green Goblin. He fired two balls of impact webbing as a warning.
The Goblin didn't even look back. Instead, he headed straight up, directly at the building above. Spider-Man ran over and fired a web up through the gaping hole. He used his enhanced strength to pull himself up.
He found himself in an old hotel. It was run down, having been closed for decades, and long since condemned. Rubble of various size seemed to fall at regular intervals. Spidey was hit from behind as soon as he ascended by the Goblin's glider. Getting up, he saw the Goblin hovering in front of him. Lois was tied to a staircase.
"Who are you?" Spidey asked.
"It's ironic that I know so much about you, but you know so little about me."
"Like what?"
"I know you used to be a star."
"Big deal. So you watched television last year."
"You had money. You could have been rich, even after your career ended. But that all changed when your bank account was cleared out."
"You've yet to impress me."
"I know who grabbed it electronically when Mysterio tried to take it."
Behind the mask, Peter's face was one of shock.
For the first time, both noticed that the building was crumbling when Lois screamed. A beam had just fallen in front of her.
"All available officers, as well as the Shadow. Go to the old Ditko hotel in the center of town, scheduled for demolition. That is where Spider-Man and the Green Goblin are. Proceed with caution . . . "
"Let it," the Goblin replied. "I've killed plenty of people. Two more won't matter to me."
The sirens in the distance came closer.
"Ah, the cops," the Goblin commented. "Too bad they'll miss all of the fun." He flew upward. Spider-Man fired a web, which attached to the glider. The Goblin swung in a big arc, trying to free himself. Instead, Spidey used his knowledge of physics to maneuver his body and use his agility to land on the glider, feet first. He sent a punch flying to the Goblin's face.
"I know more about you than you think," the Goblin said, pressing a button on his belt. "Like how to deactivate your suit. Consider it a parting gift." With that, he sped up, causing Spider-Man to fall off of the glider, crashing to the floor below. He tried to fire a web, but his shooters were blocked.
"How is that possible?" Spidey shouted as the Goblin crashed through ceiling after ceiling, further weakening the building.
"Spider-Man!" Lois exclaimed.
Spidey snapped his head and saw the staircase starting to give. Debris was falling all around Lois. Spidey leapt up, just missing a piece of the building that would have crushed him. One by one, the nanomachines began to shut down and return to the source. It wouldn't be too long before his identity would be revealed.
He grabbed Lois, and ripped the posts she was tied to out of the structure. That was the last straw, and caused the building to finally give. Spidey grabbed Lois, and pushed her to the ground, covering her with his own body to protect her from any debris. The building collapsed on top of him.
Then he realized that he could feel her breath on his face. The mask had disappeared. He climbed up out of the rubble. He looked around. Part of the building was still standing. Therefore, no one could see him. He lay down on down of the rubble and gently shook Lois.
"Huh?" she asked.
Hmmm, Peter thought. That seemed too quick. Was she just faking it? Does she know I'm Spider-Man?
"Thank goodness I found you," he said. "Come on, we gotta get out of here."
"Lois!" Perry said, when he saw her.
"Parker!" Jameson exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I was trying to get pictures. When the building fell, I decided to try to help Lois."
"Did you get any pictures?"
Peter shook his head. "My camera got busted in the process."
"Where's Spider-Man?" one of the cops asked.
"Once he saw that I was there, he told me to help Lois, while he went after the Green Goblin."
"Well, I have to go," Jameson said. "I have to talk to someone about fixing the window. At the rate I'm going, I'm going to be broke by the end of the year."
"That may not be the only reason, Mr. Jameson," Lois said. "I did some research, and found the connection between all of the victims."
"Really?" Perry asked.
"Yes. All of them worked for businesses or organizations in which Mr. Jameson had a financial stake."
Jameson's face turned pale white.
"Mr. Jameson," the police officer said, "we might have to call you in for questioning. We're not accusing you of anything, but apparently, you might have some insight into this killer, when and if he strikes again."
"I doubt he will," Peter said. "I think his only goal was to rattle Jameson up. He succeeded in doing that buy attacking the Planet. Having Jameson know who the victims were is even better."
"But why would anyone want to shake Jameson up?" Perry asked.
"Someone wants me to sell the Planet, and they will go to any lengths to convince me. Well, it's not going to happen. No one is going to unsettle my nerves enough to make me sell my paper!" With that, Jameson stormed off.
Professor Hamilton looked up from his latest tinkertoy to see Spider-Man standing in front of his window.
"Spider-Man! What a pleasant surprise!" Hamilton said with a smile.
"I don't think so," Spidey replied. Hamilton's smile faded. "Why didn't you tell me that the suit can be deactivated by someone else?"
"What in the world are you talking about?"
"My suit. I was fighting the Green Goblin, and as he left, he pressed something on his belt which made the suit deactivate."
"I don't know exactly where you got your suit from . . . "
"Indirectly from you," Spidey said. "Remember when Peter Parker came to you for his science project? After he was done, he gave them to me to fashion this suit."
"Ah. But, I don't see how anyone could know how to deactivate the nanomachines because I created them myself!"
"I think Lois might know," Peter said.
"About your secret?"
"Yeah. The Goblin somehow deactivated my suit. When I rescued Lois, she seemed to have woken up too fast."
"And you think she was already awake, and saw you?"
"Maybe I'm just paranoid . . . "
"Just relax. As long as she doesn't print it." Victor paused. "She wouldn't print that would she?"
"Not without asking me about it first . . . Wait, wouldn't you know? You are related to her after all."
"Yeah, but I haven't had as much contact with her recently as you have."
"Maybe . . . " Peter trailed off as he thought about something.
Victor looked up. "Hey, isn't that Harry Osborn over there?"
Peter turned around. "Yeah, it is. Hey, Harry!"
Harry walked over. "What's up, Peter?"
"I just wanted to see how you were. I heard about the whole killer being after you thing - "
"I don't want to talk about it," Harry interrupted.
"Hey, no need to get defensive."
"Just don't mention it." Harry turned and left.
"What was that about?" Victor asked.
"Beats me. Does he have a connection to the murders?"
The boys were silent for a moment.
"Wait a minute!" Peter exclaimed. "Lois said that all of the victims were related to organizations that Jameson was financially connected to. Now, what would Jameson be giving Harry money for? Definitely not Osborn Industries."
"Maybe the football team?"
"Maybe. Or maybe the killer slipped up."
"I don't think he chose the victims. He was a puppet."
"Could have been."
Just then, Mary Jane came up. "Hey, boys. I just got off. Wanna do something tonight?"
Victor looked at his watch. "Sure, I'll call Natalie, and we can join you two. Is that okay?"
"Sure," MJ said. "Anything to get out of this place. I want to have some fun tonight! What do you say, Peter?"
Peter thought for a second and then smiled. "Whatever you say."