Captain George Stacy looked at the folder that had just been dumped on his desk. His gaze then was directed to his commanding officer, who had just dumped the folder on his desk.
"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.
Peter Parker walked into the City Room of the Daily Planet. It was a nice Friday afternoon, and he had two and a half days off of school, with little homework. He hoped to fill that time with a very interesting, and relaxing series of events. Peter walked over to Lois's desk. He found that he usually touched base there every time he came in.
"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 blocks 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.
The Log of George Stacy - Entry #2313
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 . . . .
Peter noticed something on the woman's arm as it fell when the body was picked up.
"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 Log of George Stacy - Entry #2313b
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.
"So, what do we have here?" Spider-Man asked.
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 we can sidestep the whole vigilante issue."
Captain Stacy just stared at Spider-Man for a second before shaking his head. "I don't think that would fly. Too much PR and politics to deal with."
Spidey shrugged. "Just trying to come up with an idea that makes life easy for once."
"Now, hold on," Captain Stacy replied. "I don't think we can do something so formal and drastic like that. But I do have a bit of an idea. Let me think it over . . . "
"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. "For the info, and for keeping an open mind."
Stacy nodded. "Like you said, trying to make life easier for all of us."
With that, Spider-Man swung away.
The Log of George Stacy - Entry #2313c
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.
Back at the Daily Planet, Ben Urich was writing up the story, as Lois was trying to put the facts of the latest murder with the rest.
"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!"
Later that night, Peter Parker sat in front of his computer, looking over the latest draft of an English assignment. He looked up at the clock.
"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 . . . "
To be continued! Next, the Shadow joins in the action, and Lois comes close to finding a connection between the victims. Catch all the excitement in Spider-Man #16!