Author's note: We move on and proudly, I must add. In a week I'll be thirty years old and when I look back is one big OMG! But enough about me. I'm happy that this fic was well received and so, we move on with it. Spidey is my favorite Marvel character and so, he deserves a great story! Pay close attention, lads, every detail is important even when they seem meaningless.

Let's go!


2. Hickory Docks

Peter Parker hadn't felt so relaxed in years. The lab, Connor's work with DNA, Martha's loving advise and little Billy's frequent visits had became his everyday life ever since he left the super hero existence. Nobody seemed to miss the wall-crawler except for the doctor's son. His camera was now for especial occasion and things seemed to be back to normal, or at least to the moment before that fateful spider crossed his path.

Too many regrets, burdens and bad memories had come with Spiderman. Now it was time to bury them once and for all or so did Peter thought. He never would have guessed that Detective Lee would come in that day, just a few hours before the big party in the town hall. Why was she there? Was she still looking for the wall-crawler? Well, if that was the case, she was at the wrong place and asking the wrong place.

"Parker?" the police woman stood near him. They had met during the trial with Richard Fisk and when he was framed for stealing secrets. "Parker? Can I talk to you for a second?"

"I'm busy, detective" he wrote down the effects of the reaction. "Spidey ain't here"

"That I can tell but I'm not looking for him, but you"

"Any reason in particular?" the young man looked intently at her.

"I need a photographer"

"I'm not in the Bugle anymore" Peter sighed. "Sorry"

"I'm still in need of one. It's very important, Parker" she wasn't going to give up. "It's for a case and if I don't get one fast, I'll lose my chance"

"What is it about?"

"It's from long ago. You might have read about it. A little girl , Alice Wright, who was kidnapped for a year and appeared dead on the docks, Pier 15, or as some call it 'Hickory Docks'. The case was closed with the father sentenced to jail for life but many details didn't add up"

"But the case is closed…"

"Yes, but I know. And that's why I need a photographer" the detective gave him some photos from the crime scene. "It's not much but I must beg you to have a good look, Parker. Please"

"Why?"

"Just look at them. If you find anything, tell me. Then, I'll give you more" she walked away just like that. Peter blinked. Now that was some short conversation. He looked at the photos and had to do his best to not throw away. Poor thing! A child, around ten or so, lying on a pool of blood, covered in gashes, tears and dust. Abandoned like a dead dog. Peter observed then that some of the pictures gave an idea of the surroundings of the place. Judging from the state of the trash containers, it must be from around twenty years ago. Pier 15, East River Esplanade, was back then an abandoned spot. It all seemed in order. Why was the detective so interested in this case if it was solved?

"Good! I never thought I would see that again" Martha Connors was looking from behind him.

"You know this girl?"

"They spent millions in the search and trying to contact the kidnappers. Many false calls were made, people pretending they had done it and police operations that did nothing. That poor child didn't have a chance" Peter gulped with these words.

"What did they asked for ransom?"

"Nothing"

"What?" the young man blinked harder.

"Nothing. Apparently, Alice was taken away after school. They kept her for one year and never asked for money or favors"

"Why her?"

"I dunno. I was in high school back then. Police looked through all the East coast. They interrogated everyone they could think of: students, truckers, mobsters. God, she was just eleven years old! Almost Billy's age! If that happened to my son…" Martha went pale for a few minutes like trying to hold back a thought. "Peter, if you find anything, please tell me"

"I'm not sure of what I can do" he folded them and put the pictures in his backpack. "And that was a long time ago…"

"Peter, Mr. Wright is still in prison. He's a father who has lost everything he loves. His wife died before Alice was found and he never had the chance to prove he was innocent. He spent a year of agony trying to find his little girl and was sent to poke for something he didn't do" she gently held the boy's hands. "I know you miss Gwen but we all deserve justice and love. At least, give it a try"

"… Ok, I'll give it a go"

"You're a great person, Peter"

"Do you know exactly where this took place?"

"Of course, I can show you in a map"

"Great" Parker smiled. Martha searched through the computer and printed an image.

"Good news, everyone! I have been invited to tonight's ball" Connors came in with some invitations.

"That's great, darling!" Martha kissed her husband.

"And I got invitations for everyone, even you, Pit" the doctor offered one to the young man.

"I dunno, doc" the student sighed.

"C'mon, Peter. Live a little" Debra came from behind the computers. "Just for one night"

"I won't force you again, promise" Connors put the invitation inside Peter's pocket.

"Very well, uh…" Peter remembered then that he had to visit the docks.

"Just be at the town hall at eight and we're good, silly" Debra playfully gave him a short kiss in the cheek.

Around six o'clock, Peter was able to leave the laboratory and headed towards the docks. Pier 15 had changed a lot since the 2000's. A more clean and touristic area was now were the old warehouses and boatyards stood. Finding clues was going to be harder than what he thought at first. A beautiful viewpoint over green grass was all that was left of the crime scene but, to Peter's surprise, one of the pavement stones had four red roses over it and he could read on it: "Alice Wright. We will never forget nor leave behind". Someone had made the effort of making a little keepsake of the little girl. That was nice, in many ways.

"Peter!" a voice called him.

"MJ!" the red-haired girl was wearing a beautiful dress. Was she going to the party, too? "Wa-What are you doing here?"

"I like going around this place when I need some air" she smiled. "It's been a long time, Pit"

"Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier"

"No, it's ok, really. How are things around home?"

"Good. Aunt May keeps a close eye on me but I'm doing fine. Work's great. You?"

"Another year, another play. Harry's taking me tonight to the ball"

"Oh, ok"

"What? You had something else in mind?"

"No, no. Of course, not" he went all red and MJ giggled.

"Oh, did you put those?" Mary Jane noticed the roses.

"No, I'm as surprised as you" he knelt and the girl read the inscription.

"I wonder why there are four roses instead of one"

"Me too" Peter sighed and lifted his eyes in time to notice a man watching them from afar. He was well-dressed but as soon as he noticed they have seen him, the stranger walked away.

"Pit?" MJ touched Parker's shoulder.

"Hu?" he blinked. Trying to follow the man with his eyes, he noticed something off in the scene. The stranger had gone past some trash containers and there was something strange in them but Peter couldn't tell what is was.

"You ok?" the red-haired stopped his train of thought.

"Yeah, sure" he nodded. "I better go home before the party, I need a shower"

"Then I'll see you there, tiger" Mary Jane gave him a soft kiss and walked away.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Sir" Wesley came into the room. It was seven o'clock and Wilson Fisk had just finished all arrangements. "You got a visitor"

"I'm busy"

"She says is important" the secretary looked behind him and the larger man looked over his shoulder. Fisk swallowed hard. Gao stood there with stern eyes. "Sir?"

"Leave us. Make sure my wife is ready" commanded the business man and James Wesley left the room. "Konbanwa, madamu" Wilson invited her to sit with his hand.

"Jūbun'na detarame, Fisk-sama" she growled. "Save the claptrap for the press"

"I don't know what are you talking about"

"My men are vanishing. My women too. And all under your operations"

"I have supervised them myself and nothing went wrong, I assure you" Wilson grumbled.

"Then, where are they?"

"I'm telling you I don't know"

"Then find out or be gone too" Gao puffed with fury and stormed out.

"Wesley!" Fisk decided to stay calm and filled a cup with his finest scotch.

"Sir?" the secretary was clueless.

"Have we reported any missing staff these days?"

"Not that I know. Why?"

"We need to confirm this. Gao says several of her men are missing. I want you to see into it and report back to me at soon as possible"

"Yes, sir" he nodded and left the room.

"Why would anyone want to make a few yellow men disappear?" he looked into the city.


Who's that mysterious man? Friend or foe?

Why is detective Lee unto this case? Is it related to the missing men?

Find out real soon!