Dangerous Alliance
Harry Osborn fumbled with the key to his apartment while I tall menacing man approached him.
"You live here?" the man asked.
Harry was not in the mood to be hassled. Mary Jane had already stood him up. "What's it to you?" Harry replied defiantly. The man stepped closer to him and Harry immediately regretted his audacious tone.
"I'm want to ask you a few questions about someone who lives here. You know Peter Parker?"
"Everyone wants to see Peter today," Harry mumbled to himself annoyed.
"What was that, kid?" the man asked. "Look, I got things to do. Do you know Parker or not."
"Yeah, I know him. But why should I talk to you about him? I don't even know who you are." Harry had found his key and opened the door to his apartment complex. He'd had enough of this strange man and his questions.
The man slammed the door before Harry could enter and he exclaimed "I'm Eddie Brock. I'm a reporter. And I want to find out more about Spider-man!"
Harry's eyes widened at the mention of Spider-man. A wave of rage burned through his body as he recalled his father's murder. "Spider-man?"
"Yeah, I think Parker's involved with him in some way."
"Why don't you come up to my place and we can talk?" Harry replied. "Peter's my roommate by the way. I'd like to know what you think about him and Spider-man." Harry re-opened the door and gestured for Brock to enter. Harry followed and showed him to the elevator and up to their apartment.
"So, you said you were his roommate? I didn't catch your name."
"Harry Osborn," He declared with authority and stuck out his hand to shake, just as his father had taught him.
Brock shook his hand. After a moment it dawned on him, "Osborn? You mean like Norman Osborn?"
"Yes. I'm his son."
"So sorry about what happened to him. Real tragedy." Brock answered trying to sound sympathetic. Harry opened the door and invited Brock into the apartment. He showed him over to the table and both men sat down.
"Yes, it was a tragedy. It was Spider-man's fault you know. I don't care what the police say, Spider-man murdered my father. I saw him! I'm gonna make him pay for what he did." Harry vowed.
Brock smirked, "I want to get Spider-man as much as you do. If I could unmask the little creep Jameson would give me my job back. Probably promote me while he was at it."
"So what does Peter have to do with this?" Harry asked.
"He knows something. I don't know what, but he must know something. There's no way he just happens to be around every time Spider-man appears. I've been trying for weeks to get a good shot and it's impossible. Then your little roommate comes along with dozens of pics. I want to find out what he knows."
Harry contemplated this. Peter was a smart kid. Maybe Brock was right. "What do you think he knows?"
"He knows who is, or maybe how to contact him. Something like that. Gotta be. And I'm gonna beat it out of him if I have to."
"God, don't hurt him!" Harry exclaimed.
"What do you care?" Brock replied. "He's protecting the man who murdered your father."
"Maybe, but Pete's still my friend. He's been there for me. You don't know for sure that Peter knows anything, anyways."
"So what do you suggest we do? Wait for Spider-man to ruin more lives!"
Harry thought a moment. "Let me keep an eye out on Peter. I'll see what he's up to. It's not that I don't want to help you find Spider-man, believe me I do. I just don't want you to harm Peter."
"You do that. I won't hurt Parker. For now at least. But I'm gonna keep investigating. And my methods are a little more aggressive than yours."
"If you find out anything you've got to tell me. I want to kill Spider-man! You've got to promise to share any information you get." Harry demanded.
"O.k. It's a deal as long as your willing to watch Parker. Snoop around his room, listen to his phone conversations. You could be really helpful. But how can I get in touch with you if I need to? I don't want Parker answering the phone. You got a cell phone or something?"
"Yeah, but I've got a better idea. Call my father's house, this is the number," Harry wrote down the phone number on a nearby napkin. "You can feel free to leave a message that way. I'm gonna be spending a lot of time there anyways. I've got to go through my father's things."
Brock folded up the napkin and placed it in his pocket. "Thanks kid. We're gonna bring Spider-man down, you and me. Be sure to watch Parker. I'll give you a call tomorrow."
Harry showed Brock to the door. "So were partners, right? You've got to tell me if you find out anything and I'll tell you if I do."
"That's right," Brock replied. "We're partners."