M.J. couldn't believe what she'd just heard. The person who'd just called Harry knew Peter's secret and was going to expose it. She had to warn him.
Mary Jane didn't wait for Harry to return. She bolted out of the room and ran out of the house. She dialed Peter's number on her cell phone as she ran toward the subway. "Come on, pick up Peter!" She said to herself aloud.
"Hello," Peter answered.
"Peter!"
"M.J." Peter sighed, "Please. I thought I made it clear that we shouldn't talk. I don't…"
"Listen!" M.J. interrupted. "Someone knows your secret and wants to expose it."
Peter was silent for a moment. "Are you serious? Is this some sort of joke?"
"No! You have to believe me. I was just at the Osborn mansion and I overheard some man on Harry's answering machine. He's holding a meeting at the Daily Bugle at one o'clock today." M.J. replied.
"O.k. I'll look into it. But for now stay out of it. This is my business and I don't want you getting involved." Peter stated firmly.
"You're gonna need my help. I don't want anything to happen to you. Please, let me help you." M.J. insisted.
"Look, let me see what's going on and I call you back." Peter hung up the phone.
M.J. was still frazzled. She knew that she had to help but what could she do? All she could think to do was get to the Daily Bugle as quickly as she could.
Peter wasn't sure what to think. M.J. seemed pretty distressed. But was this her way of attempting to get closer to him? No, she wouldn't toy with something that serious. Maybe someone did know his secret, but was there proof? He'd better investigate.
Fortunately, Peter had been on his way to the Daily Bugle. He arrived at the building and found Robbie.
"Robbie, I've heard talk that something's going on here later today, something about Spider-man? Is that true?" Peter asked.
"Oh, good morning Peter. Yeah, Brock called Mr. Jameson this morning. He claims to have big news about Spider-man. Some photos of him without his mask or something. Jameson's pretty skeptical, well, you know Brock. I'm not sure I believe it either. Brock's probably still mad about being fired. But I'd like to see these photos anyways. He mentioned that he wanted you to be there too. Actually he was pretty insistent that you be there. I guess he has this rivalry with you, don't take it personally." Robbie replied nonchalantly as he was sorting through files. He didn't think Brock had actual proof. He'd known Brock to be unreliable and he'd seen his temper. Robbie felt that this was some sort of stunt to win his job back.
"Did he say when they were taken?" Peter asked as his heart beat faster.
"Something about late last night at the scene of that big crash site. Spider-man 'supposedly' returned. Unfortunately he didn't get any pictures of the actual crash. The pictures you dropped off early this morning were excellent, though. That's exactly the kind of work we need. That's what Brock should be doing. I keep telling him this but he doesn't listen." Robbie looked up from his desk but Peter wasn't there.
Peter dashed to the stairwell. He ran up to the roof while undoing his shirt and slipping on his mask. He emerged on the top of the building dressed as Spider-man. He began swinging toward Brock's apartment. He'd been there once before on assignment.
Peter could remember the moment, after his fight with Mary Jane, which he'd exposed himself. It was when he retrieved his camera. He remembered feeling watched but he thought nothing of it at the time. How stupid! Why hadn't he changed into costume? He was being careless and he couldn't afford to be careless. His whole life was in jeopardy now. He couldn't continue to be Spider-man if the world knew his secret. He contemplated the terrible things that would happen if the truth came out. The police might arrest him, scientists might want to study him, or criminals might try to kill him. But he could handle whatever happened to him. That was part of the risk of being Spider-man. He was afraid for Aunt May, Mary Jane, and the other people close to him. He didn't want to put them in danger. How strange, the very thing he'd warned Mary Jane about the night before was suddenly coming true.
Peter peered into Brock's window. He wasn't home. Peter pried the window open and climbed in. He went straight toward the shabby darkroom. He examined the prints drying on a clothesline. Peter swore to himself. Sure enough there he was clearly exposed as Spider-man. He took all the prints down and stuffed them under his arm. He then looked for the negatives. He found them and took them too. He had all the evidence but even if he destroyed it this wouldn't solve his problem. Brock probably had the original photos on him and he was probably headed for the Daily Bugle. Peter formulated a plan. Maybe he could still get out of this mess after all. But he was going to need M.J.'s help.
To be continued…
So what do you think? I enjoy your comments. I hope to update soon, if I can find the time. Just a few chapters left!