Chapter 6

Two hours later the appointment was over, leaving Harry free to explore the manor. He couldn't decide where to go next. The beach was cheerfully calling to him, but the mansion's gothic baroque style whispered mysteriously. Turning away from the wonderfully sunny day in the window, he climbed the sweeping metallic staircase. Shelves and shelves of first edition books and autographed works lined the walls. One could spend years reading them all. As he inspected the titles, Harry found something odd. The rows all fit neatly into the cubby that was built solidly into the wall, except for one. A ledge jutted out obliquely from the rest. Curious, he pushed it back into place. With a groan the wall gave in completely and Harry tumbled in. A hidden passageway. Checking to see if anyone saw him, he closed the section firmly. The Goblin's son continued on. The small hallway led to a weirdly shaped room with tons of rubbish and junk. The walls sloped into incredible shapes, like the ones he saw in the foyer. He was in the attic. Crunch. Something on the ground caught his ear as well was his eye.

Reaching down to an old stack of newspapers, he picked one off the top and began to read. Just as he was halfway through, he stopped. He felt a strange sensation creeping slowly down his spine, like a rush of frozen water being poured down his back. If what this article said was true… A wild look slithered into his features, laughter erupted all around him. With unbelievable agility he raced back to the opening and out, clattering loudly on the metallic steps. Casper, who had been spying on him, floated behind. He stopped on the porch as he watched the man take off in his luxury car. Where could he be going in such a hurry? Dr. Harvey had left to go see another appointment an hour away, which meant the only other person was…

"Kat!" Casper hurried after him.

The trio had their bar, Casper had his lighthouse, and her father had his study. For Kat, the only place she could get away from ghosts was the bookstore. It was located in the quaint main street of the small town, a small brick structure with rows and rows of novels. It had a tiny coffee shop attached where Kat was currently sitting by the huge glass window facing the road. The argument with Casper still lingered with her as she toyed with the lukewarm cappuccino in her hands. She heard a soft purr of an engine and looked up to see a sleek Mercedes pull into a spot right outside, Harry stepped out. He glanced in her direction, flashing her a toothy grin as he pulled off his sunglasses. He looked like Harry, but the Goblin was in control.

You will get the information from her at all costs, even if it takes her life.

It whispered in his ear. He took the seat across from her, smile never wavering.

No, there are other means, he assured his other self.

"I thought I'd find you here."

She shrugged. "It's a small town, you'd found me eventually. So how did the session go?"

"Great. Your dad's a nice guy, knows his stuff."

"It's nice for him to have a fan, people say he's crazy." She lowered her eyes back to her coffee.

She doesn't know the definition of crazy, the Goblin sniffed.

"No, my dad was the insane one." He added just the hint of sadness in his voice.

"How long ago was it?" She asked.

"Two years."

Both fell into silence. Kat took a sip and lowered her hand back down to the table. Harry reached over, lightly brushing it. Clearly caught off guard, she opened her mouth to begin saying something. But she switched gears and spoke of another topic.

"How?"

"Spider-Man." He whispered for dramatic effect.

Inside his head the Goblin was nearly exploding with anger. What are you doing? You're supposed to be beating the information out of her! Not putting on a show!

Patience, Harry answered back. He gave a heartbreaking smile to Kat, whose brown eyes melted with sympathy. She'll tell me everything soon.

"But what can I do? It's not like I can bring him back or anything. I'm sorry I bothered you with this."

Wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye, he stood to leave. He got as far as the door before she held him back. Harry grinned slyly, right on time.

"Actually, there is a way."

She grabbed his hand and led him in between two mountainous shelves, glancing around nervously for anyone that might overhear them. Luckily, the place was deserted.

"Now this is going to sound strange…"

Kat poured out the story of her discovery of the machine that Casper's father built ages ago to resurrect his son. She included everything, even the part where the machine had been used on her father. The Goblin shrieked with triumph. Not only was the machine real, but it worked! After the tale, she looked up him expectantly.

"I can understand if you don't believe me."

"No, I do." He assured her.

All he needed to know was the location of the device. Easy enough.

"Thank you so much Kat, now my father can get the payback he deserves."

Confusion etched itself immediately on her lovely features.

"What payback? What are you talking about?"

What he did next surprised even him. Perhaps it was some unconscious ache inside him, the one spot of him that hadn't been taken over by the sinister Goblin. The tiny part that was still Harry. With a slight gentleness, he silenced her with a forceful kiss. She responded willingly, putting her hands on his shoulders then sliding them to his chest. For a moment he was human again.

But the feeling didn't last too long.

For some compelling reason, he felt the need to open his eyes. His father was standing behind her in full armor, a grave look on his face. Harry broke contact with Kat, eyes wide with terror.

Now you've done it.

A single explosive shell was in his hand.

Say goodbye Harry.

He calmly let it spill out of his hand to the floor.

"No!"

Instinctively Harry dove away from the charge, pulling Kat away with him. He crouched against the wall, waiting for the intense heat and earsplitting noise that accompanied it. But nothing happened.

"Harry? What are you doing?"

Kat twisted underneath him, trying to push him off. Reluctantly, he helped her up as he stood but he kept her close.

"It's him. He saw us."

"His ghost follows you around?"

He nodded slightly. "It's not safe for you anymore. We have to go-"

All of a sudden he stopped, releasing the young woman from his grasp and turning away from her.

"Is he here?" Kat asked anxiously.

But Harry couldn't answer, a familiar feeling creeping through him. It felt like a fire heating his skin. No! Not now! He yelled at the Goblin inside. I don't want to hurt her. Too late, it huffed. The last piece of Harry dissolved. The young man that kissed her so tenderly was gone, now he swiveled around and grabbed her wrist roughly.

"No more games. Tell me where it is." He snarled in a distorted voice.

Kat whimpered uselessly.

"I'll get it out of you, one way or another." He said with a wicked grin.