Chapter 3

"Howdy, Everyone!" Gwen waved toward Martha and the others. "How was that dinner? Hear Pisano's is to die for!" Despite Concerns, she kept an upbeat front.

"Pisano's never disappoints." Dubois noted Peter coming up behind Gwen. What were he and the Lieutenant talking about? He seems all right. He's nervous.

"I haven't had cooking like that since I was over in Italy." Miranda sucked in a deep breath. Memoria recalled Italy's Adriatic Coast and its cuisine.

"The fish was a little strange but…." Clark started to say. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Clark didn't like the calamari. Miranda and I do. Have to say it's been a while since we had food like that. My Aunt Nell used to take me to a great place in Metropolis." Lana shrugged. "How did your feast work out?"

"Mom's corned beef recipe never disappoints! Dad and Peter like it. By the way, if you all want, my Dad invited you all for dinner before you take back off into the wild blue yonder. Great stuff all around! We can talk about what you like." Gwen motioned toward the stairs. "Why don't we take a peek at that magic sword?"

Miranda stopped. "Boss, Clark, Mrs. Kent, I don't believe it!" She pointed up the stairs.

"Don't believe what?" Martha looked around. "What's going on, Miranda? Is there something wrong? Wait a minute. Peter, can you check with that agent?"

"Sure. I'll let him know." Peter climbed the stairs. Now what? He spied Singleton standing by the door. "Excuse me, Agent Singleton?" He produced his press pass and held up his camera. "I'm Peter Parker."

Singleton reviewed the pass and handed it back to Peter. "Thank you. Everything seems to be in order." He saw Gwen, Martha and the Kents around Miranda. "Welcome, Folks. Just a minute." He spoke into his earpiece. "Petersen, the photographer and his group are here. I'm bringing them to you." He listened. "Okay, Folks. We're good. Right this way and…." He froze in his tracks.

"Agent Singleton?" Peter took a step toward the agent. He noted shock in the other man's eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I…I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Parker." Singleton looked at Miranda. "Miranda?" He hustled down the stairs toward her. He checked the scar on her chin. A smile spread across his face. "Miri!" He embraced her.

"Miri?" Clark and Lana asked each other and Singleton.

"Uncle Garth!" Miranda threw her hands around his neck. "Sorry. I know you're on duty but…."

"Don't worry about it. This is like the answer to a prayer. Agent Petersen'll never believe this." Singleton rubbed Miranda's shoulder. "I should've known. Mrs. Kent, it's been a while." He stuck his hand out toward Martha. "I trust Mr. Kent's well? And this has to be Clark." He waved to Clark. "You have to be Lana. You look just like Laura, you know."

"You knew my Mom?" Lana stared at Singleton and then to Martha. "Mrs. Kent?"

"Yes, he did a long time ago, Lana. Mr. Kent's fine. Garth Singleton? And you're talking about your classmate…Steven, right?" Martha shook Singleton's hand. "You know Miranda?"

"Know her? Oh yes. I was there when she got that scar on her chin. We've been looking for her for years. Steve…Agent Petersen…is the agent in charge of her case. He's here in the exhibit. Let's get you all inside."

"Excuse me, Agent Singleton? What do you mean 'case'? Miranda's been in Smallville for over ten years. She hasn't done anything. Has she?" Martha raised an eyebrow. Questions and Suspicions bubbled over in her mind. "Sorry. What is this about?"

"Miranda hasn't done anything. She was kidnapped by Hansei Arighatto twelve years ago. Her parents and family were murdered. I'm grateful she's with you all." Singleton looked around again. "I'd really like to get you all inside. I don't feel secure out here especially if he has been around." He guided them toward the door. "Petersen?"

"Yeah, Singleton? We're coming up the stairs to you," Petersen replied over the earpiece.

"You and the Doc had better brace yourselves. You're never going to believe this! We better get ready for Ronin. Now he's got two reasons to show himself. Bringing them inside." Singleton ushered them through the front door. "The katana's downstairs. Dr. Tuishiama and Agent Petersen are waiting."

"Uncle Steve? Nyoki? Auntie Angie's friend?" Miranda trembled. Joy's tears streaked her cheeks. "Where are they? I…Oh wow! Sorry. Uncle Garth, I don't want you going on report or anything. I…"

"Don't worry about that. Agent Ferrell will understand if anyone does." Singleton led them toward the staircase. "Just a minute. Hey! Look at who we found!"

Petersen reached the top of the stairs first. "Nyoki, Princess, stay back. We don't…." He crept across the floor. His hand moved toward his weapon. "Singleton! What? I…" His jaw dropped. "Damn. I…" He hustled toward the group. "Miri?" He looked her over. "Unreal." He grabbed onto her. "I'm glad to see you! You have no idea how long we've been looking for you!"

"Uncle Steve? I can't believe this! He bragged that he killed everyone!" Miranda returned the embrace. "I don't want to be a distraction! The katana's more important. We need to get down there." She started down the stairs. "Professor, you knew my Auntie. You're a Princess, right?" She bowed.

"I am. You two know each other?" Jasmine motioned for Miranda to rise. "This is wondrous news indeed! We shall have to celebrate! Come, my Friends!"

"I did know your Aunt Angie and your Uncle Dave when we were in high school. I am honored to meet you at last, Miranda Chan. We shall have to have further communication later." Tuishiama hugged her. "Your Aunt Angie was the most loving person. We shall speak more on that. Parker San, I apologize."

"Hey. Don't worry about it! News like this I can definitely go for." Peter nodded. "Maybe I can take some pictures downstairs? This would be great!"

"We can definitely do that, Mr. Parker. Come on." Petersen ushered them down the stairs and toward the katana. "And here we are! Why don't you get your pictures? Then we can talk." He pointed toward the display.

"Thanks, Agent Petersen." Peter checked his camera. He took shot after shot of gallery and exhibits. Katana sheathed and unsheathed merited at least a half dozen pictures. Tuishiama posed with a couple of pictures. "Okay. That's good. Thank you both."

"You're welcome. The Bureau appreciates a good word. I'm sure the Japanese Consulate would as well. I'm just glad Miranda's all right and around good folks. I want to make sure you're all safe." Petersen spoke into his earpiece. "Perimeter? This is Petersen. Over?"

Static echoed in his ears.

"Perimeter? Edwards? Jones? This is Petersen. Respond." Petersen repeated into his mic. "Singleton, move Princess Jasmine and Miranda back to safe quarters."

Dubois sensed several presences moving toward them. "Agents, I think we should evacuate the katana?"

Spider Sense jangled in Peter's head. That's my cue. His eyes met Dubois'. Alarm claxons and flashing lights lit up the displays.

"Peter? What's going on? You think it's her step-kidnapper…whatever? Sorry, Miranda, I…" Gwen ground her teeth. She looked around. "Peter? PETER!" She rolled her eyes. "Where did he go?" Mists swept her from the area.

"What is he…?" Singleton winced. "MR. PARKER! MISS STACY! I…" He sized up the missing companions. "Petersen, they're gone!"

"He's looking for a way to get us out of here. Besides, he's a photographer. You know?" Dubois shook her head. Kids, go! You're not getting exposed. You have to get out of here. NOW!

Clark and Lana looked at each other. Then they turned to Dubois. "We're staying. We…."

"Where are Miri, the Princess, Gwen, that Professor and your Mom, Clark?" Lana noted only a few bare wisps of mist behind them. "They're gone too!"

Nyoki, don't be stupid. Please! Petersen ground his teeth. Experience knew Tuishiama had certain gear in the museum. Hope, however, wanted to keep her safe. And where are Miri and the others? He shook his head. If this were high school, Dave would've pulled stuff like this. He heard a loud clack of boots descending the stairs toward them. "Kids, get behind us." He glanced over at Dubois. "You too, Professor." His fingers slid into his pocket. Fingertips brushed across cell phone therein. "Garth?"

"Our comms are down! I'm only getting static." Garth pulled out his earpiece. He turned to Dubois and the others. "You heard him. Stay back. We have a promise of our own to keep."

"Fine." Dubois kept a straight face. Her mind weighed every available option. She backed right into Katana's display. Her eye fixed itself on the meteor stone in its handle. Worse, the demon's aura chilled and stank to her senses. Is that how they felt? No matter what, I have to watch out for these children. She braced herself for a fight. Papa and Mama wanted to live in peace. Now I may have no choice.

"You have nowhere to go! My ninja have blocked the exits." Arighatto strode down the stairs. Purpose and Triumph puffed his chest. Satisfaction and Arrogance lent emphasis to his swagger. "Step aside! The katana and my daughter are MINE!" He stopped. "Miranda! She…!" He spat on the stairs. "She was here!" A predatory gleam danced in his eyes. "I can sense her!" Kanojo o mitsukemasu! "My followers will find her soon enough. Perhaps I will devour the Uragirimono no rōnin in front of you." He relaxed. "I will take these children if nothing else."

Petersen coughed. "Nyoki's worth fifty of you. Do you really think we'd have Miranda out here like that?" Indignant sniff puffed through his nostrils. "What do you take us for, Arighatto?" He pulled his pistol.

Singleton drew his own sidearm. "Let's make this easy. You come with us. We keep this clean. Charges are murder, kidnapping, extortion, narcotics trafficking for starters. And that's you. Maybe we can ask your alter ego what he thinks?" He sized up Arighatto. "You caught Dave in a bad way back then. You aren't doing that now. And no, the Kents and Miss Lang aren't going anywhere."

"So, you remember him? I imagine you do. How would Karen react to you being buried next to her adopted family? Then you know your display is pointless. Your bullets cannot hurt me!" Ruby glowed in Arighatto's eyes. "Surrender and I will grant you a quick death. Resist and be devoured!"

Impossible odds….