Chapter 19

[Stacy Residence—7:45 AM]

Jean pulled the squad car up in front of the house. Her (latest) cigarette glowed orange at the tip. Smoke puffed through the open window. Morning's third coffee sat in its holder between the seats. Her lip curled. The Bugle sat on the passenger seat. "Just when I thought yesterday couldn't get any better." A pained sigh escaped her lips. Parker, you just had to get that headline. Didn't you? She rubbed her forehead. Her calls and research on the Kents presented more questions than answers. That sheriff wasn't too thrilled with my questions. She can deal with it. Still Evidence (or Lack Thereof) at the crash site bothered her. Both Parker and Ulrich said that the site was clean. There was no evidence of anything. No impact crater…no sign…nothing other than that plane. Swann could've sent his car. It was heading north at that point according to its transponder. Then, the Kents have the body with them? I'd be interested to test that car's fibers. People reported a person on a flying carpet yesterday. Then, that person pulled Spider-Man out of the sky?

Spider-Man….

What was the Web Head doing over there at that hour? He must've been talking to Parker about that arrangement of theirs. Hope he got Parker out of there. He'd have had to get caught in the blast otherwise. She glanced at the house. "Telling Gwen's going to be a picnic. Oh yeah, fun, fun…." Dad's pissed at me too. Sorry. You did tell me to talk to Lex Luthor last night. She grabbed the newspaper. "Hope they're up." She grabbed both her used and unopened packs. "I'm going to need them for this." She meandered up the front walk and toward the door. Her knuckles rapped on it.

Stacy opened it. "Jean? This is a surprise." He gimped off to the side. "I trust you're here about the explosion?" Dejection furrowed his brow. "Has Peter been seen yet? Gwen's on the phone with his Aunt May. She has fresh coffee perking on the stove."

"I have my cup out in the squad car. I've been up with this case all night!" Jean set the Bugle down on the table. "You see Parker's handiwork? I say we have our motive right here. Hansei Arighatto's got interesting taste in masks."

"Not very concealing I have to say. I…" Stacy turned toward Gwen.

"GOSH! MRS. PARKER! MRS. PARKER! ARE YOU THERE?" Gwen stared at the phone. "ANSWER ME!" Concern and Worry sent her right to Panic's extremes. "I'M HERE! PLEASE!" She wheeled around. "Jean! I'm sorry. I was talking to Peter's aunt. She stopped talking."

Jean grabbed the phone. Just what we needed! She had to turn on the morning news. Dammit! "Mrs. Parker! Mrs. Parker, this is Lieutenant deWolff with the NYPD. Are you there? Do you require assistance? Please respond." She waited for a response.

Silence…

Jean shook her head. Various outcomes barreled through her mind. Given May Parker's age, Stroke or Heart Attack loomed as likely candidates. "Mrs. Parker, do you require assistance? Respond." She heard no response. "Gwen, throw something on. You're coming with me." She took out her walkie talkie. "Dispatch, this is deWolff. Copy."

"This is Dispatch, Lieutenant."

"Dispatch, I need an ambulance tasked to 20 Ingram Street in Forest Hills. Resident, May Parker, stopped talking on the phone. She does not answer me either. En route now. Any word on Peter Parker?" deWolff watched Gwen rush back out in slacks and a turtleneck.

"Dad, we'll make sure Mrs. P's okay. Are you okay by yourself?" Gwen shut the stove off. Her heart raced. Peter's missing. He can't be stuck in that rubble. He can't be! She struggled with her own composure. She grabbed her purse.

"I'm fine. I'll wait for Mr. Luthor. Go ahead." Stacy embraced her. "Remember, there's no word. He could've made it out of there. Think of his aunt. All right? He might be somewhere and unable to reach us."

"I…I know, Dad. Thanks." Gwen hustled for the door. "Jean?"

"Coming." Jean pointed toward the phone. "Can you listen? If you hear anything, keep her talking." She ran for the car. As she did so, she saw the LuthorCorp car pull in behind her. "I don't have time for this." She got in the car. "Hang on, Gwen." She started the siren and sped down the road.

Collateral damage mounted….