Chapter 2

[Out in Front of the Museum]

[A/N: Get ready for the surprises. I'm speeding things up on certain fronts.]

Clark sank back into his seat's leather. Ill at Ease unsettled him for some reason. This is weird. I've been to Metropolis. This is bigger but it's the same thing. We had a great dinner. Everything's okay. Right? His eyes glanced toward Lana. Then, he considered Dubois. What's with her? She was so on edge. I know it isn't cool to pry.

You're right. It's not. Thank you. Dubois shot him a sharp glance. "We really need to be careful."

Martha leaned forward. "So, you've said. Is there news from Dr. Swann?" She and Jonathan remained on pins and needles. Louise and Jor-El's surprise "visit" back there unnerved them to say the least. Masked Rescuer's transportation left them wonder found. Questions nagged over Dubois' mysterious appearance at the hotel. Swann and Crosby hadn't explained themselves. The NYPD remained too close for comfort. Peter and Gwen seemed nice, but they barely knew them. How many people are watching us exactly?

"Yes." Dubois tapped her phone. "We're actually safer here at the museum than at the hotel or planetarium right now. Peter ran into Arighatto earlier tonight outside the Stacys' home. Arighatto taunted me. Be careful. He wants you, Miranda." She narrowed her eyes. "That won't happen."

"Peter? Why would that creep want Peter or Gwen? They're just college kids!" Miranda shook her head. "There's something else going on with them. Yeah, he wants to control me again. He'll kill you, Lana."

"I'm not letting him take you without a fight, Miri." Lana clenched her fists. "I want answers."

"Lana, let's be careful." Martha shook her head. "We don't know what he can do." They reached the museum. "This is it. Remember, Kids, keep our heads down but have a great time." She saw the door open. "Thank you, Sir."

"My pleasure, Mrs. Kent. Watch your step, Ladies." The driver helped Martha, Lana, Miranda and Dubois from the car. "Mr. Kent? Same for you, Sir."

"Uh…thanks but I'm good." Clark stepped onto the sidewalk. Mammoth Granite Building ran for blocks. "That's all one place?"

"It sure is, Clark." Lana smirked at him. "Maybe we'll get a taste tonight?" We can always run back up here at some point. She admired the Met's exterior as well. Chloe'll love this! She aimed her phone. Camera snapped several digital images. "How are we doing for time? They said 7:30."

"We still have five minutes." Miranda set her jaw. Patrons headed in and out of the building. Normalcy seemed to be in order.

At least for the moment….

[A Half Hour Earlier—Stacy Residence]

Despite Standoff's earlier issues, Peter's dinner with Gwen and Captain Stacy took on its usual vibe. The two teens discussed their classes. Stacy complimented Peter on the Features assignment. Taste buds and palates savored Gwen's corned beef and accompanying sides.

Concern, however, lingered just under the surface….

Peter kept his manner even for her sake. His encounters at the crash site and right outside had him on edge. Spider Sense needled at him in spite of being in safe quarters. Who is that Snapdragon? Great. Whoever that is, she now knows about me too? So, that makes her, that Dubois, Joe Light Guy, Louise the Angel and possibly Virgil Swann who know about me? He took a draught from his mug. His eyes kept flitting toward her. I'd just leave Gwendy here and take the pics. That creep made himself clear. If we don't go, he'll come back here or target Harry. Do I want to risk a Norman Osborn flip out? He sucked in a deep breath.

"Hey…Little Dreamer…hope you're dreaming of me." She rubbed his shoulder.

"Hmm?" Peter snapped back to his senses. Reverie kept him on edge. "Sorry. Lot on my mind." He walked over to the closet. "Get your coat, Pretty Lady?"

"You can get that and my arm on the way out, Man o' Mine." She turned her back and let him slip her beige coat on over her dark blouse. "Thanks! Hey! Relax! Dad's called in the cavalry. We'll see that blade before it slips away."

"Pictures keep it here. That and making sure you get to the ball's my job." Peter smiled. "Is there anything you need, Mr. Stacy?"

"Just keep your eyes open. I told Lieutenant deWolff to be ready. I'm sure the Chief said the same thing." Stacy efforted himself to his feet. "I will be in touch with Mr. Osborn. He should know about the threat to Harry." He turned toward Peter. And the threat to you if I'm right, Peter.

"I can't believe that! What did Harry do to him?" Worry knitted her brow. "Mr. Osborn's usually really nice!"

"Unfortunately, people want to get to his Dad through him." Peter got his own coat on. "Ready? Figure safety in numbers?"

"Mmm…where you're concerned, two will do!" She linked her arm in his. "You sure you're okay, Dad?"

"I'm fine, Dear. You both have a good time." Stacy limped over to the door. "I'll look forward to seeing some pictures in the Bugle."

"They'll be there if I have my way. Anything happens, we'll call." Peter opened the door. He guided Gwen outside and down the walk. His eyes scanned the area for potential issues. Maybe that creep will stay under his rock for tonight? I can hope. He noted deWolff's roadster parked by the curb. "Looks like our ride's here."

"We ride in style tonight." Gwen frowned. "It's going to be okay, Peter. He wouldn't do anything with the extra surveillance."

With the threats out there, we could have an army against that guy. Something tells me the army wouldn't stop him. He opened the door. "Evening, Lieutenant."

"Good evening, Mr. Parker, Gwen." deWolff regarded them both. "I put the top back up. Why don't you both get in back?" Her mind rumbled over the argument with her father. The afternoon's issues refused to go away even with Snapdragon's issues. "So, I heard that Ulrich and you took a ride north?"

"We were there. We didn't find anything other than the wreck. We turned around and came right back." He slipped in beside Gwen, pull the door shut and yanked the seat back into place.

"You two were the first ones there. No bodies, nothing?" deWolff pulled out into traffic. Cigarette's end glowed orange in mid-puff. "The other investigators found nothing either. There wasn't even a torn parachute on the ground or anything. It's not like they flew here. I still want to know how the Kents and those girls got back here myself." She frowned.

If that Snapdragon lady picked them up on the flying carpet, maybe they did. Maybe Clark and Lana had other ways of getting here? If they're like that Dubois lady, they could run here in no time. He mulled that thought over. I still can't believe Lana took that tree out myself.

"Maybe Dr. Swann sent that car to the airport, Jean?" Gwen shrugged. "I wonder if it was that creepy guy that was outside earlier?"

"Yeah…him." deWolff puffed a demonstrative dreg through her cigarette. "In one afternoon, Virgil Swann and Hansei Arighatto are looking for you? That's some impressive company." She frowned. "We'd like to talk to him about his stepdaughter."

"She and he don't get along. He really wasn't too friendly about things. We should really be careful." He tapped his fingers on the armrest.

"And she wasn't too keen on him either at lunch." Gwen shook her head.

"I remember from the planetarium." deWolff drove them across the bridge. "A lot about this case that doesn't make sense. I hate cases like that." She tapped ash into the ashtray. Then, she started in again. "Captain Stacy said Arighatto threatened the Osborns and them? Wonder why?"

"He wants me there. He knows of my connection to Spider-Man. There are a few other things but he'll deny them if you ask him." He sucked in a deep breath.

"Other things? Peter? What else is there?" Gwen bit her lip. "Dad's interested in him but we don't know anything! Harry doesn't know!"

"Do tell, Mr. Parker. I'd like to know as well." deWolff glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

Think fast, Parker! He shrugged. "He was bragging about knowing some of the Web Head's sparring partners. He just showed up. I turned around and he was gone again. I know it's nuts but…."

"Given how the rest of the day's going, I'd say it's par for the course." deWolff frowned. "Did he say he was going to be there tonight?"

"He made some allusion to me being there or else." He scoffed. "I have my assignment. I'm taking pics of that katana for Ms. Mercado. Then, maybe Gwen and I can look around. Our new friends are supposed to be meeting us at 7:30."

"You do that." deWolff got on her mike. "Dispatch, this is deWolff."

"Go ahead, Lieutenant. Over?"

"Dispatch, transfer me to FBI agent on site." deWolff waited for a minute.

"This is Agent Garth Singleton, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?"

"Agent Singleton thank you. Apologies. I know you're there to guard the katana. Hansei Arighatto has been spotted in New York earlier tonight. He made allusions to the Bugle's photographer that he'd better be at the museum tonight. Commissioner deWolff should have sent a few more officers to your location." deWolff listened for his response.

"They're here. We appreciate the NYPD's help in the matter. Is that Peter Parker? I have him on my roster to see Dr. Tuishiama and the katana. There's a guest too?" Singleton checked his PDA.

"Gwen Stacy. Yes, she's here with us too. We're a couple of blocks out. I'm driving an antique car. You can't miss it. Apparently, they're meeting some other folks from out of town." She passed another light and pulled up a few yards behind Swann's limo. "Everything seems in order. Copy?"

"Roger that, Lieutenant. I'm standing just inside the door. I'll meet them in front in a few minutes. Thank you for the update. Singleton out."

"You're looking for an Agent Singleton. He's supposed to bring you to it, I guess. Given the security around it, you're getting first class treatment, Mr. Parker." deWolff opened her passenger door. "Have fun in there."

"We'll try, Jean. Can't wait to see this!" Gwen waited for him to get out. Then she accepted a hand to help her do the same. "Our fellow merry people are here. What else do we need?"

"I just want to get this assignment out of the way. Then we can wander the museum and get coffees with them?" He shut the door. "Sorry you can't join us in there."

"Art's not my thing. What you're doing though is a good thing. Cultural exchange is a good thing. Look forward to seeing your pictures on the features page. Watch out for her in there." deWolff signaled him in. "Arighatto's like the Kingpin but worse. I'm sure the Web Head has told you enough of that."

A wince contorted his face. "Yeah, he has. Be careful. He doesn't seem like one to mince words or care who he runs over either."

"No. He doesn't. Glad you got the point. I know I don't have to tell you to watch out for Gwen. Those folks have already been through Hell today. Whatever else is going on, they don't need any more happening. You see anything, let Singleton and his partner know. Got it?"

"Yeah I got it." Peter waved to her and headed for the group.

Greetings and a surprise lurked…and that was before going inside….