37: Gwen's Initiative
Peter's door.
Two detectives knocked on the door.
Aunt May came to open it, and frowned seeing two police detectives in uniform.
"Excuse me, what's this about?"
"Don't be too nervous, ma'am. We're here to see Peter Parker. Is he home?"
"Peter?"
Aunt May suddenly felt nervous. Did Peter get into trouble outside?
"You two, Peter is my nephew. Did he do something bad?"
"You have to believe he's a good boy, someone must be coercing him..."
Before Aunt May could finish, the detective stopped her: "Hey...Ma'am, don't worry."
"We just need to ask Peter Parker a few things about his mentor Dr. Connors."
Aunt May breathed relief. "Oh, in that case, wait here. I'll call him down..."
"Peter~ Peter~"
Aunt May called upstairs several times.
"Coming, Aunt May."
Peter hurried downstairs, exhaustion on his face.
"Son, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
Aunt May asked with concern: "If something's wrong, you must tell me."
"Don't worry, Aunt May. I'm fine."
Peter looked towards the door.
The detectives approached. "Mr. Parker, please come to the station to assist in the investigation."
Peter knew right away this was about the deadline.
Someone must've discovered what happened at the school lab.
"Okay, I'll come with you."
He told Aunt May, "It's alright, I'll be back tonight."
"Wait for me, I'll return for dinner."
...
Inside the New York Police Department.
George sat across from Peter, the table between them.
There were photos of Dr. Connors' lab, including the immense carnage.
"So Dr. Connors put you on leave after your research succeeded that day."
"You haven't seen him since then?"
Peter had already prepared his story for when the police found him.
In short, Connors' actual situation could not be exposed.
George picked up a photo on the table. "Can you explain what this is? Have you seen it before?"
The picture showed the huge carnage.
Peter shook his head. "Looks like shed skin from the animals we studied."
"But it's massive..."
"I think it's some kind of movie prop..."
After a few more harmless questions, George stood and shook Peter's hand. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Parker."
"You're welcome, it's my duty. Dr. Connors was also my mentor, I'm very saddened by his accident."
They chatted a bit more before Peter left the NYPD.
In the interrogation room, George scrutinized the lab photos, seeming to want more clues.
Just then, a detective entered.
"I think you should see this."
George frowned, disliking the interruption.
"Did you find something on Dr. Connors?"
"No, but there appears to be a new superheroine in New York."
"What?"
George took the offered tablet.
It played a video filmed by a passerby.
Several robbers fleeing after a convenience store heist were suddenly accosted by a woman in white leaping down from above.
Yes, from the figure it was clearly female.
She easily dispatched the gun-toting robber and trussed him and his accomplices to a telephone pole in thick white cords.
Their pistols were also shattered.
The video had cheers from onlooking citizens.
As the camera panned, the filmer rushed over, stroking the white strands.
"My gosh, is this spider web?"
"Did you see that? How cool was she, what a awesome girl!"
"Look, she wrecked these guns bare-handed."
...
Though the video wasn't finished, George had seen enough.
He angrily slammed the tablet on the table.
The detective winced, as it was his personal tablet he'd brought to pass time.
Hope it wasn't busted.
"Another wannabe hero. I don't know which parents raised such a daughter."
"Clearly failed to discipline her properly."
Just then, several people entered the interrogation room.
Seeing them, George sighed. It was the video's three culprits.
One bragged, "If not for Spider-Woman, you dumb cops couldn't have caught us."
The escorting detective noticed the chief's darkening expression.
He gave the foolish robbers a sympathetic look before silently slipping away.
...
On a rooftop.
Gwen, after wandering New York, swung back from another direction.
Almost at top speed, she leapt and clung to Andrew octopus-style.
"How was it, did you have fun?" Andrew smiled.
Gwen removed her hood, beaming with excitement. "I loved it so much!"
"And guess what, I busted some robbers on my way back. Tied them up and wrecked their guns."
Gwen gestured vividly, trying to make Andrew feel her elation.
Andrew listened quietly to her story.
After finishing, she looped her arms around his neck. "I'm just, so happy..."
"Today's the best day of my life."
"Thank you, Andrew."
Andrew replied, "This is your own ability, why thank me?"
"Without your support and push, I doubt I would've taken this step."
"So...thanks..."
Gwen said affectionately.
Just as Andrew started to protest she needn't thank him, Gwen grabbed his collar and pulled him down...
Their lips touched.
Andrew held Gwen tighter after the brief shock...
...To be continued.