Extra Edition

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

'Ben Reilly' makes his way back to the Daily Bugle, after calling ahead to set up a meeting. In the pocket of his trenchcoat, very persuasive and valuable evidence.

There are fewer stares this time, despite his resemblance to their late colleague - after all, gossip travels fast, and Pete's cousin from out of town has been a frequent item of discussion.

Morph makes his way to Urich's office with a little grin on his face.

Comments

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

"Ben!" Urich rises from behind his desk and makes his way to the door. "You look like a cat on the canary diet."

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"Canary's a lot tastier than crow, I find. I think I've got something for you - by itself, not enough for a conviction. But I'll be damned if it isn't enough for a search warrant or three."

He brandishes a tape recorder.

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

Urich reaches out for the equipment. "What's on it?"

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"A little chat I had with Crystal Lensherr."

He takes a seat, still grinning.

"Feel free to take a listen, but the long and short of it is that she all but confesses to Peter's murder."

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

Urich listens to the tape, scribbling notes to himself. "Hmm," he says at the end. "Yeah. It might. It just might." He looks up and gives the younger man a wintry grin. "Can't wait to tell Jonah. At lunch. He might even pick up the tab."

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"You know, somehow I anticipated more of a reaction there, Mr. Urich. What's up?"

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

The older man chuckles to himself. "Son, if I lost my head every time something exciting happened in this town, I'd be good for nothing but the classifieds section." He scribbles a few more notes. "Gotta hand it to you ... pretending to be your cousin like that. You must've been careful not to get too close to her so she could see you weren't really a ghost." He looks up from the legal pad. "So tell me ... was Parker a mutant? That why he was so good at following a story?"

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"She wasn't buying the spooky vibe, anyway - she believed Peter had survived, rather than turn to some supernatural explanation. I didn't care either way, so long as she got chatty. Family resemblance, a disguise, and dim light did the trick."

Morph grins at the last question.

"Peter was a little different - not a mutant, but he had some unusual talents. Why do you ask?"

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

Urich taps the side of his nose. "Just a feeling. The kid was a little too good for a baseline his age. Wasn't sure at first why he'd want to hide being a mutant, or whatever he was, unless he figured it'd give him that edge. After he switched to the mob beat, I figured he'd been pretty smart there." He taps the end of his pencil against the desk thoughtfully. "Y'know, looking back ... I think Parker intended to end up in the mob beat from word one. Probably had something to do with his uncle getting killed...."

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"Pete was smart enough to do that, if he wanted, and he's never been a fan of violent criminal types, that's for sure. And in a town like this, a reporter can do a lot of good working on mob stories."

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, he can." He nods, then grins at "Ben." "How about you? You want to stick around, do some good? Or at least see the trial?"

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"I may get to. I hope so. It'd make me rest a little easier, seeing justice done.. but there are other cases, things that need my attention that may not be able to wait."

That part does frustrate him. But then he grins a little.

"I do have one more bit of business in town. I may be able to give a little kid a bit of a happy ending. I found out the Gargoyle's wife is still alive - and there's a little boy who hasn't seen his mom in about a year.."

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

"A happy ending. We don't get to see too many of those in this business." Urich stands and extends a hand across his desk. "You did good, son. Your cousin'd be proud."

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

Morph likewise stands, shaking the hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Urich. I certainly hope so. It's been a pleasure working with you on this."

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

The older man's grip is firm. "Likewise. Drop by the next time you're in town, all right?"

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

"I will."

Morph honestly, sincerely hopes to come back to this world, so the sentiment is genuine.

"See you around, Urich."

He nods to the older man.

[exiles-2h.livejournal.com]

After the younger man walks out of the office, Ben Urich picks up the phone and dials a certain extension. "Rosie? Urich. Yeah. No. Still nothing, huh? Hm. Yeah, it's good. Real good. Okay. Keep looking. Thanks, Rosie."

He hangs up and stares out the door thoughtfully.

[proteus-maximus.livejournal.com]

'Ben Reilly' exits the Bugle building, and slips into the streets, in the way only a shapeshifter can. He's got a few more things to check on before reuniting Irving with his mother, and they'll have to wait till morning.

Tonight, though - tonight, Morph has plans.

He dons the webshooters picked up from Parker's cache, once out of sight, and shifts into a familiar red and blue outfit. It's going to be a rough night for street criminals in the city.

The Amazing Spider-Man, appearing one night only.