Chapter 371: I Know You
"If we want money, we do a job."
Toomes leaned both hands on the table, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. They needed capital.
"Without money for new equipment, we still can't beat Spider-Man," Mason shook his head. Even if they wanted to turn a profit, they had to defeat Spider-Man first, or he would simply keep ruining their operations.
"Damn it! It always circles back to that spider," Schultz grunted in annoyance.
"We could split up and kidnap Gwen. It might work," Toomes proposed.
"Gwen?" Mason and Schultz asked, confused.
Toomes explained, "Gwen is a classmate of my daughter, and the daughter of George Stacy, the NYPD Chief."
"The Chief's daughter?" Mason frowned, adjusting his glasses. "If we touch her, we're asking for a world of pain."
"Exactly, Toomes. Besides, how much money does a police chief really have? Kidnapping her is less practical than hitting a real billionaire," Schultz argued. He didn't like the idea; it was too risky. One wrong move and the entire city would be hunting them down.
Toomes slowly calmed down. He was being too impulsive. Kidnapping the Chief's daughter was indeed a desperate last resort.
"Regardless, we have to do something," Toomes stated. "I have four million left."
Schultz understood immediately; they were pooling their cash for upgrades. "I spend a bit faster; I've only got about a million left." He looked at Mason.
Mason shook his head. "You guys burn through cash way too quickly. I have six million in reserve. Just remember to pay the manufacturing fees."
"Thanks," Toomes smiled. He pulled out five hundred dollars. Back when they were just a salvage company, Toomes had recognized Mason's genius. He had hired him then for five hundred bucks to help build the Vulture suit.
At the time, Mason had joked that he wouldn't do it again for five thousand because it was too exhausting.
"Spider-Man..." With the funding issue resolved, Toomes redirected his focus toward the hero.
The Party
"Liz, didn't your dad say he'd be back by one?" Gwen asked, leaning back on the sofa.
"Sigh~" Liz sighed, lying down and hugging a pillow. "He's never on time."
"My dad is the same way, but I understand. His job means he can't always keep his promises," Gwen said empathetically. She had grown up like this, but she was mature enough not to complain; that was just the life of a Police Chief's daughter.
"It's not the same, Gwen." Liz sat up abruptly. "You know exactly what your father does. Me? A 'security guard'? Who believes that?"
Liz was frustrated by her father's secrecy. Every time she asked, he either brushed her off or changed the subject. Could a security guard's salary really afford this kind of lifestyle?
As the girls talked, Peter sat nearby, wanting to speak up but hesitating. He wanted to tell Liz the truth, but he couldn't just blurt out that her father was a notorious super-villain.
"Is it just me, or does Peter have something on his mind?" Felicia nudged Silas.
Silas glanced at Peter. "He's a big boy now; it's normal to have worries."
"Psh~ Silas, aren't you younger than Peter?" Felicia rolled her eyes. Silas always spoke like an old man.
"Younger in years, maybe, but my mind is mature," Silas retorted immediately. It was the truth—his physical age was younger than Peter's, but his soul was far more experienced.
"I don't buy it," Felicia said.
"Fine, don't," Silas muttered, ending the debate.
Click!
The door opened. Toomes walked in holding a gift, looking apologetic. "Sorry Liz, I got held up."
"It's fine. At least you made it back," Liz noted her father's gift, but her expression remained neutral.
Toomes saw her lack of excitement and knew his lateness had stung. "I'm really sorry, Liz. Next time, I won't be late." He placed the gift in front of her.
"You don't have to apologize, Dad. I know you work hard to pay for my college," Liz said, her breathing becoming slightly hitched. "But can't you just tell me what you actually do? I want to help carry the burden too."
"It's nothing, Liz. Just security for a big boss," Toomes tried to dismiss it again.
"If you said that to anyone else, would you expect them to believe it?"
"Here, your birthday present. I picked it up on the way," Toomes forced a smile and tucked the gift into her arms. Liz took it but didn't push further. This silent standoff had become their family dynamic. The other students shifted awkwardly; it was a private family matter they shouldn't interfere with.
"Alright everyone, why don't you take Liz out for some shopping?" Toomes suggested. He had work to do. He couldn't spend the rest of the day with her.
"Okay," Liz said listlessly. She tossed the unopened gift onto the sofa and led Gwen out by the hand. The others followed.
Just as they reached the door, Peter realized he'd left his phone inside. "I left my phone on the sofa. I'll be right back." He hurried back into the living room.
"Back so soon, Peter?" Toomes asked, watching him with a pleasant smile.
"Uh... yeah... forgot my phone." Peter forced a smile, grabbed the device from the sofa, and waved it.
"I see. Well, hurry along. Liz and the others are waiting." Toomes sensed something off about Peter, but he couldn't quite place it.
Peter glanced at Toomes one last time and turned to leave.
"Spider-Man!" Toomes suddenly barked the name.
"Huh?" Peter instinctively turned back and answered.
Crap! Peter's pupils dilated. He'd been baited.
Toomes looked at him with profound meaning. "Peter, why did you respond when I called out for Spider-Man?"
"I... I'm a huge fan of Spider-Man. I thought you saw him or something," Peter stammered, his mind racing for an excuse.
"Is that so?" Toomes walked slowly toward him. He reached out and plucked a tiny, nearly invisible strand of webbing from Peter's collar. "You should be more careful, Peter. Getting webbing stuck on your shirt like that."
Toomes finally connected the dots. Earlier, while at the warehouse, he had checked his home security feed and saw Peter Parker gliding down from the sky toward his house. Peter had thought it would be more fun to glide back than to use the Shadow Kingdom or web-swing, forgetting that Toomes had cameras everywhere.
"Spider-Man, stop the act," Toomes whispered into Peter's ear. "So, your name is Peter Parker..."
Peter was stunned. Was he being bluffed? Or did Toomes really know? "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Toomes."
"It doesn't matter if you admit it or not, Spider-Man... or should I say, Peter." Toomes lowered his voice to a menacing growl. "You have family, don't you?"
Peter's fists clenched tight.
"I see you're very close with your brother, Silas. Tell me, the next time Spider-Man interferes with my business, what do you think would happen if I sent someone to kidnap Silas?"
"Silas???"
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