FRONT PAGE NEWS
Norman stopped by the Bugle, because he had to tell Jameson the news in person.
This was the first time in a decade that Jameson had seen such an exuberant expression on Norman Osborn's face.
"I have good news. Front page news. Award Winning. Jonah, you're going to want to kiss me."
"Well then, get in here, lock the door and close the blinds."
Betty was bemused beyond belief, and relieved to see such a significant and sudden improvement in Jameson's previously dour mood.
Several other heads in the Bugle turned to catch a glance, including star photographer Peter Parker.
They shared a laugh as Norman did exactly that. Then Norman went a step further by wrapping his arms around Jameson, surprising both of them with a spontaneous hug.
Jameson recovered from his surprise quickly, returning the hug with a tight squeeze. "Please tell me this means what I think it means."
Norman drew back and met Jameson's hopeful gaze with a wide smile. "Harry's finally come home."
Jameson pulled him into another hug that ended with a pat on the back.
"Well, it sure took him long enough!" Jameson went into one of his desk drawers to offer Norman a celebratory drink or cigar. "Did you find out where the boy's been all this time?"
Norman held up a hand, finger extended. "That is the damning exposé that I want you working on. You or one of your best writers."
"And I can trust I'll have all your research at my disposal?"
"And exclusive interviews with Harry and I, assuming I can convince Harry to cooperate." Norman's elated mood took a brief dive. "He grew... attached to his captor."
"After ten years, I think that's generally to be expected." Jameson rolled the unlit cigar between his fingertips. "You can afford to get a whole team of therapists. Deprogram the kid. How bad is it? Did he say? Please tell me it wasn't anything..." anything sexual. He looked disgusted with what he was about to say and that was a sufficient substitute for the words.
Norman shook his head. "Harry insists that Tony had 'good intentions' and never hurt him."
"Tony?" Jameson didn't mean to rush things, but he was eager to know the culprit's identity, especially since they had theorized that it was someone they already knew. "Please tell me you got the bastard's full name."
"I have his name. That's the best and worst part of all this. There's a whole conspiracy to keep my son hidden in plain sight. Harry had an entirely new identity and the DNA on record with missing persons had been tampered with. I had to do a paternity test to confirm."
"Who has the resources to do that?"
"Tony Stark."
Jameson's eyes were as wide as they could get. "Are you dead serious? Are you absolutely certain?"
"Absolutely, but I'm going to need your help convincing everyone who still thinks he's a hero."
"You are going to need solid evidence."
Norman held out Harry's driver's license for Jameson to see. "He was hiding Harry in plain sight."
"Steve Harrison Stark. The secret kid that came out of nowhere a few years ago? The kid he miraculously kept out of the press for years."
"Steve Harrison Stark. Harrison. He had the audacity to keep calling him Harry, and then he had the gall to come to me for help when Harry went missing."
"He went missing again?" Confused.
"Yes, because I have him. I had to get him away from Stark."
Jameson was alarmed by this. "Please tell me Harry is staying with you voluntarily."
Norman hesitated to respond to that and when he did it was to say, "Harry's confused. He doesn't know what's best for him."
"This complicates things. Now it looks like you kidnapped Iron Man's son."
"I have the paternity test. I have Harry's testimony."
"If you can get him to cooperate."
"I have the messages he sent me. If I didn't keep custody of him, then it would be too easy for Stark to make him disappear. You can back me up on this. I'm completely justified in my actions."
Norman didn't mention the death threats or the drugs that were being used to make Harry comply.
"Have you contacted the police yet?"
Jameson was addressing this situation with the seriousness it warranted.
"No. Tony is too well connected, I have to be careful."
"Well we need to do it soon, especially since you've brought me into the loop. I'm not going down as a co-conspirator if this