Epiphany
Folc4evernaday
Part 29
***
Morgana Lynn looked around her shop, polishing the silver knob on the display. It had taken a lot of planning to get everything how she’d wanted. She was always so careful to plan ahead. She’d prepared her shop with the money she’d had tucked away in her savings from when she’d worked at LexLabs.
She frowned, recalling her time at LexLabs. At the time she’d thought she was the happiest woman on Earth. She had a great career a man that showered her with gifts and attention, and then the other shoe fell.
He’d dumped her. It had taken careful planning to plot her revenge, but she’d done it well. Made sure when the police needed to find evidence against Lex they had it. Now, here she was in her little shop with a new life and a new name. No one would ever know.
“Miranda?”
She turned, startled out of her reverie by the stranger standing in her doorway.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Agent Davenport with the FBI. I hear you had some tapes of Lex Luthor and his criminal dealings and I’d like to talk to you about them…”
She crossed her arms, a slow smile smoothing over her face, “What’s in it for me?”
***
Three days of going back and forth with the Metropolis P.D on getting the video footage examined. In the meantime, Lois was starting to work with Lucy on digging into Lex’s past while they waited to hear on a hearing date for Jimmy. All leads were bringing them to dead ends so left with no other alternative she decided to give Bruce Wayne’s advice, dig into Lex’s past.
So far all she’d come across was generic history.
Orphaned at seventeen just a day before his eighteenth birthday.
Spent most of his childhood in boarding school at Westminster Abbey.
Outside of the suspicious timing of his parents’ death, there was nothing that stuck out.
“Hello?” Lucy waved her arm in front of Lois’ face. “Earth to Lois!”
“Huh?” Lois looked over at her sister who was giving her an annoyed look. “Sorry, lost in thought.”
“No kidding,” Lucy muttered under her breath.
Lois gave her an annoyed look, “What is it?”
“I said there isn’t a whole lot in his past other than this Westminster Abbey he went to.” Lucy pointed out.
“Look into his past….or someone he shared a past with.” Lois nodded, realizing what Bruce Wayne may have been hinting at with Clark.
“What do you mean?” Lucy asked.
“He said to ‘look into his past’ but his past is sealed….but maybe someone he went to school with isn’t.” Lois reached over to grab one of the yearbooks she and Lucy had gotten copies from the printer of.
“What does that even mean?” Lucy asked.
“Something that Bruce Wayne told Clark,” Lois said, skimming through the first yearbook.
“When?” Lucy asked.
“When we were in Smallville.” Lois sighed, turning the page.
“Oh?” Lucy nodded, “Right, when he came to Metropolis?”
Lois looked up from the glossy pages of the yearbook in front of her, meeting her sister’s eyes, “Yeah.” She watched for a sign from Lucy of any deception or confusion but saw nothing.
<<“I faked losing consciousness. I’m fine.” >>
“Must be nice to be able to do that,” Lucy commented, flipping the page of the book in front of her.
“Do what?” Lois swallowed hard, uncertain where this conversation was going.
“Go wherever you want whenever you want without having to deal with travel agents. Must be…nice.” Lucy smiled at her.
“Nice.” Lois echoed. “Uh, I’m not sure what you mean. Clark still has to…”
“You guys are friends with Superman right?” Lucy asked, stopping her before she could deny anything.
“Yeah.” Lois shifted nervously.
“He gives you flights where you need to go.” Lucy prompted.
Lois tucked a hair behind her ear, watching her sister nervously. Did she know? Or did she think she knew? She recalled the confrontation with Lex and swallowed. They hadn’t talked about it. She’d been avoiding it for weeks now. “Uh, yeah, but he’s just a friend.”
<<“I faked losing consciousness. I’m fine.” >>“That’s what I said.” Lucy pointed out, critiquing her with a crooked smile, “Lois, are you okay?”
“Fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I’m fine!” Lois snapped.
“Okay,” Lucy took a sip of her water. “You’re fine.”
***
“Kent, I’m not sure what you expect to find from old autopsy reports,” Henderson said laying a large box on the table in front of him.
“I’m not sure either, but it’s just a hunch,” Clark explained, pulling a large stack from the file box until he found the report he was looking for.
“What does Professor Carlton’s death have to do with anything?” Henderson asked.
“Could be nothing or it could be something.” Clark said, looking through the file, “Are these the originals?”
“Yeah,” Henderson nodded. “We have online copies of course too, but these are the originals….”
“Can I make a copy of this?” He handed Henderson the file.
Henderson sighed, “You gonna tell me what this is about?”
“Just a ….hunch,” Clark explained evasively.
“A hunch?” Henderson raised his eyebrows at him. “Great.” He turned to the copy room to make a copy, leaving Clark in the empty conference room with the file box. Once Henderson was out of view, He flipped through the files at super-speed, looking for any signs of deaths with unknown causes related to heart failure in the last year.
After taking mental note of the names, he’d found he put the files back just as Henderson returned with a copy of the file. “Here you go, Kent. An autopsy on Alfred Carlton. Enjoy.”
“Thanks, Bill.” Clark took the file with a smile.
“Anything else I can help with?” he gave him an annoyed look.
“Not unless you can tank the case against Jimmy?” Clark suggested half-joking.
“You know I can’t do that.”
“I know.” Clark sighed, “Thanks for your help.”
***
Lois glanced at Lucy over the top of the yearbook she was staring at. Why hadn’t she remembered what Lucy had said until now? She was conscious the whole time. She’d heard the accusations from Lex and had said….nothing. Did she know about Clark? The more she thought about the predicament, the more anxious she became.
“Hey look Bruce Wayne went to Westminster too.” Lucy held up a page with the young Bruce Wayne on it looking discouraged and aloof dressed in his uniform for the class picture.
“Yeah.” Was all Lois could manage as she tried to plan her form of attack to find out what Lucy knew.
“Haha, Oliver Queen.” Lucy giggled, pointing at a picture of the young billionaire with braces and a very bad haircut.
“Nice.”
“Nice?” Lucy looked at her in disbelief. She set the book down and folded her arms over her chest, “Okay, what gives?”
“What?” Lois asked, not sure what she was referring to.
“You!” She motioned up and down. “Nice? I show you a picture of a billionaire in braces and a haircut that looks like he was run down with a lawnmower and all I get is nice? Where're the sarcastic comments? Where're the comical digs? Nice?”
“I’m … distracted.” Lois explained half-heartedly.
“Uh-huh,” Lucy said, not believing her for a minute. “I think we’re all distracted Lois, but it hasn’t made us all lose our sense of humor. What gives? What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well, that’s too bad.” Lois huffed, turning away.
“So you don’t want to talk about it?” Lucy prompted.
“I didn’t say that.” Lois edged cautiously.
“So you do want to talk about it?” Lucy asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Okay,” Lucy grabbed the book once more and began flipping through the book once more, keeping an eye on Lois out of the corner of her eyes.
Lois sighed, knowing full well what Lucy was doing. “That isn’t going to work on me.”
“What isn’t?” Lucy asked innocently.
“That. Your….look…” Lois pointed at Lucy defensively. “You think I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I do.”
“What am I trying to do?” Lucy asked.
“Trying to get me to talk.”
“About what?”
“About what you….” Lois caught herself mid-sentence. “Nice. Real nice.” Lois rolled her eyes.
“Would you just talk to me?”
Lois looked up at her cautiously. “I don’t know if I can.”
Lucy hung her head in frustration, “Oh for the love of God! Just spill it! You’re mad at me about something. What? What did I do?”
“You didn’t….do anything.” Lois clarified. “I just…”
“What?” Lucy asked.
“You said you didn’t lose consciousness….the night of the attack.” Lois stated softly.
“Oh.” Lucy sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Lois…” Lucy began cautiously, “I froze. I didn’t know what to do.”
“When were you able to get to the rifle?” Lois asked, fingering the corner of the book in her hand cautiously.
“I’d made myself into the kitchen when you ran out the door.” Lucy dabbed at the corner of her eyes. “Before I could get to the phone he had drug you back in and…” Tears began falling down her face.
“Oh, Luce…” Lois sighed, moving her seat closer, “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I was right there, and I couldn’t hardly do anything. If I’d just been able to stop him from coming in….”
“He was trained by professional killers in the art of martial arts. I doubt you could have done anything.” Lois explained solemnly.
“Right,” Lucy said softly, looking at Lois with a frown. “So?”
“So, how much did you hear?” Lois asked.
“About?”
“Everything.” Lois clarified, narrowing her eyes at her.
“I heard everything,” Lucy said avoiding her gaze.
“And?”
“And what? The guy’s a lunatic. I know you’d never do anything like that.” Lucy scoffed, taking a sip of her water.
“Right. Well good.”
“I mean, honestly the whole theory is kinda ridiculous, right?” Lucy laughed, “Could you imagine Superman walking around town as any other guy. The idea is….laughable.”
Lois gave a light chuckle with her sister. “Of course. Laughable.”
“Anyway, I know you used to have a little crush on him but it’s clear as day how much you love Clark. People in love don’t cheat.” Lucy added with a smile.
“Thanks,” Lois smiled at her.
“Anytime,” Lucy said, grabbing the yearbook from earlier. “Now let’s see if there’re any other billionaires in here we can make fun of….”
***
Eight days.
That was how long it took to get copies of the security camera stills from Metropolis Savings and Loan across from Jimmy’s apartment complex. Eight days. Lois and Clark had been working tirelessly with Lucy and Constance on trying to disqualify the numerous witnesses that had been listed on the discovery for Jimmy’s court hearing next month.
He was supposed to enter a plea. A plea that would decide his fate for possibly the next thirty years. The DA had offered a plea deal of twenty-five years with no parole if he pleads guilty. He wasn’t guilty. They just needed to prove it. Agent Davenport had pulled some strings at the FBI to get the tape released directly to Inspector Henderson. Now they just needed to find something to help prove Jimmy’s innocence.
“Ugh, why are all these images in black and white?” Lois groaned, going through the images stills.
“Budget cuts?” Clark shrugged, sifting through another stack at super-speed. “Hand me the next one.”
Lois nodded, handing him another stack as she reached for another image. He flipped through the images then stopped, “I think I found something.”
“What is it?” Lois asked, peering over his shoulder.
“I may be mistaken, but isn’t that Detective Harris? One of the guys that interrogated Jimmy?”
“Interesting how he has a Metro Gym bag too.” Lois mused, looking at the bag critically.
Clark lowered his glasses, looking at the photograph with his enhanced vision and frowned when he zoomed in on the open zipper of the bag.
“What is it?” Lois asked.
He set the photo down and shook his head, “Definitely not gym clothes.” He said with a smile.
“I’ll call Henderson.” She said.
“I’ll call Perry.” He said.
***
Lex stared at the screen in anger. He had watched every second. Every miserable second of every video of footage trying to find the proof he needed. Trying to find proof of what he suspected. After his confrontation with Superman, he’d buried himself in his work and concentrated on taking a second look at everything, trying to piece it together. It disgusted him to no end to watch as Lois Lane lost herself in Clark Kent’s arms. He hated seeing it again and again, but he had to suffer through. The words from Superman earlier rang in his mind. There was something there…
Nothing made sense.
His drunken attack had been a cry of desperation to get to the truth. The truth that appeared to be staring him right in the face this whole time but he’d been too blind to see it.
<“You’re everything to me, Lois,” >Lex stared at the screen, clicking a button on the keyboard.
<“I’m not liking that towel very much.>
<“You’re getting very…What is it?”
“I’ve gotta go.”>
<“Oh, Cl…”
“Lois…”
“You are…so….I love you,”>“That face…” Lex stared at the screen, looking at the screen that was paused. Lois’ hands were fisted through Clark Kent’s hair. His glasses were askew with her straddling him on the couch. Lex clicked a few more buttons, zooming in on the image of Clark Kent with his hair pushed back and glasses halfway off. Without those glasses, he looked exactly like…
“Now that makes sense…” Lex mused.
<“You’re everything to me, Lois,”>“Well, Superman, it looks like I’ve finally found your weakness…and the perfect revenge…” Lex laughed, lighting his cigar. “This is too perfect.”
***
Lois stepped into the busy police station, scanning the desks for the familiar face she was looking for. In the corner, she spotted the tall woman with curly red hair pulled back talking to a few officers as she poured a cup of coffee. She met her gaze from across the room and motioned for her to follow her to one of the empty offices.
“Ms. Lane, I must say I was a bit surprised to get your call.” Detective Reed said, setting her cup of coffee down on the desk. “What can I help you with?”
She sunk down into the chair in front of her, toying with a strand of string on her blouse nervously, “I’ve been tied to explosives. I’ve been kidnapped and tied over a boiling pot of witch’s brew. I’ve been thrown out of a plane without a parachute…I’ve had a trained assassin try to kill me.” She whispered hoarsely.
Detective Reed gave her a confused look, “Yes, I’m aware of your reputation for getting into tight spots, Ms. Lane.”
“He came by my apartment after he got out. Did you know that?”
“Yes, we’re aware. Superman informed us.” Detective Reed shook her head, “If we would have been called instead of him escorting Mr. Luthor to his penthouse we could have arrested him.”
“Why? So he can just buy another judge to let him out?” Lois asked bitterly. She saw Detective Reed’s arched eyebrow and stopped, “I’m sorry. I’m angry and …”
“That’s understandable.” Detective Reed said softly.
“I’m supposed to give testimony to the DA on what happened,” Lois said shakily, looking down at her skirt as she toyed with the hem.
“I heard Luthor’s lawyers are trying to get assault charges dropped and call it self-defense since you stabbed him.” Detective Reed said, tapping her hand on the desk. “I told you he was going to fight dirty.”
“With Mayson Drake as the DA.” Lois shook her head in disgust. She really didn’t’ like that woman.
“She’s new but tough and fair.” Detective Reed reassured her. “You’ll be fine. Just tell the truth.” She reached out to touch her hand, and Lois flinched, pulling away, “Are you okay?”
“I think there’s something wrong with me. All these life and death situations and I was always able to turn to Clark. Now, I just…I can’t.” Lois said shakily, “I can hardly stand to be touched…”
“You were assaulted.” Detective Reed reminded her, “Attacked in your own home. Hell, he tried to kill you. That’s a lot to come back from.”
“But I’ve almost died before, and I never had a problem being touched. Not like this. I feel…numb.” She hissed out, “I don’t know what to do.”
Detective Reed pulled a card out of her pocket and wrote a number down on the back, “This woman works miracles. She does one on one and group therapy for survivors of rape and …”
“I wasn’t raped.” Lois cut her off.
“You were assaulted. A lot of the time a survivor’s reaction is the same after any violent crime.” She handed her the card, “Call her. Let her help you.”
“Thanks,” Lois said shakily.
***
Sam Lane stared at the woman pacing in front of him nervously, “Can I get you something to drink?” He asked uncertainly.
“No, I don’t want anything to drink!” She fumed angrily. “How did this get so complicated?” She muttered under her breath.
“Something to eat, maybe?” He pointed toward the fridge.
“No.” She shook her head.
“What can I do for you? What are you here for?”
She pulled her scarf off her face, revealing it to him, “I’m supposed to kill you, Dr. Lane,” She pointed her 9mm at him.
He held his hands up, looking around the room for something he could use to help him escape. “I see.”
She let out a long breath and sighed, “There’s a man watching. Watching to make sure I ‘kill’ you. If I don’t, he’s going to kill me. It’s not personal.”
“No of course not.” He let out an uneasy laugh, “Just my life. My wife, my children.”
“Like I said I’m supposed to kill you.” He caught a gleam in her eye then realized what she was saying wasn’t what she intended to do.
“Then I guess we’re at an impasse.”
***
“Oh my God!” Jimmy hissed horrified at the sight of Lois Lane covered in faded bruises when he entered the visitor room. “Lois?”
Lois ran a hand through her hair, “It looks worse than it is.”
“Who did this?” Jimmy asked angrily.
“Lex.” She said vehemently.
“Lois?” He looked at her in concern.
“Can we talk about something else?” Lois interrupted, “I haven’t seen you in weeks. This isn’t exactly what I wanted to talk about. I’m fine. I’m dealing with it. Lucy and I are staying with Clark until he’s locked up for good. End of discussion.”
“Okay.” Jimmy sighed, “Can I ask how you are outside of…” He pointed toward the bruise on her neck.
“Fine.” Lois said, “Stressed.” She shrugged, “How are you?”
“Oh,” He looked around with a sarcastic grin on his face, “Just living the dream.”
“You’re staying safe?” She asked, fingering the edge of the table.
“As well as I can.” Jimmy shrugged. “Had a few tiffs with a few inmates trying to prove themselves but nothing I can’t handle.” He gave her a warm smile. “How’s Lucy?”
“She’s good.” Lois grinned. “You know actually she’s been a huge help in us trying to get to the bottom of this mess. She’s even looking into classes to become an investigator.”
“An investigator? Like for the police?” He asked surprised.
“She’s actually really good at it. It wouldn’t be just for the police. She could work anywhere. Law firms, Public Relations.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for her. I’m sure she’ll do great.” Jimmy said softly.
“You okay?” Lois asked concerned.
“I’m fine. I’m just tired of being stuck here and missing out on my life.” He said defeated. “Keep wondering how long you guys are gonna stick through it before you give up on this useless cause that is my life.”
“Jimmy!” Lois scolded, “This is NOT your a useless cause. You’re innocent, and we’re going to prove it.”
“Yeah, how?” Jimmy asked, “From what my dad said this is all the work of some pretty high up people. Face it, Lois, I’m screwed.”
“You are not screwed.” Lois shot back. He gave her a look of disbelief, and she sighed, running a hand through her hair once more, “Yes, things are…dreary right now. We have more against us than for us, but the reality is you are innocent. We’re going to prove that. The DA is talking to Steve to find out what he saw or didn’t see outside the Planet. From what I understand Bill was able to get a statement from Jenkins on tape before he…”
“Was murdered?” Jimmy prompted with a knowing look. “Yeah, not scary at all that the guy that was helping railroad me ended up dead.”
“You saw your dad?” Lois asked, recalling his earlier statement.
“Yeah,” Jimmy sighed, “He came to see me after the hearing. We talked.”
“That’s good.” Lois acknowledged.
“It might have been more of me yelling at him than talking,” Jimmy admitted sheepishly. “Still really mad at him but I get it now I guess.”
“Understandable,” Lois said cautiously.
“He thinks this is a setup for getting into something I wasn’t supposed to get into.”
“Like what?” Lois asked.
“I don’t know. At first, I thought Luthor cuz you know that was the main thing we were working on.” Jimmy said with a sigh, “but the more I’m thinking about it, the more I’m wondering if it wasn’t something else.”
“What else were you working on?” Lois asked, pulling out her PDA to jot down her notes.
“There was Ralph’s corruption scandal in City Hall. There was Luthor of course. Then there was that story on a few judges trying to make a bid for the Senate…” Jimmy ticked each one off his hand.
Lois tapped her fingers on the table. “Any chance those judges were involved in the City Hall corruption?” Lois wondered aloud. “Would have made a bid for Senate pretty hard.”
“I don’t remember,” Jimmy admitted. “I never finished it.”
Lois grew thoughtful, “I’ll check around and see if anyone knows anything. Could be nothing but again it could be something worth looking into.”
“Meanwhile you know where to find me.” Jimmy shrugged, “Just let me know when you find something?”
“Sure.” She smiled back at him, standing up as she turned to leave.
“Lois?”
“Hmm?” She turned back to look at him.
“Smile.” He grinned at her. “You’re getting closer. It’s okay to smile and celebrate.” Lois gave him a smile that he could tell wasn’t exactly genuine but it was a start.
***
One Week Later… “Bruce Wayne. Lex Luthor. Oliver Queen. Bob Fences. George Stephens. Mark O’Brady.” Lucy ticked off the names as she laid the images of each rich and famous man in his late teens on the table.
“All went to boarding school together.” Lois finished for her. “All different careers.”
“Except these two.” Lucy pointed at the images of a young Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne. “Both of them built up their father’s companies, and both have made them grow into multi-billion dollar companies. Both are bitter rivals. Constantly one-upping one another in the business world and in social circles.”
“I’ve noticed,” Lois commented dryly. She flipped through the copies they had of the yearbook with the pages marked where the young men were on. “Looks like there were friends at one point or another.” She flipped the page and showed Lucy the picture of Lex and Bruce posing together outside of a classroom, flexing for the camera jokingly.
“Looks like it.” Lucy agreed. “I wonder what happened?”
Lois turned the next page and saw an image of the group in a ‘Firearms Club’ posing with long hunting rifles. She shuddered, putting the page face down on the table. Flashes from the night of Lex’s attack came back, and she stood up, pacing around the room.
<<“You don’t leave…until…I….tell you….to ….leave…” >>
<< “I would have given you everything….” >>
<< “Don’t you understand I could commit murder in the middle of the streets in this city and get away with it." >>
<< “Nine months of being patient and you give it up for….KENT…” >>
<< “Give…me…his ….name!” >>
<<"Tell me something, who excited you more, hmm? Kent or Superman?” >>
<< “You’re going to tell me his secret identity…”>>“Lois?” Lucy looked up at her in concern. “You okay?”
“Fine.” Lois said, running her hands up and down her arms for a minute, “I think I need to get some air…think.”
“You want me to come with you?” Lucy asked.
“No, I’ll be fine,” Lois said, grabbing her things and heading out. She closed the door behind her, resting her head against the front door of Clark’s apartment after locking it.
***
“Murder.” Clark pointed at the image of Alfred Carlton. “Murder.” He pointed at another image of Max Menken, “Murder.” An image of the recently deceased Jules Johnson.
“Murder.” Perry laid the images of the recent gang that had broken into the Planet months ago and held them hostage. “All of them found in the Bay one by one.
Clark bit his lower lip, shaking his head, “You can’t tell me they’re not related.”
“According to the police, they are.” Perry rolled his eyes.
“Of course he’s signing their bonuses,” Clark muttered.
“Who’s signing what?” Clark turned around to see Lois standing in the doorway.
“Hey,” He crossed the room to greet her with a light hug, “How are you?”
“Feeling a little restless,” Lois explained walking around the office nervously. “What are you working on?”
“Uh…maybe you shouldn’t…” Perry intervened, shaking his head ‘no.’
“I’m fine,” Lois argued. “I want to see him nailed to the wall as much as you do.”
Perry shook his head, “Fine.” He wagged his finger at Clark, “Don’t let her get herself into any more trouble.”
“I’ll do my best, Chief.” Clark waved after him.
Lois gave him a warning look, “You’ll do your best?”
“What?” He chuckled, “He’s just worried about you.”
“I know,” Lois admitted quietly. Sifting through the pictures on the desk. “So what is all this?”
“Murdered victims we suspect are linked to Luthor,” Clark explained.
“Jules Johnson?” Lois asked.
“Heart failure. In the middle of a date.” Clark explained.
“Alfred Carlton?” Lois asked.
“Autopsy read as unknown heart failure.” Clark pointed to the file and handed it to her, flipping to the page he was referring to.
“What do you think it is?” Lois asked.
“I don’t know.” Clark shrugged. “I wish I knew.”
***
“This is too dangerous Master Wayne!” Alfred warned through the video conference as Bruce began suiting up with his gear, pulling his cowl over his face and checking each gadget built into his suit with caution.
“He’s not going to learn until someone makes him listen.” The distorted voice came out in a dark echo in the room, “Send the jet.”
“If someone links the appearance of a certain bat vigilante going around beating up criminals in Metropolis with the appearance of a certain billionaire….”
“I know what I’m doing Alfred.” Bruce shot back. “The jet.”
“Very well, Master Wayne. Don’t say you weren’t warned…” He typed a few keys in on his side, and the sound of a monotone beeping could be heard on Bruce’s wristwatch.
He typed in his confirmation code and said, “Don’t wait up.”
***
Lois stared at the cluttered desk in front of her kicking her calf nervously as she and Clark waited for Bill Henderson to return with news. He’d taken the evidence they’d found to Michael Clemmons, the DA in Jimmy’s case. Hopefully, the evidence showing Harris with the explosives in his possession before the search warrant had been granted for Jimmy’s residence would be enough to get the explosives they found tossed from the case.
Clark reached over and squeezed her hand, “It’s going to be okay.”
She looked over at him and smiled. It had been a long and torturous few weeks. She’d been getting better at letting him touch her, but she was still nowhere near ready to take that final step and resume what had been a very active sex life before the attack. Clark had been more than understanding the other night when she’d called a time-out in the middle of their lovemaking.
She was still working through a lot of her fears and flashbacks. Detective Reed had recommended a therapist that seemed to be helping. She just wished it would work faster. She hated sharing a bed with Clark and not being able to touch him or be touched the way she wanted.
“No, go.” Henderson shook his head, taking a seat at his desk where she and Clark waited impatiently.
“What??” Lois snapped outraged, standing to her feet. “You’ve GOT to be kidding me!”
“DA Clemmons thinks he has a solid case and Judge Stephens agrees with him.” Henderson rolled his eyes.
“Corrupt Neanderthals trying to railroad…” Lois muttered under her breath. They had him. They had Harris with the explosives that were used to blow up the Planet, and the DA still wasn’t willing to drop the case against Jimmy.
“What was that. Lois?” Henderson asked.
“Nothing,” Clark said not giving her a chance to repeat her insult. “Is there a way around them?”
Henderson shrugged, “Get the Superior Court Judge to take over or get Judge Stephens to step down. The judge is the only one that can override DA Clemmons’ decision.”
“Of course.” Lois said sarcastically, “Meanwhile Lex is walking free as a bird for trying to kill Lucy and me. Nice. Great to see my tax dollars at work.” She was being bitter. She knew it. They knew it too, but she was right. Lex had been on station after station promoting his new Weapons Division of LexCorp. Meanwhile, she and Clark were struggling to put the pieces back after his attack. How he was able to walk around as if nothing happened and Jimmy sat in lockup waiting for trial she would never understand.
“Lo-is…” Clark placed a supportive arm around her, giving her a disapproving look.
“Fine. Sorry, I mean with the exception of you and Detective Reed.” Lois clarified.
Henderson smirked, “I get it. Believe me, I get it, Lois. How he got any judge to get him arraigned that quickly I still don’t know.”
“Doesn’t help that Luthor was only charged with Aggravated Assault,” Clark added bitterly.
Lois squeezed Clark’s hand, holding it tight. He had hit the roof when he learned they only charged Lex with aggravated assault. The marks on her neck and wounds on the back of her and Lucy’s head proved otherwise.
“You can thank the Police Commissioner for that one. If I had my way, it would have been Attempted First Degree Murder and thrown away the damn key.” Henderson shot back.
Lois gave Bill Henderson a sympathetic look, “I know you did everything you could, Bill. I do appreciate it. I just…” She shook her head in disgust, “This whole system and the lengths people are willing to go for Lex…”
“I know,” Henderson said bitterly. “We’re doing what we can on our end to keep you safe.”
***
“What do you mean he’s missing?” Davenport shouted into his phone, “You better be kidding me. You better be joking.”
“Agent Davenport?” His secretary waved for his attention, “You’ve got a visitor.”
He held up his hand, “Just give me a minute, Marci.” He then turned his attention to the caller on the other end of the phone, “Listen here and listen good. You better find him. You better find him and find out what happened. There is supposed to be a unit on him at all times…”
“Agent Davenport!” Marci repeated more loudly.
“I gotta go.” He slammed his phone down and turned back to Marci, “Yes, who is it?”
She opened the door for his visitor, “Mr. Garrison, Agent Davenport will see you now.”
Davenport stared at the rugged man, waiting for Marci to close the door behind him. “Tommy, good to see you.”
“So how does this work?” Tommy asked, “I tell you what I know and you what? Throw him in the can? Protect me?”
“You tell us what you know and your testimony combined with the other witnesses will but Lex Luthor away for the rest of his life. Protection is guaranteed, but we’re not just taking him down we’re taking his entire organization down. When we’re done there will be no one left to order anyone to do anything.”
“Okay,” Tommy nodded, “So what do you want to know?”
“Whatever you want to tell me.” He motioned toward his desk for Tommy to take a seat.
***
Lex Luthor stepped out of LexLabs with his man servant, Asabi, “Be sure to send an extra bouquet to Dr. Kelly this week. She’s been working extra hard on the latest project, and I don’t want her getting discouraged.”
“Yes, Mr. Luthor,” Asabi said, opening the door for him to enter his limo.
Lex slipped inside, and Asabi closed the door behind him. A moment later Asabi entered the front driver's seat and pulled up the divider as the limo pulled out into traffic.
“Asabi, I think I want to try that new blue crab that Chef Andre got in tonight. Call him and make sure it’s prepared when we arrive.”
There was no answer.
Lex looked at the unfamiliar road he was on. “Asabi?”
The divider lowered, and a dark figure in a cowl turned around to face him. “Asabi’s taking a nap. I’ll be your tour guide Mr. Luthor.”
“Who are you?”
“Your worst nightmare.”
***
TBC...
Comments Go Here
