Rules of the Game
Folc4evernaday
Chapter 4
***
Diana poured over the news articles in front of her, circling dates as she sipped from her glass of chardonnay. Article after article of Superman’s daring rescues over the last year and a half were scattered everywhere. The man in red and blue was always dazzling the camera with a smile, but one reporter seemed to have caught his attention more than others.
She pulled out the copy of Dirt Digger that she’d found with an amateur photo of Lois Lane and Superman at the airport with the headline
‘Super Girlfriend?’ Given this was at the same time the pheromone spray she knew she couldn’t rely too heavily on the article. Though there was another photo that made its way on the newsstands a few weeks later during the Nightfall asteroid scare.
‘A Kiss for Luck!’ The image of Lois Lane and the man of steel in a tight embrace before he’d flown off to save the world—literally—donned the front page of the National Inquisitor.
No other photos had made their way on newsstands since then, but given Lois Lane’s failed engagement to Lex Luthor that wasn’t a surprise. Still, one had to wonder if there might be something more going on between the two. The Daily Planet had over ninety percent of the exclusives with Superman. Of those exclusives, almost all of them had Lois Lane’s by-line on them. If that were true then her job in killing him just got a whole lot easier.
She pulled out the long gold tube that had been rushed to her through courier this morning. She examined it, smiling at the green glowing waxy tube. This would work perfectly in bringing Superman to his knees. She ran a hand over her bandaged hand and grimaced. She would have to find a way of hiding that burn.
She knew it was only a matter of time before Michael talked. She scanned the apartment with a sigh. It looked like she’d have to start making plans to get everything moved in case Michael had let her name slip. The sooner that burn healed the better. She still owed Michael a housecall.
***
Lois glanced at the elevator for what felt like the hundredth time. Clark still wasn’t in yet and she was growing antsy. After their conversation last night and her talk with her mother she felt she was ready to finally give Clark an answer on his proposal. She’d felt ready for some time but the inner doubts that continued to plague her kept getting in the way. Not anymore.
Lucy had agreed to let their mother introduce her to one of the new members’ grandson from the country club this evening. Though she wasn’t sure if Lucy was ready to begin dating again she was open to the idea of having her apartment to herself for the evening. The idea of having Clark alone without any interruptions for a few hours was very appealing.
She had Jimmy run what he could on Diana Stride this morning and surprisingly there was a lot of evidence pointing at her being the assassin. Why she hadn’t been questioned at least was still a mystery to her though.
“Lois?” She heard her name and looked up to see Mayson Drake approaching her desk with a coffee in her hand.
“Hey,” She smiled at her. “I heard you got your witness moved and the statement recorded. Congrats.” Lois held up her mug of coffee happily.
“Yeah, we finally got a name. The judge is signing the warrant as we speak.” Mayson said with a sigh. “Which brings me to why I’m here.”
The elevator doors chimed and the sound of Diana Stride’s laughter filled the newsroom. “Perry you’ve just got to tell that story on film…”
Lois rolled her eyes, glancing back at the Top Copy newscaster walking with Perry and Jimmy toward his office. “Give me a break.”
“Oh, I don't know, Diana, I'm kinda shy…” Perry complained bashfully.
Jimmy let out a snort, “Yeah? Compared to what?” Perry shot Jimmy a glare and he added, “Sir.”
By the stairwell, she spotted Clark who nodded to her and approached. Mayson leaned in and muttered, “Since when did this place become another episode of Diana Stride’s Top Copy?”
Diana turned to Jimmy, running a hand down his cheek and whispering, “And you. You are just delicious. Mmmm,
j'ador.”
“Yeah,” Jimmy stopped when he ran into one of the columns scattered throughout the newsroom.
“Let me guess, the Superman story?” Clark ventured, looking to where Diana and Perry were walking together. “Hi, Mayson.”
Mayson shook her head in disapproval, looking toward Diana, “Typical.”
“Mayson stopped by with some news,” Lois explained, looking at Mayson expectantly.
“Yeah, we have a judge signing the warrant for the assassin as we speak.” Mayson smiled broadly.
“So you have a name?” Clark inquired cautiously.
“Well,
they have a name. I won’t know it until the assassin’s been arrested.” Mayson said with a wry expression.
Perry walked up to them, “Diana, this is Clark Kent, the fella I was telling you about. Now he and Superman are
real tight.”
Clark nodded toward Diana and Lois stood up, getting an idea in how to test her. She grabbed the necklace Clark had found from her desk and held it in her hands, waiting for the right opportunity.
Diana extended her hand for Clark to shake, “It's hard to believe we haven't met. I've read everything you've ever written.”
“Really?” Lois moved to block Clark from shaking her hand as she held the necklace in her hand, allowing it to drop and dangle from her hand. She smiled when she saw Diana’s eyes do a little dance. “I didn't think TV people had time for newspapers.” She spotted the bandage on her hand and innocently asked, “What happened there?”
“Oh, fight with my oven,” Diana said, running a hand instinctively over the bandaged hand.
“That’s a pretty necklace, Lois,” Clark said pointedly, looking to the gold crescent that hung on the gold chain in her hand.
“Oh, it’s not mine,” Lois said with a shrug. “I found it…” She smiled, watching Diana visibly flinch, “It’s not yours, is it?”
“No.” Diana swallowed hard.
“You sure? I saw you wearing one just like it the other day and I thought it was so appropriate.” She allowed the necklace to dangle back and forth, delighting in making Diana squirm. Mayson looked at them suspiciously but didn’t say anything. Lois continued, “You know, Diana the Huntress, from Greek mythology, who stalked her prey by the moonlight. It's really not yours?”
“No, it’s
really not mine.” Diana lied.
Lois dazzled her with a smile. “Well, my mistake. Boy, I hope whoever lost this little charm finds it…” She grinned at Clark then looked back at Diana before adding, “... or they're in for some bad luck.”
“Excuse me,” Diana said, pointing to Perry’s office. “I do hope to catch up with you later, Mr. Kent.”
Mayson watched Diana leave, “Okay, what was all that about?”
Lois held the necklace in her hands and Clark gestured to it with a shrug, “Just seeing if she lost a necklace.”
Mayson looked at her with a critical eye before wagging her index finger at them to follow her. “Let’s talk in the conference room.”
***
Rolf waited outside Lois Lane’s apartment, preparing for his opportunity. He had watched an older woman he assumed to be Lois Lane’s mother and a younger woman leave at around the same time. Diana had instructed him to find evidence of a relationship between the reporter and Superman. How he was supposed to do that he still wasn’t sure.
He picked the locks on the front door and made his way inside the apartment. One by one he rifled through drawers, closets, and bookshelves. Nothing anywhere indicated a relationship with Superman. There was, however, plenty to indicate a serious relationship between her and her partner. Photos, notes, and gifts were saved in a box in the back of her closet. He was just about to give up when he came across a leather-bound book on the top shelf. He opened it up and grinned to himself when he saw the collection of Superman articles inside. Not only with Lois Lane’s by-line but other reporters too. He picked up the phone and began to dial the pager number with the code
435 to let Diana know he’d found what he needed.
***
“You know some people think Superman got the idea for his cape from Elvis…” Perry explained, pointing at the photo of the King above his head.
“You don’t say?” Diana said, trying to hide her boredom over Perry’s yarn about Elvis. Rolf found what he needed. Which meant her plans for Superman had changed. She didn’t have to lure him out again and have him already suspicious of her. She could use someone close to him to deliver the deadly poison.
She glanced toward the window, watching as Lois Lane and Clark Kent followed the blonde from earlier into the conference room. She had seen Rolf’s page ten minutes ago and was dying to get out of the office. Now was as good as time as any. She stood up, pasting on her best smile, “I hate to cut this short, Perry, but I’ve got an appointment to see an old friend. We can pick this up tomorrow.”
“Of course,” He nodded, standing up to shake her hand. “Let me walk you to the elevator…”
She visibly blanched. She had to get to Lois Lane’s desk before she returned. Thankfully the young man from earlier entered Perry’s office, “Chief, Joe in Printing is on line one. Says there’s a problem with the printing press.”
“Oh for the love of…” Perry reached over to pick up the phone, “What did you do to my brand new printing press, Jenkins?”
“I’ll show myself out,” Diana excused herself, heading into the bullpen. She glanced back at the conference room where Lois and Clark both had their backs to her. She smiled to herself. This was almost too easy. On the floor by Lois’ desk were two purses. One had a name badge clipped to it with a pager. The name on the badge read ‘Mayson Drake’ with the image of the blonde from earlier. Deducing that the other purse must belong to Lois Lane she reached in her pocket and pulled out the green tube she’d had broken down by the Science Division. After a few minutes, she found what she was looking for and pulled out a tube of Lois Lane’s lipstick.
She looked behind her to make sure no one was looking and rubbed the waxy compound into the reddish mauve lipstick, ensuring it was well blended. Now all she had to do was wait for the next time Superman rescued Lois Lane and she would do the job for her.
***
“Diana Stride?” Mayson laughed, looking between the duo in surprise. “You’re joking, right? What is she going to do, whack ‘em with her microphone? Bat her eyelashes and bore them to death?”
Lois frowned, looking back at Mayson in disapproval, “I’m serious.”
“You’ve got to admit she does fit the profile.” Clark pointed out. “She’s famous and had access to a lot of powerful people over the years.”
Lois pulled up the notes she had from earlier on her laptop and pointed to the screen. “According to our research, she was in the army. The only woman ever in Special Forces. Then she pops up in a TV station in Omaha, starts a
very fast rise to legendary anchorwoman.”
“And?” Mayson prompted.
Lois typed the enter key into the keyboard to go to the next page, pulling up the screen of a few familiar faces. “What do all these men have in common?”
“They're famous…” Mayson guessed.
“Powerful,” Clark added.
“Dead?” Mayson pursed her lips, looking at the names on the screen.
“And all of them were interviewed by Diana Stride.” Lois finished smugly.
“Oh, you’re right. I should just slap the cuffs on her right now.” Mayson said sarcastically.
“You make jokes but I’m serious.” Lois scowled. “You’ve got to admit it’s too coincidental for all of these men to die from heart problems right after an exclusive interview with her.”
“Fine. It’s weird timing.” Mayson frowned, “But that doesn’t mean…”
“Could you at least look into it? If she gets out of Metropolis before the warrant is signed…” Clark reminded her.
“I still think it’s ridiculous but I’ll make the call.” Mayson agreed.
***
Later that evening, Clark finished his patrol around Metropolis, preparing for dinner with Lois. After the call to bring Diana in for questioning had been made the newscaster had disappeared. He hadn’t seen any sign of her or her cameraman which bothered him. The announcement of the Intergang assassin’s name was supposed to be released at midnight. All they had to do was wait.
After his patrol, he went back to his apartment to change for dinner. His mom’s art show was two days away and she was hard at work, ‘sculpting’ with her laser. Apparently light was the newest technology being used to make art. His dad was sitting on the couch next to her watching the latest edition of Top Copy. He groaned when he saw Diana’s image on the television.
“Something wrong?” His dad asked.
“If I don’t see Diana Stride again it’ll be too soon.” Clark groaned, straightening his tie. Off his dad’s look, he decided to elaborate. “She’s not what she seems. Last night Superman stopped her from taking out a state’s witness.”
“What?” his dad looked at him in surprise.
His mom looked up with an impish expression and teased his dad, “Oh, that’s too bad. Your father always had a little crush on her.”
“That's not true, Martha, I've just always thought she was very…”
Sizzling?
Vivacious?” His mom teased.
“... trustworthy.” His dad corrected.
Clark shook his head at that comment, “ I don't know about that, Dad. She wants to find out Superman is ...me...Clark Kent... and tell the world. And I'm not sure I can stop her.”
“But if you and Lois could prove this theory about her being some kind of assassin…” His mom prompted.
“If we can find her.” Clark ran a hand through his hair, “I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. She attached a tracker to my neck. Who knows what she was pulling from it. Thankfully Lois was able to get it off and we were able to have it sent to Dr. Klein, but still…”
“You feel like she’s closing in.” His mom said with a look of concern.
“I feel like I’m being stalked.” He said in disgust. “I just hope we can catch her before it's too late.”
***
Diana looked at the new handheld tracker, adjusting the frequency. “With any luck, we should have something show up on the scanner to allow us a chance to prove our theory.”
“You think this reporter is the key to Superman’s identity?” Rolf asked, taking a bite of an apple as he leaned back in his chair.
“I think if we get a match for the radioactive object I planted on Lois Lane then we’ll have all the proof we need,” Diana said with a sultry purse of the lips. Everything was falling into place. She glanced around the almost emptied office. “I’m going to miss this place.”
“I still don’t understand why you’re leaving.” Rolf inquired, “I mean, don’t you want to be here when the story breaks?”
“I’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Diana said with the sway of her hips. “Be sure to call me when you get a trace.”
***
“Hot date?” Lucy teased, watching as Lois finished applying her eyeliner in the mirror.
“Aren’t you one to talk?” Lois asked, looking at her sister who was dressed in a green cocktail dress.
“It is mom’s country club.” Lucy shrugged, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress. “I got to dress the part. Who knows, maybe the guy won’t be a complete bore.” She glanced over at Lois, eying the red silk dress that draped over her curves suggestively. “I see you’re pulling out all the stops. Red dress. Plunging neckline.” Lucy winked at her, giving her hips a suggestive bounce before sauntering out of the bathroom, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep mom out late so you have plenty of uninterrupted time with Clark.”
“Bye, Luce,” Lois said, spreading her eyeshadow across her right lid. She heard the front door close and a click from one of the many deadbolts follow. She shook her head, turning her attention back to her reflection in the mirror. She wore her hair down, freshly curled. Her halter top dress hung around her shoulders with a silver clip. Around her neck, the star necklace Clark had given her for Christmas. The form-fitting dress hugged her body and moved with her as she bristled through the bathroom, putting the last touches on her ensemble.
She reached for the tube of lipstick and opened it up, frowning when she noticed a large imprint in the middle. “Lucy…” She muttered to herself, opening her mouth to apply the lipstick. She felt a tingle and ran her finger against her lips.
‘Weird.’ she thought, reaching over to grab a tissue. She blotted her lips then set the tube of lipstick on the counter. She frowned, rubbing at her lips and still feeling a grainy substance against her finger.
She wet a tissue and began blotting at her lips to remove the lipstick. When she looked at the tissue she saw what appeared to be a glimmering red residue. Looking back at her reflection she saw the color was still there without the grainy texture.
‘I’ll have to get a new tube of lipstick in the morning.’ She thought to herself, grabbing the tube and throwing it in the trash. She heard a sonic boom outside and grinned, giving herself one last glance in the mirror.
“Lois?” She heard him call from the living room.
“I’ll be out in a sec,” She called, tussling her hair with her fingers one last time before exiting the bathroom to greet Clark.
He was just setting a brown paper bag on the kitchen counter. “Patrol is done. Story is filed. I picked up Luigi’s and thought…” He froze, seeing her for the first time. The corners of his mouth twitched and his eyes turned dark with desire as he gazed upon her. “Wow…”
She felt a flutter in her abdomen and ran a hand against her hair, brushing it out of her face. “I take it you like the dress?” She asked with a half-smile, moving across the room to where he was standing.
He stared back at her with a mesmerized expression, following her movements with his eyes until she was standing in front of him.
“Wow…” His eyes wandered down her silhouette once more before returning her gaze with a lightning bolt of electricity sparking from him.
“You said that already,” She grinned back at him shyly.
“Then maybe I should just stop talking.” He whispered, moving his hands to cup both sides of her face. His lips found hers and she moaned against him, feeling the familiar softness of his mouth on hers. She felt a tingle against her lips and he let out a groan, pulling away. He hunkered down, letting out a shaky breath as he fell back.
“Clark!”
***
TBC...
Comments Go Here
