Chapter 19: A Devilish Square
348 Hyperion Avenue
Lois and Ultrawoman were lying on the bed in their bedroom, deeply asleep. Clark, however, was on the sofa, having dozed off from exhaustion while keeping watch over the two women. When they had returned home, they found Ultrawoman scrubbing the kitchen at human speed. She had explained that she needed a mind-numbing task to keep herself occupied, not wanting to think about the horrible night she had just experienced: the sounds, the smells, and the weight of the charred bodies she had to move to the morgue vehicles.
Both Lois and Clark tried to distract her to no avail, so they had decided that the best course of action was to sleep, hoping that their slumber wouldn't be haunted by nightmares. Clark had refused to sleep at first, preferring to be there in case of a bad dream, but without his usual abilities, sleep eventually claimed him as well.
The sound of the doorbell startled him awake. Clark jumped up and made his way to the front door to greet their visitor, who was none other than Jimmy, holding a thick file under his arm.
"I know I said I would call, but I thought it’d be faster to show you. I’ve identified the four men, and I don’t think you could’ve hoped for better matches to the recent events."
“Where’s Lois?”
“They’re sleeping... I mean, she’s sleeping,” Clark corrected himself. “We didn’t sleep at all last night.”
Jimmy didn’t comment on Clark’s slip-up and continued, “The four men have quite the records. First up, Reggie Dawkins, aka ‘The Viper,’ notorious for his cruelty and complete lack of remorse. Reggie is an expert in arson. His nickname comes from his sneaky and venomous way of infiltrating and striking without mercy. He started by setting his own family’s house on fire at the age of 13, killing his parents because they refused to let him go out.”
Jimmy pulled out a large portrait of the man, his face as sinister as his nickname suggested.
Next, Jimmy revealed another picture, this time of a man in his forties, with a square jaw and piercing eyes.
“Jack Randall, aka ‘The Torch.’ A hardened criminal with a career in arson. Jack’s specialty is explosions and fire, and his nickname comes from his ability to turn anything into ashes. Shopping malls, banks… anytime a group of criminals needs to get rid of a building, he’s the guy. He served 18 years in prison, sentenced to three consecutive 40-year terms, and he escaped six months ago by setting fire to the van transferring him from Metropolis prison to Gotham.”
Clark, shocked, asked, “Is he connected to Intergang?”
“No, he seems to freelance, going wherever his lighter takes him,” Jimmy replied.
Clark was stunned by the level of malice these men embodied. Even though, as Superman and a journalist, he had often faced massive criminals, he had always retained faith in humanity. At that moment, that faith was shaken.
Jimmy continued, and the next profiles were just as ruthless:
Ethan Caldwell, the strategist of the group, specialized in diversion and manipulation. He’s suspected of involvement in numerous armed robberies, art thefts, and other highly technical crimes. The last one, Nico Barone, the brains of the group, cold and calculating, is one of Intergang’s most feared members.
Lois appeared just then, having overheard the tail end of the conversation.
“Ethan Caldwell, that name sounds familiar. Didn’t I write an article involving him a while ago?”
Clark thought for a moment before responding, “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“I think it was before you joined the Planet,” Lois added.
She started pacing the room, clearly searching her memory. After a few seconds, she exclaimed, “I remember! He was involved in the embezzlement of funds from a charity that raised money for fighting HIV in children. The Hope for Tomorrow foundation was doing outreach to mothers and funding research for effective treatments in kids. At the time, three million dollars were siphoned off by Caldwell, who was the treasurer. He got three years probation because he managed to sow doubt in the jury’s mind, but I’m sure he knew exactly what he was doing and wasn’t the victim he claimed to be. He’s been laying low ever since.”
Lois shook her head, visibly annoyed.
“Doesn’t look like he used that time to get back on the straight and narrow,” Jimmy remarked. “Well, I’ll leave the files with you guys. The Chief’s probably already wondering where I am!”
As soon as Jimmy shut the door, Ultrawoman rushed into the living room.
“Come on, let’s go get them. You’re joining me, right?”
“Wait, wait, Lois,” Clark said, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. “This is a big breakthrough, but we need to organize ourselves and continue our research. If we rush in, they’ll find a way to slip through our fingers. These guys are precise, methodical, and I’m sure their boss won’t hesitate to take them out, just like the Brown brothers, if we get too close. We need to be better than them and go for the head of Intergang!”
Clark paused, choosing his words carefully, then resumed with a gravity that matched his resolve.
“Someone is trying to destroy everything Metropolis stands for: its children, its workers, and now its places of entertainment. They’re behaving like terrorists, and we need to put a stop to it.”
It wasn’t just the journalist speaking; it was Superman, despite the absence of his powers. His posture, his unshakable determination, reflected a resolve that went far beyond mere words.
Ultrawoman, sensing that quiet strength, slowly nodded, realizing that it was crucial to proceed with caution and strategy. The anger that had consumed her since that night gave way to cold determination, ready to follow Clark into this new battle.
“So, what’s the plan?” Ultrawoman asked, impatience and resolve mixed in her voice.
Clark thought for a moment, weighing their options. Then, with a calm but firm voice, he answered, “We need allies. We should notify Henderson and put these men under surveillance.”
Ultrawoman agreed, understanding that their priority had to be securing the situation before taking action. Rushing could jeopardize their efforts, and these criminals, as dangerous as they were, couldn’t force them into making mistakes.
“I’ll handle it,” Lois said, already grabbing her phone. “Henderson needs to know right away.”
“Perfect,” Clark replied. “In the meantime, I’ll see what more I can dig up about these guys and their connections. The more we know, the better we can anticipate their next move.”
As Lois dialed Inspector Henderson’s number, Clark grabbed the laptop to start his research, feeling the weight of the situation but also the strength of their union in the face of this growing threat.
Clark, leaning over his desk, was deeply immersed in his search when Lois finished her call with Henderson. She hung up and turned to him, looking concerned.
“Henderson is putting his men on alert, but it’s going to take time to locate these guys and set up surveillance. We need an extra push.”
Clark nodded thoughtfully.
“I think it’s time to call in Bobby Bigmouth. If anyone has information or can help us track these guys down, it’s him.”
Lois smiled, knowing Bobby was often their best source for under-the-radar intel.
“I’ll handle him. I know his weakness,” she said, standing up. “A cream pie with a double helping of whipped cream should do the trick.”
Clark smirked, recognizing Lois’s typical approach.
“Good idea. While you reach out to him, I’ll keep digging through the files and see if I can find any additional leads.”
Lois grabbed her bag and headed to the door.
“I shouldn’t be long. Bobby’s always quick to respond when food’s involved.”
In an Alleyway of Metropolis
An hour later, Lois stood in a dimly lit alley, a cream pie in one hand, waiting for Bobby to show up. As expected, it didn’t take long for him to appear, the enticing smell of the pie seemingly guiding him.
“Ah, Lois! You really know how to speak to a man,” Bobby said with a grin, his eyes glued to the pie.
Lois smiled and held the pie a little higher.
“And you, Bobby, know how to help me out. I need information on four guys. Reggie Dawkins, Jack Randall, Ethan Caldwell, and the sneakiest one, Nico Barone. They’re dangerous, and we need to stop them before they cause more damage.”
Bobby took a bite of the pie, thinking for a moment.
“Those guys aren’t small-time. They run in pretty tight circles, but I’ve heard about some recent activity in certain areas. There’s an abandoned warehouse near the docks—rumor has it Intergang’s been using it for discreet meetings. Might be a good place to start your search.”
Lois nodded, absorbing the information.
“Thanks, Bobby. I knew I could count on you.”
“Always a pleasure, Lois. Give my regards to Superman and his girlfriend… And if you need more help, you know what to do.”
Lois left the alley, Bobby’s comment still echoing in her mind. “Superman and his girlfriend…” She couldn’t help but wonder if he knew more than he let on. But there wasn’t time to dwell on that now. The information she’d just gathered was crucial, and they needed to act fast.
Back with Clark, she relayed the details Bobby had given her.
“Bobby mentioned an abandoned warehouse near the docks. He says Intergang might be using it for secret meetings. We might find our guys there.”
Clark nodded, his expression becoming serious.
“That’s a good lead. We need to coordinate with Henderson to get surveillance on the place. If that’s where they’re hiding, we can catch them in the act.”
Lois nodded, but a shadow of concern crossed her face.
“Bobby also made a strange comment,” she said quietly. “He said, ‘Give my regards to Superman and his girlfriend.’ Do you think he might… know about us?”
Clark furrowed his brow, thinking.
“Bobby’s smart, and he has his sources. But I doubt he has concrete proof. If he really knew, he might have said something more direct. For now, let’s focus on the mission.”
Lois nodded, deciding not to let the concern distract her. They had work to do, and every minute counted.
“Alright, I’ll contact Henderson and have him send a team to the docks. If those guys are there, we won’t give them a chance to escape.”
Clark took a deep breath, feeling the urgency of the situation.
“And this time, we’re going to stop them for good.”
With that determination, they set out, ready to face the criminals threatening the safety of Metropolis.
