Clark and Lois - Hope Realized - Matchmaker Chronicle Volume 5 24/25
By Ken Janney
Rating PG-13
Disclaimers: The characters in this story are property of DC, December 3rd productions and Warner Bros. No Copyright infringement is intended. I have just borrowed the characters for a short time.
* * denotes emphasis
< > denotes thoughts
(#) footnotes
/ denotes telepathic communication/
[ playback of a recording or TV Commentary]For reference purposes the following will hold true throughout.
Universal Locator Designation
Alpha 023 x Gamma 004 x Tau -120 - Canon Lois and Clark universe also called – Prime
Alpha 023 x Gamma 025 x Tau 036 – Canon Alt Clark universe also called – Alt 1
Alpha -120 x Gamma 255 x Tau -190 New universe called Alt 2
As always comments are welcome. (ken.janney@kjanney.com)
Clark and Lois – Hope Realized - The Matchmaker Chronicles Volume 5
Previously:
He said, “I have a couple more to bring in. If I need you, I’ll call. Thanks again.”
Lois said, “I’ll look for a call.” She sent, /This all should help with the secret identities. Who’s next on the list?/
/I was thinking of Mitzie Daphne./
/The Madam? How were you planning to handle it?/
/I don’t have a clue yet./
/I’ve got an idea. Meet me at home./
/What we did in the other universe would take too long./
/I was thinking of a more direct approach./
/Okay. I’ll meet you at home./
All of this communication had taken place at the speed of thought so there was very little break in his conversation with Henderson. He said, “Well, Lieutenant, that’s the second one. I was thinking about going after Mitzie next. As soon as I have her, I’ll bring her in.”
Bill said, “Your help has been invaluable in this. My people couldn’t have moved so quickly. Thanks.”
Superman said, “Don’t mention it. Let’s just get this done.” He turned and exited the office.
When he arrived at the house he found Lois dressed in a very short skirt which even though it was short was still slit up the left thigh to just below the hip, fishnet stockings, stiletto heels and a skin tight knit top which showed off her assets. She had donned a red wig and some makeup.
All Clark could do is stand there and stare. He said, “Wow, you know, I’ve never really been attracted to redheads, but I could make an exception in your case.”
She swayed over to him and moved into his arms. She initiated a kiss which held a world of promise. When she broke the kiss she stepped back and asked, “Do you think that Mitzie would hire me?
“I sure would.”
“Okay, let’s go”
“I’ll bring her out. I want you to fly me there. I kinda liked it when you flew me a while ago. It was just like old times.”
“I liked it too. Let’s go, Sweetheart.”
They exited and he flew her to the vicinity of the brothel and set her down.
He flew up to the roof so that he could keep an eye on things while Lois entered the lobby and moved to the elevator. While she rode up in the elevator she stuck a piece of gum in her mouth and started chewing. When she exited the elevator she crossed to the doors to the lounge and entered. When she did a gong went off in an office alerting Constance to the fact that they had a visitor.
Constance came out of her office and was surprised to see a woman. She asked, “May I help you?”
Lois using a not so bright vernacular as she popped the gum she had in her mouth said, “Yeah sweetie, you may help me. Are you the boss here?”
Constance asked, “Do you mean the Madam?”
Lois said, “Yeah, that’s who, the Madam.”
Constance asked, “Why do you want to see the Madam?”
Lois popped her gum then she replied, “I thought I’d see if I could get a job in dis joint. I’m getting kinda tired of bein on de street, you know wad I mean.” Lois popped her gum again.
Constance gave her a critical look and decided that she had the body for the work. In fact she was outstanding and would probably be a good draw. So she said, “Okay, I’ll let you talk to Mitzie, but first, get rid of the gum.” Lois reached up and took the gum out of her mouth and looked for a place to dispose of it. Spotting a trashcan in the corner she walked over to dispose of the gum, using the time to x-ray the office, checking out the layout. Constance went over and knocked on another door. She opened it and spoke to the person inside briefly. Holding the door open she said, “Mitzie will see you now.”
Lois moved over and entered the office. Constance closed the door after her and returned to her own office.
Once Lois was inside, Mitzie came out from behind her desk and giving Lois a close scrutiny said, “Constance says you’re looking to get off the street. I don’t recognize you. You’re not one of my girls. How long have you been in town?”
Lois quickly x-rayed Mitzie and the office. She saw a box she couldn’t see through in her desk drawer. She did a spin change and before Mitzie could get back around her desk she grabbed her. Superwoman held her arm around Mitzie pinning her arms to her sides to prevent her getting away or hitting any buttons. She opened the desk drawer and extracted the box and heated it until the lead softened and melted into a lump, sealing the Kryptonite inside. She cooled the lead with her superbreath and then picking it up placed it into a concealed pouch in her cape. She then led Mitzie over to the window. She opened the window and looked down.
Mitzie started to feel fear. She thought, <Why is she looking down? Is she going to throw me out the window so that it looked like I committed suicide? I told Lex that it was risky having Kryptonite in my possession. I knew how mad it would make the superheroes to find me with it and what they would do in retaliation, but he just wouldn’t listen.> She tried to reason with Superwoman, “Listen, I really didn’t want that here. It was only here because Luthor insisted.”
Superwoman said, “Thank you. You just admitted that you work for Luthor. Lieutenant Henderson would like to have a conversation with you.” She picked her up and exited through the open window with Mitzie cradled in her arms. She was joined a few seconds later by Superman. Within minutes they were at the twelfth precinct and Mitzie was in Interrogation 5.
Bill said, “Thanks. That’s two of the three.”
Superman said, “We should have number three here shortly.” He and Superwoman exited the precinct and took to the air. Once in the air Superwoman pulled out the lead encased Kryptonite and heaved it into space. They landed on the roof of the Planet and after doing their change they went down to the bullpen.
And now:
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Chapter 23– Capturing Luthor
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Universal Locator Designation
Common name ALT2
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Lois had completely forgotten that she was still in her disguise until she heard the wolf whistles and cat calls that she started receiving when she entered the room. She looked down at herself and blushed. The hooker costume she was wearing was a little more revealing than her normal attire. She looked around. She saw Jimmy standing at his desk with his eyes almost bugging out of his head. She looked around with a withering look at all of the males in the office and said, “You’ve never seen an undercover costume before? Get a life!”
Clark chuckled and took off his suit jacket and put it over her shoulders. He said, “I can’t blame them. You look amazing, in a cheap sort of way!” With a smug look she pulled his jacket around herself and, sat down at her desk and pulled out the sheet they had gotten from Henderson so that she could check the last name and address.
She asked, “How do you want to handle this last one?”
He said, “The messenger outfit worked out well the first time. We could try that again.”
Lois said, “Let’s make sure that he’s home.” She picked up the phone and dialed his number. A switchboard operator answered. Using a sultry tone she asked “Is Frank Baxter at home?”
The switchboard operator said, “At this time of the day, you can usually find Frank at the Metro Club.”
Lois said, “Thanks, I’ll look for him there.”
Clark had heard the entire conversation. Lois said, “Looks like I don’t need to change. I’ll see if I can pick him up at the Metro Club. Do you think he’ll like what he sees?”
“How can he help it? I’ll be right outside.”
Lois stood up and removed Clark’s jacket and as she handed it back to Clark she scanned the bullpen and could see that all eyes were on her. She did a slow pirouette displaying herself. This elicited a new round of whistles and cat calls.
Clark started to snicker and said, “I didn’t know you were such an exhibitionist.”
She giggled and said, “Just giving my adoring public one last look.” She used an exaggerated sway to her hips as they exited the newsroom, receiving even more wolf whistles and cat calls as she did. She turned and did a little bow as they were about to enter the stairwell. As she stood up again and started to move into the stairwell she was laughing.
When they exited through the roof door she was still laughing. They took to the air and headed for the Metro Club. They landed in an alley down the street and Lois changed back into her hooker costume. As she exited the alley to head for the club she stuck a stick of gum in her mouth and started chewing.
When she entered she looked around and spotted Frank Baxter at a table. She moved to the bar and took a seat on a stool. When she did she made sure that her left side was toward him so that he couldn’t help but see her leg through the slit. She ordered a drink. While she waited to be served she crossed her left leg over the right which only displayed her legs that much more.
Spying her from where he was sitting at a table, Frank thought, <Wow, what a hot babe! What’s a dame with those kind of looks doin’ in this place?> It only took Frank a few minutes to get up from his table and walk over to her. He said, “You’re new around here, ain’t you?”
Popping her gum she replied, “Yeah, I just got inta town. Thought I’d try to find out where the action is.” She popped her gum again as she looked him up and down pretending to be interested.
Noting her appraisal, Frank tried to put on an air of importance as he said, “If you want action, babe, I’m your man. You want I should show you some action?” Frank thought of himself as quite the ladies man and as he leered at her thoughts of the kind of action he would like to show her flitted through his head and he tried to make his ugly scared face look sexy, though the effort was doomed to failure before he even tried.
Lois thought, <Ug, ladies man he isn’t. Well, I need to play along, no matter how much it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.> Popping her gum once more she replied, “Sure, let’s get outta here. You can show me some of the action and maybe I could show you a good time.”
Hopping down off the stool she took his arm as they started walking out. As they walked out the door Superman appeared behind Frank and grabbed both arms. Lois spun into her uniform and checked Frank’s pockets. She said, “This is getting monotonous, they are all carrying Kryptonite.” She relieved him of his box and launched it into space.
Realizing, belatedly, that he had been duped, Frank’s countenance fell, realizing that he had tried to pick up Superwoman. He thought, <No wonder she looked so hot!>
Superman said, “Lieutenant Henderson would like to have a talk with you.”
Frank blustered, “Whadda ya mean. I got rights! You can’t do this to me. You gotta have a warrant.”
Superman said, “It’s at Headquarters. They just want to have a friendly talk.” They lifted off side by side with Superman carrying Frank. A few minutes later Frank was in interrogation 6.
Superman and Superwoman exited and headed home. Lois changed into a regular work outfit and they returned to the Planet.
When they walked into the newsroom everyone turned, and seeing Lois in her regular clothes started booing.
She laughed and said, “Sorry boys. That was a special occasion. Usually Clark is the only one that sees me dressed like that.”
Chuckling, Clark said, “Eat your hearts out, guys. She’s mine.”
Heading over to Perry’s office, they knocked on his door and entered even before he could say ‘come in’.
As they sat on his couch and he said, “What do you have for me? What was that stir in the bullpen a while ago?”
“Sorry about that Perry. We were helping Superman and Superwoman and I was undercover. It was a little … revealing.”
“As long as it doesn’t happen too often. What’cha got for me?”
“The case against Luthor is moving ahead. That’s what we were doing. Bill Henderson got some material witness warrants and we were helping Superman and Superwoman execute them. Four of Luthor’s underlings are now in custody and being questioned. It’s only a matter of time now.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Luthor dialed a number. In interrogation 3 Nigel’s cell phone began to ring. Nigel looked at Henderson. Nigel could see from the caller ID that it was Luthor. Henderson saw the caller’s name also and said “Put it on speakerphone so we can record it.”
Nigel answered and put it on speaker. “Nigel here.”
“Nigel, where are you? You’ve been gone for hours.”
“I’m trying to arrange that little job for you, sir.”
“Have you found a sniper to take out Kent yet?”
“No sir, but, I’m working on it. That is a very specialized skill. I’m sure you understand.”
“I’m growing impatient. I have to have Lane and Kent is in my way. I want him eliminated. Don’t you have any contacts from your time in MI6 that you could use?”
“No sir, none that are still around. You’ll have to be patient.”
“What about Frank Baxter? He’s done a number of jobs for us. He’s good with firearms.”
“His specialty is close work with a hand gun. I don’t know if he can handle a scoped rifle.”
“Talk to him. I want this done and I’m getting impatient. I have to have her.”
“I’ll see to it sir.”
“See that you do.” The connection came to an end.
Bill started rubbing his hands together. “I’m glad we got that on tape. That is incriminating. Nigel, I’ll talk to the DA and see about moving forward on your guarantees.” Bill turned to Sergeant Adams and said, “Keep at it. Get as much as you can. I’ll check back later. Get him some coffee or tea if he wants it.”
Bill moved down the hall and entered the room that held Izzie Banks. He had already informed Izzie what they had on him and offered a deal. He had been anxious to cut the deal because what they had on him based on Nigel’s testimony was enough to send him to prison for a very long time. He was spilling the beans on everything he knew about Luthor’s operations. The same thing pertained to Mitzie Daphne and Frank Baxter. In Frank’s case the deal had been a reduction to life in prison rather than the DA going for the death penalty.
Bill returned to his office and placed a call to the Daily Planet.
When it was answered he heard, “Daily Planet, Clark Kent.”
“Clark, Bill Henderson. It looks like it’s all over but the shouting. With the testimony of Nigel, Izzie, Mitzie and Frank we have enough on Luthor to throw the book at him. His secret books would be the icing on the cake. I’m getting ready to go to a judge for a search warrant for his offices and a warrant for his arrest. According to what Nigel said we will need Superman to get the evidence out of the safe before they can be destroyed. But, Superman can’t get near that office while that Kryptonite is there. Any suggestions?”
“Yeah, from what Nigel said it’s a little chrome plated statue. If you take some lead sheeting or a lead lined box to put it into, it can be rendered harmless.”
“Assuming I get the search warrant we can be ready for a raid in three hours. Do you want to get in on it? It’s your story.”
“I really need to be here so that you can call me when the Kryptonite has been dealt with. Then I can contact Superman and let him know the coast is clear. By the way, don’t forget the statue in Nigel’s office too. They will both need to be dealt with.”
“You’re right Clark. I had forgotten that. I’ll get the warrant. When we have the Kryptonite neutralized I’ll call you. Should be about 3 ½ hours from now. Talk to you later.”
A few minutes later Clark’s phone rang again and he answered, “Daily Planet, Clark Kent. How can I help you?”
“Mr. Kent, this is Ed Jackson, the realtor. We just got word that the seller has accepted your offer on 348 Hyperion Ave. We can go to closing on Wednesday, next week. You can take possession then. What time are you available? It will take about an hour.”
Clark answered, “We should be available by about ten a.m. Will that be okay?”
“Ten a.m. Wednesday it is. I’ll send the details to your e-mail address. See you then.”
“Thanks Ed. We’ll see you then.” Clark hung up and looking over at Lois said, “They accepted our offer. We go to settlement next week!”
Lois jumped up and almost flew into his arms. She kissed him and said, “We need to start looking at paint and fabric and upholstery and furniture and …”
He interrupted, “Whoa, one thing at a time. Let’s get past settlement, then we can think about all those other things.”
She had a little pout on her face and in her voice as she said, “Spoil sport. This is going to be my, our, first house. No more being an apartment dweller!” She added, /At least in this universe. We have the farm on the other side./
He said, placatingly, “I’m not saying we aren’t going to do that. All I’m saying is that we need to wait a few days. We have a lot on our plate right now.”
Lois relented, “Oh, okay. I guess you’re right. Let’s take care of Luthor first.”
Switching over to telepathic communication again, Clark looked over at Lois and thought, /You could go and wait in the lobby until I get the call. I’ll let you know when it’s clear and then you can go up to the office and be there when I arrive./
/Sounds like a plan./ Out loud she said, “Let’s go tell Perry what’s going down and then get a bite to eat.”
They both got up and moved to Perry’s office. After closing the door they stood in front of Perry’s desk. Clark said, “I just had a call from Bill Henderson. They are going to be raiding Luthor’s office in about three hours. They expect to be arresting Luthor and we’ll be covering it. It’s our exclusive so save page one.”
Perry was so excited he jumped up and started pacing. “How soon will I have your copy? How much do you have at this point? Are we looking at a full page spread or just above the fold?”
Lois said, “I’d say, full page with a banner headline!”
Perry grabbed his phone and punched in a number. “Composing, put a hold on page one. You’ll get the copy in ... “ He looked at Clark who looked at Lois who shrugged and looked over to Clark.
Clark said, “Five hours.”
Perry completed, “Five hours, that’ll be too late to make the evening edition. We’ll have to hold it and put it out as a special.” He hung up the phone, “Go get me the story.”
Lois said, “You got it Chief.” They exited his office.
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Three hours later Lois was in the lobby of LexTower when a squad of police entered. Plain clothes came in first and took the security guard by surprise as they took him into custody. They kept him away from his panel so that he couldn’t alert Luthor. The squad piled into an elevator car and Lois watched as it went up and stopped on 98. She thought, <So far so good. They are neutralizing the Kryptonite in Nigel’s office.>
A minute later she saw the elevator resume its course to 100. She wished she could be there for a ring side seat but she had to content herself with waiting where it was safe.
A minute later she saw Luthor exit another elevator. She sent a thought to Clark, /Clark, it looks like Luthor was warned somehow. He must have had someone at the precinct on his payroll that Nigel didn’t know about. He just exited an elevator while the police were going up to apprehend him. I’m going after him./
/Lois, no! He’s dangerous./
/He won’t do anything to me! He wants me, remember?/
/I’m on my way./
Lois maneuvered so that Lex would almost literally run into her. She stopped him and said, “Mr. Luthor, I’d like to reschedule that interview. When would you be available?”
Nervously he looked back over his shoulder. He looked back at her and said, “How about right now?”
Lois said, “I don’t have everything I need to do an interview. I *would* like to schedule it though.”
Luthor said, “I’m sorry, but I must insist on right now.” He reached out and grabbed her elbow and started dragging her toward the exit. Just then Clark Kent came in through the doors they were headed for. He pretended to just see them and said, “Lois, oh I see you found Mr. Luthor. Did you schedule the interview?”
Luthor said, “We’re going to do it right now! Get out of the way.”
Clark said, “Wait a minute. That’s my wife. I think I have something to say about when she does an interview.”
Luthor growled, “Not any more, you don’t,” as he pulled a wicked looking automatic from a shoulder holster.
Lois was wearing heels and before he had a chance to take aim Lois tramped down with her spike heel on his foot and knocked his arm up just as he pulled the trigger. The pain of her heel being jabbed into his instep caused Luthor to scream and pull the trigger in reflex.
This gave Clark the opening he needed and he rushed him using just a smidgen of superspeed. He closed with him and grabbed his gun hand with his left hand and delivered an uppercut just off the point of Luthor’s jaw. There was a sickening crunching sound and Clark did a quick x-ray exam. Sure enough, he had broken Luthor’s jaw. He was satisfied that he hadn’t killed him. Luthor was unconscious before he hit the floor. Secretly Clark hoped that his jaw would be wired shut for a long time.
The report of the firearm caused some of the people to duck, but, human nature being what it is; there was an even greater number that wanted to see what was happening. What they saw was a woman, apparently being abducted by an armed man and another man taking him on with nothing but his fists. A cheer went up when Luthor was felled by a strong uppercut. There were also numerous flashes as people pulled out their cell phones and activated their cameras to document the action. One individual seeing the confrontation between Luthor and Lois early on had grabbed his phone and made a video of all of the action. Later Lois downloaded the video from the internet where it had been posted on a video sharing site as a memento.
comments go here To be continued in Chapter 24 – Wrapping Up the Case
