Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.
A/N: Hello again and thanks for your faithful reading and reviewing. Here are two chapters to satisfy your crave for bantering and suspense. There's a lot of angst in store for our two favourite characters but you know I'm a sucker for romance and happy endings so don't despair !
Enjoy and keep those reviews coming ! I appreciate inclusions on alert lists but don't hesitate to leave a comment as well, it helps me improve my writing for future stories.
CHAPTER 9: Breaking an Entry
" Wait ! "exclaimed Lex, placing his hand on top of hers to stop her from working on the lock.
" What's the matter ? Do you think it might be booby-trapped ? " she asked raising her eyes to his.
" No, it's not that. I think this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have dragged you here. I've no right to put you in danger. "
" I'm a grown-up woman, Lex. "
" I cannot guarantee your safety, Lindsey. I'm not sure I'll be able to protect you. I've already got two deaths on my conscience. Two innocent people died – one of them a promising young reporter like you- to help me put my father in prison thirteen years ago. Once we get through that door, nothing'll be the same. "
" I've come to Kansas for this. You surmised that much and I won't lie to you. Your father intimidated me a long time ago and it's high time he paid for what he's done to both of us. "
" Are you sure you want to go along with this, Lindsey ? "
" I am. Step back and let me work my magic, " she answered. " Are you sure this is the place, Lex ? " asked Chloe after cracking the back door open with a hairpin. " Security sucks ! I've just used one of the oldest tricks in the world to get us in. "
" Camouflage, Lindsey. What better place than an abandoned innocent-looking building to keep your deep dark secrets ? By the way, I didn't know you had long hair. "
" That's because I always wear it up. Shall we ? " she said , guiding Lex inside. " Now... which way ? "
" Can you see the corridor on the left ? It's the last door at the end of it. "
" OK, " she said, letting him take her by the arm. " Well... there's a little problem, Lex. Have you got a password or something ? The hairpin will be of no use here. Are you certain there are no cameras hidden somewhere ? "
" We'll take care of them later on. Let's try this master key card. It works in every Luthorcorp building and dad's got the other one. "
" Let' see..., " she said, sliding the card. " Bingo ! We're in. "
" You're starting to like this, aren't you ? " asked Lex with a smile.
" I hardly get a rush of adventure writing my restaurant reviews for the magazine, " she responded, stepping in. " Lex ? "
" What is it ? Tell me what you can see. "
" Nothing. It's as if a neutron bomb had suddenly fell from the sky. They have emptied the whole place. It's spotless. What about the police enquiry ? "
" Sealed. I told you my father has the police on his payroll. "
" I should have known Mr Luthor'd resort to his old tricks. "
" What do you know of his old tricks ? "
" It was just a manner of speaking. His reputation precedes him and ... "
" ... you overheard our argument, didn't you ? " he asked pointblank.
" I... I ... " stammered Chloe.
" It's all right, Lindsey. All the household must have heard us. "
" I'm not in the habit of eavesdropping, and I feel guilty about intruding on your privacy. The things that were said in that room were too personal. You have my promise nobody'll hear them from my lips. "
" Thanks, " said Lex, grabbing her tightly by the shoulders. " Let's check the other room to see if they've left anything behind and then, we'll go home. "
" What about the tapes ? "
" There are no tapes. The recordings are stored on the server. I'll get someone to hack in. "
Half an hour later the empty-handed couple was sitting again in the Porsche.
" I'm sorry it turned out to be a goose chase. "
" Don't be, Lindsey. If anything, we know that dad's involved in something really big and that there are important people behind this. "
" About the security recordings... I can help, " said Chloe, turning on the ignition.
" I thought your computer abilities were limited to operating a word-processor and a spreadsheet, Lindsey ! Don't tell me I've hired a hacker as well ! " exclaimed a surprised Lex, turning around in his seat.
" I may know a thing or two. "
" What else are you hiding from me ? You aren't working for the government, are you ? "
" I'm not on anyone's payroll ! Well, except for the magazine's, " she responded heatedly.
" You aren't a fed. We Luthors have a nose for smelling them from afar. Besides you're too beautiful to be one of them. "
" You're a flatterer, Mr Luthor. "
" I may not see but I'm not blind, " he smiled.
" You certainly have a way with words. To the penthouse ? "
" Yes, let me..., " said Lex, stretching out his hand towards the gearbox.
" It's OK. I've got it, " interrupted Chloe. No way she'd endure the touch of his hand all the way to the penthouse. The trip from Smallville had been more than enough.
" Suit yourself, Miss Lawrence, " he responded with a smirk. " Just remember: No speeding tickets or scratches, or there'll be hell to pay. "
" Oh, shut up ! " exclaimed Chloe.
" Are you shutting up your boss, Miss Lawrence ? " he asked with a laugh.
Chloe felt butterflies in her stomach. For the life of her she couldn't remember hearing him laugh before, and she had never dreamt it'd be that musical. She was falling hard, and their investigation was just starting.
What do you think of how their relationship's evolving ? To find out more about their investigation, click and go to the following chapter.