Chloe looked up as Clark walked into the Torch and sat down next to her. "So, why did you need to meet me so urgently? Your message was a little vague." Clark opened his mouth but didn't get the chance to answer as Chloe's face lit up like the proverbial light bulb being switched on. "It's about that escaped mental patient guy, isn't it? Is he really an escaped mental patient? Where is he now?"

Clark blinked at the rapid fire questions that came at him. He had known that he would get twenty questions as soon as Chloe got on the trail. He wouldn't be able to answer everything, but at least he could answer these. "His name is Jarod. He's not exactly an escaped mental patient."

Chloe looked confused. "Clark, how can you 'not exactly' be an escaped mental patient? You either are or your not."

"Chloe, it's a long story," Clark sighed.

"I've got plenty of time." Chloe said, leaning back settling herself comfortably in her chair as she spoke.

"It's not my story to tell" Clark answered with a sigh. He hated having to do this. Not being able to let his friends in on what was really going on. It was almost as bad as having to lie about himself all the time.

"What? Don't you trust me?" Chloe sounded defensive and annoyed. She couldn't help it –she was in full inquisitive reporter mode.

"No, its nothing like that," Clark replied keeping his voice calm and level. "It's just Jarod told me something in confidence and I don't feel it would be right to share the information without his permission."

"Oh, in that case, I guess I can understand."

"Besides, I don't want you getting too involved in this and going off on some one woman crusade to try and find the story behind this. These people are serious and I don't want you to get hurt."

Chloe saw the concern in Clark's eyes, "Why what's happened?"

"Jarod's at our house recovering … he was shot."

"By those people who were talking to the sheriff?"

Clark nodded his head.

"So, what do they want with him?"

"That's the 'not exactly a mental patient' part."

"I knew it." Chloe almost beamed at the revelation. "I knew there was something going on the way he streaked out the back of the Talon." Chloe face became serious once more. "Um, he's not from around here is he? That isn't why they are interested in him is it?"

"No, he's not from Smallville, Chloe." Clark paused. "He's not like Ryan, but has been treated in a similar fashion."

Chloe thought about the young boy that they had all befriended. She knew how close Clark had gotten to him and immediately knew why, if the situation was in anyway similar, Clark was helping this man out. "So, how can I help?"

Clark pulled the picture of Jarod's mother out of his pocket. "I need you to try and find out where this lady lives. My parents helped her on the side of the road recently and we think she lives somewhere here in Smallville."

"Who is she?" Chloe sat there tying to figure out how this woman fitted into the general scheme of things.

"That's Jarod's mom."

Chloe stared at the picture, she went out of reporter mode and now felt an emotional connection with this guy. She guessed that Jarod must have grown up without knowing his mom and was now trying to reconnect with her. She certainly knew the empty place you have inside you when someone you love vanishes.

"Okay, I'll just scan it into the computer and look on the internet for her." Chloe said turning back to her computer.

"No, you can't do that."

"Do what?"

"You can't put her picture over the internet."

"Why not?" Chloe looked at Clark as if he had three heads. "How am I supposed to do this without a name or the internet?"

"I don't know; you just can't. Jarod told me specifically not to put her name on the internet with a search for Smallville." Clark answered before giving Chloe a mischievous smile. "Use that long list of contacts you have. I do have a fist name, but that is it. Her name is Margaret."

"Alright, I'll see what I can do." Chloe sighed. "I'm going to need to at least scan the picture into the computer so I'll know how to describe her."

Chloe quickly scanned in the picture and handed it back to Clark.

"Thanks, Chloe. I've got to get back. Call me as soon as you have something."

Ms. Parker was not a happy camper. She had hated dealing with small town sheriffs ever since Jarod had ensured that she wouldn't be able to bother him for a few days, by conveniently leaving a note with the police in a town that she followed him to stating that she was carrying a concealed weapon. This had resulted in her being arrested and spending a long and uncomfortable night in that town's jail.

Ms. Parker removed her sunglasses as she walked into the Smallville sheriff station followed by Sydney and Broots. The only way she could think to describe the place was quaint. The whole place was awash with the color brown. The walls were old fashioned tongue and groove brown paneling. There was a wooden reception counter in a matching shade near the front door. It stretched across the entire office and had a swinging entrance at the far end. There were two desks behind the front reception area. Behind these desks was what she assumed was the sheriff office. It also had brown walls, but they stopped halfway up and the rest of the way was glass. It must have been made out of two way glass because Ms. Parker couldn't tell if the sheriff was inside.

One desk was occupied by an officer who didn't even look up from his paperwork. She glared at the officer as he continued to ignore them. She wanted to yell at him, but she had been reminded by Sydney on the way over that she would need to act civilly inside the station because she was already on the sheriff's bad list.

She glanced over at a small bell that was on the counter and hit it repeatedly in quick succession. Still, she got no response. She huffed as she crossed her arms across her chest and impatiently tapped the toe of her high heel shoe. She glanced over at Sydney and he could tell she was about ready to take prisoners if necessary in order to get someone attention.

The tapping seemed to finally warrant a response as the officer turned toward the back of the building where it curved out of sight. "Douglas, get out here now. There are people waiting on you." He then carried on working without even glancing at the visitors.

Ms. Parker and the group watched as a young male rounded the corner. He had such a young looking face, she didn't even know if he was out of high school yet or not. He was wearing a standard police uniform, the same as the other officer, but she noticed that he did not have a weapon on him.

"Sorry, to keep you waiting" the young man smiled at them pleasantly. "I was in the back room catching up with some filing. A junior officer in training gets all the glamorous jobs. But, I'm going to the Academy – when I get out of school – and then I get to do the real stuff." He paused slightly embarrassed about rambling on. "Anyway, enough about me. What can I help you fine folks with today?"

Syndey answered before Ms. Parker had a chance to say anything. "We'd like to speak to the sheriff."

"May I ask who is here to see her?"

"Tell her it's Ms. Parker," the brunette snapped "I met her yesterday. I'm sure she'll remember me."

Douglas unconsciously drew back a little but tried to maintain his courteous demeanor. "Okay, let me see if she's free to see you."

The group waited while Douglas walked back to the sheriff's office and, after knocking, stuck his head inside. After a few moments he gestured to Ms. Parker, indicating that she should come through to the office before he turned and headed back to his filing.

The sheriff had watched the whole scene from her office. She didn't know exactly what was going on with these people and that bothered her. She wanted to know what they were really up to.

After everyone was in the office and seated the Sheriff gave the newcomers a small smile as she asked. "So, what is it that I can do for you today?"

"We would like your assistance with the retrieval of our patient." Sydney began cordially.

Sheriff Adams leaned back in her chair and looked at them. "You didn't seem to have any trouble going after him yesterday on your own."

"And you nearly arrested me!" Parker retorted.

"Listen here, I will not tolerate anyone breaking the law here. If you don't like it you can pack your bags and leave town. I may even be helping you pack."

Broots wanted to crack up, but stifled his laughter quickly so that only a small chuckle came out. He knew Ms. Parker was not used to having to take orders like this from anyone.

Sydney shot Ms. Parker a look letting her know his disapproval.

Sheriff Adams turned to Broots. "Who are you? You weren't with them yesterday."

Broots instantly paled. He didn't like the stare he was getting. It was almost the same as the one Ms. Parker was accustomed to giving him. "I- I'm Broots."

"He does research for us. That is what he was doing yesterday when we met."

"Research huh?"

Broots inwardly sighed with relief as the sheriff turned her focus back on Sydney.

"Research on what?"

"The town."

"So, what is the name of your establishment? You didn't tell me yesterday."

"The Centre."

"Where is it located?"

"In Delaware."

The sheriff whistled her amazement. "That's a long way for a crazy person to get all by themselves. You sure this guy is crazy?"

"Yes" Sydney stated. He glanced over at Ms. Parker out of the corner of his eye and could tell that she was growing more impatient. "He can be stable for a little while without any medication, but then he tends to become very violent without warning. That is why it is best for us to get him back in our care as soon as possible. We don't want any of your nice townspeople harmed."

Adams nodded her head. The story did sound plausible, but there was still something that just didn't seem to add up. However, as the public's safety was her main concern she inquired further. "Where do you think this guy is and how do you know he is there?"

"As I stated before, due to our research and reconnaissance we think he is at the home of one of your townspeople."

"Now, who in this town do you think is harboring your patient?" The sheriff crossed her arms across her chest. She couldn't think of anyone who would voluntarily do this. Now, involuntarily that was another thing altogether.

"The name is Jonathan and Martha Kent."

Adams sighed inwardly. Okay, make that one person. She should have known that Kent boy would be involved in this, somehow he always seemed to be in the middle of things.

Sydney realized from the sheriff's expression that she knew these people well. "So, you know them?"

"Yes, they're good people."

"So, are you going to help us or not?" Ms. Parker questioned.

"I'll go out there with you." Sheriff Adams said, staring intently at Ms. Parker as she spoke. "However, if there is any funny business at all going on or I just think you are wasting my time, I will have you escorted out of my town so fast it will make your head spin. Do you understand me?"

"Perfectly."