Chapter 73 [Luthor Mansion—Three Hours Later]
Lex hung up the phone. He still couldn't believe the run of bad luck. Both of my main science researchers have backed out. I hope Peter and Gwen can step up. He has enough on his plate already. I'll have to make sure he doesn't overdo it. At least Sam Rondo in Granville has a place for the reptiles. He dropped a couple of chunks of ice into a glass and half-filled it with brandy.
"Pardon me, Master Lex." Rollins requested. "Master Kent and Mistress Lang are here to see you."
"Thanks, Rollins. Show them up. Bring some fresh coffee for them." Lex took a draught from his glass. He noticed his guests coming in. "Hey, Clark! Lana! Everything all right back here?"
"Other than Chloe about to launch a big missile at someone, I'd say fine. What happened back there, Lex?" Lana raised an eyebrow.
"You mean other than J. Jonah Jameson challenging her spine?" Lex coughed. "How that man survived the climb up the ladder is beyond me. Well he insulted Jasmine, told me to get lost and ticked off Mr. Parker. He got upset when Peter and Gwen announced their wedding plans and invited a few folks. Chloe made a few calls."
"So you know what this surprise is?" Clark assumed.
The Smirk spread across Lex's face. Óh I know exactly what it is. Jasmine, her Dad and I are all sworn to secrecy. You'll have to wait until Sunday morning to hear about it. Jameson has more to deal with as well. From what I understand, Jasmine filed a complaint with the State Department over the incident. And then she called her financial advisors and her father. I kicked in some funds too. There was a big stock purchase."
The teens looked at each other. "So it was a complete loss then?"
"The rest of the trip was fine. Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy got their marriage license. Dinner at his aunt's house was great. Your Mom will really like her, Clark." Lex decided not to mention their run in with Osborn at Peter's former apartment. "Anything happen back here?"
"Mr. Reynolds told me about Dr. Connors. Then I made a suggestion. He actually liked it." Clark frowned.
"Mr. Reynolds gave you another compliment?" Lex glanced at his brandy glass. "He's definitely up to something. What was the suggestion?"
"I reminded him about the astronomy talks I wanted to do. Then maybe Miss Stacy could do some work with the science classes. I could help out during study blocks and my normal classes? Everyone wins," Clark explained.
"Excuse me, Sirs and Miss." Rollins wheeled the cart in. He poured the three cups. Then he departed again.
Lex closed the doors. "I can understand why he complimented you." He nodded. "In fact, Miss Stacy and I were talking about that very idea on the flight back. If you can free up some time to help, that would be great. Knew you'd come through, Clark."
"Any word on Miranda or her relatives?" She took a gulp of coffee.
"Mr. Dubois texted me saying that he was having some old family friends over for dinner tonight. He and his wife are breaking out the antiques around their farm. Real Dutch oven cornbread. Ham and beans over the fire. Miranda will be in for a treat," Lex explained.
"Mom would love that too." Clark took another mouthful of coffee.
"Maybe she might get to try it some time, Clark. Who knows? I might reinstall the hook on the fireplace downstairs and get a big iron pot of my own." Lex shrugged. Playfulness sparked in his eyes.
At that moment, Lex's cell phone buzzed.
Lex considered it. "It's Mr. Dubois. Interesting." He put it to his ear. "Lex Luthor."
"Lex, it's Dave. Are you sitting down?" Dubois gulped on some apple cider.
Stress pounded at Lex's temples. "Not more bad news. Please, Dave. I just got back here."
"Sorry." Dubois rubbed his own forehead. "Jenny's dealing with the shivers and twitches. Apparently she and our dinner guests ran into my Aunt Grace earlier. They have a history with her."
"They have…? Dave, wasn't she from around the Revolution or something?" Amazement raised an eyebrow.
"Ask Dr. LaFontaine. She knew them too back then. I'm putting him on." Dubois handed the phone to Ichabod. "Go ahead."
"Thank you, Dave. Hello?" Ichabod expressed.
"Yes. This is Lex Luthor. And with whom am I speaking?" Lex exchanged glances with Clark and Lana.
"Ah! Yes! This is Ichabod Crane, formerly a captain in the 37th New York Regiment and now working with the Sleepy Hollow Police Department. I trust you were asking about Mistress Grace? It is a rather lengthy story I fear." Ichabod sipped on his cider.
Lex walked over to his computer. He brought up a search engine and looked into the man on the other end. "I think I remember reading about you. So you knew her back in the day?"
"Unfortunately I saw her at Saratoga and Rowenshire. While I am glad that someone finally demolished the cursed structure, that land is a bane, Mr. Luthor. Captain Dubois and our host both liken it to Dante's Dark Wood on Earth. I agree wholeheartedly. Have you been there?" Ichabod clarified.
"Yeah I have. Not some place I want to go back to. So what happened at the cemetery?" Lex asked.
"We, my wife, Katrina, my partner, Abby Mills, and I went to the cemetery to meet Miss Jennifer. We were at Captain and Dr. Dubois' grave site. Mistress Grace appeared and took exception to our presence. She burned Miss Jennifer with hellfire. She bragged how she and her coven are disrupting your service initiative. She threatened us as well. I am sorry we could not stop it here at the source," Ichabod explained.
"Sounds like you're doing all you can, Mr. Crane. Thanks. I'm sure Dave will want you to watch back there." Lex studied Ichabod's citations. "You really were alive back then?"
"Yes. Katrina and I were. There is the colleague Dave just asked. If she knew of Sister Clarise, she knows of us. And we'll be watching from Sleepy Hollow." Ichabod turned to Mills. "We are three hours from home correct?"
"More or less." Mills took a gulp from her mug.
"Yes, Mr. Luthor. We are three hours down the main carriage route from here. Captain Irving would require a suitable explanation to go out there. We would be of service back here. I do not wish to leave this unguarded. I am sure you would agree?" Ichabod supposed.
"That's a great plan, Captain. I appreciate you being there. Hey I wanted to ask. How's the dinner going? Is it close to what you used to have?" Lex sipped on his own coffee.
"The meal has my highest compliments. I could not have asked for better ham and beans save if Katrina made them for us. The cornbread has that honey and sweet taste I remember from my last visit here. Dave is preparing much as his ancestor did. I will let you speak further with him. It was good to speak with you, Mr. Luthor. Be well." Ichabod handed the phone back to Dave.
"So he is the real deal?" Lex raised an eyebrow.
"Jenny's convinced. You can ask Dr. LaFontaine. We're having the Cranes and Lieutenant Mills spend the night. Then they're heading back to their precinct. We'll fly back tomorrow. I'm going to be in my lab tonight. Do you have my old place downstairs still?" Dubois clarified.
"I can get it cleared out and ready." Lex shook his head. "Making any of your touch?"
"Hopefully I won't need to. The blue powder should do the trick. The stink bombs. I've got a half dozen setting on the bench downstairs. All nighter for me." Dubois finished his coffee. "We'll talk tomorrow. Any word on the Kents?"
"Yeah. The Pilgrim scared them a couple of days ago. Now I know why. Well you be safe coming back. The jet will be in Albany tomorrow afternoon. Talk to you tomorrow night." Lex disconnected.
"More bad news?" Lana grimaced.
"We know the person who was supposed to be taking care of the reptiles is bad news." Lex shook his head. "There was an incident in Wabash. Miranda's all right. Professor Dubois' hurt. She's coming back here tomorrow with the others. I really should scale back this program."
"It'll be all right, Lex. We'll make it work." Clark assured them.
"Thanks, Clark. You're right. It may not be as grand as we hoped for. Still we'll give folks something. I'm covered for Bingham's and Connors' plane tickets and the reptiles. I still want to have Miss Cooper play here. Mr. Parker has to figure out the science end for himself. I just hope there aren't any more issues." Lex gulped from his coffee.
Optimism it seemed was not in great supply….
