Chapter 5
Nia watched as Lex was dragged into court. All the officers were wearing gear to hide their identities – no name tags, their faces covered so only their eyes were showing, and no agency letters on their bulletproof vests. She wondered if this was so Lex couldn't bribe anyone and maybe have a second chance at escape.
William watched as the courtroom was literally packed to the gills with reporters. There were no civilians and no one showed up for Lex in the gallery. In fact, Lex's lawyer seemed to be missing as well. The judge banged his gavel, his best way to quiet the noise coming from all the reporters.
"QUIET IN THE COURTROOM!" The loud voice of who Nia assumed was the bailiff echoed in the room and silence immediately followed.
"Mr. Luthor, you have been caught as a fugitive. As such, you get no bail. This hearing is to determine the terms of extradition to National City. Where is your attorney?" Judge Rodriguez asked.
"I'll be representing myself," Lex said.
"You do know what President Lincoln said about representing those who represent themselves?" The judge wanted to know.
"I'm smarter than most of the people in this room. Hell, most of the people in this room combined. I can successfully represent myself," Lex smirked.
"May God have mercy on your soul. Miss Erickson, are you prepared to proceed?" Rodriguez turned to the assistant district attorney. The tall brunette woman responded,
"Yes, we are your honor. Prosecutor McNulty of National City has asked us to extradite Mr. Luthor back to National City. We have no objections as the crimes committed originated in National City and not here in Metropolis."
"Where is Prosecutor McNulty?" Rodriguez expected that despite the distance, the National City ADA would have shown up in person.
"Your honor, if I may? I am here on behalf of ADA McNulty," the man who was seated at the table next to ADA Erickson, stood up.
"Yes, Assistant United States Attorney Barker?" The judge asked.
"While the initial crime may have occurred in National City, it had international implications. Not only that, multiple crimes were committed here in Metropolis. Due to the fact that Mr. Luthor crossed state lines in order to commit a new set of crimes while on the lamb, we are asking that this case be moved to federal court," Barker explained. He was taller than Miss Erickson and had red hair.
"Your honor, if Mr. Barker really thought that my case belonged in federal court, then why have I been sitting in the local jail, instead of in custody of the US Marshals?" Lex asked.
"The Marshals would have jurisdiction to hold you and bring you back to National City, but Mr. Barker has held them back. Care to explain, Mr. Barker?" The judge raised an eyebrow.
"We have not taken him into federal custody, until now, your honor because Interpol has requested they be brought in on the case. Our two agencies needed to coordinate before moving forward," the AUSA explained.
"Then I trust you have the proper paperwork," Rodriguez said.
"I do, your honor," Barker nodded and brought over a packet of paperwork to the judge.
"I believe I am owed a copy of this paperwork," Lex spoke up. He may have been regretting representing himself, but it was too late now, and he certainly wouldn't let it show.
"You are indeed," Barker handed off a second copy to the Luthor.
"Miss Erickson, any objections from the DA's office?" Judge Rodriguez wanted to know.
"No, your honor. We'd like Mr. Luthor out of our jurisdiction as quickly as possible," she smiled.
"Mr. Luthor any objections?" The judge asked.
"I haven't had time to review this packet. I believe I'm entitled to do so," Lex argued.
"You are but you can do that from your federal prison cell. I am authorizing the transfer of custody to the federal courts. Gentlemen, please take custody of the prisoner," with that Rodriguez banged his gavel and the hearing was over. Nia looked to William and asked,
"Can the judge do that?"
"Technically, it could be something brought up on appeal, but I think Lex will find it hard to convince anyone that he should be taken into federal custody, especially if Interpol is looking into him," William said.
"Is that because he teamed up with Andrea?" She wondered.
"Andrea still holds her citizenship in Argentina. The crimes the two of them committed would have been enough to pique Interpol's interest. They were of course committed against people all over the world," he told her. Nia nodded and watched as Lex was whisked away by more men who were also shielding their identities.
Back in National City, Agent Smith walked into the lab where Brainy was working. Doctor Rodgers and his team were trying to assist the Coluan with figuring out Lillian's dire straits. The agent could tell that the usual lighthearted atmosphere was soured. Things must not be going well.
"I hate to interrupt but I think we may need to put in a call to Martian Manhunter," Agent Smith said to Brainy as he approached him.
"Found something?" The Coulan asked without looking up from his microscope.
"Yes. It would seem that cases of petty theft have jumped up. There are even a few more grand larcenies that would seem to fit Andrea's possible MO," Smith explained. That made Brainy stop what he was doing.
"What have you got?" He wanted to know.
"Well medical supplies went missing from a pharmacy. Then there's a number of bodegas reporting that their stock is lower than it should be. The owners all have security cameras but somehow boxes of food are going missing. Then we have three stolen vehicles in the last two days, all in the same neighborhood as the bodegas," Smith told him.
"Three cars? That seems excessive. Where would she hide them?" Brainy wondered.
"I don't know but I think we need some help trying to either lure Andrea to a place or narrow down where she's hiding those cars. Regrettably, only one of them has a GPS system that we are attempting to track now," Smith said.
"I'll make a few phone calls," Brainy told him.
To Be Continued…