"Friend" - Chapter Two: Looking for Answers
"Wow…this is a little much. I don't know, Chloe, I don't think this qualifies for meteor rock badguy status, more like a chainsaw-wielding maniac with a hockey mask…definitely something we should leave to the police," Pete says, taking a drink of his coffee as the others continue to look at the article.
"Ah, Pete…you say that every time. Sure this qualifies, it's got plenty of potential to be a meteor rock mystery case," Chloe says, pulling the paper closer to her and reading every word. "The wife of this guy says he had just gone out to the garage and it was only a minute or so after when she heard him scream. She went out to find out what had happened and…well, looks like it was quite a mess. The 'killer' was no where to be found."
"How would he murder him like that and get out so fast?" Clark asks, thinking on the same brain wave as Chloe.
"I don't, Clark, maybe he has super-speed or something," Pete jokes.
"Yeah…heh, maybe," Clark replies.
"Wait, who were these people? They look familiar in this picture," Lana asks, pointing to the picture in the article of the home surrounded with police squad cars and Sarah and Danny Walsh standing outside. Sarah is extremely upset and a policeman is talking to her, but Danny seems very distant, without any expression on his face.
"The guy's name was…Walsh, Ted Walsh. Chloe replies while reading the paper. "He was from Metropolis and him and the woman in this picture had just gotten married a month earlier. Yeah…her name's Sarah and she had a son named Danny."
"Oh my god…I used to babysit for Danny a couple years ago. I knew Sarah really well. That was back when she went to school and worked full-time, and her last name was Morris, not Walsh. I would watch Danny all the time when she was away," Lana says, still looking at the picture.
"Something's just not right about this… Lana, did you ever notice anything out of the ordinary with your stay's at the Morris's house?" Chloe asks.
"Well, no…not really. Sarah was one of the nicest people I've ever met, she worked a lot to support Danny…" Lana says, trying to remember more about her time with the family.
"Yeah, what about Danny? Anything unusual about him?" Chloe asks.
"Danny…well I don't think anyone would call him a normal kid," Lana starts.
"What do you mean by that?" Clark asks, now interested in the family as well.
"Well, he was always talking to his imaginary friend…it was so strange. Simon was his name, I remember now. He talked to him all the time, sounding so sure that he was right there…he fooled me more than a few times," Lana continues, now remembering that to be at least a little unusual.
"I've got to get over there and find out what's going on," Chloe says.
"Come on, Chloe…not again, I think Pete's right. Let the police handle this one," Clark says.
"Sorry, Clark, I can't help it. Pretty soon after the police can't find any clues or evidence of who might have done this and then eventually put it on the shelves forever the Ledger is going to write the end to this case with a conclusion closest to reality. While I on the other hand tend write the truth, which is always more connected to the impossible…the truth that no one can believe. Say all you want to…I'm going to find that truth and solve this mystery, with or without you guys," Chloe says, taking the paper and standing up, ready to go. Everyone else remains sitting and very quiet. Pete and Clark take another drink of their coffee, Chloe waits for a response but doesn't really get one. "Oh come on you guys! I need your help. I've got cookies in the car," Chloe begs. Another moment of silence passes.
"Well…anything for a Scooby Snack, Chloe," Pete jokes, which causes all of them to laugh.
At that same point in time, at the Luthor Ancestral Home…a long, black limousine is parked in the very large driveway near the entrance. Lex is inside his study, sitting behind his desk finishing up a phone conversation. "Yes…I will be at the opening on Thursday night, it's not a problem…yes, thank you." He sets down the phone as the doors open and a man in a long black overcoat enters with two of his rather large associates close behind him. The man is Walter King, an older gentlemen who is well known in the world of crime and is notorious for getting what he wants, when he wants it in any way possible.
"Mr. King…I believe our meeting was scheduled for three hours from now," Lex says as Walter King takes a seat opposite of Lex, his associates remain standing behind him.
"I decided to ignore the schedule this time, Lex. I have things to talk to you about now that cannot wait," King replies.
"I know you've met with my father on a few occasions, Mr. King, and I remember him specifically telling me not to get involved with you. But I've always been somewhat of a curious person…what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to offer you my assistance, Lex. You've been having problems with Lionel, this town, your business enemies… Lex, I can help you. I can make all your problems go away. All I'm asking for in return is for you to do the same for me when the time comes. We can both help each other out here, we can scratch each other's backs," King says in a very calm fashion, but it's still almost impossible to trust him. Lex remains silent for a couple moments, he ponders King's offer, but it doesn't take long for him to make up his mind.
"Mr. King…the only one that can solve my problems is me. I don't need you or your goons to solve them for me. I suggest you go back to Metropolis and try and reel in some other sucker to help you with whatever it is you want. So please, if you could get up and go back down to your limo and leave this town for good, that would be just great…and close the door on your way out," Lex says with a smirk on his face. He wasn't falling for anything Walter King had to say and he wasn't about to dig himself a hole he would never be able to get out of…he was too smart for that. Walter takes a deep breath and stands to his feet, he is angry, but tries to keep most of to himself. He walks towards the door but then turns around and looks at Lex.
"You Luthors are fools…you've just made the biggest mistake of your life, Lex, and I won't let you forget it." Lex gets up out of his chair and walks towards Walter King with his hands in his pockets, very casually.
"You don't scare me, Walter, you can't scare me…" Lex starts, moving closer to King. "And don't ever threaten me, that's one thing you can learn from a Luthor," Lex says, very seriously, almost threatening him back. "Now get out, and don't ever come back." Lex tells him. Walter King stares into his eyes for a few moments before turning back around and leaving the study and soon after the mansion. Lex watches the limousine pull away from his property, knowing that he has just made an enemy, and hoping that he is ready for the backlash.
Chloe's car pulled up to the Walsh residence at around four o'clock. It's quiet outside, a slight breeze blows in from the South, moving the tops of the trees and the blades of grass as Chloe turns the car off and unbuckles her seat belt. She opens the door and is the first one out of the car, with Clark coming out of the front passenger's seat and then Pete and Lana out the back soon after. Chloe doesn't waste any time getting up the front steps of the home; she knocks on the door as the other three stand beside her. "Maybe Lana should talk to her first, since she knows the family," Clark suggests.
"Yeah…that might be a good idea. Alright, Lana, just say hello and introduce us and once we get inside you let me do the talking," Chloe says, moving behind Lana as she takes Chloe's place at the door.
"Sure…" Lana starts as the door opens. Sarah Walsh stands there, still looking quite upset from the events of the day before.
"Hello…is there something you need?"
"Hi, Sarah. I'm sorry if this is a bad time, I know you've been through a lot. Well, you might not remember me, Lana Lang. I used to watch Danny a couple of years ago," Lana says.
"Oh…Lana? Of course, yes, I remember you. What can I do for you?"
"My friend here…" Lana starts, but Chloe quickly speaks up and moves to the door right next to Lana.
"Chloe Sullivan. I'm with the Daily Planet and I was wondering if you had some time to answer a couple of questions," Chloe says. Clark and Pete quickly glance at each other with raised eyebrows, unsure about what Chloe is up to this time.
"The Daily Planet? Well…I suppose so, come on in." Sarah let the four into her home. The front door leads them into the living room. Danny is sitting on the carpet floor with his back turned against them, stacking multi-colored blocks on top of one another. The television is turned on to a soap opera Sarah had been watching earlier and the room is very clean. The telephone rings a second later in the kitchen. "I have to get that. Please take off your shoes and make yourselves comfortable." Sarah hurried off to the kitchen to answer the phone.
"Chloe!" Clark whispered. "Why did you say you're from the Daily Planet?"
"Well…I am, kinda. And I don't think she would have let us in otherwise." Chloe takes off her shoes and moves over to a pair of armchairs. She sits down in one of them while the others take a seat on the couch right near Danny, who is remaining very quiet as he stacks a red block on top of a green one.
"Hi, Danny…remember me?" Lana asks. Danny slowly turns his head to Lana and looks at her for a couple seconds.
"I remember you…" Danny starts. "Simon does too."
"Oh…that's good, Danny. Is Simon here right now?" Lana asks.
"He's sitting right next to me," Danny replies, keeping his eyes on the blocks. Clark, Pete and Lana exchange glances. Chloe prepares herself as she takes out a tape recorder and a pad and pen just as Sarah Walsh comes back from the kitchen and takes a seat in the other armchair next to the one Chloe sits in.
"Well, Ms. Sullivan, I don't know how much more I can besides what I've already told the authorities and the rest of the reporters," Sarah says, seeming in a bit of a hurry to get the questions over with.
"Did you observe any strange behavior from your husband before he went to the garage?" Chloe says, trying to get something out of her.
"I…I don't know, he was his usual self I suppose." Sarah replies softly, holding back and seeming uncomfortable.
"And you didn't see anyone that could have done this, Mrs. Walsh? Nothing out of the ordinary?" Chloe asks, desperately needing answers.
"No…nothing, everything…everything was normal, Ms. Sullivan." Sarah says. Danny turns his head and gives his mother a strange look; a few moments later he turns his head back to his blocks and continues building.
"Well…what happened right before the incident?" Chloe asks, seeming a bit frustrated.
"Look, Ms. Sullivan…I'm sorry but I can't help you. I've told all I could to everyone else and I just can't do this now. I…don't know what killed, Ted, please…you have to go now." Sarah says, getting up from her chair. Chloe doesn't argue with her, a look of disappointment comes to her face, but she gets up as well and prepares to leave. A second later as Clark, Lana and Pete are about to get up off the couch, the TV channel suddenly changes from the soap opera to the cartoon network. The remote lay on the coffee table, no one touched it. All four members of the Scooby Squad get a weird feeling as they look at the TV and then down to Danny.
"Simon likes watching cartoons." Danny says as he stacks another block on top of another. Clark watches Danny, now sure that he isn't anything like the other kids; something he can relate to.
"All right…please, you have to go now, I'm sorry I couldn't help." Sarah says walking to the door and opening it for them. The four walk out, knowing something is very wrong, but also knowing there isn't anything they can do for the time being. As they walk down the front steps the door closes tight. They look back at the house and then head to Chloe's car.
"Did you guys see that? She was definitely trying to cover something up…and I think that kid has something to do with it." Chloe says as she shuts her door and turns on the car engine.
"I think that's what we're all thinking…but what are we supposed to do, Chloe? Stake out the house, waiting for more freaky things to happen?" Clark asks.
"Well we have to do something. Something killed Ted Walsh and I know it has something to do with that boy and his mother." Chloe says as the car pulls out of the driveway and heads down the street.
"Chloe, Sarah is a good person…she couldn't have killed her husband." Lana says.
"Then maybe it wasn't Sarah…" Chloe starts.
"You mean Danny? That's impossible." Lana replies.
"Impossible isn't in Chloe's vocabulary, Lana." Clark says.
"Hey, I'm still not ruling out the crazy chainsaw wielding maniac." Pete says as the car heads down the road.
"You never know, Pete…but what I do know is that I'm not finished with the Walsh's, you can count on that." Chloe says, taking a right down Oak Street.
To be continued in Chapter 3…
"Wow…this is a little much. I don't know, Chloe, I don't think this qualifies for meteor rock badguy status, more like a chainsaw-wielding maniac with a hockey mask…definitely something we should leave to the police," Pete says, taking a drink of his coffee as the others continue to look at the article.
"Ah, Pete…you say that every time. Sure this qualifies, it's got plenty of potential to be a meteor rock mystery case," Chloe says, pulling the paper closer to her and reading every word. "The wife of this guy says he had just gone out to the garage and it was only a minute or so after when she heard him scream. She went out to find out what had happened and…well, looks like it was quite a mess. The 'killer' was no where to be found."
"How would he murder him like that and get out so fast?" Clark asks, thinking on the same brain wave as Chloe.
"I don't, Clark, maybe he has super-speed or something," Pete jokes.
"Yeah…heh, maybe," Clark replies.
"Wait, who were these people? They look familiar in this picture," Lana asks, pointing to the picture in the article of the home surrounded with police squad cars and Sarah and Danny Walsh standing outside. Sarah is extremely upset and a policeman is talking to her, but Danny seems very distant, without any expression on his face.
"The guy's name was…Walsh, Ted Walsh. Chloe replies while reading the paper. "He was from Metropolis and him and the woman in this picture had just gotten married a month earlier. Yeah…her name's Sarah and she had a son named Danny."
"Oh my god…I used to babysit for Danny a couple years ago. I knew Sarah really well. That was back when she went to school and worked full-time, and her last name was Morris, not Walsh. I would watch Danny all the time when she was away," Lana says, still looking at the picture.
"Something's just not right about this… Lana, did you ever notice anything out of the ordinary with your stay's at the Morris's house?" Chloe asks.
"Well, no…not really. Sarah was one of the nicest people I've ever met, she worked a lot to support Danny…" Lana says, trying to remember more about her time with the family.
"Yeah, what about Danny? Anything unusual about him?" Chloe asks.
"Danny…well I don't think anyone would call him a normal kid," Lana starts.
"What do you mean by that?" Clark asks, now interested in the family as well.
"Well, he was always talking to his imaginary friend…it was so strange. Simon was his name, I remember now. He talked to him all the time, sounding so sure that he was right there…he fooled me more than a few times," Lana continues, now remembering that to be at least a little unusual.
"I've got to get over there and find out what's going on," Chloe says.
"Come on, Chloe…not again, I think Pete's right. Let the police handle this one," Clark says.
"Sorry, Clark, I can't help it. Pretty soon after the police can't find any clues or evidence of who might have done this and then eventually put it on the shelves forever the Ledger is going to write the end to this case with a conclusion closest to reality. While I on the other hand tend write the truth, which is always more connected to the impossible…the truth that no one can believe. Say all you want to…I'm going to find that truth and solve this mystery, with or without you guys," Chloe says, taking the paper and standing up, ready to go. Everyone else remains sitting and very quiet. Pete and Clark take another drink of their coffee, Chloe waits for a response but doesn't really get one. "Oh come on you guys! I need your help. I've got cookies in the car," Chloe begs. Another moment of silence passes.
"Well…anything for a Scooby Snack, Chloe," Pete jokes, which causes all of them to laugh.
At that same point in time, at the Luthor Ancestral Home…a long, black limousine is parked in the very large driveway near the entrance. Lex is inside his study, sitting behind his desk finishing up a phone conversation. "Yes…I will be at the opening on Thursday night, it's not a problem…yes, thank you." He sets down the phone as the doors open and a man in a long black overcoat enters with two of his rather large associates close behind him. The man is Walter King, an older gentlemen who is well known in the world of crime and is notorious for getting what he wants, when he wants it in any way possible.
"Mr. King…I believe our meeting was scheduled for three hours from now," Lex says as Walter King takes a seat opposite of Lex, his associates remain standing behind him.
"I decided to ignore the schedule this time, Lex. I have things to talk to you about now that cannot wait," King replies.
"I know you've met with my father on a few occasions, Mr. King, and I remember him specifically telling me not to get involved with you. But I've always been somewhat of a curious person…what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to offer you my assistance, Lex. You've been having problems with Lionel, this town, your business enemies… Lex, I can help you. I can make all your problems go away. All I'm asking for in return is for you to do the same for me when the time comes. We can both help each other out here, we can scratch each other's backs," King says in a very calm fashion, but it's still almost impossible to trust him. Lex remains silent for a couple moments, he ponders King's offer, but it doesn't take long for him to make up his mind.
"Mr. King…the only one that can solve my problems is me. I don't need you or your goons to solve them for me. I suggest you go back to Metropolis and try and reel in some other sucker to help you with whatever it is you want. So please, if you could get up and go back down to your limo and leave this town for good, that would be just great…and close the door on your way out," Lex says with a smirk on his face. He wasn't falling for anything Walter King had to say and he wasn't about to dig himself a hole he would never be able to get out of…he was too smart for that. Walter takes a deep breath and stands to his feet, he is angry, but tries to keep most of to himself. He walks towards the door but then turns around and looks at Lex.
"You Luthors are fools…you've just made the biggest mistake of your life, Lex, and I won't let you forget it." Lex gets up out of his chair and walks towards Walter King with his hands in his pockets, very casually.
"You don't scare me, Walter, you can't scare me…" Lex starts, moving closer to King. "And don't ever threaten me, that's one thing you can learn from a Luthor," Lex says, very seriously, almost threatening him back. "Now get out, and don't ever come back." Lex tells him. Walter King stares into his eyes for a few moments before turning back around and leaving the study and soon after the mansion. Lex watches the limousine pull away from his property, knowing that he has just made an enemy, and hoping that he is ready for the backlash.
Chloe's car pulled up to the Walsh residence at around four o'clock. It's quiet outside, a slight breeze blows in from the South, moving the tops of the trees and the blades of grass as Chloe turns the car off and unbuckles her seat belt. She opens the door and is the first one out of the car, with Clark coming out of the front passenger's seat and then Pete and Lana out the back soon after. Chloe doesn't waste any time getting up the front steps of the home; she knocks on the door as the other three stand beside her. "Maybe Lana should talk to her first, since she knows the family," Clark suggests.
"Yeah…that might be a good idea. Alright, Lana, just say hello and introduce us and once we get inside you let me do the talking," Chloe says, moving behind Lana as she takes Chloe's place at the door.
"Sure…" Lana starts as the door opens. Sarah Walsh stands there, still looking quite upset from the events of the day before.
"Hello…is there something you need?"
"Hi, Sarah. I'm sorry if this is a bad time, I know you've been through a lot. Well, you might not remember me, Lana Lang. I used to watch Danny a couple of years ago," Lana says.
"Oh…Lana? Of course, yes, I remember you. What can I do for you?"
"My friend here…" Lana starts, but Chloe quickly speaks up and moves to the door right next to Lana.
"Chloe Sullivan. I'm with the Daily Planet and I was wondering if you had some time to answer a couple of questions," Chloe says. Clark and Pete quickly glance at each other with raised eyebrows, unsure about what Chloe is up to this time.
"The Daily Planet? Well…I suppose so, come on in." Sarah let the four into her home. The front door leads them into the living room. Danny is sitting on the carpet floor with his back turned against them, stacking multi-colored blocks on top of one another. The television is turned on to a soap opera Sarah had been watching earlier and the room is very clean. The telephone rings a second later in the kitchen. "I have to get that. Please take off your shoes and make yourselves comfortable." Sarah hurried off to the kitchen to answer the phone.
"Chloe!" Clark whispered. "Why did you say you're from the Daily Planet?"
"Well…I am, kinda. And I don't think she would have let us in otherwise." Chloe takes off her shoes and moves over to a pair of armchairs. She sits down in one of them while the others take a seat on the couch right near Danny, who is remaining very quiet as he stacks a red block on top of a green one.
"Hi, Danny…remember me?" Lana asks. Danny slowly turns his head to Lana and looks at her for a couple seconds.
"I remember you…" Danny starts. "Simon does too."
"Oh…that's good, Danny. Is Simon here right now?" Lana asks.
"He's sitting right next to me," Danny replies, keeping his eyes on the blocks. Clark, Pete and Lana exchange glances. Chloe prepares herself as she takes out a tape recorder and a pad and pen just as Sarah Walsh comes back from the kitchen and takes a seat in the other armchair next to the one Chloe sits in.
"Well, Ms. Sullivan, I don't know how much more I can besides what I've already told the authorities and the rest of the reporters," Sarah says, seeming in a bit of a hurry to get the questions over with.
"Did you observe any strange behavior from your husband before he went to the garage?" Chloe says, trying to get something out of her.
"I…I don't know, he was his usual self I suppose." Sarah replies softly, holding back and seeming uncomfortable.
"And you didn't see anyone that could have done this, Mrs. Walsh? Nothing out of the ordinary?" Chloe asks, desperately needing answers.
"No…nothing, everything…everything was normal, Ms. Sullivan." Sarah says. Danny turns his head and gives his mother a strange look; a few moments later he turns his head back to his blocks and continues building.
"Well…what happened right before the incident?" Chloe asks, seeming a bit frustrated.
"Look, Ms. Sullivan…I'm sorry but I can't help you. I've told all I could to everyone else and I just can't do this now. I…don't know what killed, Ted, please…you have to go now." Sarah says, getting up from her chair. Chloe doesn't argue with her, a look of disappointment comes to her face, but she gets up as well and prepares to leave. A second later as Clark, Lana and Pete are about to get up off the couch, the TV channel suddenly changes from the soap opera to the cartoon network. The remote lay on the coffee table, no one touched it. All four members of the Scooby Squad get a weird feeling as they look at the TV and then down to Danny.
"Simon likes watching cartoons." Danny says as he stacks another block on top of another. Clark watches Danny, now sure that he isn't anything like the other kids; something he can relate to.
"All right…please, you have to go now, I'm sorry I couldn't help." Sarah says walking to the door and opening it for them. The four walk out, knowing something is very wrong, but also knowing there isn't anything they can do for the time being. As they walk down the front steps the door closes tight. They look back at the house and then head to Chloe's car.
"Did you guys see that? She was definitely trying to cover something up…and I think that kid has something to do with it." Chloe says as she shuts her door and turns on the car engine.
"I think that's what we're all thinking…but what are we supposed to do, Chloe? Stake out the house, waiting for more freaky things to happen?" Clark asks.
"Well we have to do something. Something killed Ted Walsh and I know it has something to do with that boy and his mother." Chloe says as the car pulls out of the driveway and heads down the street.
"Chloe, Sarah is a good person…she couldn't have killed her husband." Lana says.
"Then maybe it wasn't Sarah…" Chloe starts.
"You mean Danny? That's impossible." Lana replies.
"Impossible isn't in Chloe's vocabulary, Lana." Clark says.
"Hey, I'm still not ruling out the crazy chainsaw wielding maniac." Pete says as the car heads down the road.
"You never know, Pete…but what I do know is that I'm not finished with the Walsh's, you can count on that." Chloe says, taking a right down Oak Street.
To be continued in Chapter 3…