A Death In The Family: Part Two:
Chapter Nine:
Chloe Sullivan had spent the entire last two hours before the same computer monitor where Perry White and the others had left her. She was so taken by what she was reading; she barely noticed when Lana Lang and Perry walked back into the room. Her eyes were glued to the screen and a big grin covered her face.
"We're back," Lana announced taking a seat on the opposite side of the table with a clear view of her.
"Okay," Chloe replied in a nonchalant tone. "Did you find anything?"
Lana looked up at Perry who stood next to Chloe. "You might want to have a look at these pictures," he told her holding up the view screen of the camera.
Chloe turned her attention towards it with an annoyed face. "It can't be any more classic than what I found."
"Look," Perry coached.
Chloe took the camera tilting it for a better view. She glanced up at Perry and then back to the viewer. "Is that thing dangling in the wind what I think it is?"
"The break line," Perry replied.
"I may be a little on the automotive impaired side, but shouldn't the break line be a constant and continuous object?" She looked at Perry. "I myself prefer the full line as apose to this stylish mid cut."
"The lines were cut, Chloe," Lana piped in. "All of them."
A white tint came over Chloe's face at the realization of what this meant, hit home. "Oh my God."
"This was no accident, Sullivan," Perry said.
"I can't believe this," Chloe gasped. "Who would want to hurt Lex in such a big way?"
"You may need a phone book for that one," Perry sighed.
Chloe and Lana both shot him a suspicious look.
"Hey," Perry raised his hand in defense. "The kid was a Luthor, I'm sure the family has enemies all over the globe."
Chloe shook her head in disbelief. "This is beyond tragic. It was bad enough when we thought it was a freak accident, but what will this do to Clark when he finds out? How do we tell Clark?"
"Tell me what?" Clark's voice came from the door.
"Clark," Lana turned with a shock. She had hardly had a moment to allow their findings to sink in, and was not prepared to tell Clark.
"Chloe, are you okay?" He approached her with concern.
"Oh Clark," Chloe covered her mouth as a tear rolled down her face.
Clark pulled her out of the seat into a hug. "It's alright," he spoke softly into her ear.
"No it's not," Lana stood up. "We found something at the junk yard, Clark."
Clark tried to study her face from across the table.
"What?" He asked.
Perry White sat on the edge of the table and handed Clark the same camera Chloe had seen moments earlier. Clark pulled away from Chloe and took it with a puzzled look on his face.
"Is it bad?" He asked.
"Judge for yourself," Perry walked across the room to the water cooler.
Clark glanced at their faces for a minute and then looked at the screen on the camera. His knees felt as if they would become weak so he inched closer to the table.
"Clark," Lana called out to him in a soft voice.
His head was hung low as he stared down at the camera screen with an anguished face.
"I take it that you remember enough of your shop class to know what those lines are to," Perry approached handing Clark a small cup of water.
"They look cut," Clark spoke in a low voice.
"That's because they were, Kent," Perry confirmed. "Someone sliced all four of the individual break lines to each tire and didn't even try to hide the facts."
"The report," Clark stammered taking a drink. "The report said drunk driving and failure to maintain the vehicle."
"Well, no breaks would make it hard to control the car," Perry added. "My guess would be that this was a deliberate job and someone is covering up for it. Maybe Papa Luthor doesn't want anyone to know that his son was such an easy mark."
Clark made his way over to the wall and leaned heavily on it. "My God," he moaned. "Lex was in my house with me and my family while someone was in the yard cutting his breaks."
"Try not to think about that, Clark," Lana said. "There was nothing you could have done about it. You couldn't see what was happening in the safety of your own yard."
"Unless you have x-ray vision, that is," Perry commented.
Clark gave him a rye look. If only he knew the truth that Clark did indeed have x-ray vision but made no attempt to use them that evening. Who would have thought to watch for assassins in their own front yard?
Clark spun around and leaned his head on the wall. "This just keeps getting worst. Lex was not killed in an accident," he closed his eyes tightly. "He was murdered."
It was a few minutes later when Clark had pulled himself together enough to join the others back at the computer room table. He and Lana set to the right of Perry and Chloe who sat before the lit screen. The two men were in the middle seats.
"So," Perry opened up. "Are you ready to tell us what you discovered at Luthor Corps?"
Clark placed the empty cup on the table with a look of indifference on his face. He folded his hands together rest his elbows on the arms of the chair. He looked up from the corner of his eye. "If Lionel knows something, then he's not talking."
"Did you really think he would?" Perry questioned.
"I don't know," Clark shook his head vigorously. "I got there face to face with the man, and I lost it."
"Lost it?" Lana questioned.
"I," he hesitantly continued. "I went there to size him up and rattle a few nerves, and I outright accused him of hiding something about Lex's accident."
"You did what?" Chloe gasped leaning forward in her chair.
"I accused him of hiding the truth and fabricating the accident to hide the real cause," Clark finished bowing his head in shame.
Perry jumped up in a huff. "That's just great, Kent. You have destroyed the element of surprise. Now they will surely cover their tracks."
Clark looked up from the corner of his eye again. "I think they have already started."
Perry stared down with an irritated frown. "How?"
Clark first looked at both Chloe and Lana before returning Perry's stare. "Lionel has had Lex's body, or who ever was in the grave, cremated."
This time Lana gasped. "Oh my goodness, why?"
"Apparently we are not the only ones with questions." Clark explained. "He said he destroyed the body so it would no longer be the subject of interest.
"There can't be any murder if there is no body to prove it," Perry thought out loud.
"What about the car?" Chloe asked.
"Knowing Luthor, he has had the car trashed by now," Perry told her. "He knows that we are on to him, and if he was willing to cover up this mess by destroying his own son's body, I doubt that the car stood a better chance at survival."
"Even with the pictures," Chloe added. "There is no way to prove that it's was Lex's vehicle."
"This doesn't make sense," Lana sighed leaning forward. "Why would Lionel want to hide a murder? What possible reason would he have to not want Lex's killers found out?"
"We are talking Luthor Corps justice," Perry White replied biting down on his stogy. "My guess would be that Lionel Luthor is running his own investigation, and is looking for a little Charles Bronson justice of his own making."
Chloe sat back in her chair with a sense of defeat. "That sounds like the Luthor way alright."
"Or maybe," Lana started sitting straight up.
"Or maybe what?" Clark questioned with wide eyes.
"Well," she allowed her eyes to drift downwards. "What if Lionel had something to do with the accident. Either causing Lex's death by mistake or on purpose. Maybe Lionel is hiding his involvement in this wreck."
Clark gave her a look of complete repulsion. "Not even Lionel would do that," he spoke with spite. "Would he?"
"Lionel did want Lex to move back to Metropolis," Chloe reasoned. "Maybe this was his way of clipping his wings."
"It doesn't make sense," Perry spoke up from his stand against the wall. "If you want to place the fear of God in someone you might loosen the steering wheel of one break line, but the whole break system being sliced is surely a killer."
"So we're back with murder," Lana spoke the words softly.
Clark was studying his strong hands again when he spoke up, "I don't think that Lionel would resort to murder. He wanted Lex as his heir, not to have another dead relative."
"Okay," Perry stood up. "This Lionel connection may be throwing us off here. Let's just chock up his little secrets to arrogant pride and assume he's just saving the family name by keeping the killing a secret, and look else where."
Clark made a grimacing face. "Could we just stop tossing the word 'murder' around like it's not one of my closes friends we are discussing?" He raised his hands in defense. "After my phone call last night, we can't even be sure that Lex is really dead."
Lana leaned in and place her hand on his. "You didn't tell Lionel about the phone call?"
Clark looked into her eyes. "No," he returned. "If Lex is alive, then I don't want to risk anyone else knowing that possibility until we have him someplace safe."
"Good going kid," Perry commented walking back to Chloe. "Now let's see if we have another lead to follow.
Chloe looked up at him and back at the screen. "Okay Perry, I did what you asked and I downloaded a database on wealthy heirs and checked to see if there were any reports of suspicious activities around them in the past several months and I may have found a few leads."
Now Clark and Lana were also leaning forward to view the screen.
She looked around to make sure she had a captive audience and continued. "It seems that there have been at least six fatal and near fatal accidents involving young and wealthy billionaires and or heirs in the past three months." She took a deep breath and tapped a few keys on the keyboard. "Three did result in deaths while two are still involved in rehab. The strange thing is all the police reports have been sealed pending further investigation, however one grief stricken father made a impassion statement moments after his son's death stating that days earlier his family had been approached by a group of unidentified terrorist who claimed that they would use American money to fund the further attacks on the United States, and they would get it from families such as his own. If they didn't pay up, then instant road kill. He was cut off by some official who stood close bye, but all indications given to the reporter who filed this report which was buried on page seventeen of her local paper, was that the boy's family was approached for money shortly before his apparent sky diving accident."
"My God," Clark gasped. "This is big, how could it have been over looked by the mainstream press for all this time?"
"Maybe," Chloe turned to him. "Because people like Lionel Luthor have been using all their influence to keep it covered up. The rich and good looking sets don't like to let it be known how easy of a target they can be."
"If this was payback for a failed black mail attempt, there is no telling how many people actually paid up," Perry said.
"Were their any letters warning them of these attacks to come?" Clark asked.
"No clue," Chloe answered looking back at her screen. "Since only one person was willing to step forward for the briefest moment, there is no telling, and I'm sure this guy is not going to say anymore, or he would have by now."
"Then how can you be sure all these things are connected?" Lana asked.
"Six accidents in three months with the apparent outcome being death all among the young and wealthy?" Chloe cocked her eyebrow. "Even Aaron Spelling couldn't produce this 90210 moment."
"Chloe has surely hit on something here, kids," Perry agreed. "With out Lionel Luthor's further cooperation, this is the best lead we have."
"Wait," Clark thought of something. "You said six accidents. Three are dead and two in rehab and apparently not talking, but what about the sixth?"
A sly smile came to Chloe's face. "You're getting good at this Kent. Yes there was a sixth accident, but there was never a police report filed. I found it through his insurance claim."
"If there was no report, then how can you group it with the others?" Lana asked.
"I'm just playing a hunch," she returned. "But I think this one might be the missing link. If the police haven't been involved, then he may be willing to talk to us."
"Who is it?" Clark questioned with a puppy dog look.
Chloe pulled a piece of paper from next to the keyboard. "He lives in Gotham City and goes by the name of Bruce Wayne."
The name got Perry's attention. "Of Wayne Tech Industries?"
"I think so," Chloe replied.
"Wayne Tech," Clark commented. "Is that all we know about him?"
"Bruce Wayne son of Doctor Thomas Wayne and wife Martha Wayne," Lana began to read off the information from her memory. "Orphaned at the hand of a lone gun man outside of a inner city cinema in nineteen eighty nine when he was nine years old. Since there were no living relatives, he was raised by the trusted family butler Alfred Pennyworth and family doctor who practiced under Dr. Wayne before his death. Her name was Leslie Thompkins. Bruce lives of life of a billionaire playboy yet has been schooled at the best learning facility home and abroad and also has been known to dabble in the Eastern arts of self defense and mystic arts."
Clark, Chloe and Perry all looked at her with drop jaws before she realized they were staring at her. After a few seconds her face turned red and she turned away.
"How do you know so much about some billionaire all the way over on the east coast?" Chloe asked with a dump founded look. "Do you just have the entire Biography series on A&E memorized?"
Lana blushed again and smiled. "No," she replied giving a cautious eye to Clark before she finished. "I guess there is a small elite group of us of orphaned kids who get a write up in Time magazine."
"That's right," Chloe's eyes lit up. "It was in the same issue. Since his parent's were killed only a few months before yours in front of him too, there was a brief comparison done on the two."
"The 'Lost Children' they called us," Lana told them in a hushed voice. "That was the beginning of my life long research into his life. I guess I needed to know how he turned out."
Clark pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry Lana, I guess I never could bring myself to reading that whole article."
"So you were the kid on the cover," Perry shook his head. "I had no idea, Lana."
"See," Clark gave her a sweet smile as she pulled away. "Not everyone sees you as that lost little princess." He reminded her of an earlier conversation.
"Yeah," she gave him a rye smile back. "Not until I remind them of it, right?"
"Hey," Clark put his hands over his face to mock ducking a punch. "I'm trying to eat as little humble pie as possible here after the way I treated you at the hospital."
"So," Chloe attempted to lead the conversation back. "Do you think we have a chance of getting Wayne to talk?"
Perry leaned over Chloe's shoulder. "I think you have your 'foot in the door' person, right there with that little lady," he pointed to Lana.
Lana gave a nervous smile.
"What other options do we have right now?" Clark asked rhetorically. "If this Wayne guy can't help place another piece of this puzzle, then I don't think anyone can."
"Looks like we are going on a road trip," Chloe added with a huge smile.
Clark shuffled his feet under the seat. "I better call my folks. We may need them to wire us more money."
"Be careful what you tell them," Perry warned. "There's no telling how far Luthor would go to find out what you know. He could have the lines tapped."
Clark nodded his head and they all walked into the next room with the other desks.
Clark used the phone on Perry's cluttered desk to make his phone call. He waited a few moments for it to wring and was then surprised by what he heard.
"Kent's resident." The voice.
"Nell," he recognized the voice as the others looked up from what they were doing.
"Clark," she gushed. "Thank God you finally called. Is Lana still with you?"
"Yeah," he replied. "We're with Chloe. Hold on and I'll put you on speaker phone." He hung up the receiver as Perry pushed the intercom button.
"Aunt Nell?" Lana questioned. "What are you doing at the Kent's?"
"The police asked me to stay and wait for you to call." Nell's voice told them. They could tell there was a hint of concern in her tone.
"The police," Clark repeated.
"Oh Clark," Nell's voice broke. "Something terrible has happen. Your parents were arrested for Lex's accident. The police have charged them with secondary manslaughter."
"What!" Clark screamed. "That's crazy."
"They are sighting that case in Pennsylvania as reason for cause." Nell explained. "They say that if your parents supplied Lex with the alcohol that lead to his accident, then they are guilty of causing the crash. Since the empty bottles were found on your land, that gives them a legal right to arrest your folks."
Clark was desperately trying to hold himself together as he pulled his hair back with his hands as he paced. "This is ludicrous."
"Clark," Nell's voice came back. "I am suppose to ask you to return to Smallville for questioning. Since you are still a minor in the eyes are the law, there are no charges against you, but they are demanding your return at once."
"Nell, this is a set up," Lana called into the speaker.
Her voice on the other end was silent, but they knew that Nell was still listening.
"I can't go back right now, Nell," Clark finally spoke. "I have to solve this riddle before more people are pulled into it and are harmed."
They could almost picture Nell searching for the right words as they waited for her response. Then a rush of noise seemed to approach the phone as they heard her pick up her receiver. She spoke frantically fast. "There's something not right here, Clark. Don't come home. Solve this case and take care of Lana."
Lana gasped as they heard the deliberate sound of the phone being ripped from her hand.
"Mister, Kent," A strong male voice came over. "This detective Willis with the Kansas state police. I am afraid that I must insist you return to Smallville before anyone else is brought into your little game."
Clark picked up the receiver on his end. "What is going on here, Detective Willis?" he almost screamed. "What are you doing to my parents?"
"Your Mother and Father are fine, son," he tried to speak calmly. "They're facing charges but are being treated fairly. Now all we need is for you to return home and answer some questions."
Clark felt as his head had been split open and his brains would spill out as he spoke. "I can't do that officer." He replied pulling at his hair. "I know that you or someone higher up is on someone's payroll, and I'm betting its Lionel Luthor. I have to find out what he is hiding, or so help me God..."
"Don't make threats to a law enforcement officer, Clark," the police spoke firmly now. "If you don't want to drive back, then wait right there and we will have a few officers pick you up in a few minutes."
"What?" Clark was alarmed. "Pick me up?"
With those words, Perry leaned forward placing his hand on the phone's cradle ending the call. "They've traced you, kids."
"What does that mean?" Chloe asked with a scared look.
"They're coming for you," Perry spoke rummaging though his desk. "You all need to get out of here, and now."
"My folks," Clark spoke softly holding the receiver. "The have arrested my parents."
"It's a ploy to throw you off track, Clark," Perry said forcing a small cell phone into the palm of his free hand. "What ever Lionel thinks you know, it must be close to the truth, or he wouldn't have pulled this rabbit out of his hat."
"Well, now what?" Chloe asked with her hands in the air.
"Get your stuff together kids, because you need to get out of Dodge and quick," Perry said hanging up his phone. "The police will be here any minute."
Chloe pulled her Lap Top and other personal items from the desk and shoved them into her large carry all bag. "Where are we going?"
Perry pulled a yellow envelope from his middle draw and handed it to Chloe. "The best place would be Wayne Manor in Gotham City," he said. "This is all the loose emergency mad money I have on me. It should get you to the big city with no problem."
"Get us?" Chloe questioned. "Aren't you coming?"
"Someone has to stay and run interference," he told her. "You are alone on this 'By Line' Sullivan. Make it a good one. Leave a message on the voice mail of the first saved number in the cell phone, and I'll know how to reach you. The phone is untraceable." He shoved a power cord into her bag. "Don't try using you computer or cells, because they will trace them."
"But Nell," Lana finally spoke with a worried tone.
Perry approached her and kneeled before her seat. "I promise I'll look in on your aunt and Clark's folks and give you a report when I can." He placed a caring hand on hers. "These people may be Luthor's puppets, but they are still the police. They won't hurt your parents while the whole world is watching them, and I'll make sure that the world is watching, I promise."
"So it's just the three of us?" Clark clarified.
"I'm afraid so, Kent," Perry stood up again. "Looks like you are about to become an ace reporter in spite of yourself."
Perry reached into his desk draw again and pulled out a set of car keys.
"Blue Ford Taurus on the second parking level, slot seventy two," he read handing the keys to Clark. "The car is not registered to anyone at the planet, so it should take them a while before they are able to trace it. We expect the car back in fairly good condition."
Clark could not help smiling through his grief at the apparent ease this news hound had at such undercover work. "This is too much."
"Bring the story home, and we'll call it pay back," Perry smiled. "Bring back little lord Fontal-Luthor, and the Daily Planet will owe you a job, Clark."
Clark took the keys and shook them slightly. "Ready, girls?"
Lana stood up and walked over to Chloe and Perry. "I'm ready."
"Like we have a choice," Chloe commented checking her bag one final time.
"I'll let you folks all know that you are fine, and I keep my eye on them," Perry said again. "As of right now, I have no idea where you guys have disappeared to, and I won't know until you return."
"Right," Clark smiled back taking a deep breath.
TO BE CONTINUED:
***Notes***
Thank you all again for reading my story. I hope I haven't bored everyone to death, yet.
To Marrie: Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Since it has taken on a life of its own, I'm sure you will have done a lot of reading by the time this is done. (I am actually trying to wrap things up, but I also don't want to risk rushing the story just to get it done.)
To MitchPell: Thank you for your continued reading and comments. There are a whole ton of mysteries and secrets to be reveled as we travel on in this plot, so please keep reading and letting me know what you think. The reviews have become my life, and I get excited every time a new one shows up. It's helps to keep me inspired.
To Robyn: Thanks again, and a loud shout out to you. Raise the roof.
To Teri: Thanks and I hope you continue to enjoy.
To psychogroupie: Thank you for your review. I always love to hear from new people and those who have been following my tale for a while. It helps to let me know I'm on track. Please continue to read and enjoy. As for seeing more of Lex........... Well in this web of mysteries and lies, you never know what will happen next.
Thank you all again, and please keep writing.
Best Wishes and God Bless
Phaze