"Gabe. Thank you for coming on such short notice." Lex rose for his
desk and shook hands with his plant manager. "I'm sorry I dragged you away
from dinner."
"That's all right, Mr. Luthor-I had just picked up Chloe from the Torch when you called. I hope you don't mind that I brought her with me, but we were on our way home."
"It's fine, Gabe-A.J. will look after her. Have you heard anything?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Luthor," the older man sighed. "I still can't believe he's gone. He was a fine man, a hard worker."
Lex rubbed his eyes.
"I spent most of the day on the phone with both Smallville General and my lawyers in Metropolis. Neither one would tell me much. But a source told me that the hospital's calling in the Environmental Protection Agency."
Gabe sat down heavily. "The EPA? Why?"
"Apparently something about Winters' death raised the suspicions of the medical staff. Gabe, what was Winters working on at the time of his death?"
"Off loading that new shipment of phosphates from Star City. Something he'd done a million times before."
"And before that?"
"Well, I'd have to check the assignment sheets, but I think he was working on cleaning out Level 3. Removing those empty drums left behind." Gabe raised his eyebrows. "But a half a dozen or so men have been working down there, when we could spare them."
Sullivan was still a little humiliated that LuthorCorp had been able to conduct experiments on Level 3 without his finding out about. If it hadn't been for Earl Jenkins seizing control of the plant and taking hostages, those experiments would never have come to light.
His employer seemed to read his mind.
"We still don't know exactly what LuthorCorp was working on down there."
"But could it have been something dangerous?"
Lex smiled mirthlessly.
"Remember what it did to Earl Jenkins."
Gabe leaned his head in his hands. "So what do we do?"
Lex walked over to the widow, looking out into the night.
"Right now all we can do is wait. Until either the hospital or the EPA tells us what happened. The important thing is to keep the plant going."
"Folks really liked Jim. He was part of LuthorCorp for thirteen years. And dying the way he did."Gabe shook his head. "It's going to be hard for folks not to worry."
"But that's exactly what we've got to prevent," Lex said firmly. "No speculation. We have no reason to believe anyone else is at any risk. First thing tomorrow morning I'm going to call a meeting and explain the situation as best we understand it."
"I think that's a good idea, Mr. Luthor. It will sound better coming from you than from me, anyway."
"And make sure the Winters' family knows LexCorp's health insurance will pay any bills from the hospital."
Gabe nodded. "I haven't had a chance to pay my respects to Molly Winters. I know the Kent's and Dr. MacIntrye's widow have been looking after her."
"She's in good hands, then."
Lex stared out the window for a long moment.
"Don't worry, Mr. Luthor. I'm sure the EPA will clear us of any wrongdoing," Gabe said with a bravado he didn't quite feel.
His employer regarded him seriously.
"I certainly hope you're right, Gabe. For all our sakes."
Outside the closed library door, Chloe frowned. It was pretty tough to hear through the thick oak, but what she had made out wasn't good news.
"Chloe?"
She jumped, and turned around with a sheepish smile.
"Oh, hey, A.J."
"I thought you were still in the TV room." He held out a glass mug topped with whipped cream. "Here's your hot chocolate."
"Thanks. I was just, um."
A.J. grinned.
"You were eavesdropping on Lex and your dad. You know, you could have just said that's what you wanted to do and saved me a trip to the kitchen. It's quite a hike, you know."
"No, really, I wanted the drink." To prove it she took the cup and drank deeply from it. "Actually, I'm starved; my dad and I were arguing over what to have for dinner when Lex called him." "Yeah, my sister and I do the same thing. We'd take turns cooking, but neither of us are very good at it."
A.J. nodded his head at the door.
"Hear anything interesting?"
"Just that LexCorp might be in trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" A.J. frowned as the two of them walked back down the hall to the television room. The wide screen was still flickering a re-run of an old TV show, but A.J. turned the sound off.
"Mysterious deaths always attract attention," Chloe explained. "Especially around here."
"Because you get a lot of them."
Chloe smiled. "Lex has filled you in, I see."
"Only a little. I checked out your website, too."
"My professional life is an open book I see. What did you think of my meteor theory?"
A.J. took a swig of his own drink.
"Truthfully? I think it's a little far fetched." He held up his empty hand before she could protest. "But, remember, I'm not from here. Lex seems to think you have something, though, so who am I to doubt you?"
"I appreciate that, I guess," the girl smiled. "Believe me, if you spend much more time in Smallville you'll start looking for a theory, too."
A.J. frowned again.
"Do you really think Lex's business could be blamed for what's happened? LexCorp is all he ever talks about-I can't believe he'd let an employee get hurt if there was any way he could prevent it."
"I hope it isn't," Chloe sighed. "But it's too early to know." She was thoughtful for a moment. "Hey, you said your sister's a doctor, right?"
"A resident, yes." A.J. flopped back down on the leather sofa.
"Why would a doctor call in the EPA over a death?"
"Well, it's hard to say. I know hospitals are required by law to report any suspicious deaths or injuries. Catherine's had to call in Social Services, and sometimes the police, and she's been called to testify in court, too. I guess if a death seemed like it might be connected to some kind of contamination, you'd call the EPA."
Chloe sat down, too. "Wow. Poor Mr. Winters."
"Did you know him?"
"No, but his son graduated from Smallville High two years ago. Brody Winters was a football star, class president-everyone knew him."
A.J. 's eyes grew distant. "It'll be hard for him, losing his dad like that."
Recognizing the emotion in his voice, Chloe bit her lip.
"Geez, I'm sorry. I thought when you said your dad knew Lex's dad."
"Don't worry about," he said hastily. "My dad died when I was ten. In an accident, too, strangely enough."
"I really am sorry." Chloe regarded him steadily. "Sometimes my reporter's instincts don't work very well and I end up sticking my foot in my mouth."
A.J. laughed.
"Hey, at least you're focused on something, you know? I think what you're doing is really cool."
Chloe ducked her head a little. "You do?"
"I do." A.J. nodded. "I really do. Even if it means you listen at doors," he smiled. ******************************
Later that evening, after Mr. Sullivan and Chloe had gone home, A.J. went back into the library.
"I hope Chloe didn't bother you," Lex told him. He had his feet up on his desk and was idly sipping from a glass of amber liquor. "I like Chloe, I really do, but I had to speak to Gabe Sullivan privately."
A.J. picked up a letter opener, weighing it in the palm of his hand. "Not a problem. I like her, too."
At his brother's raised eyebrows, A.J. shook his head.
"That's not what I mean."
Lex only smiled.
A.J. tossed the opener back on the desk and grabbed a chair.
"Lex, listen. Maybe it would be easier for you right now if I wasn't around."
"Are you unhappy here?"
A.J. leaned back and sighed. "Don't be deliberately obtuse. Surprisingly, I'm actually kind of enjoying myself. Between the big-screen TV. and not having to make my bed in the morning it's pretty sweet. But if LexCorp is in trouble."
"LexCorp isn't in trouble, A.J." Lex interrupted. "It's just a minor setback, that's all."
Staring into the fire, A.J. wondered why Lex was so determined not to show any concern. He looked absolutely blasé, sitting there as if he hadn't a care in the world, when in actuality he might very soon be embroiled in some very ugly legal troubles. In the Carter family, honesty always prevailed; sometimes a little too much of it, actually. His mother and father had insisted upon it, however, and A.J. had never really learned to conceal his own feelings and worries. He'd never had to. The Luthors, however, obviously valued a show of strength over acknowledging their troubles.
"Look, I just want you to know that if you'd feel you'd rather concentrate on.other things right now I'd understand," A.J. said quietly. "We could visit another time."
Lex stood abruptly. "No, you're staying until your sister comes and gets you on Sunday. I insist."
"Fine." A.J. slouched back in his chair. It still seemed strange to him that the man in front of him was his brother. For all his personality quirks, A.J. liked Lex. He liked his confidence, his sharp intellect, his black sense of humor. Those things A.J. felt the two of them had in common. But the rest of the time A.J. was sharply reminded that Lex's upbringing had been very different from his own. He didn't know if he'd ever truly understand how Lex's mind worked, what went on behind his older brother's blue eyes.
And maybe it wasn't his place to know that, really. If Lex didn't care to show his emotions, that was his business.
But A.J. felt he still had a right to worry for him. He sincerely hoped his brother wasn't in as much trouble as Chloe Sullivan seemed to think he might be.
***************************************
"It was the hospital that called in the Environmental Protection Agency. Apparently they tried the Centers for Disease Control first but they had no idea what it might be. So they're thinking it was some kind of environmental contamination," Chloe explained as she and Clark walked into the Talon.
"This is according to your source?"
"According to my source," she grinned. "There's Pete sitting with Lana. Let's go."
"Hi, guys," Lana greeted them. "We were just talking about what happened. Have you heard anything new?"
"She's Chloe-of course she's heard something new," Pete scoffed.
Never one to need prompting, Chloe quickly filled them in on what she had learned.
"So it sounds like whatever killed Mr. Winters might be linked to LuthorCorp. Or LexCorp, as it is now."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Pete said thoughtfully. "Lionel Luthor's paid out a lot of money in fines for environmental contamination over the years."
"If that's the case, why hasn't he been put out of business?" Clark asked.
"Because no one's been able to make any serious charged stick," Chloe explained.
"Only now Lex owns the plant, and he might have to take the blame for whatever happened," Lana said grimly.
"My dad says everyone over there is completely freaked out. They're afraid whatever killed Mr. Winters might be contagious." Chloe frowned, clearly thinking of her father. "God, I hope not."
"So, the EPA will come in and find out what happened and clear LexCorp of any wrong doing." Clark looked hopefully around the table. "Right?"
"If you believe that you're really naïve," Pete shook his head. "If the EPA wasn't already in the Luthor's pockets, do you think they would have gotten away with so much already?"
"Look, Pete, we don't know anything for sure yet," Clark retorted. "Let's not start throwing accusations around."
Pete rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to go down to the County Board of Health this week and see what I can find out about other health problems that might be linked to LuthorCorp," Chloe reported. "Until we have a copy of the autopsy report that's the best place to start."
"What a second, you guys are actually going to investigate this?" Lana looked incredulous. "Couldn't that be kind of.dangerous?"
"We're just going to follow some paper trails," Chloe said hastily. It was her standard line. "No harm in that."
"A man's dead, Chloe, and no one seems to know how or why. Sounds to me like there's already some harm in it." Lana shook her dark head.
"Don't listen to her, Chloe," Pete counseled. "I say we have a better chance of getting to the bottom of this than anyone else in this town."
Since this was a complete reversal of Pete's usual attitude, Clark sighed.
"I know how you feel about the Luthors, Pete, but Lana might be right. Maybe we should stay out of it."
"And if LexCorp is charged with any wrongdoing, they might be shut down. Think what that would do to the town," Lana added.
As in most farming communities, economic survival in Smallville was always a tenuous thing. Without the plant they'd all be sunk. Right back where they were when Lionel Luthor had tried shut it down in the previous spring.
Lionel Luthor. Clark frowned. Why was it every conversation he seemed to have lately kept coming back to him? Until recently he'd been inclined to think his dad was exaggerating a bit about how Lionel and LuthorCorp could manipulate any situation to their benefit . But between the plant and A.J. it was looking more and more like Jonathan Kent had been right.
Pete waved his fingers in front of his friend's eyes.
"Clark, hello? Where did you go?"
"Uh, sorry, what?"
"Do you want to go with me out to see Mrs. Winters?" Pete repeated. "Brody Winters and my brother Sam were pretty tight. Since Sam's in Metropolis, I feel like I should stop by, see if there's anything I can do."
"Sure," Clark nodded. "My mom's out there right now anyway."
"I'd go with you guys," Chloe explained hastily, "But I told A.J. I'd stop by today and give him some back issues of the Torch to read."
"Well, hey, if the new kid is more important." Clearly annoyed, Pete trailed off with a shrug.
Lana, however, smiled.
"That's very nice of you, Chloe," she said knowingly. Apparently the attention Chloe had paid A.J. hadn't been lost on her, either.
Clark wasn't sure what to make of Chloe's odd behavior. She certainly seemed to have welcomed A.J. into her circle fast. He couldn't help but wonder if she would have done so if she'd known how closely A.J. was connected to the Luthors. But, then, Clark had promised not to reveal that secret.
Man, this must be a tiny bit like how Pete feels about my secret, he groaned inwardly.
Explaining his car was parked in the lot across the street, Pete and Clark arranged to meet outside in a few minutes. Pete gave Chloe a disapproving look as he left.
Great. So now not only was Pete angry over Clark's friendship with Lex, but he resented A.J. as well. What a mess.
Lana watched him leave with a frown.
"You know, sometimes I forget how much Pete dislikes Lex. Then he does or says something and I'm suddenly reminded of it."
Clark nodded. "I know. It's the only part of his personality I've never really understood."
One of the waitresses tapped Lana on the shoulder.
"Lana, I'm sorry, but we're out of change. What should I do?"
"I'll take care of it, Jackie. Thanks for letting me know." When the other girl was out of earshot, however, she sighed. "I'll be glad when we've got a new day manager," she confided to her friends. "I can't keep this place running and keep on top of my school work, too."
Lana hurried off to solve her latest business crises, and Chloe smiled.
"Lana Lang, off to save the day again."
Clark cleared his throat. "Ah, um, Chloe. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But what's up with you and A.J. Carter?"
Chloe smiled enigmatically.
"Why, nothing, Clark. Nothing at all."
Clark though about that strange smiled as he hopped into Pete's car. Strangely enough that was the topic on the other boy's mind as well.
"I don't think Chloe should be hanging around with that kid," Pete explained as he drove them east out of downtown. "Seriously, what does she know about him?"
Clark and Chloe had reached a more or less mutual agreement some months before that they made better friends than lovers, so Clark felt a little guilty that part of him agreed with Pete. A.J. did seem like a nice kid, but it was true-Chloe didn't know much about him.
"I think it's more that he's just somebody knew she can inculcate with her meteor theories," Clark said lightly. "I don't think it's going anywhere. Besides, he lives three hours away."
"Yeah, well, it better not go anywhere," Pete said grimly.
Clark shot him a surprised look. He'd forgotten Pete also had feelings for Chloe that were, at times, more than friendship.
Pete seemed to read his mind.
"I know what you're thinking, and I'm not madly in love with her, Clark. I just don't want her to get hurt, ok?"
"I don't either."
Clark decided he'd better drop the subject, and they drove in silence the rest of the way out to the Winters.
"That's all right, Mr. Luthor-I had just picked up Chloe from the Torch when you called. I hope you don't mind that I brought her with me, but we were on our way home."
"It's fine, Gabe-A.J. will look after her. Have you heard anything?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Luthor," the older man sighed. "I still can't believe he's gone. He was a fine man, a hard worker."
Lex rubbed his eyes.
"I spent most of the day on the phone with both Smallville General and my lawyers in Metropolis. Neither one would tell me much. But a source told me that the hospital's calling in the Environmental Protection Agency."
Gabe sat down heavily. "The EPA? Why?"
"Apparently something about Winters' death raised the suspicions of the medical staff. Gabe, what was Winters working on at the time of his death?"
"Off loading that new shipment of phosphates from Star City. Something he'd done a million times before."
"And before that?"
"Well, I'd have to check the assignment sheets, but I think he was working on cleaning out Level 3. Removing those empty drums left behind." Gabe raised his eyebrows. "But a half a dozen or so men have been working down there, when we could spare them."
Sullivan was still a little humiliated that LuthorCorp had been able to conduct experiments on Level 3 without his finding out about. If it hadn't been for Earl Jenkins seizing control of the plant and taking hostages, those experiments would never have come to light.
His employer seemed to read his mind.
"We still don't know exactly what LuthorCorp was working on down there."
"But could it have been something dangerous?"
Lex smiled mirthlessly.
"Remember what it did to Earl Jenkins."
Gabe leaned his head in his hands. "So what do we do?"
Lex walked over to the widow, looking out into the night.
"Right now all we can do is wait. Until either the hospital or the EPA tells us what happened. The important thing is to keep the plant going."
"Folks really liked Jim. He was part of LuthorCorp for thirteen years. And dying the way he did."Gabe shook his head. "It's going to be hard for folks not to worry."
"But that's exactly what we've got to prevent," Lex said firmly. "No speculation. We have no reason to believe anyone else is at any risk. First thing tomorrow morning I'm going to call a meeting and explain the situation as best we understand it."
"I think that's a good idea, Mr. Luthor. It will sound better coming from you than from me, anyway."
"And make sure the Winters' family knows LexCorp's health insurance will pay any bills from the hospital."
Gabe nodded. "I haven't had a chance to pay my respects to Molly Winters. I know the Kent's and Dr. MacIntrye's widow have been looking after her."
"She's in good hands, then."
Lex stared out the window for a long moment.
"Don't worry, Mr. Luthor. I'm sure the EPA will clear us of any wrongdoing," Gabe said with a bravado he didn't quite feel.
His employer regarded him seriously.
"I certainly hope you're right, Gabe. For all our sakes."
Outside the closed library door, Chloe frowned. It was pretty tough to hear through the thick oak, but what she had made out wasn't good news.
"Chloe?"
She jumped, and turned around with a sheepish smile.
"Oh, hey, A.J."
"I thought you were still in the TV room." He held out a glass mug topped with whipped cream. "Here's your hot chocolate."
"Thanks. I was just, um."
A.J. grinned.
"You were eavesdropping on Lex and your dad. You know, you could have just said that's what you wanted to do and saved me a trip to the kitchen. It's quite a hike, you know."
"No, really, I wanted the drink." To prove it she took the cup and drank deeply from it. "Actually, I'm starved; my dad and I were arguing over what to have for dinner when Lex called him." "Yeah, my sister and I do the same thing. We'd take turns cooking, but neither of us are very good at it."
A.J. nodded his head at the door.
"Hear anything interesting?"
"Just that LexCorp might be in trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" A.J. frowned as the two of them walked back down the hall to the television room. The wide screen was still flickering a re-run of an old TV show, but A.J. turned the sound off.
"Mysterious deaths always attract attention," Chloe explained. "Especially around here."
"Because you get a lot of them."
Chloe smiled. "Lex has filled you in, I see."
"Only a little. I checked out your website, too."
"My professional life is an open book I see. What did you think of my meteor theory?"
A.J. took a swig of his own drink.
"Truthfully? I think it's a little far fetched." He held up his empty hand before she could protest. "But, remember, I'm not from here. Lex seems to think you have something, though, so who am I to doubt you?"
"I appreciate that, I guess," the girl smiled. "Believe me, if you spend much more time in Smallville you'll start looking for a theory, too."
A.J. frowned again.
"Do you really think Lex's business could be blamed for what's happened? LexCorp is all he ever talks about-I can't believe he'd let an employee get hurt if there was any way he could prevent it."
"I hope it isn't," Chloe sighed. "But it's too early to know." She was thoughtful for a moment. "Hey, you said your sister's a doctor, right?"
"A resident, yes." A.J. flopped back down on the leather sofa.
"Why would a doctor call in the EPA over a death?"
"Well, it's hard to say. I know hospitals are required by law to report any suspicious deaths or injuries. Catherine's had to call in Social Services, and sometimes the police, and she's been called to testify in court, too. I guess if a death seemed like it might be connected to some kind of contamination, you'd call the EPA."
Chloe sat down, too. "Wow. Poor Mr. Winters."
"Did you know him?"
"No, but his son graduated from Smallville High two years ago. Brody Winters was a football star, class president-everyone knew him."
A.J. 's eyes grew distant. "It'll be hard for him, losing his dad like that."
Recognizing the emotion in his voice, Chloe bit her lip.
"Geez, I'm sorry. I thought when you said your dad knew Lex's dad."
"Don't worry about," he said hastily. "My dad died when I was ten. In an accident, too, strangely enough."
"I really am sorry." Chloe regarded him steadily. "Sometimes my reporter's instincts don't work very well and I end up sticking my foot in my mouth."
A.J. laughed.
"Hey, at least you're focused on something, you know? I think what you're doing is really cool."
Chloe ducked her head a little. "You do?"
"I do." A.J. nodded. "I really do. Even if it means you listen at doors," he smiled. ******************************
Later that evening, after Mr. Sullivan and Chloe had gone home, A.J. went back into the library.
"I hope Chloe didn't bother you," Lex told him. He had his feet up on his desk and was idly sipping from a glass of amber liquor. "I like Chloe, I really do, but I had to speak to Gabe Sullivan privately."
A.J. picked up a letter opener, weighing it in the palm of his hand. "Not a problem. I like her, too."
At his brother's raised eyebrows, A.J. shook his head.
"That's not what I mean."
Lex only smiled.
A.J. tossed the opener back on the desk and grabbed a chair.
"Lex, listen. Maybe it would be easier for you right now if I wasn't around."
"Are you unhappy here?"
A.J. leaned back and sighed. "Don't be deliberately obtuse. Surprisingly, I'm actually kind of enjoying myself. Between the big-screen TV. and not having to make my bed in the morning it's pretty sweet. But if LexCorp is in trouble."
"LexCorp isn't in trouble, A.J." Lex interrupted. "It's just a minor setback, that's all."
Staring into the fire, A.J. wondered why Lex was so determined not to show any concern. He looked absolutely blasé, sitting there as if he hadn't a care in the world, when in actuality he might very soon be embroiled in some very ugly legal troubles. In the Carter family, honesty always prevailed; sometimes a little too much of it, actually. His mother and father had insisted upon it, however, and A.J. had never really learned to conceal his own feelings and worries. He'd never had to. The Luthors, however, obviously valued a show of strength over acknowledging their troubles.
"Look, I just want you to know that if you'd feel you'd rather concentrate on.other things right now I'd understand," A.J. said quietly. "We could visit another time."
Lex stood abruptly. "No, you're staying until your sister comes and gets you on Sunday. I insist."
"Fine." A.J. slouched back in his chair. It still seemed strange to him that the man in front of him was his brother. For all his personality quirks, A.J. liked Lex. He liked his confidence, his sharp intellect, his black sense of humor. Those things A.J. felt the two of them had in common. But the rest of the time A.J. was sharply reminded that Lex's upbringing had been very different from his own. He didn't know if he'd ever truly understand how Lex's mind worked, what went on behind his older brother's blue eyes.
And maybe it wasn't his place to know that, really. If Lex didn't care to show his emotions, that was his business.
But A.J. felt he still had a right to worry for him. He sincerely hoped his brother wasn't in as much trouble as Chloe Sullivan seemed to think he might be.
***************************************
"It was the hospital that called in the Environmental Protection Agency. Apparently they tried the Centers for Disease Control first but they had no idea what it might be. So they're thinking it was some kind of environmental contamination," Chloe explained as she and Clark walked into the Talon.
"This is according to your source?"
"According to my source," she grinned. "There's Pete sitting with Lana. Let's go."
"Hi, guys," Lana greeted them. "We were just talking about what happened. Have you heard anything new?"
"She's Chloe-of course she's heard something new," Pete scoffed.
Never one to need prompting, Chloe quickly filled them in on what she had learned.
"So it sounds like whatever killed Mr. Winters might be linked to LuthorCorp. Or LexCorp, as it is now."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Pete said thoughtfully. "Lionel Luthor's paid out a lot of money in fines for environmental contamination over the years."
"If that's the case, why hasn't he been put out of business?" Clark asked.
"Because no one's been able to make any serious charged stick," Chloe explained.
"Only now Lex owns the plant, and he might have to take the blame for whatever happened," Lana said grimly.
"My dad says everyone over there is completely freaked out. They're afraid whatever killed Mr. Winters might be contagious." Chloe frowned, clearly thinking of her father. "God, I hope not."
"So, the EPA will come in and find out what happened and clear LexCorp of any wrong doing." Clark looked hopefully around the table. "Right?"
"If you believe that you're really naïve," Pete shook his head. "If the EPA wasn't already in the Luthor's pockets, do you think they would have gotten away with so much already?"
"Look, Pete, we don't know anything for sure yet," Clark retorted. "Let's not start throwing accusations around."
Pete rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to go down to the County Board of Health this week and see what I can find out about other health problems that might be linked to LuthorCorp," Chloe reported. "Until we have a copy of the autopsy report that's the best place to start."
"What a second, you guys are actually going to investigate this?" Lana looked incredulous. "Couldn't that be kind of.dangerous?"
"We're just going to follow some paper trails," Chloe said hastily. It was her standard line. "No harm in that."
"A man's dead, Chloe, and no one seems to know how or why. Sounds to me like there's already some harm in it." Lana shook her dark head.
"Don't listen to her, Chloe," Pete counseled. "I say we have a better chance of getting to the bottom of this than anyone else in this town."
Since this was a complete reversal of Pete's usual attitude, Clark sighed.
"I know how you feel about the Luthors, Pete, but Lana might be right. Maybe we should stay out of it."
"And if LexCorp is charged with any wrongdoing, they might be shut down. Think what that would do to the town," Lana added.
As in most farming communities, economic survival in Smallville was always a tenuous thing. Without the plant they'd all be sunk. Right back where they were when Lionel Luthor had tried shut it down in the previous spring.
Lionel Luthor. Clark frowned. Why was it every conversation he seemed to have lately kept coming back to him? Until recently he'd been inclined to think his dad was exaggerating a bit about how Lionel and LuthorCorp could manipulate any situation to their benefit . But between the plant and A.J. it was looking more and more like Jonathan Kent had been right.
Pete waved his fingers in front of his friend's eyes.
"Clark, hello? Where did you go?"
"Uh, sorry, what?"
"Do you want to go with me out to see Mrs. Winters?" Pete repeated. "Brody Winters and my brother Sam were pretty tight. Since Sam's in Metropolis, I feel like I should stop by, see if there's anything I can do."
"Sure," Clark nodded. "My mom's out there right now anyway."
"I'd go with you guys," Chloe explained hastily, "But I told A.J. I'd stop by today and give him some back issues of the Torch to read."
"Well, hey, if the new kid is more important." Clearly annoyed, Pete trailed off with a shrug.
Lana, however, smiled.
"That's very nice of you, Chloe," she said knowingly. Apparently the attention Chloe had paid A.J. hadn't been lost on her, either.
Clark wasn't sure what to make of Chloe's odd behavior. She certainly seemed to have welcomed A.J. into her circle fast. He couldn't help but wonder if she would have done so if she'd known how closely A.J. was connected to the Luthors. But, then, Clark had promised not to reveal that secret.
Man, this must be a tiny bit like how Pete feels about my secret, he groaned inwardly.
Explaining his car was parked in the lot across the street, Pete and Clark arranged to meet outside in a few minutes. Pete gave Chloe a disapproving look as he left.
Great. So now not only was Pete angry over Clark's friendship with Lex, but he resented A.J. as well. What a mess.
Lana watched him leave with a frown.
"You know, sometimes I forget how much Pete dislikes Lex. Then he does or says something and I'm suddenly reminded of it."
Clark nodded. "I know. It's the only part of his personality I've never really understood."
One of the waitresses tapped Lana on the shoulder.
"Lana, I'm sorry, but we're out of change. What should I do?"
"I'll take care of it, Jackie. Thanks for letting me know." When the other girl was out of earshot, however, she sighed. "I'll be glad when we've got a new day manager," she confided to her friends. "I can't keep this place running and keep on top of my school work, too."
Lana hurried off to solve her latest business crises, and Chloe smiled.
"Lana Lang, off to save the day again."
Clark cleared his throat. "Ah, um, Chloe. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But what's up with you and A.J. Carter?"
Chloe smiled enigmatically.
"Why, nothing, Clark. Nothing at all."
Clark though about that strange smiled as he hopped into Pete's car. Strangely enough that was the topic on the other boy's mind as well.
"I don't think Chloe should be hanging around with that kid," Pete explained as he drove them east out of downtown. "Seriously, what does she know about him?"
Clark and Chloe had reached a more or less mutual agreement some months before that they made better friends than lovers, so Clark felt a little guilty that part of him agreed with Pete. A.J. did seem like a nice kid, but it was true-Chloe didn't know much about him.
"I think it's more that he's just somebody knew she can inculcate with her meteor theories," Clark said lightly. "I don't think it's going anywhere. Besides, he lives three hours away."
"Yeah, well, it better not go anywhere," Pete said grimly.
Clark shot him a surprised look. He'd forgotten Pete also had feelings for Chloe that were, at times, more than friendship.
Pete seemed to read his mind.
"I know what you're thinking, and I'm not madly in love with her, Clark. I just don't want her to get hurt, ok?"
"I don't either."
Clark decided he'd better drop the subject, and they drove in silence the rest of the way out to the Winters.