Lex walked down the hallway back to the library. The storm that had
been plaguing the town on and off for the last week had died down a bit,
but he could still hear the wind wailing mournfully outside the house. It
was late at night and although all the hall lights were illuminated they
barely penetrated the gloom.
That was the real problem with living here, he'd always thought. No matter how many things he brought from Metropolis or how many designers rearranged the rooms for him the house still seemed cold and empty and dark. He'd always assumed there was something wrong with the house itself, but after having his brother with him for a week and a half he now suspected the problem was simpler than that. When his father was home he and Lionel tended to avoid each other, and pass their time in separate rooms. But with A.J. around to have meals with and shoot pool somehow the house didn't seem quite so forlorn.
Lex smiled wryly. He supposed stress was making him overly sentimental, but he was profoundly glad Catherine Carter had agreed to let A.J. stay another week. He didn't even mind that she herself had insisted on staying as well.
Of course the curious thing about her was that she didn't seem to like him very much. Lex was used to people disliking him on first meeting. But when he thought back on it Catherine had been nothing but polite and solicitous the first few times they had met. Now, if her prolonged silences were anything to judge by, she didn't like him at all. He couldn't help but wonder about the change, but it didn't really worry him. He'd never had much trouble getting in to a woman's good graces, when he wanted to.
He opened the library door quietly, and found his brother sprawled on the couch, sound asleep. The book he was reading lay open on his chest. Catherine was sitting across the room. She glanced up at his entrance.
"I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your desk," she said softly so as not to wake the sleeping boy. "I'm writing a letter."
"I don't mind at all." Lex paused next to the couch and glanced at his watch. "It's nearly midnight-shouldn't we wake him?"
"Believe me, that would be a waste of time-he sleeps like the dead. Just throw a blanket over him and he'll be fine," she advised.
Lex retrieved a cashmere throw from one of the chairs. He carefully removed the book from A.J.'s slack hands and covered him with the plush blanket. As Catherine had predicted, the young man didn't stir.
She smiled thoughtfully. "He's always been able to sleep soundly like that, ever since he was little. Me, I've gotten too used to working irregular hours." As a afterthought, she added, "I hope your meeting went well."
"About what I expected," he shrugged.
Frowning, Catherine set down her pen. "But if LuthorCorp used to own the plant, wouldn't its lawyers want to help defend it at the hearing?"
"You'd thing so, wouldn't you?" Lex mused aloud. "But that's not how they work. All they want is for my own lawyers to leave them out of this and protect my father's good name." He carefully stirred the fire.
"No offense, Lex, but from what I've heard your father's name is far from blemish free, either here or in Metropolis. I don't see why this potential scandal would be different."
"It's different because it involves me. My father resents the hell out of me for starting my own company. I think he's holding back, waiting to see if the hearing finishes me off before he decides if he wants to become involved."
"Do you really think he would do something like that?"
"I know he would. My father never lets anything stand between himself and what he wants, not even family." Lex smiled ruefully. "Especially not family."
"I see." Catherine stood and went to stand by the window. "Lex, did A.J. tell you what I told him about Erickson and the EDAL?"
"He did."
"I want you to understand, I'm still not happy about A.J. being here. When our father died I promised myself that I would always look after A.J., and I take that responsibility very seriously."
Lex stood next to her. "Do you honestly think I would let A.J. get hurt?"
She studied him for a long moment. "Maybe not intentionally," she said finally. "But that doesn't change the fact that things can go very wrong in the blink of an eye."
"I promise you, I take my responsibility for A.J. very seriously. I will not let anything happen to him. The hearing will start tomorrow morning and I have no doubt that LexCorp will be cleared of any wrong doing."
She looked at him skeptically again, and then out the window. "He likes it here a lot."
"And I like having him here." Lex smiled. "He's a bright kid."
"You have no idea," she said. "Our mother says he's too smart for his own good."
"How is Amber?"
Cate shrugged. "Fine, I suppose. This whole thing's knocked her for a bit of a loop, but when she called us last week from Hong Kong she sounded fine. I'm writing a letter to her, just to let her know A.J. is ok. The rest of the story can wait, I guess."
Lex looked out the window at the moon, briefly visible between the fast- moving storm clouds.
"What's she like? Your mother?"
"Hmm? Amber is, well, Amber. She can be a little scatterbrained sometimes. I think that must be why I've always called her by her first name-even as a little kid she didn't strike me as a very maternal sort of person. But she's also very sharp when it come to people, and when she believes passionately in something she'll fight tooth and nail for it."
"How long has she been traveling?"
"On and off the past few years. A few weeks here, a few months there. When A.J. moved in with me she decided to just stay on the road. She loves to travel, and see new places, and she's been restless ever since Henry died. I think moving around helps her forget, if that makes any sense."
"It does. What was Henry like?"
It was Cate's turn to stare up at the sky. "Henry was very, very.good." She laughed. "I know that must sound like a pretty mild recommendation."
"Not at all," Lex said truthfully.
"But that's really the best word for him. He believed in work, and family, and moderation in all things. He liked order and routine: roast beef on Sundays and the occasional golf game when the weather was fair. He was a great dad. Kind of strict, I guess, but fair. He never raised his voice, but when you were in trouble he had this way of looking at you that made you promise to do better." Cate laughed again. "He and Amber could not have been less alike, but somehow it worked, you know?"
"He doesn't sound anything like my father," Lex mused. "Strange to imagine they were once friends."
"It is," Cate nodded. The two of them stood together for a long moment, the silence broken only by A.J.'s steady breathing. ************************************************
Clark edged his way into the crowded courtroom, feeling elbows in his ribs as he pushed past people to get to Chloe. She plucked her coat off the seat she'd been saving for him.
"Where've you been, Clark?"
"Outside in the hall waiting for enough people to leave so I could squeeze in. They need crowd control or something," he growled.
"Yeah, well, if you'd gotten the day off like I did you wouldn't have had to wait."
"C'mon, Chloe, my parents practically laughed in my face when I asked to miss school. I can't believe your Dad went for it."
"This hearing concerns him as much as anyone," Chloe said mulishly. "It's his job on the line. Besides, how can I report for the Torch if I miss half of what happens?"
"So what has happened?"
Chloe thumbed through her notepad. "So far we've heard from Mayor Tate, most of the city council members, Mrs. Jessup, Mr. Yardly-"
"That crackpot?" Clark interrupted. "Why'd they let him on the stand?"
"Because that's how a public hearing goes, Clark-anybody who wants to weigh in gets a chance. Of course when he blamed the grubs in his cabbages on LuthorCorp I think he may have gone too far."
"I guess. Sounds like everyone's just venting at LuthorCorp."
"I'd say that's a pretty fair description," Chloe nodded. "Then there was someone from the EDAL-but not Erickson, strangely enough, just some lawyer. The EPA is supposed to be here this afternoon to give their conclusions, along with the coroner who did the autopsy."
"Oh, good."
"Don't be sarcastic. Although I don't know what they expect them to say- both reports were inconclusive," she sighed.
Clark glanced around the crowded courtroom. Pete's mom, Judge Ross, was seated behind the bench; he scarcely recognized her in her black robes. She was in deep conference with one of the bailiffs. Pete and his father were seated a few rows ahead of where Clark was, for moral support, no doubt. Clark could also see Brody in the front row.
"Mr. Jasper isn't here?" He asked aloud.
"Yeah, weird, isn't it?" Chloe shrugged. "But Brody's been here all day."
Judge Ross banged her gavel, and the courtroom finally quieted down a little.
"Ladies and gentlemen, at this point we'd like to resume the testimony. Let me first remind you, however, that no disruptions of these proceedings will be tolerated." Her stern, ringing voice couldn't have been more different from her usual gentle demeanor. "Anyone attempting to do so will be promptly escorted out. Do I make myself clear?"
A few people cleared their throats, but no one dared speak.
"The court calls Mr. William Quirrel of the Environmental Protection Agency."
A nervous-looking man in a gray suit pushed his way through the crowd. He took his seat in the witness stand, but Judge Ross smiled sympathetically at him.
"Mr. Quirrel, let me remind you, this is a public hearing, not a trial. Please describe how the EPA became involved in this matter."
"Yes, Judge Ross. We were called in by Doctor Bagosian of Smallville Medical Center, whom I believe you heard from this morning."
"We did," the judge nodded. "Continue."
"The doctor was concerned about an.unusual death that occurred at the LexCorp Plant No.3."
"And the EPA routinely inspects this plant?"
"Yes." Quirrel ignored several skeptical guffaws from the audience. "We inspect the plant every six months to a year. As you will see from the report we submitted to the court the last inspection was only a month ago."
Judge Ross thumbed through something on her desk. "And at that time you found no anomalies?"
"No, your honor, we didn't. Everything passed the inspection."
"Continue."
"Well, the doctor suspected that, given the deceased's connection to LexCorp, his death might be related to it."
"And you, as a representative, investigated the case?"
"I did. The EPA worked with your county coroner, Mr. Killiam, to determine if Mr. Winter's death could have been caused by exposure to something at the plant."
"And what did you determine?"
"Well, nothing, your honor."
Someone in the audience tittered. Judge Ross raised her eyebrows.
"Please explain, Mr. Quirrel."
"We could not determine a cause of death, Your Honor. Therefore it is impossible to say if LexCorp was involved or not."
"Hmm." Pete's mother checked her papers again.
"I'd give anything to see what she'd got up there," Chloe hissed is Clark's ear. He shushed her as the judge continued.
"Mr. Quirrel, you say LexCorp Plant No.3 passed its last inspection with flying colors. But according to several past reports, this plant, formerly a subsidiary of LuthorCorp, has been cited three times in the past ten years for violations of environmental regulations. Is that correct?"
"It is, Your Honor. The EPA makes such reports a matter of public record."
"Even so, can you elaborate on those violations?"
"I was only directly involved with the most recent one, Your Honor. It involved the illegal disposal of LuthorCorp waste on the land of a local farmer."
Clark shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The incident Quirrel referred to had occurred on his family's land, killing most of the Kent's cattle. Lex had attempted to reimburse them for the loss, but Clark's father had refused to take the money. He didn't know the EPA had fined LuthorCorp.
"As you were not directly involved in the other two incidents, this court will not ask you to testify about them." When several people complained aloud, Judge Ross shot them a silencing glare. "However, the court will provide copies of these reports to the public. Thank you, Mr. Quirrel. You may step down."
"Thank you, Your Honor." The man wiped his brow, visibly relieved to be dismissed.
"The court calls Dr. Jacob Killiam to the stand."
A short, stocky man stepped through the crowd.
"You are the coroner for Lowell County?"
"I am."
"Please proceed."
The doctor launched into a long, detailed description of his autopsy results. Clark could tell by the way people started shifting in their seats that, like him, they understood very little of what was being said. Judge Ross was obviously doing her best to follow the doctor's testimony.
"So you're saying Mr. Winters appeared to be in good health before he died?"
"As I was saying, it was difficult to determine much, given the extensive damage to the internal organs, but I'd say, yes, he was." "And you do not believe the death could have been a natural one?"
"No, Your Honor, I do not. I've been coroner for twenty-odd years and I've seen a lot of strange things. But I've never seen a death quite like this one. The macerated organs, the noxious fluid in the chest cavity.I do not know of any disease that could cause that kind of damage."
"Could it have been caused by exposure to a chemical, as some people are suggesting?"
Dr. Killiam shrugged. "I suppose it's possible, Your Honor."
"You sent tissue sample to a lab in Metropolis, I understand?"
"When neither I nor the EPA could determine the cause of death I sent samples to Metropolis University. But I'm afraid those results may take months." He glanced apologetically at the crowded courtroom.
The judge sighed. "I understand. Thank you, doctor. You may step down."
Judge Ross looked out over the courtroom. "Bailiff, is there anyone else scheduled to testify this afternoon?"
"Mr. Arthur Jasper, Your Honor, but he isn't here," the bailiff replied.
"Did you call his home?"
"I did, Your Honor-no answer."
The crowd whispered among itself, but Brody Winters stood abruptly.
"He's my grandfather, Judge Ross, and I'm sure he'll be here."
But the Judge held up a hand.
"I understand, Mr. Winters, but it's late in the day. In the absence of Mr. Jasper I suggest we call it a day and begin again tomorrow morning, nine a.m. sharp. Court is adjourned." She banged down the gavel, and people began to gather their coats and purses. Clark could see Brody speaking urgently to the man next to him.
"He'll be here, don't worry; I'll go out to check on him this evening."
"Poor Brody-he sounds really upset," Clark sympathized.
"For good reason-that's the EPAL's lawyer he's talking to," Chloe told him. "C'mon, I'm starving-let's drop by the Pizza Palace and you and I can double-check my notes."
"I promised my mom and dad I'd be home for dinner," Clark shook his head. "But I'm sure they'd love to have you. Mom said she'd be roasting a chicken."
Chloe rose to his bait. "I wouldn't pass up Martha Kent's cooking. You're on. Just let me call Lana."
"She's welcome to come, too," Clark added hopefully, but Chloe laughed.
"Nice try, Romeo, but she's working late at the Talon. They're offering two for one cappuccinos this week to try and catch up on business."
As Chloe dug through her bag for her cell phone, Clark sighed. Why couldn't anything in his life ever be simple? *********************************************
"So the coroner couldn't tell us anything we didn't already know?" Martha Kent laid down her fork to pass the bowl of mashed potatoes to Chloe.
"'Fraid not," Clark said around a mouthful of fresh green beans. His mom had obviously taken advantage of her time off from LuthorCorp to do some serious cooking-the Kent table was practically groaning under the weight of plates and bowls.
"Jim was in perfect health," Jonathan added as he refilled his own plate. "Not a sick day in his life. That's what made Molly's illness bearable."
"I can't believe Mr. Jasper didn't show up to testify. Great dinner, by the way, Mrs. Kent," Chloe added.
"Thank you, Chloe," Martha smiled. "And I'm sure he'll be there tomorrow. He probably didn't want to leave Molly."
"It is odd," Jonathan said thoughtfully. "But you're right, I'm sure, Martha. Say, you didn't happen to make any dessert, did you?"
Martha rolled her eyes. "Of course, Jonathan. There's pound cake in the refrigerator. But finish what's on you plate first, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jonathan laughed. He winked at his son. Jonathan Kent had always been a pretty liberated guy, but he was clearly enjoying having his wife back at home.
"So when does Mr. Luthor get back from London, Mrs. Kent? Has he said anything about the hearing?"
"I've only had one conference call will him, Chloe. He won't be back until late next week. And, no, he regards the hearing as LexCorp's problem, not his."
"That's figures," Jonathan mumbled under his breath.
Clark grinned at him.
"Hey, Dad, I'll arm wrestle you for the other drumstick," he offered. But Jonathan held up his hands.
"It's all yours, son. I can't eat another bite."
Nonetheless, he didn't turn down pound cake served with fresh berries. As the four of them sat around the table, slowly savoring the treat, Clark had to admit he'd really missed his mom's cooking. But more than that he's missed just having all three of them around the table for dinner. For once his mom wasn't working late and his dad wasn't out in the fields. Having Chloe there to rave about the food just added to things.
A pounding on the kitchen door startled them all.
"What on earth.?" Martha threw down her napkin and rushed to the door.
Brody Winter's stepped into the kitchen. His eyes were red, and his hair stood on end as if he'd been running his hands through it.
"Jonathan, Martha, I'm sorry.I."
Jonathan stood up and quickly laid a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"Brody, calm down, take a deep breath," he encouraged.
"Is it Molly?" Martha asked nervously. Chloe and Clark exchanged apprehensive glances.
"No, it's my grandpa."
"Arthur?" Jonathan drew a sharp breath. "Is he all right?"
Brody's eyes filled, and he looked fearfully from one Kent to another.
"I don't know. I can't find him. He's missing."
That was the real problem with living here, he'd always thought. No matter how many things he brought from Metropolis or how many designers rearranged the rooms for him the house still seemed cold and empty and dark. He'd always assumed there was something wrong with the house itself, but after having his brother with him for a week and a half he now suspected the problem was simpler than that. When his father was home he and Lionel tended to avoid each other, and pass their time in separate rooms. But with A.J. around to have meals with and shoot pool somehow the house didn't seem quite so forlorn.
Lex smiled wryly. He supposed stress was making him overly sentimental, but he was profoundly glad Catherine Carter had agreed to let A.J. stay another week. He didn't even mind that she herself had insisted on staying as well.
Of course the curious thing about her was that she didn't seem to like him very much. Lex was used to people disliking him on first meeting. But when he thought back on it Catherine had been nothing but polite and solicitous the first few times they had met. Now, if her prolonged silences were anything to judge by, she didn't like him at all. He couldn't help but wonder about the change, but it didn't really worry him. He'd never had much trouble getting in to a woman's good graces, when he wanted to.
He opened the library door quietly, and found his brother sprawled on the couch, sound asleep. The book he was reading lay open on his chest. Catherine was sitting across the room. She glanced up at his entrance.
"I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your desk," she said softly so as not to wake the sleeping boy. "I'm writing a letter."
"I don't mind at all." Lex paused next to the couch and glanced at his watch. "It's nearly midnight-shouldn't we wake him?"
"Believe me, that would be a waste of time-he sleeps like the dead. Just throw a blanket over him and he'll be fine," she advised.
Lex retrieved a cashmere throw from one of the chairs. He carefully removed the book from A.J.'s slack hands and covered him with the plush blanket. As Catherine had predicted, the young man didn't stir.
She smiled thoughtfully. "He's always been able to sleep soundly like that, ever since he was little. Me, I've gotten too used to working irregular hours." As a afterthought, she added, "I hope your meeting went well."
"About what I expected," he shrugged.
Frowning, Catherine set down her pen. "But if LuthorCorp used to own the plant, wouldn't its lawyers want to help defend it at the hearing?"
"You'd thing so, wouldn't you?" Lex mused aloud. "But that's not how they work. All they want is for my own lawyers to leave them out of this and protect my father's good name." He carefully stirred the fire.
"No offense, Lex, but from what I've heard your father's name is far from blemish free, either here or in Metropolis. I don't see why this potential scandal would be different."
"It's different because it involves me. My father resents the hell out of me for starting my own company. I think he's holding back, waiting to see if the hearing finishes me off before he decides if he wants to become involved."
"Do you really think he would do something like that?"
"I know he would. My father never lets anything stand between himself and what he wants, not even family." Lex smiled ruefully. "Especially not family."
"I see." Catherine stood and went to stand by the window. "Lex, did A.J. tell you what I told him about Erickson and the EDAL?"
"He did."
"I want you to understand, I'm still not happy about A.J. being here. When our father died I promised myself that I would always look after A.J., and I take that responsibility very seriously."
Lex stood next to her. "Do you honestly think I would let A.J. get hurt?"
She studied him for a long moment. "Maybe not intentionally," she said finally. "But that doesn't change the fact that things can go very wrong in the blink of an eye."
"I promise you, I take my responsibility for A.J. very seriously. I will not let anything happen to him. The hearing will start tomorrow morning and I have no doubt that LexCorp will be cleared of any wrong doing."
She looked at him skeptically again, and then out the window. "He likes it here a lot."
"And I like having him here." Lex smiled. "He's a bright kid."
"You have no idea," she said. "Our mother says he's too smart for his own good."
"How is Amber?"
Cate shrugged. "Fine, I suppose. This whole thing's knocked her for a bit of a loop, but when she called us last week from Hong Kong she sounded fine. I'm writing a letter to her, just to let her know A.J. is ok. The rest of the story can wait, I guess."
Lex looked out the window at the moon, briefly visible between the fast- moving storm clouds.
"What's she like? Your mother?"
"Hmm? Amber is, well, Amber. She can be a little scatterbrained sometimes. I think that must be why I've always called her by her first name-even as a little kid she didn't strike me as a very maternal sort of person. But she's also very sharp when it come to people, and when she believes passionately in something she'll fight tooth and nail for it."
"How long has she been traveling?"
"On and off the past few years. A few weeks here, a few months there. When A.J. moved in with me she decided to just stay on the road. She loves to travel, and see new places, and she's been restless ever since Henry died. I think moving around helps her forget, if that makes any sense."
"It does. What was Henry like?"
It was Cate's turn to stare up at the sky. "Henry was very, very.good." She laughed. "I know that must sound like a pretty mild recommendation."
"Not at all," Lex said truthfully.
"But that's really the best word for him. He believed in work, and family, and moderation in all things. He liked order and routine: roast beef on Sundays and the occasional golf game when the weather was fair. He was a great dad. Kind of strict, I guess, but fair. He never raised his voice, but when you were in trouble he had this way of looking at you that made you promise to do better." Cate laughed again. "He and Amber could not have been less alike, but somehow it worked, you know?"
"He doesn't sound anything like my father," Lex mused. "Strange to imagine they were once friends."
"It is," Cate nodded. The two of them stood together for a long moment, the silence broken only by A.J.'s steady breathing. ************************************************
Clark edged his way into the crowded courtroom, feeling elbows in his ribs as he pushed past people to get to Chloe. She plucked her coat off the seat she'd been saving for him.
"Where've you been, Clark?"
"Outside in the hall waiting for enough people to leave so I could squeeze in. They need crowd control or something," he growled.
"Yeah, well, if you'd gotten the day off like I did you wouldn't have had to wait."
"C'mon, Chloe, my parents practically laughed in my face when I asked to miss school. I can't believe your Dad went for it."
"This hearing concerns him as much as anyone," Chloe said mulishly. "It's his job on the line. Besides, how can I report for the Torch if I miss half of what happens?"
"So what has happened?"
Chloe thumbed through her notepad. "So far we've heard from Mayor Tate, most of the city council members, Mrs. Jessup, Mr. Yardly-"
"That crackpot?" Clark interrupted. "Why'd they let him on the stand?"
"Because that's how a public hearing goes, Clark-anybody who wants to weigh in gets a chance. Of course when he blamed the grubs in his cabbages on LuthorCorp I think he may have gone too far."
"I guess. Sounds like everyone's just venting at LuthorCorp."
"I'd say that's a pretty fair description," Chloe nodded. "Then there was someone from the EDAL-but not Erickson, strangely enough, just some lawyer. The EPA is supposed to be here this afternoon to give their conclusions, along with the coroner who did the autopsy."
"Oh, good."
"Don't be sarcastic. Although I don't know what they expect them to say- both reports were inconclusive," she sighed.
Clark glanced around the crowded courtroom. Pete's mom, Judge Ross, was seated behind the bench; he scarcely recognized her in her black robes. She was in deep conference with one of the bailiffs. Pete and his father were seated a few rows ahead of where Clark was, for moral support, no doubt. Clark could also see Brody in the front row.
"Mr. Jasper isn't here?" He asked aloud.
"Yeah, weird, isn't it?" Chloe shrugged. "But Brody's been here all day."
Judge Ross banged her gavel, and the courtroom finally quieted down a little.
"Ladies and gentlemen, at this point we'd like to resume the testimony. Let me first remind you, however, that no disruptions of these proceedings will be tolerated." Her stern, ringing voice couldn't have been more different from her usual gentle demeanor. "Anyone attempting to do so will be promptly escorted out. Do I make myself clear?"
A few people cleared their throats, but no one dared speak.
"The court calls Mr. William Quirrel of the Environmental Protection Agency."
A nervous-looking man in a gray suit pushed his way through the crowd. He took his seat in the witness stand, but Judge Ross smiled sympathetically at him.
"Mr. Quirrel, let me remind you, this is a public hearing, not a trial. Please describe how the EPA became involved in this matter."
"Yes, Judge Ross. We were called in by Doctor Bagosian of Smallville Medical Center, whom I believe you heard from this morning."
"We did," the judge nodded. "Continue."
"The doctor was concerned about an.unusual death that occurred at the LexCorp Plant No.3."
"And the EPA routinely inspects this plant?"
"Yes." Quirrel ignored several skeptical guffaws from the audience. "We inspect the plant every six months to a year. As you will see from the report we submitted to the court the last inspection was only a month ago."
Judge Ross thumbed through something on her desk. "And at that time you found no anomalies?"
"No, your honor, we didn't. Everything passed the inspection."
"Continue."
"Well, the doctor suspected that, given the deceased's connection to LexCorp, his death might be related to it."
"And you, as a representative, investigated the case?"
"I did. The EPA worked with your county coroner, Mr. Killiam, to determine if Mr. Winter's death could have been caused by exposure to something at the plant."
"And what did you determine?"
"Well, nothing, your honor."
Someone in the audience tittered. Judge Ross raised her eyebrows.
"Please explain, Mr. Quirrel."
"We could not determine a cause of death, Your Honor. Therefore it is impossible to say if LexCorp was involved or not."
"Hmm." Pete's mother checked her papers again.
"I'd give anything to see what she'd got up there," Chloe hissed is Clark's ear. He shushed her as the judge continued.
"Mr. Quirrel, you say LexCorp Plant No.3 passed its last inspection with flying colors. But according to several past reports, this plant, formerly a subsidiary of LuthorCorp, has been cited three times in the past ten years for violations of environmental regulations. Is that correct?"
"It is, Your Honor. The EPA makes such reports a matter of public record."
"Even so, can you elaborate on those violations?"
"I was only directly involved with the most recent one, Your Honor. It involved the illegal disposal of LuthorCorp waste on the land of a local farmer."
Clark shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The incident Quirrel referred to had occurred on his family's land, killing most of the Kent's cattle. Lex had attempted to reimburse them for the loss, but Clark's father had refused to take the money. He didn't know the EPA had fined LuthorCorp.
"As you were not directly involved in the other two incidents, this court will not ask you to testify about them." When several people complained aloud, Judge Ross shot them a silencing glare. "However, the court will provide copies of these reports to the public. Thank you, Mr. Quirrel. You may step down."
"Thank you, Your Honor." The man wiped his brow, visibly relieved to be dismissed.
"The court calls Dr. Jacob Killiam to the stand."
A short, stocky man stepped through the crowd.
"You are the coroner for Lowell County?"
"I am."
"Please proceed."
The doctor launched into a long, detailed description of his autopsy results. Clark could tell by the way people started shifting in their seats that, like him, they understood very little of what was being said. Judge Ross was obviously doing her best to follow the doctor's testimony.
"So you're saying Mr. Winters appeared to be in good health before he died?"
"As I was saying, it was difficult to determine much, given the extensive damage to the internal organs, but I'd say, yes, he was." "And you do not believe the death could have been a natural one?"
"No, Your Honor, I do not. I've been coroner for twenty-odd years and I've seen a lot of strange things. But I've never seen a death quite like this one. The macerated organs, the noxious fluid in the chest cavity.I do not know of any disease that could cause that kind of damage."
"Could it have been caused by exposure to a chemical, as some people are suggesting?"
Dr. Killiam shrugged. "I suppose it's possible, Your Honor."
"You sent tissue sample to a lab in Metropolis, I understand?"
"When neither I nor the EPA could determine the cause of death I sent samples to Metropolis University. But I'm afraid those results may take months." He glanced apologetically at the crowded courtroom.
The judge sighed. "I understand. Thank you, doctor. You may step down."
Judge Ross looked out over the courtroom. "Bailiff, is there anyone else scheduled to testify this afternoon?"
"Mr. Arthur Jasper, Your Honor, but he isn't here," the bailiff replied.
"Did you call his home?"
"I did, Your Honor-no answer."
The crowd whispered among itself, but Brody Winters stood abruptly.
"He's my grandfather, Judge Ross, and I'm sure he'll be here."
But the Judge held up a hand.
"I understand, Mr. Winters, but it's late in the day. In the absence of Mr. Jasper I suggest we call it a day and begin again tomorrow morning, nine a.m. sharp. Court is adjourned." She banged down the gavel, and people began to gather their coats and purses. Clark could see Brody speaking urgently to the man next to him.
"He'll be here, don't worry; I'll go out to check on him this evening."
"Poor Brody-he sounds really upset," Clark sympathized.
"For good reason-that's the EPAL's lawyer he's talking to," Chloe told him. "C'mon, I'm starving-let's drop by the Pizza Palace and you and I can double-check my notes."
"I promised my mom and dad I'd be home for dinner," Clark shook his head. "But I'm sure they'd love to have you. Mom said she'd be roasting a chicken."
Chloe rose to his bait. "I wouldn't pass up Martha Kent's cooking. You're on. Just let me call Lana."
"She's welcome to come, too," Clark added hopefully, but Chloe laughed.
"Nice try, Romeo, but she's working late at the Talon. They're offering two for one cappuccinos this week to try and catch up on business."
As Chloe dug through her bag for her cell phone, Clark sighed. Why couldn't anything in his life ever be simple? *********************************************
"So the coroner couldn't tell us anything we didn't already know?" Martha Kent laid down her fork to pass the bowl of mashed potatoes to Chloe.
"'Fraid not," Clark said around a mouthful of fresh green beans. His mom had obviously taken advantage of her time off from LuthorCorp to do some serious cooking-the Kent table was practically groaning under the weight of plates and bowls.
"Jim was in perfect health," Jonathan added as he refilled his own plate. "Not a sick day in his life. That's what made Molly's illness bearable."
"I can't believe Mr. Jasper didn't show up to testify. Great dinner, by the way, Mrs. Kent," Chloe added.
"Thank you, Chloe," Martha smiled. "And I'm sure he'll be there tomorrow. He probably didn't want to leave Molly."
"It is odd," Jonathan said thoughtfully. "But you're right, I'm sure, Martha. Say, you didn't happen to make any dessert, did you?"
Martha rolled her eyes. "Of course, Jonathan. There's pound cake in the refrigerator. But finish what's on you plate first, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jonathan laughed. He winked at his son. Jonathan Kent had always been a pretty liberated guy, but he was clearly enjoying having his wife back at home.
"So when does Mr. Luthor get back from London, Mrs. Kent? Has he said anything about the hearing?"
"I've only had one conference call will him, Chloe. He won't be back until late next week. And, no, he regards the hearing as LexCorp's problem, not his."
"That's figures," Jonathan mumbled under his breath.
Clark grinned at him.
"Hey, Dad, I'll arm wrestle you for the other drumstick," he offered. But Jonathan held up his hands.
"It's all yours, son. I can't eat another bite."
Nonetheless, he didn't turn down pound cake served with fresh berries. As the four of them sat around the table, slowly savoring the treat, Clark had to admit he'd really missed his mom's cooking. But more than that he's missed just having all three of them around the table for dinner. For once his mom wasn't working late and his dad wasn't out in the fields. Having Chloe there to rave about the food just added to things.
A pounding on the kitchen door startled them all.
"What on earth.?" Martha threw down her napkin and rushed to the door.
Brody Winter's stepped into the kitchen. His eyes were red, and his hair stood on end as if he'd been running his hands through it.
"Jonathan, Martha, I'm sorry.I."
Jonathan stood up and quickly laid a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"Brody, calm down, take a deep breath," he encouraged.
"Is it Molly?" Martha asked nervously. Chloe and Clark exchanged apprehensive glances.
"No, it's my grandpa."
"Arthur?" Jonathan drew a sharp breath. "Is he all right?"
Brody's eyes filled, and he looked fearfully from one Kent to another.
"I don't know. I can't find him. He's missing."