"Is there any way you can stall Judge Ross?" Clark absently scribbled
on the note pad by the kitchen phone. At the kitchen table his dad was
deep in conversation with Sheriff Debs and Brody Winters.
"I've tried, Clark, but I can't even get in to see her. Security's too tight." On the other end Clark could hear Chloe digging through her purse. "I sent back a note, but the hearing starts in fifteen minutes--the courtroom's already full. What did the sheriff say?"
"That Mr. Jasper is not technically missing until he's been gone forty eight hours. But he's coming with us out to the Winters place to search there. Dad's got a couple of the neighbors coming, too."
As soon as Brody had arrived at the Kent house with the news his grandfather was missing, the Kents had gone out to Jasper's farm. They had found no sign of the old man. In the barn his cows had been lowing mournfully, demanding their evening milking, a sure sign that the old man had been gone for several hours.
Martha and Chloe had gone with Brody to break the news as gently as possible to Mrs. Winters. Clark and his father had searched the Jasper farm as best they could, but armed only with flashlights there was no way two men could search the acres of farmland effectively. The next morning, when a more thorough search had turned up empty and Arthur Jasper still had not returned, Jonathan had called the local police.
"Clark, don't you think it's a little bit suspicious that Arthur Jasper disappears the day before he'd going to testify against LexCorp?"
"It's not a trial, Chloe, and Lex isn't the Mob," Clark said grumpily. "He doesn't bump people off."
"I'm not saying he does, but it looks bad. And there's something else, Clark."
The young man rubbed his eyes. "Now what?"
"I saw Pete on my way in. Someone threw a brick through the Ross' front window last night. He was pretty upset."
"God." Clark felt ill. "Who would do something like that? Was there was note or anything?"
"No. But I'll bet it was someone who doesn't like how Judge Ross is handling the hearing. The Ross' called the cops but they didn't find anything else suspicious."
"What a mess. What a total mess."
"I hear you, Clark. Keep me posted on how the search goes."
"I will."
"And Clark? I called A.J. last night. He said he'd be happy to help you guys look for Mr. Jasper."
"Do you think that's a good idea, Chloe? After all, he's." Clark caught himself just in time. "He's, uh, staying with the Luthors, after all."
"Look, you need all the extra help you can get, right? I gotta go- promise to call me on my cell when you can."
"I will," Clark vowed. He hung up and went to the table. His father and the sheriff were looking at local maps.
"I agree-it isn't like Arthur," Ethan commiserated. "But we didn't find any signs of foul play at his place."
"He wouldn't have just taken off, not without telling me or Mom," Brody said sharply. "I'm telling you, something's happened to him."
Jonathan laid a consoling hand on the young man's arm. "Think, Brody, would Arthur have been out at your place?"
"He's been there every morning, to help get Mom's breakfast." For a moment Brody's eyes brimmed with tears. "She's been having a hard time getting up in the mornings." He swiped at his eyes angrily. "Why are we just waiting around? Why don't you go ask Luthor what happened? I bet he'd know."
Ethan sat up straighter in his chair. "Now, son, you have every right to be upset, but you know you can't go around making unfounded accusations like that."
"And we've got to plan out a search like this, if we're going to cover all five acres your Dad bought effectively. I think if Sampson and Redding show up, we should have about half a dozen people there," Jonathan added. "Ethan and I have figured out the best routes to take, so we don't all end up covering the same ground." He stood and set his coffee mug in the sink. "We'd best get going."
As the Kent pickup turned in to the muddy driveway of the Winters place, Clark was relieved to see several trucks waiting. Sure enough, several of Jim Winter's former neighbors had abandoned their own farms for the day to help in the search. Molly Winters stood on the porch. Wrapped in a heavy shawl, she looked frail and haggard. Clark couldn't imagine what she was going through-first she had lost her husband, and now her father was missing.
"Who the blazes is that?" As he parked the truck Clark's dad gestured in the direction of a black Mercedes Benz. The sides were now splashed with a bit of mud, but the car still looked sleek and shiny. Clearly one of Lex's less flashy acquisitions. On the hood A.J. sat with his sister.
"I'll explain in a minute, Dad." Clark hopped out and went to speak to them. A.J. smiled warmly.
"Hey, Clark. I heard you needed some help, and Catherine wanted to come, too."
The doctor had drawn her hair back into a braid, and both the Carter's were dressed in jeans and boots. But they still looked out of place. The locals were regarding them with suspicion.
"Lex said to tell you to call him at the plant if there's anything he can do," A.J. said in a softer tone. He glanced nervously at the other men. "Obviously he didn't think it would be a good idea to come himself."
"It wouldn't have been," Clark commiserated. As his father strode forward he held out a hand.
"Dad, this is A.J. Carter. You remember-I told you about him."
As realization dawned, Jonathan Kent's expression softened. He shook hands with the boy. "Yes, I remember."
Thirteen years before the Kents, through no fault of their own, had become involved in concealing the adoption of Lucas Luthor. Clark knew his father's conscience still bothered him. He wondered if seeing Lucas-now A.J.-alive and well would be any consolation.
A.J. introduced his sister, and then Jonathan Kent introduced both of them to the other men, saying simply that they were visitors in town who wanted to help. No one challenged his explanation.
Any animosity towards the Carters was soon forgotten as Jonathan and the sheriff organized everyone into groups of two and threes. The Winter's property, too rocky to farm, was covered with hills and depressions, as well as several creeks that trickled out of the old quarry some miles away. As he glanced over his father's shoulder at a topographical map of the area, Clark wondered how on earth they were going to be able to find anything. He wished for one wild moment there was some way he could get high enough above the land to search it effectively, but of course that wasn't possible. The Smallville Sheriff's Department wasn't big enough to have a helicopter; LexCorp had one, but of course Clark didn't dare suggest asking for it.
"Clark, take A.J. and Catherine with you and search the west side of the property, back past the tree line. You three have young, sharp eyes." As he spoke, Jonathan fixed his son with a steady gaze, and Clark nodded quickly.
"I understand, Dad." Of course Clark was best suited to search in the place with the most ground cover-his special vision would make the job considerably easier.
The three young people had the longest walk, all the way across the Winters' land to where cleared land gave way to forest. As they walked they exchanged few words: the two Carters seemed subdued, and Clark wasn't really in the mood for conversation either. He kept hoping for the best, that Mr. Jasper would turn up any moment, but his heart was already heavy.
As they moved deeper into the trees, past the white stakes marking the property line, the air grew cooler. The dampness from recent rains hadn't yet evaporated, and far in the distance they could hear the trickling of water.
"I thought there weren't supposed to be any trees in Kansas," A.J. grumbled as they clambered over a particularly large fallen tree.
"In most places there isn't, not anymore. But this land was never cleared for farming-it's not good for anything but the occasional hiking trip," Clark explained.
After nearly of hour of fruitless searching they decided to split up and search, being careful not to get out of shouting range from one another. With A.J. and Catherine further away, Clark could now give his vision free range, scanning the trees and clumps of underbrush for any signs of the old man. He was focusing intently on a particularly dense clump of bushes some twenty feet away when A.J. suddenly reappeared at his elbow.
"What are you doing?" He asked curiously. "You had the weirdest look on you face just then."
"Um, just.lost in thought, I guess." Clark heart was thumping in his chest. "Any luck?"
"Not a bit. Look, do you think it's possible Mr. Jasper went someplace, like into Metropolis or something, and everyone's overreacting?"
Clark shook his head. "He wouldn't have gone out without telling his daughter or his grandson. And a farmer never leaves his animals alone without making arrangements for them."
"Guess I'll have to trust you on that one, Clark." A.J. sighed. He scuffed his shoes in the damp earth. "And I'll bet people already blame Lex, right?"
"It looks bad." Clark unconsciously echoed Chloe's words.
"I'm his alibi-he was home last night," A.J. said a trifle hotly. "In fact, all he's done since Mr. Winter's funeral is go to work and come home. He's hasn't even been to the Talon because he doesn't want his presence to drive off whatever business is left."
"Look, I didn't mean." "Judge Ross told him it would be better not to come to the hearing, so he's staying away from there, too," A.J. fumed. "The whole town's treating my brother like he's a leper."
"A.J., slow down," Clark advised; the other boy was now stalking angrily a few feet ahead of him. "You need to understand-things between the town and the Luthors have always been kind of complicated."
"Complicated?" A.J. said over his shoulder. "Complicated how?"
"It's a really, really long story. I--watch out!"
A.J., who had been looking back at Clark, wasn't watching where he was going, and the ground suddenly sloped downwards before him. A.J. led out a yelp, but fortunately the drop was only a few feet and he landed on his backside, unhurt.
Clark carefully half-walked, half-slid down the muddy slope, but A.J. was already on his feet, brushing himself off.
"Are you ok?"
"Yep. Just a little startled. I."
A.J. suddenly trailed off, and Clark followed his gaze.
Clearly they had found one of the old creek beds-a trickle of water ran through the shallow gully, no doubt a product of the recent rains. And lying facedown in that water was the body of a man.
"Is it.?" A.J. trailed off.
"I can't tell from here." Clark took a cautious step toward the still form. "We should, um, turn him over, I guess. Maybe there's something we can do."
"Maybe," A.J. agreed, although it was clear to both boys from the horrible stillness of the form that there was no life left in it.
"Cate!" C'mere, quick!" A.J. called for his sister, and then moved to stand next to Clark. The two of them looked down at the body helplessly for a long moment, and then at each other.
"So I guess we need to turn him over," A.J. repeated.
"I guess."
Clark had just reached down with a tentative hand when Catherine's voice, slightly out of breath, rang out sharply from behind him.
"Don't touch him, Clark! Both of you, move back," she ordered.
The two young men did as she bade them. The doctor had clearly rushed to get to them, because there were leaves clinging to her fair hair; nonetheless she was all business as she produced as pair of gloves from her pocket.
"They're not latex, but they're better than nothing," she said.
Clark felt a little queasy, wondering if Catherine, being a physician, always automatically expected the worst.
He watched as she carefully and slowly turned over the body, and then glanced away quickly as Mr. Jasper's face, mottled blue and white with wide, staring eyes, swam into few. Rivulets of something black encrusted his mouth and nose.
A.J., now positively green, moved hastily to the other side of the wash. Catherine looked at Clark sympathetically. "Is it him?"
Clark nodded. When he spoke his voice sounded hoarse to his own ears. "Can you.?" He trailed off.
The older woman shook her head. "I'm sorry. He's obviously been dead for some hours." She carefully laid a hand over the dead man's eyes, closing them.
"We'd best get your father and the sheriff as quickly as possible." Catherine advised. "The police are going to want to investigate, and we'll need the coroner. Why don't you and A.J."
"No," Clark interrupted. "I'll be faster on my own."
Catherine looked at him a little oddly, but nodded. "All right." She glanced over at her brother, who was rocking on his feet.
"A.J., sit down before you fall down."
Clark carefully climbed out of the gully, but as soon as he was out of sight he began to run as fast as he could. It felt good to be moving as far away from the scene as possible, with the trees turning to blurs around him. It only took him a few seconds to reach the far right side of the property. Careful to slow down before he was seen, he walked around the tool shed and found his father and Mr. Redding still examining the map.
Jonathan Kent took one look at his son's face and dropped the map. "Clark, did you find something?"
Clark nodded. "We found him. About a mile back in the trees, in a shallow wash. Dr. Carter says there's nothing we can do, but she wants you to come."
"I'd better radio this in," Ethan said sadly. "Then, Clark, I want you to show me exactly where the body is."
While Ethan walked to his patrol car, Clark shivered a bit.
"I'm no expert, Dad, but it looked to me like whatever killed Mr. Winters killed Mr. Jasper."
Jonathan laid his arm across his son's broad shoulder. "Take it easy, Clark. You've had a bad shock. Let's not jump to any conclusions."
The sheriff reappeared, clapping his broad-brimmed hat back on his head. "Ambulance and my deputies are on the way," he reported. He turned kind eyes on Clark. All right, son, I want you to take your Dad and me back to the doctor. Think you can do that?"
Clark nodded. Now he knew where he was going he reached where the body lay much quicker. He stood to one side with his father while the sheriff and Dr. Carter spoke in hushed tones next to the body.
"I don't want either of you to come any closer," the sheriff told them. "We don't want any more sets of footprints then absolutely necessary."
Next to them A.J. shivered, and Jonathan took off his jacket and wrapped it around then thin young man. A.J. gave a ghost of a smile.
"Thanks. I guess she's used to this kind of thing," he nodded in the direction of his sister, "but I'm not."
After what seemed like an eternity, one of the Lowell County deputies appeared.
"Sheriff, the coroner and the crime scene team are here."
"Good." Ethan stood and brushed off his hands. He had been careful not to touch Jasper's body, but Clark could tell he was still nervous. "Tell the coroner we might have something contagious here; I want everyone to take the necessary precautions, you hear me?"
The deputy glanced at the body. "Yes, sir."
Ethan turned his attention back to the Kents and A.J.
"Jonathan, why don't you take the boys home. They've seen enough for one day." He glanced back at the doctor, who was still kneeling next to the body, a puzzled look on her face. "You reckon that's safe?"
"Hmm? I suppose so. There's no way to know the cause of death at this point, but just in case I want you boys to wash your hands with lots of soap and hot water. Ditto for the clothes you have on now. Understood?"
Both Clark and A.J. nodded.
"Will you be all right here?" A.J. asked tentatively.
His older sister smiled. "Of course. Aren't I always?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know," A.J. grumbled, sounding a bit like his old self. "But it doesn't hurt to ask."
"Ethan, about Molly.?" Jonathan began, but the sheriff shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Jonathan, but I want to break the news to Molly and Brody. This is officially a police investigation now."
"I understand. Clark, A.J., let's go."
As the two young men followed Mr. Kent pass the arriving investigators, A.J. looked at the older man curiously.
"What's going to happen now?"
"I can't say as I know, A.J.," Jonathan said tiredly. "I wish to God I did, but I don't."
*************************************************
"All rise, District Court number 36 now in session, the Honorable Judge Katherine Ross presiding."
Chloe hastily stuffed her Geometry homework back in her bag. She sighed in relief-for a while there she'd been afraid they would have to wait until the next day for the judge's opinion.
Poor Judge Ross, she looks exhausted, Chloe thought. But then she must have been up half the night dealing with the police. Good thing this morning's testimony was such a snooze fest.
The day before, the hearing had been characterized by a lot of nasty accusations directed at LexCorp and LuthorCorp. But this morning had been the complete opposite. Several men who worked at LexCorp took the stand in defense of the company. A LexCorp lawyer produced charts and graphs supposedly showing LexCorp's excellent safety record. Both Mr. Harmon, who owed the grocery store downtown, and Mr. Sutherland, of the Smallville Savings and Loan, had testified at length that LexCorp was a boon to the community, not a threat. Of course it was obvious that the plant workers would want to do everything they could to save their jobs, and everyone knew Lionel Luthor owed the Savings and Loan, but still.All in all Chloe had to admit they had made some pretty convincing arguments against closing the plant.
Just before lunch, when no one else had come forward wanting to speak, Judge Ross had announced a recess until she rendered her opinion. Chloe had taken the opportunity to frantically work on the homework Lana had brought home for her, but her mind was really more on what was happening in the judge's chambers. Chloe couldn't imagine have to make the kind of decisions Judge Ross was called upon to make everyday. No, all in all she'd stick to journalism, thank you very much.
Now she watched eagerly, pen poised, to hear what Judge Ross would say. An unearthly quiet settled over the courtroom. Chloe couldn't help sneaking a glance at the empty chair where Brody Winters had sat yesterday, hoping he'd finally had some good news and they'd found Mr. Jasper.
Judge Ross opened a folder and began reading.
"As you all know, this court has been petitioned to issue an injunction temporarily closing LexCorp, formerly known as LuthorCorp. In accordance with state law the public has had the last two days to participate in this hearing, but the final decision rests with the court. We have heard speakers both passionately condemn and defend the company that had been so much a part of out lives, for good or ill, these thirteen years. Evidence presenting during this hearing suggests that the environmental record of this plant is certainly blemished; you have heard a spokesperson for the EPA testify to that fact."
Several people in the audience stirred excitedly, but the judge continued.
"However, we have also heard that LuthorCorp paid its fines, and since becoming LexCorp has submitted to regular safety inspections, all of which it has passed." The judge paused for a moment, studying the faces around her. "The tragic events surrounding Mr. James Winter's death have proved extremely divisive. Indeed, that divisiveness has deeply affected my own family. I know, better than many of you, the role of LuthorCorp and LexCorp in this community." She smiled wryly. "But as an officer of the court I have to set aside those feelings in favor of a pure weighing of the facts. And the facts are clear."
Chloe found herself holding her breath.
"In spite of testimony presented here, the weight of the facts falls in one direction. This court rules that, whatever it may have done in its former incarnation, LexCorp is not a danger to human health. Petition for injunction denied."
Judge Ross banged the gavel, and an immediate roar of voices engulfed the courtroom. LexCorp's lawyers and employees were beaming; townspeople were arguing heatedly with each other about the merits of the decision; and off to one side, the members of the EDAL looked angry and stunned.
Chloe wasn't quite sure how to feel as she grabbed her bag and made a beeline to the parking lot, determined to write her article while it was all still fresh in her mind. On the one hand she was relieved her father would still have a job in the morning, and that Lex hadn't lost what he'd been working so hard to build.
On the other, she mused as she started her old car, judging by the looks on the EDAL"s faces, maybe Smallville hadn't seen the end of the matter. Maybe things were about to get a whole lot worse. ********************************************
The old pickup turned off the gravel road and stopped next to a beat-up sedan. Brody Winters quickly shut off his headlights, and glanced cautiously at the figure leaning against the other car.
He jumped out of his truck. Without headlights the darkness was nearly total, and he could barely make out the face of the man opposite. They stared at each other in silence for a long moment.
"You're younger than I thought you'd be," Brody finally said.
"How old does someone need to be?" Rich Erickson said laconically, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets.
"I didn't come here to chat. Maybe you didn't hear, but now isn't a good time for my family," Winters said angrily. "My grandfather's dead, and my mom's in the hospital in shock."
"No, I did hear. My condolences," Erickson said, almost as an afterthought. "But this couldn't wait. You heard about Judge Ross' ruling?"
"Yeah," the other man ground out bitterly. "I thought maybe."
"You thought throwing a brick through the Ross' window would scare her off? Make her see the light? Is that what you thought?"
Brody was startled. "How did you know about.?"
"About your little stunt? C'mon, Mr. Winters, I've been involved in the cause a lot longer than you have. We at the EDAL cover all our bases. We also know that childish little stunts don't change the world. It takes something big, something monumental, to do that."
In the distance an owl hooted, and Brody shuddered a little in the cold. He'd been up for hours, days, it seemed. Had it been only a few days ago that he'd been at school, and everything had been right with his world? And then.
"Why did you call me here? You better not be thinking blackmail, because my family doesn't have anything left to give, believe me"
"You're thinking small again, Brody. I asked you here because I want you to know that LexCorp will not go unpunished. If we're to prevent something like this from ever happening again they must be made an example."
"Do?" Brody laughed out loud. "What can a bunch of tree-hugging freaks do? They've already gotten away with it. They've always gotten away with it."
In the darkness Erickson's pale eyes gleamed.
"Not for long, I promise you. We're thinking big now."
Against his will Brody's heart leapt.
"How big?" He asked hopefully.
The other man smiled.
"Very big. Wait and see."
"I've tried, Clark, but I can't even get in to see her. Security's too tight." On the other end Clark could hear Chloe digging through her purse. "I sent back a note, but the hearing starts in fifteen minutes--the courtroom's already full. What did the sheriff say?"
"That Mr. Jasper is not technically missing until he's been gone forty eight hours. But he's coming with us out to the Winters place to search there. Dad's got a couple of the neighbors coming, too."
As soon as Brody had arrived at the Kent house with the news his grandfather was missing, the Kents had gone out to Jasper's farm. They had found no sign of the old man. In the barn his cows had been lowing mournfully, demanding their evening milking, a sure sign that the old man had been gone for several hours.
Martha and Chloe had gone with Brody to break the news as gently as possible to Mrs. Winters. Clark and his father had searched the Jasper farm as best they could, but armed only with flashlights there was no way two men could search the acres of farmland effectively. The next morning, when a more thorough search had turned up empty and Arthur Jasper still had not returned, Jonathan had called the local police.
"Clark, don't you think it's a little bit suspicious that Arthur Jasper disappears the day before he'd going to testify against LexCorp?"
"It's not a trial, Chloe, and Lex isn't the Mob," Clark said grumpily. "He doesn't bump people off."
"I'm not saying he does, but it looks bad. And there's something else, Clark."
The young man rubbed his eyes. "Now what?"
"I saw Pete on my way in. Someone threw a brick through the Ross' front window last night. He was pretty upset."
"God." Clark felt ill. "Who would do something like that? Was there was note or anything?"
"No. But I'll bet it was someone who doesn't like how Judge Ross is handling the hearing. The Ross' called the cops but they didn't find anything else suspicious."
"What a mess. What a total mess."
"I hear you, Clark. Keep me posted on how the search goes."
"I will."
"And Clark? I called A.J. last night. He said he'd be happy to help you guys look for Mr. Jasper."
"Do you think that's a good idea, Chloe? After all, he's." Clark caught himself just in time. "He's, uh, staying with the Luthors, after all."
"Look, you need all the extra help you can get, right? I gotta go- promise to call me on my cell when you can."
"I will," Clark vowed. He hung up and went to the table. His father and the sheriff were looking at local maps.
"I agree-it isn't like Arthur," Ethan commiserated. "But we didn't find any signs of foul play at his place."
"He wouldn't have just taken off, not without telling me or Mom," Brody said sharply. "I'm telling you, something's happened to him."
Jonathan laid a consoling hand on the young man's arm. "Think, Brody, would Arthur have been out at your place?"
"He's been there every morning, to help get Mom's breakfast." For a moment Brody's eyes brimmed with tears. "She's been having a hard time getting up in the mornings." He swiped at his eyes angrily. "Why are we just waiting around? Why don't you go ask Luthor what happened? I bet he'd know."
Ethan sat up straighter in his chair. "Now, son, you have every right to be upset, but you know you can't go around making unfounded accusations like that."
"And we've got to plan out a search like this, if we're going to cover all five acres your Dad bought effectively. I think if Sampson and Redding show up, we should have about half a dozen people there," Jonathan added. "Ethan and I have figured out the best routes to take, so we don't all end up covering the same ground." He stood and set his coffee mug in the sink. "We'd best get going."
As the Kent pickup turned in to the muddy driveway of the Winters place, Clark was relieved to see several trucks waiting. Sure enough, several of Jim Winter's former neighbors had abandoned their own farms for the day to help in the search. Molly Winters stood on the porch. Wrapped in a heavy shawl, she looked frail and haggard. Clark couldn't imagine what she was going through-first she had lost her husband, and now her father was missing.
"Who the blazes is that?" As he parked the truck Clark's dad gestured in the direction of a black Mercedes Benz. The sides were now splashed with a bit of mud, but the car still looked sleek and shiny. Clearly one of Lex's less flashy acquisitions. On the hood A.J. sat with his sister.
"I'll explain in a minute, Dad." Clark hopped out and went to speak to them. A.J. smiled warmly.
"Hey, Clark. I heard you needed some help, and Catherine wanted to come, too."
The doctor had drawn her hair back into a braid, and both the Carter's were dressed in jeans and boots. But they still looked out of place. The locals were regarding them with suspicion.
"Lex said to tell you to call him at the plant if there's anything he can do," A.J. said in a softer tone. He glanced nervously at the other men. "Obviously he didn't think it would be a good idea to come himself."
"It wouldn't have been," Clark commiserated. As his father strode forward he held out a hand.
"Dad, this is A.J. Carter. You remember-I told you about him."
As realization dawned, Jonathan Kent's expression softened. He shook hands with the boy. "Yes, I remember."
Thirteen years before the Kents, through no fault of their own, had become involved in concealing the adoption of Lucas Luthor. Clark knew his father's conscience still bothered him. He wondered if seeing Lucas-now A.J.-alive and well would be any consolation.
A.J. introduced his sister, and then Jonathan Kent introduced both of them to the other men, saying simply that they were visitors in town who wanted to help. No one challenged his explanation.
Any animosity towards the Carters was soon forgotten as Jonathan and the sheriff organized everyone into groups of two and threes. The Winter's property, too rocky to farm, was covered with hills and depressions, as well as several creeks that trickled out of the old quarry some miles away. As he glanced over his father's shoulder at a topographical map of the area, Clark wondered how on earth they were going to be able to find anything. He wished for one wild moment there was some way he could get high enough above the land to search it effectively, but of course that wasn't possible. The Smallville Sheriff's Department wasn't big enough to have a helicopter; LexCorp had one, but of course Clark didn't dare suggest asking for it.
"Clark, take A.J. and Catherine with you and search the west side of the property, back past the tree line. You three have young, sharp eyes." As he spoke, Jonathan fixed his son with a steady gaze, and Clark nodded quickly.
"I understand, Dad." Of course Clark was best suited to search in the place with the most ground cover-his special vision would make the job considerably easier.
The three young people had the longest walk, all the way across the Winters' land to where cleared land gave way to forest. As they walked they exchanged few words: the two Carters seemed subdued, and Clark wasn't really in the mood for conversation either. He kept hoping for the best, that Mr. Jasper would turn up any moment, but his heart was already heavy.
As they moved deeper into the trees, past the white stakes marking the property line, the air grew cooler. The dampness from recent rains hadn't yet evaporated, and far in the distance they could hear the trickling of water.
"I thought there weren't supposed to be any trees in Kansas," A.J. grumbled as they clambered over a particularly large fallen tree.
"In most places there isn't, not anymore. But this land was never cleared for farming-it's not good for anything but the occasional hiking trip," Clark explained.
After nearly of hour of fruitless searching they decided to split up and search, being careful not to get out of shouting range from one another. With A.J. and Catherine further away, Clark could now give his vision free range, scanning the trees and clumps of underbrush for any signs of the old man. He was focusing intently on a particularly dense clump of bushes some twenty feet away when A.J. suddenly reappeared at his elbow.
"What are you doing?" He asked curiously. "You had the weirdest look on you face just then."
"Um, just.lost in thought, I guess." Clark heart was thumping in his chest. "Any luck?"
"Not a bit. Look, do you think it's possible Mr. Jasper went someplace, like into Metropolis or something, and everyone's overreacting?"
Clark shook his head. "He wouldn't have gone out without telling his daughter or his grandson. And a farmer never leaves his animals alone without making arrangements for them."
"Guess I'll have to trust you on that one, Clark." A.J. sighed. He scuffed his shoes in the damp earth. "And I'll bet people already blame Lex, right?"
"It looks bad." Clark unconsciously echoed Chloe's words.
"I'm his alibi-he was home last night," A.J. said a trifle hotly. "In fact, all he's done since Mr. Winter's funeral is go to work and come home. He's hasn't even been to the Talon because he doesn't want his presence to drive off whatever business is left."
"Look, I didn't mean." "Judge Ross told him it would be better not to come to the hearing, so he's staying away from there, too," A.J. fumed. "The whole town's treating my brother like he's a leper."
"A.J., slow down," Clark advised; the other boy was now stalking angrily a few feet ahead of him. "You need to understand-things between the town and the Luthors have always been kind of complicated."
"Complicated?" A.J. said over his shoulder. "Complicated how?"
"It's a really, really long story. I--watch out!"
A.J., who had been looking back at Clark, wasn't watching where he was going, and the ground suddenly sloped downwards before him. A.J. led out a yelp, but fortunately the drop was only a few feet and he landed on his backside, unhurt.
Clark carefully half-walked, half-slid down the muddy slope, but A.J. was already on his feet, brushing himself off.
"Are you ok?"
"Yep. Just a little startled. I."
A.J. suddenly trailed off, and Clark followed his gaze.
Clearly they had found one of the old creek beds-a trickle of water ran through the shallow gully, no doubt a product of the recent rains. And lying facedown in that water was the body of a man.
"Is it.?" A.J. trailed off.
"I can't tell from here." Clark took a cautious step toward the still form. "We should, um, turn him over, I guess. Maybe there's something we can do."
"Maybe," A.J. agreed, although it was clear to both boys from the horrible stillness of the form that there was no life left in it.
"Cate!" C'mere, quick!" A.J. called for his sister, and then moved to stand next to Clark. The two of them looked down at the body helplessly for a long moment, and then at each other.
"So I guess we need to turn him over," A.J. repeated.
"I guess."
Clark had just reached down with a tentative hand when Catherine's voice, slightly out of breath, rang out sharply from behind him.
"Don't touch him, Clark! Both of you, move back," she ordered.
The two young men did as she bade them. The doctor had clearly rushed to get to them, because there were leaves clinging to her fair hair; nonetheless she was all business as she produced as pair of gloves from her pocket.
"They're not latex, but they're better than nothing," she said.
Clark felt a little queasy, wondering if Catherine, being a physician, always automatically expected the worst.
He watched as she carefully and slowly turned over the body, and then glanced away quickly as Mr. Jasper's face, mottled blue and white with wide, staring eyes, swam into few. Rivulets of something black encrusted his mouth and nose.
A.J., now positively green, moved hastily to the other side of the wash. Catherine looked at Clark sympathetically. "Is it him?"
Clark nodded. When he spoke his voice sounded hoarse to his own ears. "Can you.?" He trailed off.
The older woman shook her head. "I'm sorry. He's obviously been dead for some hours." She carefully laid a hand over the dead man's eyes, closing them.
"We'd best get your father and the sheriff as quickly as possible." Catherine advised. "The police are going to want to investigate, and we'll need the coroner. Why don't you and A.J."
"No," Clark interrupted. "I'll be faster on my own."
Catherine looked at him a little oddly, but nodded. "All right." She glanced over at her brother, who was rocking on his feet.
"A.J., sit down before you fall down."
Clark carefully climbed out of the gully, but as soon as he was out of sight he began to run as fast as he could. It felt good to be moving as far away from the scene as possible, with the trees turning to blurs around him. It only took him a few seconds to reach the far right side of the property. Careful to slow down before he was seen, he walked around the tool shed and found his father and Mr. Redding still examining the map.
Jonathan Kent took one look at his son's face and dropped the map. "Clark, did you find something?"
Clark nodded. "We found him. About a mile back in the trees, in a shallow wash. Dr. Carter says there's nothing we can do, but she wants you to come."
"I'd better radio this in," Ethan said sadly. "Then, Clark, I want you to show me exactly where the body is."
While Ethan walked to his patrol car, Clark shivered a bit.
"I'm no expert, Dad, but it looked to me like whatever killed Mr. Winters killed Mr. Jasper."
Jonathan laid his arm across his son's broad shoulder. "Take it easy, Clark. You've had a bad shock. Let's not jump to any conclusions."
The sheriff reappeared, clapping his broad-brimmed hat back on his head. "Ambulance and my deputies are on the way," he reported. He turned kind eyes on Clark. All right, son, I want you to take your Dad and me back to the doctor. Think you can do that?"
Clark nodded. Now he knew where he was going he reached where the body lay much quicker. He stood to one side with his father while the sheriff and Dr. Carter spoke in hushed tones next to the body.
"I don't want either of you to come any closer," the sheriff told them. "We don't want any more sets of footprints then absolutely necessary."
Next to them A.J. shivered, and Jonathan took off his jacket and wrapped it around then thin young man. A.J. gave a ghost of a smile.
"Thanks. I guess she's used to this kind of thing," he nodded in the direction of his sister, "but I'm not."
After what seemed like an eternity, one of the Lowell County deputies appeared.
"Sheriff, the coroner and the crime scene team are here."
"Good." Ethan stood and brushed off his hands. He had been careful not to touch Jasper's body, but Clark could tell he was still nervous. "Tell the coroner we might have something contagious here; I want everyone to take the necessary precautions, you hear me?"
The deputy glanced at the body. "Yes, sir."
Ethan turned his attention back to the Kents and A.J.
"Jonathan, why don't you take the boys home. They've seen enough for one day." He glanced back at the doctor, who was still kneeling next to the body, a puzzled look on her face. "You reckon that's safe?"
"Hmm? I suppose so. There's no way to know the cause of death at this point, but just in case I want you boys to wash your hands with lots of soap and hot water. Ditto for the clothes you have on now. Understood?"
Both Clark and A.J. nodded.
"Will you be all right here?" A.J. asked tentatively.
His older sister smiled. "Of course. Aren't I always?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know," A.J. grumbled, sounding a bit like his old self. "But it doesn't hurt to ask."
"Ethan, about Molly.?" Jonathan began, but the sheriff shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Jonathan, but I want to break the news to Molly and Brody. This is officially a police investigation now."
"I understand. Clark, A.J., let's go."
As the two young men followed Mr. Kent pass the arriving investigators, A.J. looked at the older man curiously.
"What's going to happen now?"
"I can't say as I know, A.J.," Jonathan said tiredly. "I wish to God I did, but I don't."
*************************************************
"All rise, District Court number 36 now in session, the Honorable Judge Katherine Ross presiding."
Chloe hastily stuffed her Geometry homework back in her bag. She sighed in relief-for a while there she'd been afraid they would have to wait until the next day for the judge's opinion.
Poor Judge Ross, she looks exhausted, Chloe thought. But then she must have been up half the night dealing with the police. Good thing this morning's testimony was such a snooze fest.
The day before, the hearing had been characterized by a lot of nasty accusations directed at LexCorp and LuthorCorp. But this morning had been the complete opposite. Several men who worked at LexCorp took the stand in defense of the company. A LexCorp lawyer produced charts and graphs supposedly showing LexCorp's excellent safety record. Both Mr. Harmon, who owed the grocery store downtown, and Mr. Sutherland, of the Smallville Savings and Loan, had testified at length that LexCorp was a boon to the community, not a threat. Of course it was obvious that the plant workers would want to do everything they could to save their jobs, and everyone knew Lionel Luthor owed the Savings and Loan, but still.All in all Chloe had to admit they had made some pretty convincing arguments against closing the plant.
Just before lunch, when no one else had come forward wanting to speak, Judge Ross had announced a recess until she rendered her opinion. Chloe had taken the opportunity to frantically work on the homework Lana had brought home for her, but her mind was really more on what was happening in the judge's chambers. Chloe couldn't imagine have to make the kind of decisions Judge Ross was called upon to make everyday. No, all in all she'd stick to journalism, thank you very much.
Now she watched eagerly, pen poised, to hear what Judge Ross would say. An unearthly quiet settled over the courtroom. Chloe couldn't help sneaking a glance at the empty chair where Brody Winters had sat yesterday, hoping he'd finally had some good news and they'd found Mr. Jasper.
Judge Ross opened a folder and began reading.
"As you all know, this court has been petitioned to issue an injunction temporarily closing LexCorp, formerly known as LuthorCorp. In accordance with state law the public has had the last two days to participate in this hearing, but the final decision rests with the court. We have heard speakers both passionately condemn and defend the company that had been so much a part of out lives, for good or ill, these thirteen years. Evidence presenting during this hearing suggests that the environmental record of this plant is certainly blemished; you have heard a spokesperson for the EPA testify to that fact."
Several people in the audience stirred excitedly, but the judge continued.
"However, we have also heard that LuthorCorp paid its fines, and since becoming LexCorp has submitted to regular safety inspections, all of which it has passed." The judge paused for a moment, studying the faces around her. "The tragic events surrounding Mr. James Winter's death have proved extremely divisive. Indeed, that divisiveness has deeply affected my own family. I know, better than many of you, the role of LuthorCorp and LexCorp in this community." She smiled wryly. "But as an officer of the court I have to set aside those feelings in favor of a pure weighing of the facts. And the facts are clear."
Chloe found herself holding her breath.
"In spite of testimony presented here, the weight of the facts falls in one direction. This court rules that, whatever it may have done in its former incarnation, LexCorp is not a danger to human health. Petition for injunction denied."
Judge Ross banged the gavel, and an immediate roar of voices engulfed the courtroom. LexCorp's lawyers and employees were beaming; townspeople were arguing heatedly with each other about the merits of the decision; and off to one side, the members of the EDAL looked angry and stunned.
Chloe wasn't quite sure how to feel as she grabbed her bag and made a beeline to the parking lot, determined to write her article while it was all still fresh in her mind. On the one hand she was relieved her father would still have a job in the morning, and that Lex hadn't lost what he'd been working so hard to build.
On the other, she mused as she started her old car, judging by the looks on the EDAL"s faces, maybe Smallville hadn't seen the end of the matter. Maybe things were about to get a whole lot worse. ********************************************
The old pickup turned off the gravel road and stopped next to a beat-up sedan. Brody Winters quickly shut off his headlights, and glanced cautiously at the figure leaning against the other car.
He jumped out of his truck. Without headlights the darkness was nearly total, and he could barely make out the face of the man opposite. They stared at each other in silence for a long moment.
"You're younger than I thought you'd be," Brody finally said.
"How old does someone need to be?" Rich Erickson said laconically, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets.
"I didn't come here to chat. Maybe you didn't hear, but now isn't a good time for my family," Winters said angrily. "My grandfather's dead, and my mom's in the hospital in shock."
"No, I did hear. My condolences," Erickson said, almost as an afterthought. "But this couldn't wait. You heard about Judge Ross' ruling?"
"Yeah," the other man ground out bitterly. "I thought maybe."
"You thought throwing a brick through the Ross' window would scare her off? Make her see the light? Is that what you thought?"
Brody was startled. "How did you know about.?"
"About your little stunt? C'mon, Mr. Winters, I've been involved in the cause a lot longer than you have. We at the EDAL cover all our bases. We also know that childish little stunts don't change the world. It takes something big, something monumental, to do that."
In the distance an owl hooted, and Brody shuddered a little in the cold. He'd been up for hours, days, it seemed. Had it been only a few days ago that he'd been at school, and everything had been right with his world? And then.
"Why did you call me here? You better not be thinking blackmail, because my family doesn't have anything left to give, believe me"
"You're thinking small again, Brody. I asked you here because I want you to know that LexCorp will not go unpunished. If we're to prevent something like this from ever happening again they must be made an example."
"Do?" Brody laughed out loud. "What can a bunch of tree-hugging freaks do? They've already gotten away with it. They've always gotten away with it."
In the darkness Erickson's pale eyes gleamed.
"Not for long, I promise you. We're thinking big now."
Against his will Brody's heart leapt.
"How big?" He asked hopefully.
The other man smiled.
"Very big. Wait and see."