Chapter 21 [Later that Night]
Lex parked his Ferrari in Garage's usual place. Enlightening proved the operative word for that meal. Still, Understatement seemed to bury that descriptor. Appreciation for the Kents' Secrecy and Clark's burden dawned on him. Much akin to Onion's Layers, Clark revealed Secret in Line of Secrets with each one. Now I get it. I understand why Clark's so secretive. He sauntered into the mansion and up the stairs toward his Library. Business could wait until Morning's light. He wanted to ponder Two Great Secrets. I'll have to check further on Miranda Arighatto.
"Have a good day, Lex?" Lionel slithered out of Shadow's cover once more. "One might think you were avoiding me." Cane's Tapping guided him down Passage.
Chuckle escaped Lex's mouth. "Relax, Dad. I went to Metropolis to check on Mom. Then, I had dinner out. The ham was to die for."
"I suppose. Tell me. How is Clark Kent doing?" Lionel perked his ears. Of course, he'd remained a step ahead. He'd had LuthorCorp techs bug Lex's car in Metropolis. Up until Lex sped down State Route 90, Surveillance kept tabs on him. For some reason, Fluke Magnetic Interference shorted the device out.
Lex shrugged. "I saw Clark earlier today. He seemed really great. I actually gave him a ride home. Why?" Eyebrow lifted. Chess Matches between Lionel and him served as Relationship's Past Time between them. "Martha Kent's cherry pie is something else."
"That is why she wins blue ribbons in Hutchinson, Son." Frustration bubbled up in Lionel's gut at Lex's skunking technique. "That does sound like a delightful day, Lex. Of course, you should be back at work tomorrow."
"Why, Dad! Is that concern? I'm actually touched!" Sarcasm drenched Lex's tone. "I was on top of the entire work situation. Thanks. You taught me to keep my eyes open. Have a good night." He walked toward Library's sanctuary.
"You too, Son." Lionel frowned. He made his way down the passage. On the surface, Explanation dotted all of Lex's I's and crossed his T's. Plausibility seemed to flow from his words. Others would've heeded Acceptance's Path and gone their way.
Instinct and Experience had taught Lionel about his son. He reached into his pocket. Fingertips brushed over Crushed Bullets therein. Lex, you are keeping something from me. I will find out what that is! Lionel limped down the Passage. He had business of his own to deal with….
[Library—An Hour Later]
[A/N: Lionel broke the last straw. Lex is about to play a key card here.]
Lex set Scotch glass on Desk's polished surface. His mind remained spinning since Revelations hours earlier at the farm. It's a good thing Mr. and Mrs. Kent decided to have our talk at the farm rather than here or the Talon. Too public. Too many opportunities to be observed. Got to hand it to you, Clark. When you have secrets, you really go over the top! Strength, Heat Vision, Speed, Invulnerability and maybe Flight. Wow. He'd wiped any potentially damaging files from Computer's archive. He shredded Files pertaining to Investigations. Fireplace's flames reduced Confetti to Cinders and Ash. To think Roger Nixon figured it out? He'd need to talk with the Kents and the teens about covering their tracks better.
Wolves bayed all around them. Lionel, blindness or not, remained formidable in many regards. Sommerholt would jump on Clark if given half a chance. Nell Potter, if she knew, would blow the top off of any containment with Media among others. Miranda's 'stepfather' would kill any and all to protect his own legacy and assets. For some reason, Arighatto kept her in a virtual cage. In any event, Miranda's discovery prompted a discussion with Clark and the others about observers all around.
What is it about her? He unlocked Top Desk Drawer. Inside, Manilla Envelope awaited him. Never thought I'd look at these again. He opened said envelope. Contents spread across Desk. Photos strummed Memoria's harp once again. He studied Lillian's interactions with Miranda's uncle, great-grandmother and himself. He saw said uncle and himself flanking the Talon's Rededication Plaque from 1981. He leaned back in his chair. His eyes wandered toward Lillian's portrait. "Got to hand it to you, Mom. You said we'd need to look after them. I'm doing that." He refilled Scotch glass and lifted it to her in Toast. "To you. It's time to open those locked doors and air the place out. Clark's stuff needs to stay back for now at least. It's time for the other to know." He held up a sealed small envelope. "Let's hope this is still good." He opened that one and unfolded a piece of paper with a phone number. He took out his cell and dialed.
Several Rings echoed in his ear. Then, a female voice answered, "Good Evening. Dubois Farm."
"Good Evening. Angie? Is that you?" Lex admittedly felt Nerves' Butterflies beating against his stomach. "This is Lex Luthor."
"Lex? Lillian's son! Oh yes! Why it's so great to hear from you! It's been far too long. Is everything all right?" Angie answered.
"Everything's great." Lex rubbed the back of his neck. "I just had dinner with the Kents an hour or so ago at their farm. Laura and Lewis' daughter, Lana, was there. I know Dave would've liked to have been there. We did have some matters to discuss."
"Matters? I hope there isn't any more trouble with your father, Lex. I know we've had enough trouble with him for a lifetime. I never understood how a woman like your mother could be with him. Anyway, yes, he's right here. Do give our best to Lana and the Kents. Laura was a great friend to us. Take care, Lex. Good to hear from you," Angie concluded.
Let's hope he can take the news. Lex sniffed. You get on Clark about secrets. Yet you're sitting on top of one just as big! Lex gulped another Scotch-laden mouthful. He remembered working with Swann and ironically one of Lana's ancestors to fake the couple's deaths a decade earlier. Sister Clarise will want my head. Still, shouldn't Miranda and they know too? The truth is setting more free than I'd suppose.
"Lex? Good to hear from you. If you're calling, it must be an emergency. Angie said you were at the Kents earlier? How are they?" a male voice came on the line next. Heaviness sagged on Tone over the line.
"They're fine, Dave. They remember you of course. Mrs. Kent made your old Dijon ham in her crock pot. Talk about ironic. It kind of brought back Ms. Janet's turkey. At least, the kids could have a taste of that." Heavy Sigh came from Lex. "Are you sitting down?"
"Lex, I know that sigh. Something's wrong. What happened? Don't tell me the Lie-Boy figured things out about the Kents' boy." Dave gulped from his coffee.
"What?" Astonishment nearly dropped glass from Lex's hand. "Mr. Kent hinted at it. Seriously? You knew?"
"Of course, I know. So, the secret's out now, is it? Hopefully, only a few folks know for the kid's good. Warn your father. He goes near that farm, the kid or the Langs' daughter, a certain other kid comes for a visit." Dave drank from something. "And you know what that'll mean."
Lex rolled his eyes. On the one hand, Mayhem's Agent Provocateur would teach Lionel (yet another) lesson in Hubris. Still, that would stir things up with Arighatto. You made this call. You know you have to tell them. "Yeah. We all know the Big Kid's methods. Speaking of secrets, Dave, there's something else. Lana and I turned the Talon into a café recently. Our best waitress…her name is Miranda Arighatto. She's alive and here in Smallville! It's her. She remembers Angie, you and Randy."
Dave hissed through clenched teeth. Numbness crept across his scalp. Prayer muttered over the lines. "Wh…where's she? Where's Ari-Snotto?"
"He's not around right now. Miranda's probably back in town. I'm not sure. I figured you'd like to know." Lex sensed his friend's transformation on Phone's other end. "I figured I'd talk with you too. Dave knew. Of course, you know."
"Course Ah know! Kid should be more careful!" the Other growled. "La…na, Martha an' Jon..a…than?"
"They're fine." Lex relaxed. "You know. I make a few calls. You both can come back to life." He rattled Ice in his Glass. "You could have friends, careers and friends again."
"We got 'em now. Don' need Lie Boy stirrin' up trouble!" Dave's alter ego rasped. "Hate tha' twit! Ya be careful! Don' let that Twit find out. I mean it, Lexie! Na a word!"
Shudder spasmed through Lex's form. Yeah, I get it. Boy, do I get it. "Any chance you can pull one of your flash and poof numbers in the morning? They'd like to see you. Miranda will be in the Tal…Picture Place…you remember that?"
"Course Ah do!"
"I'm clear appointment-wise, Lex. We'll be there," Angie interjected.
"Thanks, Angie. I hope everyone's ready for a shock." Lex rolled his eyes. "First, Clark's deal and now you two. You'll both stay here of course. I can't wait to see Dad's face. Oh, he's blind."
"Still trouble! Yeah, you want watchin'?"
"Maybe over the Kent Farm. There's the library for Big Brother too." Lex heard Silence on other end. "Hello?"
"Ah'm 'ere. Lemme think 'bout that! Jus' wanna see Miri! 'ere's Little Woman. See ya later!" The Alter thrust the phone at Angie and stalked off.
"I haven't seen him this terse in a long time. You really think it's her?" Angie looked toward her companion.
"Lana calls her Miri too. She has the scar on her chin. The resemblance is uncanny. Angie, I think you two are needed here. I wouldn't ask for just anything. I think it's time." Lex regarded Lillian's visage once more.
Angie exhaled. "All right, Lex. We still have the farm here. It'd be great to see her again. We could work with the Kents as well. You have a good evening. I have to make some calls too. See you in the morning." She hung up.
Lex disconnected the call. He fingered through Photos once more. There, he found Graduation Day's photo of Dave, Angie and Laura Lang in Martha's kitchen. Hope the Kents are ready. I just found their watch dog. Smirk spread across his face.
Security just got stepped up…