Chapter 28 [Luthor Mansion—Fifteen Minutes Earlier]
Lex took Coffee's draught from his mug. Laptop's Intercept of Police Band spewed forth Updates. He shook his head. Even with all of our precautions, Arighatto still knew about that meeting! Are you kidding me? Hand slapped Table shaking everything up. I really hoped to slip Dave and Angie in here under the radar.
"I just hope that the Big Kid doesn't get himself killed." Dread washed across Angie's consciousness. She recalled Arighatto's last ambush at Trails' End Mall years before. Ninjas and Gangsters combined for Injuries and Damage. Death claimed Miranda's mother and nearly the Child at that point. Bomb claimed Family and Friends hours later.
Virgil Swann, Lex and others constructed a new life for them. Benefactors faked their deaths. Silence descended over Wabash. Neighbors looked the other way. Friends kept secure eye out. Fifteen Years Passed and Silence remained….
…until now…
Lex coughed. "Angie, that fight wasn't here. Given how angry the Big Kid is, my money's on him. I haven't forgotten the funerals or the other fights. I'm more worried he'll kill Arighatto myself. I wanted Dave and you to have a nice welcome. Miranda gets the surprise of her life. Mrs. Kent has a great welcome dinner planned. Maybe I make a few calls and open some doors for you both?"
"Lex, we still have the farm." Angie sniffed. She walked over to the window. Her eyes surveyed Gardens and Well Cared For Meadow stretching to Woods' Edge. Imagination thought of rides through those woods between the Kents' and there. Perhaps, Opportunities would open up at the Smallville Medical Center or Metropolis General. It's so tempting. "They'd never let Dave teach at Met U. or the Community College."
"Ah! Already my son ponders breaking the rules!" Lionel tapped Cane back and forth across the floor. He stopped short. "I smell perfume. I'm sorry, Lex. I did not know you were entertaining another overnight guest. I shall leave you in private." Hand slithered across Table. Sniff registered Tea's fragrance. "How thoughtful though, Lex. I am indeed in the mood for this tea." He drank it down. "Thank you for that at least. I shall leave you to your companion. When shall we take her back?"
She cleared her throat. "And good morning to you too, Mr. Luthor." She walked over to Lionel. "Lex told us about your accident. I am sorry to hear about it. I do realize it has been a long time."
"What? Lex, that voice?" Recognition grasped her voice but couldn't place it. "I know it. It has been a long time. If only I had my sight." He stared through Dark Lenses at her. "I want to say somewhere back East."
"You should, Dad. Your friend, Hansei Arighatto, tried to kill her husband and her fifteen years ago. Up until last night, the world thought they were dead. That's right. They are from back East." Annoyance jabbed from Lex's tone. "Sorry. This isn't the time for twenty questions. We have a serious situation at the high school right now."
"Oh? And what is it? Perhaps another story about how my friend has demonic powers? Perhaps you might call that wretch, Dubois, and get a ghost story or some such nonsense?" Lionel scoffed at them both. "Perhaps, the Good Doctor might tell us something? Yes, Dr. Dubois, I recognize your voice and perfume."
Eyes rolled. "Really? This is a new fragrance. We haven't talked in at least fifteen years? Back then, I was a student at Columbia. You couldn't even be bothered to support your son as his hair was falling out. That is interesting." She took a draught of coffee.
"She's got a point, Dad." Lex smiled. He liked Confidence and Backbone on display in her. Tacit Point scored from Verbal Jabs. Whatever you've done, Dave, it's sure working. This sure isn't the same girl from Wabash High. "Funny, you call it nonsense. I call it your personal responsibility. So did Mom."
"Lex, she got her head wrapped up in those fantasies! There are no witches or wizard! There wasn't anything in Canada or France! Really!" Denial spat from Lionel's mouth.
"Nothing? NOTHING?" She ground her teeth. "Do you know what Dave and I have been through? What about his previous wife? HUH? What about my friend, Talia? Dave's grandmother and grandfather? Laura Lang? Peggy Masters? YOUR OWN WIFE? And you still say it's nothing?" She rubbed her forehead.
"Even a doctor like yourself? Really?" Lionel scoffed. Chill dimpled his skin. "What?"
"Don' strain yer pea brain, Lie Boy. Ah don' wan' a mess!" The Child melted from Shadow into View. "Ah jus' cleaned up yer crap. Ari-Snotto's done." Snigger grated from Clenched Teeth. Scar and Left Eye glowed in unison. "Bet he's sure singin' bout ya'll, Ding Bat."
"Oh, the insane lunatic raves some more! There's always more. Remember, Dubois, you're in my mansion! You show respect! PUNK!" Lionel raised his hand to smack the Dark One's face.
"Dad, careful please! You're waving the red flag in front of the bull. Now, as much as I would like the entertainment, he said it. I really don't want the mess. Quit while you're ahead." Lex shook his head.
The Child rolled his open eye. He said not a word. Rather, his feet whispered but a few inches to the right. Smirk spread across his face.
Lionel feinted with the slap toward his previous location. Hand pivoted and went for Backhand instead. Halfway, Telekinetic Vice seized it in place.
"Now, how'd ya know Ah was 'ere, Lie Boy?" Sarcastic Snort raspberried from the Child's mouth. "Ah was real quiet."
"I'd like to know too." She walked over. She reached for Lionel's glasses.
"Dr. Dubois, I protest! Do not touch me!" Indignity spat Protest from Lionel. He struggled to free his hand.
"Come on, Dad. You're busted anyway. Just come clean." Lex shrugged. He rolled his eyes at this anticipated outcome. Clark thought Dad was blind when… He bowed his head. Clark! Something else to tell the Kents! Damn it!
She eased Lionel's glasses off. She noted Lionel trying to look absently at her. "You can't fool an empath, Mr. Luthor. I am a trained doctor as well. Remember?"
"SO? YOU'RE TRYING TO HURT ME! I'LL HAVE YOUR LICENSE FOR THIS! YOU WILL NEVER PRACTICE AGAIN!" With his free hand, Lionel grabbed right at his glasses. Then, Scowl curled his mouth. "You freaks still are the same! Ungrateful! Irritating!"
"Takes one to know one, Mr. Luthor. Of course, I could have one of my colleagues ask your doctor about your medical records. When did you recover your sight? Perhaps, my lawyer could subpoena your phone records? Did you talk to Arighatto? Did you set up the adoption for him and legitimize Miranda's kidnapping? HOW COULD YOU? HOW?" She got right up in his face.
"Now there are some questions, Dad. Am I going to find a call from here to Arighatto? I'd better not." Lex frowned. "How did he know to be back here, Dad? I mean he risked being arrested for what? To take a shot at some high school kids? Seriously?" Lex quirked an eyebrow. Final Outcome didn't have to be wrangled over. "Dad, you're done here. I don't care where you go or how you deal with things. I can't stand the sight of you. You took advantage of my charity and others! Really?"
"You're weak, Lex. Fine. Have your victory. I will be back. Meantime, I'll make arrangements for a place to live." Lionel shattered Dark Glasses against Wall. He left the cane there as well. "I'll start packing."
"I'm afraid you aren't going anywhere, Mr. Luthor." Ethan stood next to the butler. He held out a pair of handcuffs. "You're under arrest."
"WHAT? For what, Sheriff Ethan? This has to be some misunderstanding!" Protest after Protest spewed from Lionel's mouth. "On what charge?"
"Mr. Luthor, Hansei Arighatto is charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping across state lines, breaking and entering school grounds, felony battery on minors and tax fraud. Furthermore, he has indicted you in said charges." Ethan froze at the couple. "What the…?" He turned to Lex. "Mr. Luthor?"
"I know. Yes, obviously they are not dead. They were protected from Arighatto and my father. Unfortunately, their families and our friends were not so lucky. Neither were their kids, Sheriff Ethan. I was about to throw him out. He's all yours." Lex bowed his head. Regret sagged over his heart. Mom, I know you don't want this to happen. It's about time Dad paid for his crimes.
Ethan twisted the now-free right hand behind Lionel's back. He snapped the handcuff around that hand. Then he secured the left one. "Lionel Luthor, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, assisted murder, aiding and abetting the kidnapping of a minor across state lines. I am sure we can find more when we look, Sir. Come along." He pulled Lionel from the room.
"They can be roomies." The Child groused. He waited for Ethan and Lionel to be out of earshot. "Clarkie's in another room 'ere. He's bein' treated."
"Clark? Treated? What happened? Arighatto?" Lex stared at the Dark One. Panic raced his heart. Chills shot through him over Kents' reaction.
"Boy got tagged good with tha' cold fire. Dee Dee's workin' on 'im. Ah got there jus' in time." The Child spat on the floor. "Damn Twit! Ari-Snotto 'most killed 'im!"
"It's okay. Show us?" Lex rubbed his friend's arm. "Which room?"
"T'is way!" the Child stomped into the passage. "'MON!" He beckoned them forward with a wave of his hand.
"Let's go, Lex!" She rushed after him. What will we tell Mr. and Mrs. Kent? Good grief! Magical Mayhem played Havoc in their lives already. They'll never forgive us. We wait so long. And now this?
The things you do, Dad. At least, you're going to be in jail for a long time. Foreboding jumped at Potential Issues for both LuthorCorp and LexCorp. Still, Lex had been a friend to the couple in all regards. He imagined the Kents would speak up as well. So, help me! Clark had better be all right! Lex was right behind her in that quest to reach Clark's side.
Questions answered. More questions pop up….