When Clark arrived at work that Friday, Chloe was already there. She'd obviously been there awhile, as her desk was covered with loose papers, print outs, and several notebooks with messy scribbles, the distinctive shorthand of Chloe Sullivan.
"Kent, glad you're here. Take a look at what my contact from the DMV found," Chloe only called Clark by his last name when she was in serious reporter mode. Clark reached out and took the sheet Chloe had offered him.
"Is this the info on the person from last night?" Clark asked as he read down the names. There were just under one hundred names on the list, but only twelve were registered vehicles in the Metropolis Metro Area.
"Yes, and of the twelve names that I've circled, there are two possibilities with connections to Luthorcorp," Chloe stood as she said this, and using her pencil she pointed out the two names. "I think we can safely eliminate one of them, and that only leaves the other."
The name Chloe safely eliminated was Perry White, the illustrious editor of The Daily Planet. No way, Clark thought. The other name was Katherine Trumpet.
"What makes you think it's this Katherine Trumpet person?" Clark asked.
"Well, I did a quick search, and found that Katherine Trumpet is one of many programmers currently working at Luthercorp, specifically, on this I.O.N.A. project. She worked directly with Dr. Lotz on most of the project for the past year and half. She was also involved, at one time, with Lionel Luthor. I found this photograph in the Society pages of The Daily Planet. It's from just over 2 years ago. Apparently Katherine attended many formal dinners, and gala events with Lionel," Chloe handed Clark a printout of the photograph. A fairly young, blond woman was standing next to Lionel Luthor. The caption read, Lionel Luthor, CEO and President of Luthorcorp, made a donation of one million dollars to the new Pediatrics Cardiology wing of Metropolis Memorial Hospital, accompanying Mr. Luthor at the dedication is Katherine Trumpet.
"This is just one of many mentions I found of them," Chloe waved her hand at the paper Clark held. She moved back towards her desk. "But, that's not even the most interesting part," Chloe's eyes danced.
Clark looked up at Chloe when she didn't continue. She was staring at him, and when he saw the look in her eye, and knew it could only mean one thing.
Chloe saw his realization setting in, and nodded, handing him another Society page article, this time the photograph featured Lionel Luthor with a beaming Lila Lotz. They were sipping champagne and talking with the Mayor.
"Yes, our lovely Dr. Lotz was the woman who stole Lionel from under Katherine Trumpet," Chloe grinned with obvious joy.
To Clark it suddenly made sense. Why Lila had been so interested in his relationship with the Luthor's; her mentioning her relationship ending because of the man going missing. Suddenly another thought occurred to Clark.
He looked at Chloe, his expression changing from that of shock, to that of concern.
"She doesn't know Lionel is dead," Clark tossed the paperwork on his desk. "I need to warn her before she finds out some other way."
Chloe's grin faded a bit. Of course he would want to protect her. That's what Clark Kent does, she thought. Chloe grabbed the DMV records off Clark's desk and shoved them in his hand.
"Take this, maybe Lila will open up about her history, and we can find out who Katherine Trumpet is working with."
"Thanks Chloe, and will you-"
Chloe nodded before Clark finished his sentence.
"I'll tell Perry something if he asks," she said. "Just go."
Clark was heading out the door when he almost collided with Lois.
"Whoa, watch it big guy," Lois laughed as Clark slipped around her, mumbling an apology. Then he was gone.
"He sure does disappear fast, and often," Lois commented, setting her things at her desk and glancing back at the door.
Chloe smiled to herself. She felt honored to be the one that could help guard Clark's secret. But she also felt horrible about having to lie, especially to Lois.
"I have been busy this morning," Chloe diverted the conversation slightly, and proceeded to tell Lois all about the Lionel Luthor/Lila Lotz/Clark Kent love triangle.
Lila sat in her hotel room. She hadn't moved for ten minutes at least. She'd heard knocking on the door, but she couldn't make her brain tell her legs to move.
Finally, when she heard Clark's voice calling her name, her paralyzation broke, and she somehow made it to the door. She unlocked and opened the door to Clark's anxious face.
Lila turned and walked back into the hotel room. Clark's face fell. The expression on Lila's face told him she'd already heard about Lionel.
He followed her into the hotel room, where the television was tuned to one of the many twenty-four hour news channels available. The weather was on currently, but as he watched the screen he saw the text crawl across the bottom. iLionel Luthor, CEO and President of Luthorcorp has been confirmed dead, FBI makes no further comment at this time/i.
Clark looked from the television to Lila. He could tell she had been crying. He approached and sat on the bed next to her.
"I was hoping to get here before you found out like this," Clark said, awkwardly.
"Are you angry that I didn't tell you about my relationship with him?" Lila asked, sniffing.
"No," Clark said, unsure how he felt.
"You must think I'm a horrible person for caring about a man like Lionel. I knew some of the things he'd been involved in, in the past. But he was different with me. At least I like to think he was," Lila looked at her hands.
"It's not like I loved him or anything," she added. "Or maybe I did, on some level, but it was a relationship of convenience, for both of us. It's just such a shock. We were close for over a year. I know I joked last night about him being dead, but I never really thought it would be true."
Clark just listened, feeling that all Lila needed to do was talk this out with someone. He offered her his hand, and she took it. She traced the veins on the back of it with the index finger of her free hand.
"I definitely didn't feel about Lionel, the way I am starting to feel about you," she said this without looking up. Clark swallowed hard. He didn't know how to respond to her, and he felt his face getting hot.
"I don't know what to say to Lex about all this," she looked to Clark, unaware of the moment that passed between them. "What do you think?"
Clark took a few deep breaths, thankful that she didn't notice his moment of uncertainty.
"In my experience, with Lex, when it concerns his father, it's best to let him make the decision about discussing it. If you think the situation will hinder your working with Lex, I wouldn't mention it. But honestly, he probably already knows about your relationship. That's how Lex and Lionel operate. They each spy on the other, then try and play each other against the information they've collected," Clark tried to explain.
Just then the hotel phone rang. Lila closed her eyes. She sighed, and then stood up slowly. She released Clark's hand and walked to the phone. She picked up the receiver.
"Lila Lotz," she answered in a monotone voice. She listened for a few minutes, and hung up without another word.
Clark looked at her curiously. She flopped back onto the bed, turning the television off on her way.
"That was Nina, Lex's personal assistant. Luthorcorp offices are closed today, in light of the announcement of Lionel Luthor's death," Lila explained.
"I should probably go in anyway, as I have a huge problem to fix with regards to I.O.N.A. 1," she closed her eyes.
"My advice is to take it easy. Don't do more than you can. If you can't concentrate on work, I wouldn't waste your time at the lab," Clark offered, supportively.
"I however, need to get back to uThe Planet/u," Clark stood.
"Can I call you for lunch?" he asked.
Lila nodded, and wrote her hotel number, and her cell number on a piece of the hotel stationary.
Clark was about to open the door to leave when he remembered the DMV information Chloe had collected.
"Oh, I almost forgot," he spun quickly, whipping out the folded data sheet he was carrying in his jacket pocket. Lila looked at him, questioningly.
"What's this?" Lila asked as Clark handed the paper to her.
"It's information about the partial license plate I saw last night. A lead on who might be following you," Clark pointed to the name.
"Does the name Katherine Trumpet mean anything to you?"
Lila looked at him and shrugged.
"I worked with her at my lab back home. She's a programmer, part of Dr. Hines' crew, specifically," Lila stated.
"I didn't know she lived in Metropolis," she added, but Lila had no idea why Katherine Trumpet would be interested in following her.
"Did you know she was involved with Lionel before he hired you?" Clark asked. Lila raised her eyebrows when he said this.
"No," she said softly, looking back down at the page. "I didn't."
"I'm going to do a little more investigating into Katherine. Promise me that if you go to the lab, or anywhere, that you are careful. Call me if anything weird happens," Clark handed her his business card. Phone, fax, email, pager, all means of contact were noted.
"I'll be careful. You as well," Lila gave him a look that meant serious business.
Clark smiled to himself. If only she knew, he thought.
"I will," he said. "See you in a little while?"
Lila nodded, and Clark headed back to The Daily Planet.