It was very dark in the passageway, as they felt their way along. It seemed to be going underground and back up. Suddenly, Lana let out a bloodcurdling scream.
"Lana, are you okay?" Clark asked her.
"Th-there was a spider on my arm."
Even though it was dark, it was evident from Lois' sigh that she was rolling her eyes.
"It'll be okay. You've been in far scarier situations than spiders," Martha told her reassuringly.
At last, they came to the end of the tunnel, and there was the same kind of secret doorway.
"I don't suggest using a hatchet in the dark," Lois said. "Somebody want to help me feel how to get it open?"
Clark was closest. He located the switch that made it swing open. They came out into Lex's study.
"Surprise, surprise!" Lois said. "A secret passageway connecting the kitchen and study."
Lex looked confused. He shut the door and felt the faint cracks in the wall. "This has to have been put in recently. I would've seen this."
"So someone was doing construction in your study and kitchen, and you didn't know?" Oliver asked him.
"We don't have time to waste arguing," Clark told everyone. "Look around for more clues."
"Don't forget the body," Lois said.
They all started looking around.
"I'll look through my desk," Lex said.
"So you can hide the evidence?" Oliver asked.
"Hey, I'm the only one that has been proven not guilty, so far."
Lana set down the glass of water she had poured to wash down the chicken from earlier. "What about me?" she asked with a pouty expression.
"What about you?" Lex asked.
"I'm not guilty. I never left the dining room."
"Don't I know it. I can certainly vouch for her."
"How?" Oliver asked.
"I had a hard time focusing on writing my message with Lana's heavy breathing. No offense darling, but your huffing and puffing could have blown the house down. I've been meaning to tell you that you might want to consider a weight loss program. You've put on a few pounds, especially in your abdomen region."
"That's because I'm— " she said angrily and then finished with, "I'll consider it."
Martha had stopped and was now suspiciously eying Lana's stomach, and then continued walking as if to say it was none of her business.
Lex gave a satisfied nod and continued searching through his desk drawers. "I'm glad you see things my way. I can't let my girlfriend run around like some fat lady in the circus."
Lana regained her anger and said, "Lex, I think we need to talk."
"I'm busy," he replied.
"Out in the hallway, now!" she told him.
Since they had both been cleared, no one saw it as a problem for them to have a private conversation. Lex came back in clearly angry, and Lana followed and had clearly been crying.
The 6 of them kept looking in a tense silence until Lois interrupted, "I'd say we've searched this room to death. Sorry, probably not the best phrase to use right now."
They all began to head for another room. Lana fell toward the back and pulled Lois aside.
"Can I live with you?"
"Excuse me?" Lois asked.
"Lex is kicking me out. I'm pregnant with Pete Ross' child."
"Why don't you live with Pete then?"
"He's in college. I don't want him to feel that he has to stop and support us. I'll tell him about the baby after he finishes school. I've already broke up with Pete."
"I sort of feel sorry for you, but I couldn't deal with having a baby around. Plus, Clark is over a lot, and it might make things awkward. If you want my opinion, tell Pete. From what I hear, he's a good man. You guys could work out some kind of arrangement."
Clark came back into the study. "You two shouldn't lag behind. You have to stay with the group."
"What are you trying to say, Smallville? Lana has been proven innocent and that only leaves me. Do you think I'm the killer?"
"Of course not, Lois. We all just need to stay together until the killer is found."
"Now what are you trying to say? You can't trust anyone right now. That's how you get yourself killed. I could be a killer if I wanted to be. Miss Scarlet has been found guilty before you know."
Clark sighed. "Fine. I won't make any opinions one way or the other. You're on my suspect list. Now will you come out?"
They joined the group and headed for the library.