They were all searching the library but once again finding no body or clues.
"So that's how Lex did it," Lois said.
"Did what? Kill Lionel?" Oliver asked.
"No. This book is titled How to Become Richer than your Rich Father."
"You are always accusing me, Oliver and I have proof of my innocence. I think you did it and are trying to pin it on me," Lex said, as he glared threateningly at Oliver.
"I wish I could take the credit for doing the world a favor," Oliver said, glaring back.
"You guys need to calm down. I'm still of the opinion that this is some sort of game, but if somebody did do it, it wasn't Ollie," Lois said, walking to Oliver's side.
"Because he's your boyfriend?" Lex sneered.
"Because he's not a murderer," Lois replied.
"Lois, can I speak to you in the corner for a second?" Clark asked.
Lois let out an irritated sigh but followed him to a corner at the other end. "This better be good, Smallville."
"I don't think you should have so much trust in Oliver."
"What? You think Oliver is a killer?"
"Keep your voice down. I'm just saying the suspect list is getting shorter. If Oliver isn't guilty that only leaves you, me, and Mom. We're not killers, are we?"
"I know Oliver. He wouldn't kill someone."
"Really? How long have you known him? From what I know about him, he believes the end justifies the means."
All the hard resolve left her face, but she said, "I still need proof. In fact, I need proof that there was a murder."
When she went back over, Oliver reached out to take her hand, but Lois pretended that she didn't see it and continued looking around. It wasn't just what Clark had said. She had always had a feeling that there was a darker, more mysterious side to Oliver, but she had always ignored it. She never pressed to find or expose secrets from people she liked. Maybe she should. Look at all the trouble Lucy had gotten into by letting Lucy have her secrets and space. She didn't know what to do about Oliver. She was going to wait until this whole mystery was over before she decided whether or not to break up with him. He was so close to what she was looking for in a man, and being a billionaire was definitely a plus. How often did men without criminal records come around? Around her that is.
Lana was resting in an easy chair and flipping through a trashy romance novel.
"Is it good reading?" Lois asked sarcastically.
"I'm just reading the good parts until we're ready to move onto the next room. It's plain to see there's nothing in here."
"Maybe not but it never hurts to look." Lois bit her lip and then said, "Can I ask you something?"
Lana closed the book. "You mean like girl talk?" she asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
"Sort of, I guess. What do you think about Oliver?"
"Ollie? He's gorgeous. His arm muscles are shaped like a Greek god's."
"Your pregnancy hormones are really raging. I mean as a person."
"He's filthy rich."
"I already thought of that. He's polite, right?"
"I guess."
"And he cares about the world he lives in, right?"
"Probably so. If you're asking if he loves you, the proof is in the honesty. There should be no secrets between a couple."
"Sometimes people keep secrets from people they love, whether or not it's the right thing to do, but that's not what I'm asking. Do you think Oliver murdered Lionel or is capable of it?"
"No. I watched him when the lights were out. He didn't go anywhere."
"What do you mean you watched him?"
"Well, it was too dark to see details. I could only make out a faint outline. If you open your eyes extra wide and stare hard enough, your eyes adjust a little."
"Why were you staring at my boyfriend's outline?"
"I'm an artist. I'm interested in shapes."
Lois walked away and muttered, "Yeah, but what kind of shapes?"
She told everyone what Lana had said, the important part anyway, and Oliver was off the hook.
"I suggest we go to the lounge next," Lois said.
"Why the lounge?" Lex wanted to know.
"If my memory serves me correctly, it's closer than the conservatory. There should be another secret passage, and where's a better place to stash a body or for a still living man to hide?"