"Don't lie for me, Mrs. Kent."
"Don't lie for me, Lois."
"Everyone knows you're not capable of murder. You're too nice."
"The nicest people can be driven to murder."
"I'm the one with the temper and violent streak."
"You're also the loyal one, who would willingly go to jail for someone they care about."
"I could say the same thing about you."
"That's enough," Lex said. "It's obvious that the real murderer isn't going to confess or I should say that the fake murderer isn't going to unconfess. We're just going to have to find evidence to eliminate one of you."
Clark, who still looked stunned and a little sick, led the way through the trap door. It was a long, dark passage that came out into the conservatory. Once again neither the body nor the clues were in there.
"Before we continue," Clark said, "I'd like to speak to Lois."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Lana asked. "She could be—"
Clark interrupted, "I'll take my chances."
He took her in the back behind the bushes. "Tell me the truth. I know you didn't kill Lionel, Lois, and neither did my mom. What was the secret Lionel had on you? It might prove it wasn't you, if it was trivial."
"If I killed Lionel because he knew, what makes you think I'd tell you?"
"I am positive this is a trick of some kind. The real murder planted that perfume there to frame you or mom. Maybe you were right all along, and Lionel is playing a game. We have yet to find a body."
"I'll tell you what Lionel had on me but I'm not unconfessing. Lucy has been involved in illegal activity, and he was threatening to turn her in, which would put her away for life. I don't know what's the matter with that girl. It won't do any good to track her down and try to reason with her or discipline her. People only change if they want to. That's something the General doesn't seem to understand. I hope she stays alive and out of jail long enough for that to happen."
Clark saw that despite her outward composure, she had a worried look in her eye. He hugged her and said, "She'll turn out fine just like her big sister. This night will turn out fine, but first you have to be honest. You know you didn't do it, and surely you know my mother didn't do it. You didn't need proof to know I'm not a killer, which by the way I never did thank you for, so thanks. Give my mother that same faith."
"You're right. Let's go figure this thing out once and for all." She returned the hug.
"Now if I can only convince my mother to stop confessing."
They didn't like the smug look on Lex's face, when they returned to the group. He said, "Lana just pointed out something helpful for once. Lois was wedged between Oliver and Clark. She couldn't have snuck away without disturbing them. Martha, however, was right on the end. We have our murderer. I'm calling the police."
Lois snatched away the cell phone Lex was dialing on. "Martha Kent did not do it!"
"Don't obstruct justice, Miss Lane," Lex growled.
"This coming from the king of obstructers," Lois said, walking away from Lex and to Martha. "Mrs. Kent, I confessed to save you, and I know you did the same for me. We have to find the real killer."
"I don't think it matters who did it. We all know Lionel deserved to die," Martha said.
"Mom, how could you say that? I thought you were the one who thought Lionel was trying to be good. You liked him."
"I was wrong. You reap what you sow, and Lionel reaped. I didn't want to tell you what the secret was because you have enough on your plate, but it seems I have no choice. Lionel is partly to blame for your father's death, and who knows how many others died by his hands, unintentionally or intentionally."
"Everyone knows my father was evil," Lex said. "That's not the point. The point is Martha is the only possible suspect."
"Shut up, Lex," Clark said. "I want to be angry, Mom, but truthfully, I pity Lionel. Dad died a good and godly man, who is still missed. I don't think the same thing can be said for Lionel."
"You're right, honey. May God have mercy on his soul."
"Touching," Lex said, clapping. "A splendid performance by Martha Kent, but that doesn't erase her guilt. The police are still going to be called."
"No, they're not," Lois said. "Don't worry, Mrs. Kent. You're not going to prison. I'm going to call every person I know, including the president. Somebody can help."
"You know the president?" chorused everyone in the room.
"Well, not personally, but my father is a 3 star general, and let's not forget Mrs. Kent is a senator. He'll talk to me. Does anybody know his number? I don't exactly have it on speed dial."
"Lois, I appreciate your enthusiasm for helping my mom, but even if he would talk to you, what's he going to do? Drop everything and grant a pardon for a new senator accused of murder?"
"Maybe I should think smaller. What about Chloe? She's got a knack for clearing up a mystery, and she's not the law. We need a fresh perspective."
sss
When Chloe, who was in Smallville for the weekend, came through the conservatory door 10 minutes later, she gave them all a weird look.
"What?" Lois asked testily.
"Did you know you're all dressed up like Clue characters?"
They all looked at each other. They had been here so long and had been so distracted by the murder, they had forgotten that minor detail.
"Never mind. It's not important," Chloe said. "Although when I play Clue on the computer, it always ends up being Professor Plum. It has to be a glitch in the game. Anyway, where's the body?"
"We're still in the process of finding his body," Lois said.
"What have you been doing then?"
"We've been eliminating suspects, only that hasn't turned out so well. Nobody seems to have done it," Clark said.
"What about the servants?"
"There are no servants here tonight," Lex spoke up.
"Then why was there a butler hiding in the hall, when I came in?"
"It's always the butler," Lana said in a philosophical manner.