LUTHORCORP-Wednesday 3rd-Morning
After a restless night, Lex got up early and drove his silver Porsche to Metropolis at a breakneck pace. He arrived at his office earlier than Jennifer and jumped off his swivel chair when he heard her knock at his door announcing the morning mail.
" Here are the reports you asked for yesterday, Mr Luthor. There are a couple of letters for you to sign and there's an envelope addressed to you marked Private. "
" Thank you, Jennifer. Would you pour me a cup of strong coffee with two sugars, please ? "
"Certainly, sir. "
"And, Jennifer ? "
" Yes ? "
" Don't transfer any calls. Make a note of any urgent messages. Say I'm in a meeting and can't be disturbed. "
He sat at his desk and, taking the paper knife, fingered the envelope to guess at its contents. There was no return address again but his name was written in the same femenine handwriting. He slit it open, took the contents out and unfolded the paper. It was sheet music with an inscription at the top: " Precious. First Movement-The Night I Played for You " His eyes scanned the music and he started to hear the melancholy tune being played by a sublime violin. He set down his cup of coffee on the saucer, spilling half of its contents on the blotter and got up to pour himself a glass of bourbon. He picked up the sheet again and finished reading the music. He couldn't remember feeling that moved in his life.
SUMMERHOLT NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE-Wednesday 3rd-Afternoon
" Make it five minutes this time, Dr Garner. Remember who's funding your research. "
" You're the boss, Lex. But these sessions must come to an end pretty soon unless you want to give that imprisoned father of yours the pleasure of ending up a vegetable. "
" We'll stop as soon as I get the answers I'm looking for. "
" I hope, for your sake and my licence, you'll get them this time. "
METROPOLIS 2003
MORGAN EDGE'S RESIDENCE
Lex had hired the services of the best private detective in Metropolis to carry out a complete investigation on Lionel's adolescence, his friends and early associates back in Suicide Slums. The PI had provided him with a very interesting dossier on Edge and the information pointed at his being a possible conspirator in the killing of Lex's grandparents. For this reason, Lex approached Edge with a business proposition that knew would interest him and started plotting to get from him what he needed to bring Lionel down. A big window of opportunity presented itself when Lex was invited to a dinner party at Morgan Edge's residence.
The mansion was already packed with some of the richest names in the city when Lex walked through the front door. On seeing Lionel's son, Edge made excuses and left the group he was entertaining to come and shake hands.
" I'm glad you could make it, Lex. I'm really interested in your proposal, by the way. "
" I knew you would, Mr Edge. "
" Call me, Morgan, Lex. "
" I'd rather stick to formalities if you don't mind, Mr Edge. We aren't on such intimate terms yet. Although, I hope we'll be able to do business together. "
" Suit yourself, Lex. I've already been told you were a tough nut to crack. But, come, please. I'll show you around, we'll talk about business some other time. "
Lex found the ambience as false and pretencious as could be expected from the nouveaux riches and began to think he wouldn't get anything that night except a splitting headache. He tried to make the party more bearable resorting to Edge's excellent bourbon- booze being the only remedy that seemed to work lately when it came to numb the bitterness he felt towards his father. He was about to ask the barman to pour him another drink when he spotted her standing in a corner ready to escape.
" Another bourbon, sir ? " asked the barman.
" No, thanks. I think I've drunk enough for one night, " responded Lex, making his way to the conservatory door through which he had seen the girl slip away.
Edge might lack breeding but he had very good taste in drinks and kept the best conservatory he'd seen since Lillian's, and Lex's mother had been more an expert gardener. There were hundreds of specimens, some so exotic he had only seen them in books, but the most alluring of them all was standing in the middle of the room with her back to him. He came closer to her and noticed she was studying a white cape jasmine.
" Its Latin name's Gardenia jasminoides, cape jasmine. It was my mother's favourite too. "
On hearing his voice, the girl turned around slowly and Lex got lost in the depths of her chocolate eyes. Stunned, he recognised in her the girl from the litttle café across Luthorcorp Plaza.
" This is a pleasant surprise.I'd have never dreamt of finding you here. Let me introduce myself, Miss ... "
" I know who you are, Mr Luthor, " she said in a low musical voice.
" It seems you've met my sister's daughter Julie, Lex, " interrupted Edge.
" Your sister must be an exquisite lady, Edge, " answered Lex, looking at a blushing Julie all the time.
" She certainly was. "
" I'm sorry, I didn't know she was dead. "
" She passed away when Julie was ten and my niece's been living with me since then. Now, honey, as much as you'd like to stay hidden in here you must remember your promise. They're waiting for you. "
" Uncle, I said I'd think about it but... "
" You owe it to me. Show me what you're really made of. "
Lex felt like knocking Edge down for talking to her in such terms but he needed him to carry out his plan. He saw Julie collect herself and reenter the house walking in front of them. Morgan clapped his hands and asked his guests to sit down and enjoy Julie's recital. Meanwhile, Lex chose to stand at the back of the room from where he had a clear view of the platform and the violinist.
Julie tuned up the instrument and, after raising her eyes to Lex, started to play a haunting melody that brought instant tears to his eyes. All the while, the girl kept her eyes locked on his as if there were nobody else in the room. However, the spell was suddenly broken by the vicious comments of a couple of hags. " She could have played something a little bit less depressing, couldn't she ?" " No wonder she's still alone. " " I've heard Morgan doesn't know what to do with her."
Julie stopped in the middle of her performance and stormed out of the room with tears streaming down her cheeks.
" You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, Mr Edge. You should choose your friends better. "
" They aren't my friends, Lex, you should know better than that. "
" I realise you wanted to show off but you've done your niece a great disservice. Don't bother to show me the door. I know my way out. "
" Will we still do business together ? "
" We'll definitely stick to business, Edge. Goodnight. "
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