Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.

A/N: I've been correcting piles of homework so today's update won't be too long. Still, I promise you there'll be more before the week's over.

CHAPTER 16: The Laptop

" What do you think you're doing, Chloe ? " stormed Lex into his sister-in-law's bedroom. " No stressful situations. That's what the doctor said. Didn't we agree you would stay in bed and let me handle everything ? "

" I remember quite clearly you ordered me to lie in bed, as to my agreeing... ."

" Don't you twist my words, Chloe. I've got enough on my plate to worry about what might happen to you when I'm not around, " he said, pacing up and down.

" Relax and sit down, Lex. You're making me dizzy. "

" Are you OK ? " he asked, approaching the bed. " Are you sick again ? "

" I'm fine, Lex. Just stay put. I have the impression we're on the high sea. "

" Sorry, " he responded, lowering himself in the armchair. " Why can't you simply leave things in my hands ? "

" You know me, Lex. I'm not much of a domestic type. What did you expect me to do ? Stay in bed all day long, browsing magazines and sipping coffee? "

" Bruce's shown me the security tapes. Lois was there yesterday morning to pick up Lucas' stuff. "

" Why did he show you the tapes ? What was it so strange about her... ."

" Don't patronise me, Chloe. You know damn well you sent her to collect something more than Lucas' photos and memorabilia. Your cousin was careful. She put her back to the camera to remove something from the bottom drawer so that it wasn't registered.It looked rather bulky. What was it ? Confidential files ? "

" Are you working for Wayne now, Lex ? Why's he so worried about what Lois has taken from that desk ? "

" Chloe, Bruce's trying to help, but he won't be able to do it if he doesn't know what we're up against. So... one more time... what was it so important than you had to send an emisary to sneak into your husband's office ? "

" His laptop. "

" His laptop ? "

" Yes. I thought I could find something useful there. "

" Something useful for the case ? "

" I'm not stupid, Lex. "

" I've never said you were, Chloe, but... "

" Listen. I know what you're thinking... that Lana's murder and Lucas' are connected and that you were the real target. Don't deny it, Lex. I know you. And maybe you're right. But there's something that's been bugging me these last six months. I'd like to be proven wrong, but I believe Lucas knew a lot more than we think. "

" What are you implying, Chloe ? "

" I've checked our savings account, Lex. There should be at least $ 50,000 in it. I know that amount may be small change to you, but it's a fortune to someone like me. It was our nest egg in case of an emergency, and it seems there was one and Lucas chose not to tell me about it. The account's clean, Lex. "

" When was the last time you had a look at the monthly statement ? "

" Lucas used to take care of our financial matters. I don't know... eight months ago, perhaps. "

" Have you accessed the bank website to consult the transactions done in the last few months ? "

" Yes, I've printed the information. Have a look at the statement. Lex, " said Chloe, handing him the document.

" Have you noticed the amount and frequency of the withdrawals ? "

" I know, Lex. What did Lucas got himself into ? "

" When someone makes regular withdrawals of similar amounts a word comes to mind: ' blackmail ', but it's too early to jump to any conclusion. Your face tells me this isn't the only information you've dug up, Chloe. What else have you found ? "

" I've checked his planner. He erased most of the entries for the last seven months, but I've managed to retrieve the files, " she said, displaying the information on the laptop screen. " Why don't you browse it ? See if anything calls your attention, " she added.

" There's a name that appears every ten days: Yang. "

" It sounds oriental, doesn't it ? "

" Definitely.But it could be a lot of things. A restaurant, a masseuse..., " he interrupted himself when he saw Chloe make a face." What ? Working for Bruce's a demanding job, Chloe. I'd engage the services of a masseuse to wind down. "

" Well... he didn't need one, Lex. She had me for that, " snapped Chloe.

" I don't know what you've inferred, Chloe, but I wasn't talking about that kind of masseuse, " he responded with a smirk.

" If the withdrawals are connected to this ' Yang ', their meetings were pretty expensive. "

" Have you got a phone book ? "

" Yes, it's in the living room. Open the top drawer of my desk. What do you need it for ? "

" A telephone number. "

" You're joking, aren't you ? "

" I promise I'll tell you in due time, Chloe. "

" I've got a right to know, Lex ! " she exclaimed flushed.

" And I've got the moral duty to see that nothing happens to you or the baby, Chloe. Please, I've already got three deaths on my conscience. So... for God's sake, let me do things my own way ! "

What do you think ? Any ideas about what Lucas might have been involved in ? Leave your review and you'll find out soon !