Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.
A/N: Well... you know... the usual. Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave your review when you're done.
CHAPTER 18: The Chinese Connection
" Where's Lois ? " asked Lex when he arrived at Chloe's apartment and found her alone.
" She had a call from Metropolis. They needed her back. White's sending Clark away on a special assignment, and you know what this is like. The newspaper can't do without its two star journalists. "
" Why didn't you phone me, Chloe ? "
" I'm pregnant, Lex. I'm not an invalid. I can take care of myself. Besides, Lois has been gone an hour, and I knew you'd call on me around this time. "
"I don't like you to be alone in your state. Can't Vicki keep you some company ? "
" She's my friend, Lex, not my slave. I cannot expect her to put her life on hold to be at my disposal. "
" What about inviting Clark's mum over ? I know she wouldn't mind. "
" Lex, I appreciate your concern. The doctor said ' rest ' and I'm resting. He didn't say anything about putting other people's lives upside down. "
" Well... then I'll stay. "
" You ? You've got thousands of things on your mind and a corporation to run, not to mention that project with Bruce. "
" I can run my business from here. I only need a phone, a fax and my laptop, Chloe. "
" You'll set up camp in my living-room ? " asked Chloe.
" If that's how you want it... "he said tersely.
" I need space, Lex. I feel choked in here, and to be honest, I... "
" You'll have to get used to my presence, Chloe, because I won't leave you alone while there's someone out there who's killing my family. "
" What's Yang, Lex ? And don't you dare lie to me. You know I can find out the truth on my own. "
" I've always admired that in you, " he answered, looking at her straight in the eye and tugging a strand of her hair behing her ear.
" What were looking up in that phone book, Lex ? " asked a flushed Chloe.
" An address, " he answered, leaving her side on the sofa to sit in an armchair across her.
" An address ? And have you found it ? "
" Yes, " he stated, letting his eyes roam the room.
" Lex, tell me. I can take whatever it is you've found out. "
" Yang is a gambling house, Chloe. It's located in a disreputable part of Gotham. "
" Is it run by orientals ? "
" By Chinese. I did some research this afternoon. The management has connections with the Chinese mob, Chloe. You see now why I'm more concerned than ever about your safety ? "
" What business did Lucas have with them ? "
" The first thing that came to my mind was the obvious... "
" Gambling ? Lucas never gambled, Lex. He didn't buy even a lottery ticket while we were married. "
" No, he wouldn't. When he used to gamble he staked large sums and played poker. "
" When he gambled ? "
" What can I say, Chloe ? He was reckless. It's in our veins, but Lucas should have known better than to put his family in danger. "
" Do you believe they had him killed because he owed them gambling money ? "
" I think there's more to it than gambling, Chloe. "
" Let me show you something, Lex, " she said, turning on her computer. " I've copied Lucas' hard drive, " she explained, opening some confidential files.
" Chloe, Bruce'll kill us. "
" What ? Aren't you interested in your competitor's plans ? "
" Remember we're partners now, and what you're suggesting is called corporative espionage. "
" When has that stopped you, Lex ? Besides, this concerns you. The reports, e-mails and confidential memos refer to the ' Terra ' project. The e-mails are particularly interesting. "
" Are they internal ? "
" Some of them are, but the most cryptic ones came from an account outside the company. Lucas wrote to this address almost daily, and he got e-mails from it with a similar regularity. I've traced the account. They did a pretty good job at covering up the location, but I've managed to get it. The original source for the e-mails is in Bejing, Lex. "
So... how did you like this latest installment ? Are you eager to read more soon ?