Disclaimer: see chapter 1.

A/N: here's a three-part installment for those of you who were eager to find out what the hell that blade of grass had to do with the murder investigation. There's Bruce and Clark, Bruce and Lex ( I'm glad you're enjoying both associations ) and an obnoxious Lois, who'll interact with our favourite couple.

Good reading !

CHAPTER 22: Cymbopogon Nardus

Bruce Wayne's Mansion

" I knew Alfred was a man of many talents, but I didn't know he was such a superb cook, " Lex praised Bruce's faithful butler.

" I have a first-class chef I brought with me from France two years ago, but whenever he's got a day off, Alfred does his magic with the pots ans pans. He dotes on you, Lex. He never cooks when there are guests. "

" Well, I tried to steal him from you in the past. He's the ultimate servant- although I can't think of him as being servile. I have a great respect for the man. "

" You know, Lex, your acceptance of my dinner invitation for tonight surprised me. And then I got a call from Vicki to ask if you were staying the night here, and things became quite intriguing. How come you've relinquished your role of protector tonight ? "

" I was about to leave for the office when Vicki dropped by and offered to stay overnight. "

" That's not what she said. She told me, in very colourful language, you talked her into baby-sitting. "

" She could have refused. "

" What's up with you and Chloe, Lex ? "

" Listen, Bruce. As much as I appreciate what you've done for me, it's not in me to discuss personal matters with anyone. Please, don't take offence. Now, if you'd rather I stayed somewhere else tonight, just say the word and I'll check in at Gotham Plaza. "

" You're welcome to stay here as long as you wish, Lex. It wasn't my intention to pry. Please, accept my apologies. How about tasting some of this 1940's bourbon ? "

" It sounds great. "

" I talked to Gordon this morning, " he added, pouring two tumblers." There's some news about the case. They found evidence on the rooftop they had overlooked. It was lying under a grid. Cymbopogon nardus. "

" Lemongrass ? "

" Yes, also called ' citronella '. "

" It's commonly used in oriental cuisine. How did it get to the rooftop ? Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Bruce ? "

" That the sniper took it there ? Yes. "

" Have they run any tests on it ? "

" Trace is working on the DNA to see if they can find epithelials or something to identify the hit man. "

" How about saliva ? "

" Saliva ? "

" Yes, I've read somewhere that you can chew lemongrass or cardamom to have a fresher breath. "

" So we're looking for a sniper with halitosis. "

" It could be. It wouldn't be far-fetched, would it ? "

" Your team of investigators has shared the dossiers of the car explosion with my own team. They have come across something very interesting in the photos. Let me show you, " said Bruce, retrieving the pictures from the top drawer of his desk. " Here, take this magnifying glass. Look at the remains of the explosive device. What can you see twisted around that coil ? "

" Charred lemongrass ? "

" It seems our sniper's also a bomber. "

" Sorry to disturb you, " murmured Alfred from the study doorway. " Master Bruce, there's a call that you must get. "

" Ah ! I forgot, Alfred. Say I'll be there in a couple of minutes, " he instructed the butler. " Lex, excuse me, I have to take this call. We'll talk at breakfast. OK ? "

" Go ahead, Bruce. Good night. "

" The young man's in the batcave, Master Bruce. "

" Thank you, Alfred. You can go to bed. We'll be working at home tonight. "

There are more clues and surprising discoveries in the following two chapters. Go ahead.