Chapter 9 [Out in Front of the Medical Center]
[A/N: Going off script now. I figured this would work better.]
A dark limo pulled up in front of the medical center. All around it, lesser vehicles came and went. Ambulances pulled out from Emergency Room's bay on calls. Visitors and staff entered and left the facility. Still, it remained above the fray. Its occupants had their own business.
And so, it waited….
A heavy-set woman sank back into Velour's softness. Laptop's screen held her attention. She talked into the cell phone by her ear. Occasional glances over the screen watched her driver and the medical center's front. "She's not coming, Doctor. We really need to move on." Her fingers tapped out Impatience's Morse code on the arm rest.
"Patience. Miss Lang has agreed. We should allow her a few more minutes." Swann monitored that conversation. He watched Kal's progress north on I-35. He observed Lana's assurances to Martha. Jonathan drove around the countryside. "We need her to rein in Kal-El. Other than the Kents, he values her above all others. That tie is necessary to stop Kal-El's out of control behavior. Besides, there is something else going on with Miss Lang."
"Did she discover something on the farm? I thought Mr. Kent destroyed the spacecraft?" The woman lifted an eyebrow. She noticed the shockwave's damage between the airport and downtown Smallville.
Swann shook his head. "No, Dr. Crosby. Kal-El thought he had destroyed it. The spacecraft survived his attempt. To get to Kal-El, the Ship targeted those closest to him. Miss Lang was its first target. She survived the assault. Something else has happened. We are to find out what that is. The same promise to Kal-El applies to her as well."
"Of course, Doctor." Crosby nodded. "What do you think happened?"
"I can't tell for sure yet." Swann watched Lana's earlier progress between the Kent Farm, the Talon, downtown Smallville and the Sullivan house. He watched her crush the door knob and enter the theater. He noted the burning scarecrow. "I have my suspicions. For now, make Miss Lang comfortable. She is about to come through the front door."
Crosby nodded to herself. Swann's insights no longer surprised her. Quite the contrary. She admired them. "What of Mr. Ross? Perhaps he and Mr. Moore can help? They know of Kal-El's secret. Mr. Ross knows about Kal-El's use of the ring."
"Leave that out of this situation for now. I would rather respect Miss Lang's need for privacy. In case there is a deeper force at work here, we are to keep it under wraps. I do not want the Luthors or Teagues discovering it for themselves. We are to contain the Traveler no more…no less."
Crosby nodded once again. She took a mouthful of tea and waited for Lana's approach.
Lana edged her way through the building's outer doors. Everything proceeded as always for Smallville. Nothing seemed out of place except for the waiting limo. I suppose that's our ride?
Ride? I do not understand. Jor-El tried to follow her slang.
The big car in front of us. I'm guessing that is the car Dr. Swann told us about. She took another look around. Then, she walked toward the vehicle.
We should be cautious, Lana Lang.
Yeah. That's a really good thing. She noticed a slender man in a black chauffer's suit and hat walk around said limo. He opened the door. Guess he's noticed me. She walked up to him. "Uh hi!"
"Miss Lang? Good afternoon." He beckoned her inside the backseat. "If you can climb in, we can be on our way. Dr. Crosby can answer your questions in route."
Guess that answers that question. Lana nodded to him. "Thanks! Hope there's a coffee or soda in there." She pushed her overnight bag in. Then, she climbed in herself. "I take it you're Dr. Crosby? Sorry. I was kind of looking for a Virgil Swann?"
"I work with Dr. Swann. Take a seat, Miss Lang. We have a long trip ahead of us. I am pleased to meet you." Crosby pushed a few keys on her laptop. Then, she turned it toward Lana. "He wanted to speak with you."
Swann looked Lana over. "Good afternoon, Miss Lang. I am sorry to contact you in that manner. I had to be sure who I am dealing with. I do have my questions. I need your help to find your friend, Clark Kent."
"The Kents and I kind of need your help too, Dr. Swann. Mrs. Kent told me about Clark's going to see you a few months ago." Lana assessed the astrophysicist as well. The remote connection prevented her from reading his emotions. "After the last couple of days, Smallville's kind of crazy."
"Yes, I'm sure it is. I will do my best to answer your questions. I believe what your friend, Mr. Kent, knows you should know now as well. You have had an especially busy afternoon, Miss Lang. Since you read my message and are sitting in the limo, you have confirmed my suspicions. Now, I understand the bond between Mr. Kent and you." Swann raised an eyebrow.
"You…do?" Panic flared inside of Lana's mind. She bit her lip. Did I screw up by getting in the car? What's this guy's angle? Did he see everything from this afternoon?
Swann cleared his throat. "I believe you misunderstand me, Miss Lang. I have no interest in blackmail or controlling Mr. Kent or you. I simply wish to understand. Whatever we discuss will not leave the walls of my foundation. Dr. Crosby and I will keep your secrets. Rest assured of that. I have a vested interest in keeping the Last Son of Krypton and now it seems the Last Daughter of Krypton safe from such parties. Please relax. I will have refreshments on the flight to New York. Dr. Crosby can answer questions for you. We will speak again shortly. Have a pleasant journey." The screen went dark.
"So that's Dr. Swann?" Lana turned the laptop back around toward Crosby. "Guess it's good to talk to him face to face. Sorry. I'm trying to take this all in." She looked about the limo.
"I expect that it is, Miss Lang. You can relax. You're actually safer here in this vehicle than you are outside or, as we've seen, on the Kent Farm. You've already had quite the ordeal earlier. The last thing we want is to add to that experience. Make yourself comfortable. As Dr. Swann mentioned earlier, there will be refreshments waiting on the plane. That is waiting at the airport." She rapped on the front window. "Driver."
The limo pulled away from the curb. It turned onto Smallville's main drag and toward the airport.
Lana took a deep breath. For her, the mysteries seemed to deepen.
On that day, that seemed to be par for the course….