Chapter 46

"Superman?" Wonder Woman prompted for the third time. Since they had entered the judge's chambers, Superman had seemed very distracted, to say the least.

"Oh, sorry, I was just list—"

"And I was saying we should demonstrate to Judge Ward how this works."

"Yes, good idea."

She nodded and turned back as the judge circled around the desk to a place between the two of them.

"Wait! You're going to use it on him?"

"I didn't think you were paying attention." She smiled as she took the golden lasso from her hip. "It's the best way to convince him."

"I'm game. Skeptical, but game," the judge announced. "And I think it's the only way you will get your ruling." He fingered the light rope that was now draped around his shoulders as Wonder Woman pulled it taut. "As long as I have your word," he said, looking at her, "and yours," he turned to look at Superman, "that anything I say will be held in the strictest confidence?"

"Of course, sir. We really appreciate this."

"Well, then, let's go for it."

Wonder Woman asked only one question. It was enough. "What is the one thing you do not want to tell us?"

"Oh, that!" the man said nonchalantly, smiling at her without a trace of embarrassment. "Well, my dear, it would be that, although I find you immensely attractive, Superman here looks devastating!" and he looked the super hero up and down appreciatively.

"That's enough!" said a suddenly red-faced Superman, who couldn't help Wonder Woman get the lasso from around the man's shoulders quickly enough. Biting back a smile, she wondered how anyone could look so adorable in such a complete state of mortification.

The moment the rope cleared the judge's head, a look of shock descended on his face, as the realization of what he'd just admitted settled upon him. "Oh, my god!" he whispered. "I can't believe I said…Please, forgive me. I...I didn't—"

"Forget it." Superman's voice was gruff and serious. "The important thing is …are you convinced that this works?"

"Completely." The judge straightened his tie, and retreated to behind his desk, careful not to make any eye contact with the Man of Steel. He picked up his phone and gave orders into the phone to have the waiting Mr. Grange brought to his office. "Uh…Superman, I think I agree with Wonder Woman here that you should not be present just in case—"

"No, I'll stay. I think I have that solved as well. I just need to focus on something else with my hearing, and right now, that is no problem, believe me."

"As long as you're sure…" Wonder Woman let the words hang in the air as she positioned herself behind the door.

Seconds later, the man burst through the door with enough confidence to fill a room saying, "Judge Ward, thanks for seeing me. My client—"

Then Grange registered the two super heroes in the room, and he turned to the strongest of them to use his only weapon. "Superman, these two people are your enemies! Seize them!"

With one, smooth, practiced motion, the lasso was thrown around the man from behind, and Wonder Woman tugged on the end of the golden rope, tightening it around Grange's shoulders. Silently cursing herself for being slow enough at it to allow the man to get out the command, she looked over worriedly at Superman, fully expecting him to be under the spell of the man's words.

Superman folded his arms across his chest, stepped forward until he was right next to the man, and asked, "Now, why would I want to do that?"

Wonder Woman and Judge Ward both heaved a sigh of relief.

Then she began her questioning. Some of the answers Superman already knew. Some, he didn't.

"How did you acquire the power to get people to believe everything you tell them?"

"It happened in Smallville during the last meteor shower. I was in my car."

"Is there a way to block this power?"

"No, I don't think so, although…"

"Although what?"

"It fades. The longer I'm away from my car, the less effective it is."

"Did you have anything to do with James Benson's getting out of jail?"

"Yes."

"His death?"

"Of course. I killed him," he said helpfully.

"Why?"

"There's no need to continue," the judge spoke up from his chair. "I can't doubt the validity of all this, and because of the reputations of both of you, and, of course, the demonstration of the lasso's power, I'm going to hold him overnight, but all of this is going to be totally inadmissible in court. It's obtained under coercion, duress. You are going to have to provide me some kind of proof to hold him longer than that."

"I understand. Ask him how long before his power fades completely away if he's kept from the car."

Wonder Woman nodded and did as he bid her.

"Four…five hours at the most," the man said happily.

"Five hours," Superman repeated. "Judge Ward, he'll need to be kept away from anyone for that long."

"The question is where? Who can be trusted to not let him out if all he has to do is tell them to?"

"Gentlemen," Wonder Woman said calmly. Keeping a tight hold on the lasso, she moved in closer to Grange and smiled up at him seductively. "Mr. Grange, would you mind terribly much staying here with his honor and me for a few hours?" She traced a line along his chin with a delicate finger. "Hmm?"

"Anything you say, baby," he answered hungrily, and a look of disgust flickered behind her eyes.

"I think we're good, Superman. Why don't you go do what you have to do, and we'll just stay right here until you get back."

"You sure you'll be all right?"

"Oh, I can handle him," and she turned back to him and touched his face once more. Grange whimpered under her touch.

"Good. First, I need to go destroy that car."

"Superman, you can't just…Look, maybe I can help you there," The judge said as he reached for his phone. "Get me officer Stroud." He looked up at all three, puzzled faces. "I've never known a lawyer with a morning appointment to see me to park totally legally. Dave? Where did Mr. Grange park? Really? Then impound it right now. And, Dave, I don't want anyone getting inside that car. Make sure it goes to the back of the lot. Good. Thank you." He hung up the phone. "There. So that's taken care of for now. Once you get me the proof to hold him, he'll have no need of the car. Then …well, impounded cars get sold at auction very cheaply sometimes. The new owners can do what they want with the car. Understand?"

"Completely." Superman smiled.

The judge pulled out paper from a stack of them to his left and began signing it. "Here's your warrant. Just, please, be sure that you get that proof. I'm going to look awfully silly should you fail. I can only go so far out on that proverbial legal limb for you."

"Doing all this legally was the idea. And if you can keep him here until the power fades, then I'll be back with some proof."

"Just hurry, Superman, before I get an overdose of leering." Wonder Woman shoved Grange down into a chair and settled into one next to him, prepared for a long wait.

Author's note: Hmm…looks like everyone enjoyed the previous chapter! Thanks so much for the great reviews. They are really appreciated! I feel like after that one, I should apologise for this rather tame one for being one of those necessary to further the plot. I'll get back to Lois next chapter!