Chapter 8 [Ten Minutes Later—Luthor Mansion]
Lex rubbed his chin. His eyes scanned the latest stock reports. LexCorp had gained a few dollars in the day's trading. He'd surprise Clark tomorrow with the news. Then he'd arrange for the auditorium with Reynolds for the evening in question.
Life seemed better than it had just six hours earlier.
Let's hope it all works out. He glanced toward the fireplace. Just above it, his eyes alighted on his mother's portrait. Mom, remember the Talon rededication? Well we're going to do it again. To think that Miranda is the long lost niece. Unbelievable! He scanned the announcement. A smile spread across his face. A tear creased his cheek.
Then the phone rang stirring him from the moment.
"Lex Luthor," he answered.
"Hi, Alex. It's Angie Dubois. I know it's been a long time. I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Lex recalled his friends' marriage from twenty years earlier. "Dave was just talking about you, Angie. Are you coming with him next week? We discovered some great news."
"You did? Alex, I can't take any more surprises tonight." She sucked in a frantic breath. "What's going on down there? Have you seen Dave?"
"I spoke with him earlier today. He's excited to come down here. Then he got another phone call from the Talon earlier and…." he replied.
"The Talon?" She froze and bit her lip. "What could be there that he'd want to deal with?" She shook her head recalling her husband's ties with the old theater.
"Miranda. She's been found after all of these years. She's been here all along. When we posted the announcement for the symposium next week, she recognized Dave's picture. I can't believe I didn't see it before. But she's all right," he reported.
"Thank God." She bowed her head and muttered a prayer of Thanksgiving. "No wonder he was so excited earlier. He was going to tell me something. Then he just vanished. Fifteen minutes ago, his Other Half left a teenager here. Something gashed his arm. The wound looked like a sword. The Kid told me 'Clark needed help.' Then he vanished again. I checked the young man's wallet. He's Clark Kent. I remember Jonathan and Martha had adopted a son after the meteor shower."
"That's right. Tall kid over six feet tall, Caucasian and dark hair. He might be wearing a flannel coat or something like that. Have you tried the Kents? I can give you the number," he offered.
"I googled it. There was no answer. I did leave a message but…" She trembled and choked back a sob. "Alex, this wound. I've seen one like it before. It's from a long blade like a sword or a Japanese kitana. Mr. Kent's arm was burned around the wound. It reeks of ozone. You know there's only one creep with a magic blade. Especially if Miri's there, you know who I'm talking about."
"Arighatto." He shook his head. "And you think Dave's here?"
"If that creep's threatening Miri or the kids, what do you think?" she supposed. She rubbed her head. "I've got Clark stabilized. My sister-in-law and daughter were able to help. Still he's going to need rest."
"Do what you can for him, Angie. Whatever doctors or resources you need, I'll have them ready," he offered.
"I appreciate that. Maybe you can let Jonathan and Martha Kent know I'm watching him. Tell Miri that we love her. And, Alex? Please watch out for Dave or the Big Kid. I don't want any mayhem tonight," she requested.
"I'll drive over there right now. Miranda's at the Talon with our new exchange student and the latter's bodyguard. Lana went to the Kents to speak with Clark about next week. Hopefully I can touch base with the Kents and find out more." His cell buzzed at him. "Just a minute." He checked the screen to see Lana's name flash across the screen. "Angie, Lana's calling."
"Go ahead. Alex, you know how much Dave and I love poetry. We want this to happen for everyone's sake. Still I don't want to give Arighatto another chance to kill us. Please check on the Kents and Lana. Make sure Miri's okay. I'm sorry to bother you," she apologized.
"Angie, you're not bothering me. Just keep watch over Clark. If there's anything I can do, let me know. Meantime we'll straighten everything out here," he advised. "Take care." With that he hung up. Great. Gang's all here and Dad's creepy business associate knows of course. He switched over to Lana's call. "Hey, Lana. Where are you?"
"I'm at the Kent Farm. Mrs. Kent's taking care of Mr. Kent right now. We don't know where Clark is." Lana bit her lip. She didn't know how much Lex knew. Still, even if she didn't like keeping secrets, she didn't know how much Lex knew about Clark (or if he knew anything at all for that matter).
"What's going on with Mr. Kent?" Angie's fear now registered on his consciousness. "Lana, is everyone all right?"
"Lex, I don't know where to start. I'm glad Mr. Kent's all right. I was talking with Clark. He was opening up to me. It was so great. Then…everything went wrong. It went so wrong." Lana bowed her head. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Martha looking back at her. "Mr. Arighatto just showed up. He went so weird. He threatened me. He swung this strange Japanese sword with two hands. If Clark hadn't stepped back, he would've lost his arm. Mr. Kent had his rifle aimed at him. Mr. Arighatto did some magic trick and knocked him out. He was going to kill us. Then Miri's uncle just showed up. He hit Mr. Arighatto with dark energy and drove him away. Then he vanished with Clark. He was growling and snarling like some rabid animal."
Lex frowned. "Remember what I said earlier? You saw his issues." He exhaled. Déjà vu nagged at him. "He didn't hurt you. Did he?"
"Mr. Arighatto pulled my hair. Clark protected me. We don't know where Mr. Dubois took him."
"Clark's all right. The Child got Clark help. Miranda's aunt is with him right now back east. Can you let his parents know? She may try to call again. Have Mrs. Kent check her messages. I can come by," Lex explained.
"Back east?" Lana gasped. "He's back east? Where?"
"Check those messages and call Miranda's aunt. I'll check the Talon. Hang in there. Call if you need to. Miranda's going to be all right. I'll do my best," he assured her. He pressed the end button on his phone. And now the old stuff's coming back up. Well at least I can make sure that Miranda and Jasmine are taken care of. He grabbed his coat and hustled from the library.
It seemed like the old troubles reared their head yet again….