Isobel and her Superman Chapter 10
NIGHT FLIGHT
Clark shoots straight up to 10,000'. This Is as high as he can go and keep Lana comfortable. They are relatively certain that whatever radar the yacht has, their possible small signal won't raise an alarm. They approach the 1st of the coordinates they were given. No yacht in sight. Clark pauses and turns on his super hearing. He slowly rotates 360 degrees. He picks up some non-natural noise on a dead East heading.
"Lana, are you comfortable?"
"Yes, I am good. I'm going to try cell reception."
She tries Eddie's number.
"Janko here. Is that you, Lana?" They are at a private spot, so she puts her phone on speaker.
"Yes! The reception seems good so far. We see nothing at the 1st coordinates. We are heading due East; Clark heard some sounds in that direction that we are going to check out."
"Be safe," Jamie urges them.
"We will. I'll call back when we know more."
Clark slows to a more leisurely pace, listening all the while. Every mile he pauses, turns a slow 360 and listens carefully. The non-natural noise due East grows louder. At 13 miles off Long Island they spot the yacht.
"Lana, I'm going to climb to 15,000'. You should be ok; but if you get short of breath, let me know immediately, please."
"I will, promise. I'll call Eddie back. How far off shore is the yacht?"
"15 miles, I estimate."
She calls.
"Janko here. Lana? Wow, we're still connecting!"
"Yes! Listen, we see the yacht. Well, a yacht. Let's stay on the call while we descend and Clark listens. We won't be on speaker, we need to minimize noise here; I'll relay everything Clark tells me, and you can pass it along so things can be dealt with."
"Good, Jamie is listening in." Jamie & Eddie are almost holding their breath.
Clana descend slowly. They pause at 5,000'; Clark listens and activates his x-ray vision.
"What do you see, babe?" Lana asks.
"It looks like 6 life forms. 1 isn't moving . . . maybe the PC? How many do we think were in the kidnapping crew?"
"Jamie, how many kidnappers?"
"4, we're pretty sure."
"Clark sees 6 life forms. Maybe 4 kidnappers, your dad & the one who lured him into the back room?"
"Sounds reasonable. I'd really like to know who that is. My dad is very cautious; he wouldn't go into a back room with just anyone."
"He says we are going to go a little lower, so he can hear better." Clana descended. He hears:
V1: Tommy, you sure Kelly's folks are closely watched?
V2: Yeah, we got 2 cousins on them. Not close enough to tip them off.
V1: What about her?
V2: She's part of the end game. *chuckles* Not a problem.
V3 (female): you got any snacks? I'm starving!
V2: look in that cupboard. Aren't you supposed to be watching your boyfriend?
V3: I told you, he's not my boyfriend. We've only been on a few dates.
V1: a looker like you? One date and you should have had him in bed!
V3 softly: he's a widower, and cautious.
V2: too bad. Looks like you lost your chance.
V4: boss! Something's wrong. Freddie was looking up, and there's something blocking our view of the stars! Come and see for yourself!
There is a door opening and a scuffle.
Clark immediately does a barrel roll, placing Lana in the top (protected) position. He slowly starts to rise.
Bullets start to shoot their way, 3-shot bursts. Of course, those that are on target merely bounce off.
'Damn, my new suit and already bullet holes! Mom is going to be pissed!' Clark thinks.
"Your mother is going to have a word with you, love!"
"Don't remind me. You'll protect me, right?"
"Maybe."
Clark rises faster, to 12,000'. Lana relays all they have learned and they return to the condo, where they meet Jamko.
NYPD PRECINCT 5-4
Maria's phone rings. It's Danny's caller ID. "Baez here."
"I need to talk, privately."
"Just a moment, please." Maria gets up, motions for Jackie to follow her, and slips into Lt. Carter's office. After closing the door, she & Jackie take seats.
"Go Danny. You are here on speaker with me, Jackie & Lt. Carter."
"Jackie? Curatola, my partner?"
"The same," Jackie snorts. "I hear you need help, I always had to hold your hand!"
"Um . . . do they-
"They know everything I do. Go ahead."
"Well, it seems that a Kelly is part of this. I assume she's the number one reporter for NY-1, the big news station. Dad has taken her to dinner a time or two. Anyway, we've learned that her parents may be under duress, thus she was forced to participate. If we can get her parents under protective custody, that would remove the pressure from Kelly. Can you work on that?"
"We will Danny," Maria looks at the others, they all nod in assent.
"Thanks, I will call again if there is more you can do. And, let me know when the parents are secure."
"Will do." The ladies get to work.
ON THE BEACH
Nicky, Jack and Sean have been sent to the beach; the rest of the family has gathered in one of the houses to talk and plan.
Erin has been elected to lead the discussion.
"Clark, did you hear anything to suggest that Kelly was a willing participant, or not?" Erin began.
Danny interrupted, "What the hell does it matter, sis?"
"It matters to me, in how we treat her!" Erin spits back.
Everyone except Henry seems to agree with Erin.
"Should we keep this a family affair? Or bring in others?" Jamie wonders.
"Well, let me see a show a show of hands. Raise if you think we should involve authorities?"
No hands raise.
"Well, it looks like we are it. So, what shall we do?"
They talk for a while, no consensus seemed to be on the horizon. Clark and Lana stayed largely silent. Until –
"Knowing Lana as well as I do, I see an idea flashing in her eyes," Clark puts out there. "Hon?"
"I'm wondering; how much trouble could 2 girls on jet skis get into?" Lana looks slyly at Eddie.
Eddie erupts; "Damn, that's a great idea!"
"Hell, NO!" Jamie jumps to his feet.
"Wait . . . let's hear Lana's plan," Erin attempts to calm everyone down.
They settle down and listen to Lana and Clark. The plan is for the girls to create a distraction on one side of the yacht. When all are distracted, Clark & Jamie will fly in on the opposite side and do the rescue.
Danny is distressed because he feels left out. The group cannot find a way to fit him into the primary op; he stomps out in disgust.
TBC