Chapter 21 [Two Hours Later]

Sol's last rays burnished Reds, Golds and Maroons across few clouds overhead. Day transitioned to Night. Art and Food beckoned for some. Others ate in the air. Plots brewed in still others' heads.

Activities came to a head over a certain exhibit….

[15,000 Feet Above the Great Lakes]

Chloe typed away on her laptop. Questions pressed in on her. I'm just glad Dad's not around. I'd love to see the questions coming out of this! Her eyes scanned her screen. Does this have anything with Virgil Swann? Memoria recalled Spam from months earlier. What was that about? She peeked over her screen.

Lex texted on his phone. Fortunately, Sandra and Renee maintained affairs at the Talon. Lionel stonewalled him. Pilot's tests cleared him for the flight. What the Hell is going on, Guys? Lana, is there something going on? We are partners! I deserve to know! Mr. and Mrs. Kent should know better! Right now, I just hope everyone's okay! After we know, we can deal with the other stuff. A terse breath rasped through his teeth. His head shook over that thought.

His phone buzzed at him.

"Now what?" Lex stared at his screen. "V. Swann? What?" His mind flashed back to Swann's apparent fatal crash years before.

"Him? Lex, take it! That's the guy who was spamming my computer last spring!" She jumped out of her seat. "Maybe he knows about the other disappearance too!"

"Maybe." Chloe's revelations connected a few more dots for Lex. He drank a mouthful from his mug. "Your coffee all right?"

"Thanks. Yeah it is. I'd like something to eat. How much longer to New York?" She headed for the siren coffee pot. Empty mug called for its refill. Habit needed its sustenance. Clark, you are going to tell me why a man like Virgil Swann is bugging you!

"We're an hour out." Lex put the phone to his ear. He steeled himself for Imposter's voice or computer generated facsimile. "Lex Luthor."

"Hello, Alexander. It has been a long time."

Lex narrowed his eyes. Affirmation matched that voice to the one in his mind. He nodded to her. "Dr. Swann? Wow. I was led to believe you were dead. It's been what? Thirty years?"

"I believe you understand why I had to remain underground. My wife died in the crash. I knew certain other parties wouldn't stop hunting me. Consequently, I watched and waited for an opportunity. Your plane crash forced matters to a head. When you land, I can have a car meet you. We should speak." Swann watched the plane's call sign.

"I have questions, Dr. Swann. I had to leave my affairs back in Smallville and Metropolis to be here. Chloe Sullivan is with me. She has a vested interest as well. I can vouch for her." Lex glanced at her.

"Can you? She reported on Clark Kent not even a few weeks ago." Swann kept a straight face. Concerns, however, batted about in his mind. He determined to look into her investigation further.

"I know. She brought the materials to me. We have an understanding. That car would be nice. Thank you. We do need to eat and check into our hotel."

"That will be fine. I will let my associate know. Have a good rest of your flight. We will be speaking again soon," Swann concluded.

"Thank you." Lex hung up. "We have our ride."

"Dr. Swann's meeting us there? Wow. The mystery man does come up for air!" She took a draught from her mug. Excitement and Anticipation needled at her. Great mystery intrigued her.

"He's sending someone. I'm not surprised. Given how my father's being." Lex shook his head. "I'll be glad when we get answers." He tried to dial the phone again.

Answers still seemed to be few and far between….