Chapter 14 [Riverside Inn]
Crosby's limo parked in the guest lot. She knew Swann traced the limo from the Stacys to there. He had to warn Mr. Kent and Miss Lang. I can't believe they want to hassle those kids now. She checked her laptop's display. "It is late. I think this should wait until tomorrow. I'm sorry, Mrs. Kent."
"Lex, Chloe, we can talk about this in the morning." Martha stretched her arms and shoulders. "Right now, we could all use some rest. It's been a really long day for all of us."
He shook his head. "Sorry, Mrs. Kent. I need answers. That's up to them and you." He frowned. His fingers tapped Testiness' Morse Code across the armrest. "I mean they could go to dinner and the museum? Guess it wasn't such a long night?"
"You accepted Dr. Swann's hospitality. They accepted a family friend's hospitality. Miss Arighatto knew of the katana from Tokyo. She wanted to see it again I imagine." Crosby shrugged. "Let it go."
Chloe shook her head. "Sorry. My Dad and I both want to know what's going on with Lana. She took off on us now twice with a note and little else. He deserves an answer. Then, they end up in the middle of a museum heist with a woman on a flying carpet? I want to know if my friends are all right, Dr. Crosby. After that, why did Dr. Swann spam my computer? What happened to Clark last month that he had to come up here? Why did Miranda and Lana drop everything and come up here?"
"Flying carpet?" Martha kept a straight face. Did she see that woman who rescued Miranda and me earlier?
"That's right, Mrs. Kent. I saw a few masked folks on a flying carpet zip out of the museum and up into the sky." Chloe motioned with her hand to that effect. "Got the pictures right here."
Crosby shrugged off Chloe's finding. "There are some things that are personal, Miss Sullivan. What the Kents and Miss Arighatto do is just that. I understand you aren't working for Lionel Luthor anymore. Still, are you sure that jealousy isn't motivating you?"
"Excuse me?" Chloe stiffened. Her eyes narrowed at Crosby. "They hurt me! All right? We had an agreement…."
"I rest my case." Crosby frowned. She bowed her head. "I know Dr. Swann would like to see that picture for one. I would for another. Until that point, I wouldn't be talking about it like that." She pointed at her laptop and camera. "Take Mr. Parker. Why do you think he does what he does with Spider-Man? They have an arrangement. If you were in the museum, you would've seen it at work. I'll bet Parker's back at the newspaper right now with those pictures. Clear your mind and focus. This isn't a high school game, Miss Sullivan."
"I agree, Dr. Crosby. Chloe, what does she mean that you were working for Lionel?" Martha considered Chloe. "Were you spying on us?"
Chloe frowned. "Not one of my better moments. I didn't find anything. Lex knows…."
He sniffed. "She came clean, Mrs. Kent, on her own and stood up to Dad. I told her that she needs to be honest with Mr. Kent and you about that. Let's keep this about our current situation. Miranda and Lana are part of the Talon. I want to know why you all just took off for here this morning without a word. Why did Clark and Lana vanish earlier? Is all of this related to that bomb that blew up Smallville? Why did you need a private charter? Who's that woman on the flying carpet? This isn't like you, Mrs. Kent."
"I have no idea who that person is, Lex. As far as why we're here, Miranda has questions about her family. We planned to talk with him and fly back early tomorrow." Martha set her jaw. She played Conversation's cards close to her proverbial vest. "After today's ordeals, I'm really not in the mood for twenty questions or accusations."
Crosby raised an eyebrow. "The museum has nothing to do with the Kents, Miss Lang or Miss Arighatto. They went with their friends to see the Hiroshi Katana and have a nice time. Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy agreed to spend time with them. He was probably doing a story for the Daily Bugle. I can't answer the other questions. When it comes to surviving accidents, you of all people should know better than to push too hard." She opened the door. "Let's check on Mr. Kent and the girls. Shall we?"
"I agree. We'll talk more when we get back to the farm." Martha shook her head at Chloe. Then she stepped out of the car. Jonathan's never going to believe all of this! She headed toward the Inn's front door.
"I told you I'm willing to deal with it, Lex." Chloe shouldered her laptop's strap. "I still have my questions about what I saw at the museum though." She got out and walked after Martha.
Crosby sized up Lex's expression. "You never know when to stop. Do you? Dr. Swann's going to talk with you. As for Miss Lang, Miss Arighatto and the Kents, you do know their situation is a police matter here in New York? I'm sure Captain Stacy will tell you as much. I won't go into specifics. I will say that it has been a very traumatic day for them. At least Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy offered them a nice lunch at the Coffee Bean today and some hospitality. Once again, think on what I just said before. Go on and see them. I'll wait here."
"Not coming?" Lex stifled a cough. Incredulity couldn't believe that Swann's Right Hand wouldn't see something for herself.
"It's a moment for friends. That's all right. I'll talk with them in the morning." Crosby motioned with her head toward the Inn. "Have your moment."
Lex got out. What are Dr. Swann and you up to, Doctor? You know something. He shook his head on the way through the glass doors.
Crosby closed the door. She got on the phone again. "It's me again. Lex and Miss Sullivan suspect."
"Of course they do. I'm not surprised. I have a proposition of my own for Lex. My using Miss Sullivan's computer to get Kal-El's attention may have been an error on my part. We will need some strategy. The question is can we trust her? I think she has seen what happens when you do things out of spite. I hope she is ready for the consequences." Swann cut in on Gabe's downtrodden expression as he left the LuthorCorp plant. "Lionel acted far quicker than I assumed. Our three young ladies need support. This will take some thought."
"I'm sure Lex will help in some regard. He is as invested as we all are. I'm sure you have something planned, Doctor?" Crosby supposed.
"I have a few inquiries out there. Yes. The situation is getting complex. Mr. Ross' situation has its own balance. Kal-El needs him as a friend. He is in Wichita with his mother. I fear that tonight's incident at the museum may have upset more than one official. Pity. Other changes will be coming. I will explain further when you are back here. Keep an eye on everything. Remember it is a full day tomorrow for them."
"I told Lex that much already, Doctor. He's determined to get them back for the café. Thank you." Crosby signed off her connection. Just respect their feelings, Lex. Please.
Plans were in motion….