Chapter 15

Martha ignored Simmering Drama's mess within the limo. It seems like this day will never end. Why did Lex and Chloe have to follow us up here? Can't anyone mind their own business? Honestly! Impatience huffed from her lips. She rushed into the lobby. Her eyes searched the entire area.

"MOM!" Clark ran over toward her. Relief eased his mindset. "You're okay!" He grabbed onto her. A big grin spread across his face. "We didn't know what happened!"

"I don't understand it myself, Clark. Gwen and I ended up getting out of there. She's all right and back with her Dad right now." Martha returned the embrace with one of her own. "Are you all right? He didn't hurt you?"

"We're okay thanks to some quick thinking, Mrs. Kent. We're glad Gwen, Peter and you are all right. Still haven't heard from the others though." Lana hugged Martha as well. "Where are Lex and Chloe? We kind of heard about them."

"We all rode over here from the Stacys' house. They don't want to wait until tomorrow." Martha shook her head. She noted the two in question watching them from the door.

"Wish I knew more about what to say. It's not like we've had a pleasure cruise up here. I'm just glad that everyone's all right." Miranda hugged Martha as well. "I woke up in the room upstairs. Beyond that, I don't remember anything." She added a shrug to sell her point further.

Questions bubbled up in Lana's mind. What happened to them? They didn't just vanish on their own. She noted Martha's head shaking at her. Fine. I'll wait. I just want to know who or what did that! Frustration pretzeled her mouth into a frown. "Hey, Lex! Chloe!"

"Hey is one way of putting it. Lana, what's going on? Why are you all up here? You could've told us!" Chloe threw her hands up in the air. "You know how worried we were?"

"Personally, I'm annoyed at people who don't take my calls." Lex narrowed his eyes. "I'm glad everyone's okay after what happened this morning. But I find you all having a great time at a museum? I hear you're eating out. What's going on? I like New York too but two trips up here like this?"

"We had our reasons for not saying anything. What happened at the museum is why, Lex." Martha motioned toward the elevator. "I'd rather not be talking out here."

"Mrs. Kent, I think you know I can be trusted. All right?" Lex looked about the empty lobby. "We're by ourselves in here. I admit there's got to be a link between my plane crash and yours. We…" His phone buzzed at him. "Now what?" He looked at the phone. "Dr. Swann now? I…" He put the phone up to his ear. "Doctor?"

"Alexander, I believe you should take Mrs. Kent's suggestion seriously. We will discuss this matter tomorrow. Look at your right hand. I believe that is the reminder you need as to why our eyes can deceive us. It has been a long day for everyone. There's been too much out in the open. We have our meeting in the morning. Just know that I called them up here." Annoyance stabbed through Swann's tone. "Given how your father could be still observing through Miss Sullivan, I'd rather not go any further. I assure you that it is nothing sinister. It is some information they need."

Lex frowned. His eyebrow arched at Clark. Another Kent deflection/evasion? Exasperation elicited an eye roll. "Fine. We'll talk tomorrow then. Chloe and I will go back to our hotel. Have a good night." He disconnected the call. "Dr. Virgil Swann doesn't make a call or anything for thirty years. Then, he talks to you all like this? He has you up here? Somebody sabotaged your plane? What's going on, Guys?"

"We're trying to figure that out for ourselves, Lex." Clark rubbed the back of his neck. "We get an invite from Dr. Swann. Mom wanted to meet him because she's seen him mentioned on cable. We came up here. The plane goes down. Beyond that, we can't exactly leave yet. At least, some local folks were nice enough to tell us about the exhibit at the Met."

"We ran into some relatives of mine, Mr. Luthor. Arighatto's here so you might be careful." Miranda cut in. Clark's explanation impressed her to be honest.

"Your Stepfather? Miranda, you…" Chloe looked to them all. "Lex?"

"Hansei Arighatto's an international businessman, Chloe. I'm not surprised if he's here. I wouldn't be surprised if he came here. Miranda, he's your guardian." Lex set his jaw.

"Mr. Luthor, with due respect, you have no idea what he does. I'm sorry. I can't talk about this anymore." Sobs choked off Miranda's further speech. Her hands swiped away tears. She wheeled and stormed toward the elevator. Anger and Bile churned within herself. Uncle Dave was his friend almost like a brother! And he thinks like THAT? REALLY?

Lana winced. Her head shook at Lex to be honest. "We ran into him earlier, Lex. Mr. Arighatto was out of control. I've had to deal with him like that. Sorry. Clark, maybe we should go and be with Miri? Mrs. Kent?"

"Lana, you kids go upstairs. I'll be there in a minute." Martha pointed toward the elevator. She watched Clark walk Lana toward the elevator. Then, she turned back toward Lex and Chloe. "Lex, you heard Dr. Swann. This isn't a good place for this discussion. There's a lot we're all finding out. I agree with Dr. Swann. It shouldn't be talked about here. You know why as well as I do. Again, I'm sure he'll have something to say. Until tomorrow, good night." She headed for the elevator herself.

"What was that all about?" Chloe stared at the elevator. "I've never seen Mrs. Kent like that. Wow!" Her eyebrow raised.

"There's more to this than they're saying, Chloe. Come on. Let's get to the hotel. I want to check my email." Lex headed through the door and toward the waiting car. Stalemate ruled that night….

Answers, however, would come on the next day. Count on that….