Chapter 18 [Lobby]
Chloe swallowed a big mouthful from her mug. Caffeine's buzz failed to ease Anxiety's jitters (for once). Previous night's news spun her mind. Her eyes bounced between her surroundings and the Daily Bugle in front of herself. "I can't believe it! I just can't believe this!"
Lex frowned. Memoria recalled previous meetings with Arighatto and Lionel from his earliest childhood to the last one a couple of years earlier. Menace and Malice radiated from Arighatto akin to Heat from a Summer's Sidewalk. Reputation, Cutthroat Tactics and Business Predatory Approach preceded Arighatto in the financial arena. Stocks rose and fell just by his involvement in a matter. His martial arts background remained second to none. Rumor had it that Morgan Edge, Lionel, Wilson Fisk, Intergang, the Maggia among others found their way to Arighatto's doorstep for Favors' sake. Totems and Powerful Objects hung in Residences' Walls. Arighatto's eternal quest swept the globe in search of Knowledge and Arcane Power….
…Quest that brought him into conflict with Dave Dubois and the Protector. Quest that led to the Dubois Family's death…mere obstacles to be eliminated….
…correction, one obstacle survived…
Somehow, Dave, you survived! Didn't you? How'd you stay off the radar all of these years? Lex gulped on his coffee. Dark Roast provided a welcome jolt to stir him. "He isn't just some curiosity for the 'Wall of Weird', Chloe. He was there for the katana." He shook his head. "I knew he was into rituals and spiritualism. That's how he did it."
"Did what, Lex?" Chloe raised her eyebrow. "What did he do?"
"I'll tell you back at the mansion. A man like Hansei Arighatto has eyes and ears everywhere. I have to say that is impressive. I'm not surprised that Peter Parker was in there last night. I'd figure him to get the Spider-Man exclusive if anyone does." He pointed at the paper. "That? That's Pulitzer material right there. He'd better keep his head down though. Remember what my Dad did to your computer? That's child's play for a man like Arighatto. We'd best be careful at the Stacy house later. I don't want to be in the middle of an ambush much less bring you with me." He shook his head.
His phone buzzed at him.
"Who?" Chloe grabbed another mouthful of coffee for herself.
Lex shook his head. "Konnichiwa, Arighatto San or is it Arighatto Sama? Supporting my points, are we?"
Arighatto cleared his throat. Ice chilled his tone. "Arighatto San will be fine, Luthor. Domo arigato for considering my title. Your respect grants you a temporary reprieve. I would be most curious, however, to know more about your recovery in the medical center. Not now of course. At some point, I will seek answers. I would not get too close to the Kents or their companions. One never knows what might happen."
Lex sniffed. His eyebrow rose. "Now, come on! Why do you think they were at the Met last night? Parker and his girlfriend were seeing the katana. Lana and Miranda are interested in that sort of culture. Too bad because Chloe and I are as well. You went in there. You exposed yourself. Whatever arrangement Parker and the Web Slinger have came into play. That's on you."
"Hai. Imagine what I found out? I know you want to know. It has to do with your meeting with Mr. Stacy. Oh, I know about that, Luthor. I know what you're looking for. My daughter is in that building. Do not come between me and her if you are wise. By the way, you should be grateful that your pictures from last night were already deleted. Someone did my work for me."
Lex frowned.
"Miss Sullivan did not heed your father's warning. She still sticks her nose where it does not belong! How fortunate that someone cleaned up behind her last night. Otherwise, I might have had to take certain actions. Keep her under control, Luthor, or else. I am around Smallville." Arighatto ran his sharpening stone across the katana's surface.
"Now really?" Lex took a draught from his mug. "Rattling your saber…sorry…katana now? Look, Arighatto San, I just said the same thing to her not even a minute before you called. You know it's like Theodore Roosevelt once said, 'walk softly and carry a big stick'. I get that you're…let's say…who you are. You're acting like my Dad. You disappoint me. I would expect a master like yourself to be more subtle in your approach. Threatening people? Blaming people for your lack of planning? Come on! You're better than this! Threatening a bunch of high school kids and a farm wife? For what? Because you really let yourself go last night? Dave Dubois used to go off, but he had a reason. What's your excuse?"
Arighatto sniffed. "My reasons are my own. Intrude on them at your peril. By the way, the pilot for the Kents' plane was not my doing. Nor was the unfortunate interruption to your honeymoon and your wife's untimely demise. My sympathies for those things. Mr. Kent is coming. I will let you greet him now. Give the others my regards. Do have a pleasant rest of your journey, Luthor. Be mindful of what I have said. Keigu." With that, he disconnected.
"Charming as always." Lex scowled. He slid his phone back in his pocket. "He made my point. You really should be more careful, Chloe. Check your laptop, tablet and camera since last night?"
"Wait! You mean they…?" Her eyes rolled. "He hacked my computer?"
"Arighatto got in there. Somebody else beat him to the punch." Lex cleared his throat. "They didn't want the pictures out there. Mr. Parker got to the Bugle before anything else last night. By the way, Clark's on his way down."
"He knows that too? Great. I really need to upgrade my firewall now." Chloe tossed her hands in the air. She watched the elevator doors open.
Clark stepped out of the elevator. He surveyed the lobby area. X-ray vision failed to pick up on anything either. He wouldn't be so obvious. Come on.
No I am not, Kent San. Konnichiwa. Your friends are waiting for you. You are being very rude, Arighatto interjected. Despite what Luthor San believes, you are correct in that way. I am not so obvious. You have had your moments as well. And what of the charming Miss Lang upstairs?
Leave her out of this. We didn't do anything to you. Clark stalked across the lobby toward Lex and Chloe. And firebombing someone's apartment isn't rude? Sounds like you don't have much room to say anything.
Arighatto coughed. I believe you know all about arson, Mr. Kent. Let me see… I believe I do remember. There was the Talon…the jail…Luthor San's door…and the classroom? Yes I believe those were the occasions. I might not be so inclined to talk to one's betters in such ways. No, Mr. Parker is an object lesson for the rest of you, especially Miss Sullivan. She should not stick her camera where it is not warranted. I would not want to see her have a most unfortunate experience. If Miss Lang or you tried to interfere, you would find it equally unfortunate. Hai. I know you are. I know *what* you are even if Jonathan Kent believes he can make you into some human. He can't. I could…with the right object. It does not matter. I am faster than either of you. I can still kill you even in your enhanced form. I have killed and devoured the souls of other Travelers such as Dubois or yourself. Consider that. You are not as invincible as you would like to believe. With that, he cut the connection.
I know I'm not. Clark kept his eyes fixed on Lex and Chloe. Threats unsettled him still further. Just don't let Lex or Chloe know about this stuff. "Hey, Lex! Chloe! I thought you guys had a meeting?"
"Some things are more important, Clark. Chloe, let him see the paper." Lex motioned toward the Bugle. "You guys had quite the night." Annoyance flicked an eyebrow at Clark. "Wish we'd have known about the Met. We could've met up for dinner."
"Everything was just thrown together at the last minute, Lex. Yesterday was a really crazy day. I really didn't sleep. Lana didn't sleep hardly at all. Mom was up and down all night. We're still involved in a police case because of the plane. Can't really say more than that. Mr. Arighatto showed up at the museum. Have to say that was eye opening." Clark scanned the Bugle's front page. "Peter got the pictures? He must've had a great hiding place. What's the deal with Mr. Arighatto's face?"
"Arighatto's complicated. Don't ask out here. He's listening." Lex shook his head. "It's interesting, Clark. Dr. Swann knows why you're here. Dr. Crosby knows why you're here. Arighatto just bragged that he definitely knows. Maybe Pete would know? Problem is we don't. What is so secret, Clark?"
"Yeah. He found my number too." Clark waved his cell at them. "He was just doing that too. By the way, you know about Peter Parker?"
"Peter…? He's having a great morning. He got the scoop and a Pulitzer, right?" Chloe held up the Bugle. "He should be on Cloud 9."
Clark narrowed his eyes. "Chloe, his apartment building blew up this morning. Look at the news. It was breaking just before I came down here to meet you guys. Apparently, it's like what happened to Miranda's family years ago. A bomb blew their house up and everything. I guess those two FBI agents knew her before that point."
"FBI? Clark, what the Hell? Now the FBI too?" Lex frowned. "I'd tell you to be more careful but we're beyond that at this point."
Clark's eyes rolled. "Lex, they were guarding the katana. But when they saw her, it was like old family rediscovering each other. They were really close to her. They knew her nickname and everything. Their names are Singleton and Petersen."
Lex stared at him. Memoria locked on to the two agents in question. "Garth Singleton and Steve Petersen?" He took a bigger gulp from his mug. "Now there are two names from my past." He shook his head. "You sure know how to connect coincidences. They know Miranda?"
"Yeah, they know her. She called them Uncle Garth and Uncle Steve. Maybe they were friends of her family?" Clark got up. "I need coffee. Mom and Lana are getting ready. Lex?"
"Lex, what is it?" Chloe quirked an eyebrow. "You look like you just saw a ghost. What's with those two?"
Lex shook his head. "Nothing I want to talk about here, Chloe." Still, Puzzle's pieces fit together in his mind. So, that's why he wants to know about my recovery. He suspects Dave's alive after all. Wouldn't that be something if he was? "By the way, Clark, tell your parents that Arighatto knows about the Big Kent Secret. He was just taunting me with that."
"Lex! Clark! Look at that!" Chloe jumped out of her seat. "Is that the apartment building?" She stared at the screen. She watched the fire trucks trying to put out the flames. Shock paled and disheveled the residents. Their eyes stared into space. They embraced each other.
Lex ground his teeth. He stiffened. Arighatto's threat about dealing with things echoed through his mind. First my plane. Now, the Kents. Then the Met and Parker's apartment? What the Hell? "Chloe, I want to get over to the Stacys. I know we're going to be really early. I want to talk with them." He turned back to Clark. "You'd be smart to keep your head down. Dr. Swann might want to do the same. If you can bring him a message for me? Tell him to go back underground. If Arighatto suspects that he or Dr. Crosby know something, he'll find out and then kill them both. When we get back to Smallville, Clark, your family, Lana and Miranda really need to talk." Paranoia prompted another survey of the area. "Now I get what your parents feel like. Just hope my Dad doesn't get involved in this stuff either."
"Clark, whatever it is, you can trust us." Chloe slid her laptop back into her bag. Desperation shone in her eyes. Guilt nagged at her over previous spying. Then she followed Lex out toward the waiting car. Be careful!
Clark watched the LuthorCorp car pull away from the Inn. Foreboding wormed its way into every thought. Hope Dr. Swann knows something. Whatever training he wants us to do, Mr. Arighatto is watching. What a headache. He hustled back toward the elevator and the rooms. Wish that we had the number for that Lieutenant. Yeah like she wants us to bug her? Dad would say don't attract attention. The doors opened and he stepped inside.
Time to get on with the day….