Chapter 26 [Hours Later—Riverside Inn]
[A/N: Here comes The Discussion…let's see how contained we can keep things…]
Lana reclined on her bed. The kabobs, rice and cucumber salad intrigued her. Spices and marinade challenged her to figure out their proper mix. Miri really liked them. Clark found some beef dish that he could deal with. Too bad about Jasmine and the pork. Guess that's her faith? Her eyes bore into the ceiling. Lex is really mad about Miri and me taking off like this. Well, sorry! I can't help it! Why can't I just tell Chloe and him? All of these rules and nonsense!
HIS GRANDFATHER MURDERED LOUISE. HIS FATHER CANNOT BE TRUSTED! CAN HE?
That's his grandpa and Mr. Luthor. Lex wants to be different. You know that he knows we're keeping something from him. Right? That's why we're in this situation. You do know Mr. Arighatto threatened Lex and Chloe too. They're isolated. Maybe if we trust them, they can be part of this? Look at Spider-Man, he knows. Wish we could get that Snapdragon to show up and talk to them too. Lana sat up. "I should get some coffee. Wish we knew of something better than that stuff in the lobby." She made a face at that thought.
YOU ARE IN A MAJOR METROPOLIS, LANA. I AM SURE THERE IS COFFEE, Jor-El replied.
I'm sure. This is New York. I wish I could do the bookstores and cafes. It's not like I can be in Paris. She shrugged off that point.
ONCE KAL-EL AND YOU LEARN TO FLY, YES, YOU COULD. THAT IS A KRYPTONIAN ABILITY.
Clark did float in that tornado to save me. Her brow furrowed. I remember a flash in the middle of it. Was that the spaceship?
YES. I WAS WATCHING. NO, I DID NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. KAL-EL UNBURDENED HIS MIND. HIS THOUGHTS WERE ON HIS PURPOSE. HE WANTED TO SAVE YOU. IT WAS ONE OF HIS BETTER MOMENTS.
Was that so hard to admit, Joe? Louise's snarky jab butted in. Lana, I believe Alexander just walked into the lobby. Maybe you should be ready?
Good point. We'll get back to this discussion. I want to know more about this flying thing. Kind of useful. Lana stood and smoothed her blouse and slacks. "Wish we had more stuff. I'm going to have to do another wash later." She headed out the door and walked toward the elevator. Miri? Clark? Guess Lex is here.
Yeah, Boss, I was going to tell you. I'm just getting a coffee now. He and Chloe are waiting down here in the café. Want your usual? Miranda responded from the coffee bar.
That'd be great. Thanks! I'll get you back next time. Let's see if we can do this without burning the café down. Lana pressed the down button and got into the elevator.
Mom and I are talking. You got this! Clark sent supportive vibes her way. Just be careful.
Thanks! You too. Mr. Arighatto's still out there. Look at what happened earlier. Lana eased her way out of the elevator. She looked about the lobby. Paranoia jabbed at her mind. Her hairs stood on end. I had to say it! That was dumb.
No, it shows respect, Miss Lang. I can hear you as you hear these other spirits and such. I never knew you were such a medium. Perhaps you can be of use to me? I hunger after all. Arighatto sniffed.
Lana stopped. Her eyes narrowed. "We'll figure out how to stop you."
How? I would have killed you last night. Your friend, Spider-Man, will die horribly. He can move but he cannot hide. I know who he is under that mask. Soon, you should as well. Mr. Kent suspects. I am surprised a smart young woman such as yourself has not figured that out yet, Arighatto jabbed at her.
Her eyes narrowed. He saved us. He showed that he's our friend. I can trust him. I know what you are. Lana took several composing breaths. She walked over toward the others. "Be careful. You Know Who's listening in."
"Figures." Miranda handed her the coffee. "Come on. We'd better let Mr. Luthor know." She led Lana over toward the table to their left. "Mr. Luthor, the place is bugged."
"Parabolic microphone. Mr. Arighatto's listening in." Lana took her seat. She shut her phone off to further make her point. "Sorry, Lex."
"Are you kidding?" Chloe shook her head. Paranoia prompted a look around. Then she shut down her own laptop. "Is he always listening in? Personal space much?"
"You've dealt enough with my father to know the answer to that, Chloe." Lex took a draught from his cappuccino. His eyes rolled. "I was about to ask how you're doing, Lana. I know the answer to that."
"Kind of stressed actually. I'm worried about Peter, Gwen and her Dad since the apartment and house blew up. Miranda's situation at home is up in the air. I'm hoping that we can get some more help for the Talon at least for the summer to cover her." Lana gulped from her drink.
Lex nodded. "As far as our friends, it's in the works. I won't say anymore than that." He sucked in a deep breath. "Good to hear that you're thinking about the Talon. I had some ideas too." His fingers tapped to Impatience's tune across the table. "Lana, I know there's been a lot going on lately. If anyone understands what it's like to survive a plane crash, it's me. And now you too. I get how that would make you close up. I don't know what's happened over the past three weeks. Since I've been back, you've been more Kent-like. You're keeping secrets and evading me. You didn't answer my calls yesterday. Then, I find you at the Met of all places? What was so important that you had to shut everything down and come up here?"
"That's on me, Mr. Luthor. I got news about my family. Lana's here to support me. So are Clark and his Mom. We made sure everything was taken care of shift wise. We were supposed to be back right now." Miranda checked her watch.
"I know about that. Believe me. I hope it's true. I wish you could've told me. I'd have flown you up here myself." Lex pointed to Chloe. "Do you know she figured it out yesterday morning? Really made my father's day too." The Smirk broke through his seriousness for a few heartbeats. Then, he composed himself again. "I need to know what you're doing, Lana."
"Lex, it's okay. It was supposed to be for one night. Okay?" Lana shook her head. "The last time I had an emergency to deal with. I still owe people for shifts and hours. I made some arrangements. I'll just have to close tomorrow night. I can help Sandra with that for starters." Annoyance flicked across her brain. Does he have to know everything? Now I see why the Kents are the way they are.
"When it concerns the Talon, it's a good idea to know where the manager is. What happens if someone calls in sick? Usually with you two, you're really great at covering for each other. If one isn't there, the other covers. Now you both take off? I'm glad we have Sandra. The new girl definitely needed more training before you took off though. Not good." Lex shook his head. "What is going on, Lana? You're better than that. Did we have another Nicodemus outbreak or something?"
"I'm fine, Lex." Lana managed to keep a straight face. "I thought it was covered. It was only for a night. I told you what happened the last time. That's why I wanted to pick someone out to cross-train as a backup manager. Sandra's one person. The other new lady, Renee, seems great."
Lex nodded. "I agree. She's got great experience and is very efficient. That works. I just want you to know that if either of you need to talk about anything, my door's open and…." His phone rang. "Now what? Sorry." He answered it. "Lex Luthor."
"Konnichiwa. Does that mean I can talk as well? You should have a file on your phone. I believe you find it of great interest." Arighatto pressed a button on his phone. "It is opening right now. And please advise Miss Sullivan to do the same. This is my favor to you both. I assure you there is no virus attached. I want you to see these pictures. They will answer your questions."
One had to wonder what was coming next….