Chapter 36

Lois awoke with a start, momentarily disoriented. She took in her surroundings before remembering she'd fallen asleep on the living room sofa. She sat up and swept tangled brown curls from her face. Her neck was sore from sleeping at an awkward angle on the sofa. A quick glance at the living room clock told her it was 3:15 in the morning.

Instantly, she thought of Jason and bolted to the stairs. She got to Jason's door and pushed it open. The sight of him tucked in his bed and sleeping soundly gave her immense relief. She started to kiss him and thought better of it. He woke easily.

She quietly backed out of the room, went to her own room and grabbed her flannel robe. It was time for coffee. She padded down the stairs, pulling the flannel robe tightly around her chilled body. The chill was more from anxiety than cold. A cup of black coffee would warm her and clear her head. Moments later the kitchen's four-cup percolator hissed and spit as it prepared the must needed brew. Lois pulled a large mug from the cupboard and set it on the counter. She'd made a decision. She was going to tell Jason about Richard this morning. First, she would check all the hospitals again.

Three hours later Lois sat in her kitchen hunched over a second steaming cup of coffee. After checking the hospitals and coming up empty, she'd taken a quick shower. Something was definitely wrong. Richard was missing. No one named Richard White had been admitted to any of the area hospitals.

Lois stared into her coffee. Where could Richard be? What had happened to him? And what she should do next?

A small voice startled her, jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Mommy, I'm hungry."

"Oh Sweetie, I didn't know you were up. What would you like for breakfast?" Lois hugged her son tightly and kissed him. She looked into his blue eyes with a worried smile.

"What's wrong mommy? You look sad."

Lois pulled Jason onto her lap. The moment of truth had arrived. "Sweetie, mommy is worried about Daddy. He didn't go to work yesterday and," she paused a beat, "and he hasn't been home or called. He's, he's missing."

"Missing?" Jason's eyebrows rose in question then came down as he pondered information. "Is Daddy hurt?"

"He could be." Lois brushed Jason wispy bangs off his forehead. "I've checked all the hospitals and haven't found him yet."

Jason thought some more. He was very calm. But then, he'd always had a calm, easy-going nature. "Could a bad guy have him?"

"What?" Lois was surprised at how quickly Jason had jumped to this conclusion. She wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to worry her son unnecessarily. But, then again, she had promised herself she would tell him the truth. That meant she would tell him what she knew so far. "Yes. It's possible."

"Could the bad guy from the boat have Daddy?"

It took Lois a second to realize Jason was referring to Lex Luthor. "Why do you think that, Sweetie?"

Jason's answer was very matter-of-fact. "I don't think he likes my daddies."

Lois looked at her son with wide eyes. He was more perspective than she had realized. "I think you could be right." Lois agreed. She didn't think Lex Luthor liked Jason's daddies either. Now though, it was important to allay Jason's fears. "Honestly, I don't know where Daddy is or if anything has happened to him. Instead of guessing, mommy needs to keep looking. But first, I'm going to fix us some breakfast."

Two hours later, Jason ran into his mother's bedroom. He wore his coat and carried his backpack by the shoulder strap. "Mommy it's time to go! I'm going to be late for school!"

Lois grabbed a sweater out of her closet. "No you won't, Sweetie. You're not going to school today."

"Huh? Why? I'm not sick."

"Mommy's still worried about Daddy and I'll feel better if you're with me today." Lois hoped she sounded reassuring. She bent down so she was eye-to-eye with her son. "Maybe you can help me find Daddy."

"Really?" Jason beamed with pride. He was very happy his mother wanted his help.

"Really." Lois smiled and ruffled Jason's hair.

# # # # # #

Although the sun shone brightly, there was a definite chill to the morning air. Lois grabbed a coat before she called Jason's school and informed the office he wouldn't be in today due to a family emergency. At first Lois felt like she was lying, but on second thought she realized it was true. This was a family emergency. A member of the family was missing.

Lois was startled by the realization that she still thought of Richard, Jason, and herself as a family. Would she always feel that way? On the drive to the Daily Planet memories of Richard and Jason and herself together flashed through her mind.

At 9:15 Lois hurried into the newsroom tightly clutching Jason's hand. She tossed her bag and purse on her desk and helped Jason take off his coat.

"Lois!" Perry's voice boomed from his office.

Lois took off her coat and ignored Perry. She hadn't gotten her story about Superman and the diamond thieves in last night in time for the morning edition.

Perry walked up to her desk and fixed her with an intimidating gaze. "Lois, do you know which newspaper ran a front page article of Superman and the York diamond?"

"No," Lois answered gathering up the coats.

"The Metropolis Star." Perry rested a hip on the corner of the desk.

"I'm sorry," Lois began.

Perry cut her off. "It's a good thing Ben scooped the competition with his article on the USS Gallant." Jimmy walked by, clearly listening to the conversation, and Perry acknowledged his contribution. "Not to mention Jimmy's fine photos of Superman rescuing the sailors. Every news station and paper is clamoring for an interview with those sailors." Perry looked over at Ben and Jimmy. "What have we got, fellas?"

Ben stood up and said, "I've got an interview scheduled this afternoon with both sailors. I'm also finishing up the background story on the USS Gallant. Did you know that Superman actually towed the carrier into place ten years ago when it became a museum?"

Perry smiled. He liked proactive reporters. "I'd forgotten that. I'm sure a lot of other people have, too. Good work, Ben."

Perry pushed off of Lois' desk and looked over the newsroom. Several people were standing around, chatting and drinking coffee. "Okay everyone, let's get to work."

Duly chastised, people scattered to their work stations.

Perry's gaze traveled back to Lois. She was pulling Jason's LeapFrog computer game out of his backpack. "Lois, in my office, now."

Lois situated Jason at her desk. She bent down and whispered in his ear, "Just play quietly. Mommy will be right back and then we'll start looking for Daddy."

"Close the door," Perry said when Lois entered his office. He motioned for her to take a seat. "Heard from Richard?"

The question surprised Lois. "No, not yet."

"My sister-in-law in England called last night when she couldn't reach Richard. What's going on Lois?"

Lois decided to lay all her cards, and suspicions, on the table. "As you know, Richard and I have been investigating the Lexicon corporations." Perry nodded as Lois continued. "Richard's search of public records showed the Lexicon penthouse here in Metropolis was purchased by the late Gertrude Vanderworth's estate. I'm sure you remember who Gertrude Vanderworth's widower was, or maybe I should say, is?"

"Lex Luthor." Perry's face scrunched like he'd bitten a lemon.

"That's right. Richard wanted proof of Luthor's involvement in Lexicon. He said he was going to do some snooping around the docks and warehouses. I tried to discourage him, but I'm positive he went anyway."

"So, what you're telling me, is you think Luthor might have something to do with Richard's disappearance?"

Lois gave a sad, slow nod. "I can't be sure, not without proof, but it seems the most logical explanation." Lois wanted to add that every fiber of her being was screaming at her, telling her she was right.

Perry put his hands on his hips and paced the room. "I think we may need to get the police involved."

"I don't know," Lois countered. "I mean, what could we tell them, other than my suspicions?"

Perry stopped in front of the window that faced the newsroom. He watched employees hustle by carrying papers from one place to another. Other employees were having conversations, sipping coffee, typing away at their computers, answering phones. His eyes came to rest on Jason playing quietly on his LeapFrog computer at Lois' desk.

"Have you told Jason?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Yes, that's why he's here today. I told him he could help me look for Daddy."

Perry turned back to Lois and said, "I have some connections in the Metropolis Police Department. I'll make some discreet inquiries, get the experts' advice, and get back to you."

"Thanks Perry. I'll keep investigating Lexicon."