Chapter 46

Valia smiled kindly at the man and boy huddled on the old mattress and motioned for them to follow her.

"Who's that?" Jason asked.

"I'm not sure." Richard pushed to his feet and took Jason by the hand.

Valia leaned her head out of the doorway and glanced down the hall. When she saw that it was clear, she turned back to Richard and Jason and again motioned them toward her.

Jason stated the obvious, "She wants us to go with her, Daddy."

"Yes, I know, but." Richard held tight to Jason's hand. The open door beckoned. The path to freedom lay beyond it.

Valia placed a hand on her chest and said, "Friend."

"She talks funny," Jason said, noting the strange accent.

"Her clothes are strange, too." Richard observed the small crest engraved with an alien symbol attached to her tunic top. "I wonder . . ."

"Superman." Valia used another word in her limited vocabulary.

"You're a friend of Superman?" Hope rose in Richard.

Valia nodded enthusiastically and gave him a radiant smile. She understood more English than she spoke. She used hand gestures to indicate they should follow her out the door and down the hall.

Richard looked at the thick metal door. The large handle dangled listlessly and a few indentations marred its surface. This door had definitely been forced open with super-strength.

Richard looked down at Jason and put a finger to his lips, signaling Jason should remain silent. Jason nodded that he understood. Hand-in-hand, Richard and Jason quietly followed Valia through the doorway and down the hall.

The trio passed two unconscious guards sprawled on the floor. Richard looked from the guards to Valia. He saw remorse in her eyes as she flicked her fingers and demonstrated her technique for knocking the men unconscious.

A deep commanding voice came from behind, "Jason. Mr. White."

Jason spun and yelled, "Superman!"

Superman went down on one knee and Jason ran into his open arms.

Superman hugged his son to him and whispered in his ear, "Are you all right?" Jason's arms tightened around Superman's neck and he felt his son nod against his shoulder.

Superman looked up at Richard. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Richard was disheveled, unshaven, and haggard looking. "A little worse for wear, but thanks to your friend . ." Richard looked around for the young woman dressed in the strange clothes, but she had disappeared. Puzzled, he turned to Superman for an explanation.

"No time to explain," Superman said. "The police are on their way."

Two police officers cautiously approached from one end of the hall with handguns drawn. One officer was tall and muscular. The other was shorter, but equally as muscular. When the officers saw a happy Jason in Superman's arms, they relaxed a little and lowered their weapons.

The tall officer said, "Everything okay, Superman?"

"Yes, officers. Mr. White and his son have been found." Superman smiled at Jason still wrapped in his strong arms. "And they appear to be unharmed."

Richard added, "No thanks to Lex Luthor, I'm sure."

The tall officer wasn't in the business of guessing about who was to blame for the kidnapping. He was here to find a missing boy and his father and he'd accomplished that. His next task was getting them out of the building and to safety. The officer said, "Superman, I have to ask you to let the boy go."

The Man of Steel released Jason and told him, "Everything's okay." He smoothed Jason's hair, jutted his chin at Richard, and said, "Stay with your father."

Richard stepped next to Jason and placed a protective hand on the boy's shoulder.

As Superman rose to his feet, the shorter officer aimed his weapon at Superman's chest.

Richard's eyes widened in concern. He dropped down beside Jason and wrapped his arms around him. "Hey, what's going on here? Why are you treating Superman like a criminal? He found my son and me and got us out of a room we'd been locked in for .. for .. I don't know how many days."

That was a bit of a white lie. Superman had not been the one to get them out of the room, but Richard instinctively knew that he shouldn't mention the women with strange clothes and super-powers.

Superman said, "I'm sure Ms. Lane would like to know her son is safe."

Jason had been through a lot in the last 24 hours. The corners of his mouth drooped and he began to whimper. "I want my mommy."

Richard released his bear hug on Jason as the tall officer came forward and tried to calm Jason. "Don't worry son, we're going to get you home. Safe and sound, to your mom."

Jason's eyes welled and his little boy voice was adamant, "I want Superman to take me home."

Voices and footsteps in the hall announced the approach of more police officers. Detective Hardy stepped to the front of the pack with one hand on his holstered weapon and the other holding a radio. The shorter, Detective Lamb was by his side.

Detective Hardy spoke into his radio, "All clear! Repeat, all clear! The boy and Mr. White are safe. All units stand down."

By now, Richard was on his feet, ready to defend Jason.

Jason's face scrunched up and it appeared he might cry at any moment. He'd had all he could take. "I wanna go home."

Detective Hardy used his most comforting voice, "We're going to get you home right now, son. I promise."

Richard spoke up, "He wants Superman to take him home and as his father, I agree. If Superman's willing." He glared at the assembled officers defiantly.

Superman slowly surveyed the group of officers. "Anyone object?"

All eyes turned to Detective Hardy. He shook his head. "No. You can take the boy home. We will need to ask you questions later." Superman nodded that he would be available for questions later and Detective Hardy turned to Richard. "Mr. White, we'll take you home now and you can give us a quick statement in the car. We can do an in-depth interview later. Right now, I know Ms. Lane is anxious to see you and her son."

"No problem. I understand." Richard ran a hand through his uncombed hair. He knelt and hugged Jason fiercely. "Say, hi, to mommy for me. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Richard kissed Jason on the head and let him go. Superman picked up his son and strode down the hall followed by four officers. At least their weapons had been holstered. Detectives Hardy and Lamb stayed with Richard.

One of the officers accompanying Superman said, "That elevator will take you to the lobby." He looked at the Man of Steel warily. "I mean, if that's where you're headed."

"Thank you," Superman said and stopped in front of the elevator. The officer quickly pressed the down button and eyed the superhero apprehensively.

Moments later the elevator doors opened on the lobby floor. Superman stepped out holding Jason securely in his arms. The four police officers accompanied them. Superman walked through the damaged Lexicon entrance and stepped onto the sidewalk. It was still strewn with broken glass and mangled door frames. He looked up, bent slightly, and sailed skyward with his precious cargo.