Chapter 12
“That explains Lionel’s attempts to get people to believe he’s a changed man,” Chloe mused. “The truth is out. Anyone connected in any way to ‘Veritas’ is dead. He’s simply trying to lie his way out of it. It won’t work, not anymore. He’s cried wolf one too many times.”
Oliver sat numbed in the overstuffed chair and shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t understand any of this. You’re telling me that my father was involved in some secret society along with Dr. Swan, the Teagues and the Luthors…. And killed because of it?” He then rose from his seat suddenly, heading toward his room. “Maybe I need to pay a visit to Lionel Luthor. I need some answers.”
“Ollie, wait.”
He turned. “Patricia Swan is dead, Chloe. Jason Teague as well. How do I know I’m not next on some list? I’m not going to sit around and wait to find out.”
“Oliver, I think Patricia’s death was a result of her involvement in her father’s work. She knew too much. Her knowledge was a threat. You say you have no recollection or knowledge of this club. You’re ignorance could be what keeps you out of the Luthor crosshairs.”
“I can’t take that chance, Clark. If he’s responsible for my parents’ death, then maybe he needs to be in my crosshairs. I’m not going to be a sitting duck for the Luthors.”
“Ollie,” Chloe called after him, as he stalked off to his room to dress.
When he was gone, Clark spoke quietly. “This is about me, Chloe. This whole ‘Veritas’ thing is connected to me somehow. Lionel kept going on about how he was protecting me.”
She turned to him. “We can’t let Oliver know that. And he can’t go to visit Lionel alone, Clark.” Her eyes pleaded with him.
Clark gazed at her for a long moment and knew that no matter what happened, he’d do anything for her. She’d do no less for him, after all. He nodded lightly, and Chloe sighed in relief.
When Oliver didn’t come out of his room, Chloe checked on him, and came running back. “Clark, he’s gone! And he’s taken his Arrow gear…”
* * * * *
Chloe didn’t really want to go back to the Planet, but she needed to pick up her car and leave the Luthorcorp ID somewhere in the assistant’s desk. She also needed to go home for a change of clothes, not to mention shoes. She glanced at the Clock Tower. It was just after midnight. She checked her cell phone, no missed messages from Clark. Taking the zip drive with the downloaded files from her purse, she slipped it inside Oliver’s desk drawer. Oliver had been gone about half an hour already. As soon as they’d realized he’d gone, Clark super sped out of the penthouse. She hoped he’d found Oliver.
Taking one last glance around the penthouse, she headed out for the Planet, wearing a thick pair of Oliver’s socks and cursing her lack of shoes every step of the way. The basement was darkened and empty when she arrived, except for a custodian who worked the night shift. Chloe walked over to Lex’s assistant’s desk, tossing the ID into the top drawer.
“I thought you’d be a little smarter about covering your tracks than that, Chloe,” the silken voice of Lex Luthor sounded from behind her. Chloe stiffened.
She turned to him, her voice calm. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Lex. I came back because I’d left something here that I needed for a story.”
“Would that something be your shoes?” He asked, and held up a pair of black pumps as evidence.
Her eyes narrowed, and her chin lifted slightly, but she didn’t answer.
He moved toward her. “Somehow I didn’t think corporate espionage was part of your job description. Now… you’re going to tell me what you were doing in the Luthorcorp building after hours, and what information you’re passing along to the Green Arrow.” He glanced behind her and nodded. Chloe turned in time to see three henchmen move toward her. “These gentlemen will escort you to one of my offices where we can discuss this further.” He turned his attention to the men. “Bring her to the location we’ve discussed. Wait for further instructions.”
Chloe struggled against them as she watched Lex Luthor walk away. “I don’t know anything about the Green Arrow!” She threw a punch at one of her captors, clocking him in the nose, then turning, she elbowed another and nearly slipping from their grasp, she ran for the door. Shocked and surprised, the first man, nose bloodied and eyes watering, reached for her and reacted by returning the blow. Her body slumped, and he caught her. “Aren’t you a feisty one? Let’s get her out of here.”
* * * * *
When Clark arrived on the scene, the Green Arrow stood, arrow poised to fire on Lionel Luthor, sitting in a chair in his study, book still in his lap.
“Tell me all you know about Veritas,” a distorted, metallic voice said.
“I’m sorry young man, but you seem a bit deluded. If you leave now, I won’t involve the authorities.”
“What about the people you’ve killed? Were they deluded as well?”
Lionel pursed his lips. “I am man of many resources, I can get you the help you need.”
“I don’t want your help. I want information.” The Green Arrow aimed his bow carefully, raising it menacingly. “The Swans, the Teagues, the Queens.. tell me about them.”
Lionel swallowed convulsively.
Clark inhaled deeply.
Soon the room filled with gusts of wind, furniture moved, papers flew about, lamps crashed, pictures flung from the walls, and both Arrow and Lionel were on the ground in different areas of the room fighting against the wind. The large window behind the desk shattered with the force of air, and Clark took the opportunity to speed into the room, grab Oliver and speed out with him in tow. Lionel would know what had happened, but Clark didn’t care, he simply didn’t want to deal with him anytime again soon. There’d be nothing to explain.
Seconds later, Clark dumped Oliver unceremoniously in a grassy field some distance away, and watched him roll a few feet before stopping. “I couldn’t let you do it.”
“I wasn’t going to kill him! I just wanted information.”
“Oliver, you’re not thinking.”
Oliver sat up, lowered his hood and removed his dark glasses. “What if it were your parents Clark? Wouldn’t you want to know?”
“Of course. But not that way. If you had hurt him, you’d be no better than him.”
“What way do you suggest?”
“Lionel will get his due soon enough, but it’s not only up to us to decide his fate this way.” Clark sighed heavily and sat beside him. They were both quiet for a time. Clark waiting till Oliver had settled somewhat before he spoke again. “You really love Chloe, don’t you?” It wasn’t a question.
Oliver lowered his head. “She wouldn’t be too proud of me right now,” he answered quietly.
Another long moment passed. Clark gazed up at the endless stars that dotted the vast night sky, and a feeling of sad resignation washed over him. He then weighed his next words carefully, so that Oliver would not mistake his meaning. “If you care about that, then you must love her very much. Enough to want to be the man that deserves her.”
“You’re right. I do. And I am.”
Clark looked over at Oliver and gave him a small sad smile. “C’mon, let’s go home.”
Oliver stood up, brushing grass from his leather suit. “I’ll take my bike, thanks.”
“Hang on, I’ll get it for you.” Clark zipped away, and returned instantly with Oliver’s green motorcycle, holding it up in one hand, then setting it down next to him.
Oliver rolled his eyes as he swung his leg over the seat. “Show off.”
* * * * *
“If you don’t tell me what information you were looking for at Luthorcorp and passing along to the Green Arrow, things will get very ugly, Ms. Sullivan,” Lex’s nameless female assistant circled around the chair Chloe had been tied to, her heels clicking loudly in the small interrogation room. She then stared down into Chloe’s face.
Chloe, her cheek bruised and lip swollen stared back defiantly. “Where’s Lex? Doesn’t want to do his dirty work himself? That’s right, I forgot he doesn’t like to get his hands dirty.”
The woman raised her hand slapping Chloe across the face. Her head jolted, hair covering her eyes. “Tell me about the Green Arrow!”
End Chapter 12
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