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Chapter 14 – Luthor always has Kryptonite
Superman flew up into the heavens with Richard’s words ringing in his ears. “
Be careful if you find him. He may have Kryptonite.”
As he took a few seconds bathing in the sun, his thoughts answered the warning his friend had just given him.
Luthor always has Kryptonite. Not wanting to waste any more time speculating Superman flew directly to the private school. As he approached he noticed the police barricades surrounding the area. Landing just inside the perimeter he analyzed the entire scene along with the various groups of people scattered around both inside and outside the police lines. Seeing Inspector Henderson Superman approached the man he had known fairly well in the past under both guises, a man he had respected and even trusted.
“Sir, I would like to offer my assistance.”
Turning around annoyed the inspector was about to tell his men to keep the parents out of the cordoned off area before noticing just who had spoken. “Ahhhh, Superman. So glad to see you recovered so quickly. You had us all scared there for awhile young man.” He grabbed Superman’s hand and shook it vigorously.
“Thank you sir, I’m fine but to the matters at hand. I understand a small boy has been kidnapped. I have good reason to believe Lex Luthor was somehow involved.”
“Yes the principle mentioned Richard White and Lois Lane had removed their son from the school yesterday morning fearing Luthor might try something because of the events that took place on his yacht. I don’t think the school took the possibility of a threat serious. Evidently Miss Lane is considered a little too overprotective by some of the staff.”
“That is beside the point, Luthor can never be taken too seriously.”
“Agreed, but what riles me is that they allowed an unknown man presenting himself as a plumber full unattended access.” The inspector shook his head. “Someone was not doing their job.”
“What evidence do you have in connection to the abduction?”
“Very little other than this toolbox which has some good prints, unfortunately I doubt they match the kidnapper. A SUV with magnetic Joe’s Plumbing signs and a similar toolbox inside were all reported stolen about the same time this was going down. The SUV hasn’t been recovered yet and the owner says he had business cards just like the one given to the school office on the dashboard. The real Joe says he didn’t have stickers on the box so we’re hoping to get something off one of these stickers.”
“Just after the first bulletin we had a call on the tip line. A woman about three blocks from here saw the SUV park just long enough for a man wearing a baseball cap to get out and remove the magnetic signs and jump back inside. She said he was headed north on Talbert.”
The inspector motioned over to a bunch of about twenty kids huddled together watching Superman’s every move. “Those are the last kids to see the Johnson boy. A couple of them noticed the man had on gloves and a Monarch’s baseball cap but other than that they don’t really remember anything about what he looked like. The parents are all clamoring to take them home so we’re about to release them.”
Motioning to a distraught couple being escorted away by several officers he continued. “That’s the Johnson boy’s parents over there. I’m sure they will be glad to hear you’re on the case.”
Another officer came running up. “Sir, a Mr. White is demanding to speak with you. He insists his son was the intended target of the abduction.”
The inspector sighed but Superman spoke up, “Let him in. He may have some additional information. In the meantime, would you mind if I try questioning the kids? Perhaps my presence will help them remember something. If nothing else it might make them feel a little less afraid.”
Inspector Henderson nodded and the younger man headed over to the kids. As he approached a couple of the braver kids, a boy and girl jumped up and ran to stand right in front of him, looking up in awe.
The Inspector saw Richard White coming towards him and motioned for him to join him watching Superman with the kids. “That man has always had a way with kids. There is just something about him they instinctively trust and I guess even love. I can’t say as I blame them though. He really is something special.” The seasoned officer spoke with almost a paternal reverence for the young hero.
Richard sighed and nodded as he looked on watching as the children seemed to come alive and lose their fear around the charismatic hero.
“Hello, what are your names?” Superman smiled softly and knelt down on one knee to be closer to the children’s level.
The little girl spoke up, “I’m Emily and this is Jacob. Are you here to help find Ricky? A bad man took him.”
“Yes Emily, I’m here to help the police find Ricky. But all of you can help too. Do any of you remember anything that might help us identify the man who left that toolbox?”
The two kids shook their heads and looked back at their classmates. One little boy spoke haltingly. “I was in line for a drink and the man dropped his pen right next to Ricky. He had a Monarch’s baseball cap but I already told the police that.”
“Do you remember anything else about what he looked like?”
The little boy seemed about to cry, his lips quivering as he shook his head no. “I was in a hurry to get a drink. I don’t remember anything else.”
Superman held his arm out for the boy motioning for him to come forward. The little boy hesitantly joined the other two children still standing next to the hero. Speaking softly he put his arm around the child’s shoulder. “It’s all right. We’ll find your friend.”
“I left him all alone with that stranger. I should have waited for him. Maybe I…” He stopped as tears filled his eyes and his quivering increased.
“You had no way of knowing Ricky was in any danger. It wasn’t your fault.” He looked the little boy in the eye reassuring him that he was not to blame.
Just then another little girl spoke up. “I remember something Superman. The man had a pony tail and he wore it just like my uncle does.”
Superman looked up at her motioning her to join the other kids close to him. “What do you mean like your uncle?”
“It was blond and the ponytail came out the back of his baseball cap.”
“Do you remember anything else, like how tall or how big he was?”
“He was tall.”
“Tall like me?”
The little girl grinned. “No not that tall!” She giggled. “Tall and big like them.” She pointed to a teacher speaking to one of the officers nearby both average height and build.
Superman spoke with the children a few more minutes making sure he had spoken to each one, wanting to be sure their fears had all been addressed. By the time he stood back up all the children were grouped around him. “I’ll be keeping a close eye on your school, so none of you need to be afraid. We’ll have your friend back to you very soon.”
He left them with the officers who had been standing nearby listening and making notes of the bits of new information and re-joined Inspector Henderson who was still standing nearby with Richard. With the officers overseeing the teachers finally began allowing the parents to start claiming their children one by one.
With a slight nod to acknowledge Richard’s presence Superman spoke quietly as the three men walked away from the group of children and hovering parents. “The man who took the child doesn’t match the description of any of the men who were with Luthor on New Krypton or the yacht but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved.”
The inspector nodded and finally addressed Richard. “Mr. White has anyone tried to contact you or Miss Lane?”
“Uh, no not me but I don’t know about my fiancée, I haven’t been able to contact her and she hasn’t called me either. She may not be aware of what’s going on. She had a routine doctor’s appointment and would have had to turn her phone off.”
“We will need to tap all of your phone lines just in case the kidnappers try and contact you. We’re already in the process of tapping the Johnson’s phones as I speak.”
“Sure…whatever you need. Of course we’ll cooperate. But won’t Luthor know he doesn’t have our son?” he asked the inspector.
Superman answered. “Luthor will know but it most likely won’t matter. He may communicate with you or more likely Miss Lane because his main objective is surely to get my attention. More likely he’ll use a method that will get my direct attention as he has so often in the past.”
Confused, Richard asked, “How has he communicated directly with you in the past?”
“A high frequency broadcast that is well above the range of human hearing seems to be one of his preferences. As soon as he feels his trap is sufficiently set he will no doubt want to spring it.”
“You my boy had better clue us in when he does. We don’t want you falling from the sky again.”
“I‘m working on a plan of my own, I have no intention of falling into another of Luthor’s traps. Now, if you don’t mind I need to get back to work.” Looking at the inspector Superman added, “I’ll keep you informed.” With that he was gone.
Turning back to Richard, “I take it that your son is safe in some undisclosed location?”
“Correct. Jason is safe and will stay there until Luthor and his gang is behind bars where they belong. I’m sure the school showed you pictures of both boys?”
“Yes, I noticed the resemblance similar size and hair coloring. This just isn’t Luthor’s MO.” He looked up into the sky momentarily hesitating before continuing, “But if Superman is convinced he’s behind it, that’s good enough for me.”
Xoxoxo
Lois sat in the doctor’s office fanning through a magazine she had absolutely no interest in reading. Looking at her watch she got up and approached the receptionist. “Excuse me, I’ve been waiting here for well over an hour can you please tell me how much longer I am expected to wait?”
“I’m sorry Miss Lane. The doctor was detained due to an emergency delivery. I’m sure he’ll be arriving soon. Please just take a seat and we’ll call you as soon as he arrives.”
Clearing her throat to show her annoyance Lois asked. “Can’t the nurse just give me the darn shot like last time? What do I need to see the doctor for if all he’s going to do instruct her to give the shot?”
The nurse came up behind the receptionist having heard what Lois just said. “Miss Lane, as we informed you at your last visit you are overdue for the doctor to examine you. We allowed you to talk us around that requirement last time but the doctor will not authorize further treatment without an examination. It’s for your own protection. The doctor should be here any time now.”
“Can’t you just give me the shot and make an appointment for the exam in a few days?”
“That is what we did last time. Three months ago. So the answer is no. Please take a seat the doctor will be here shortly.”
“Fine.” She sighed taking a seat in the corner of the waiting room where she could fidget in relative private away from the growing number of waiting patients. A TV had just been switched on and was showing a popular soap opera on the other side of the room but like the magazine in her hands it held no interest for her. She took out her Blackberry and was about to turn it on when the receptionist tapped on the window and pointed to a nearby sign.
PLEASE KEEP ALL CELLS PHONES OFF
SENSITIVE EQUIPMENT IN USE
Rolling her eyes she dropped her phone back into her purse. Leaning back in the chair she once again began fanning through the well worn magazine. About ten minutes later she heard a familiar newscaster interrupt the soap opera with a special report.
“Ladies and Gentlemen we interrupt … programming once again with additional information on the missing ... the following …alert has been issued. The five year old boy pictured …. just been … kidnapped from…”
Looking at the screen she recognized the little boy as one of Jason’s schoolmates. Lois jumped up and ran to stand in front of the TV so she could see and hear the broadcast better in the crowded room. After listening for a few seconds more she ran back to grab her purse and was out the door with her phone already powering on.
Out in the hallway running to the building exit she looked at the small screen and saw the missed calls from Richard. Hitting return call she continued to run for her car parked a short distance away. The phone rang and Richard picked up quickly.
“Richard I just saw a newsbreak. What’s happening, where are you?” She asked before he could even acknowledge the call.
“Lois, I’m on the way home with a couple of officers from Inspector Henderson’s team. We should be there in about five minutes. We can talk there.”
“Wait, what about Superman?”
“Lois he is already on the job. Everything will be fine. Just get home as fast as you can…safely that is.”
“Yeah right, see you in a few.”
Xoxo
Superman took off from the school yard and began scanning the city. He really didn’t expect to see the SUV but it didn’t hurt looking. He rose higher where he had the best view and clearest sounds from the city. He immediately honed in on Lois whose heart rate seemed agitated. Not wanting to take any chances he zoomed to her location and hovered overhead so he could watch and hear that she was in no danger. Smiling he saw she was just irritated with having to wait for service at a doctor’s office.
Feeling relieved knowing where she was and that she was safe he flew back up to resume his search of the city. After a couple minutes he retrieved his cell phone from the hidden pocket in his cape and as he continued to search the city he opened the phone quickly placing a call home.
“Mom, it’s me. How are things going there?”
Sensing something was up she responded directly, “Everything is fine here. Jason is a little treasure. You sound like you’re in the air. Is something wrong there?”
“A little boy was kidnapped from Jason’s school. I’m sure it was Luthor’s doing. Don’t scare him but be careful. I’ll be in touch. No doubt Lois and Richard will be calling too.”
“Ben’s here with us. We’ll be fine. You be careful too. I don’t want another scare like that last one.”
He frowned, thinking of his mother worrying about him. “I’ll be careful and I’ll do my best to stop by soon. Bye Mom.”
Keying in a different contact number he listened for the call to be answered. “It’s me. How is she doing?”
“Not so well. She’s been in and out of consciousness since you left. She evidently took several hits to her head. The doc had to relieve pressure from swelling of the brain. It’s a good thing you brought her here.”
“Does he have any idea when she’ll be able to answer a few questions? The stakes have just gone up.”
“What, how so?”
“One of Jason’s classmates was just kidnapped, one who looks a lot like him.”
“You think Luthor has kidnapped a child thinking he was …Jason.”
“Yes. That is exactly what I think.”
“Come on by. The doc has assured me that she will be waking up shortly.”
“I’m almost there now.”
Seconds later Superman flew into the batcave. Bruce smiled as he looked up from his console. “You never cease to amaze me with that darn speed of yours. Come on let’s go see the doc.”
As they walked to the elevator and entered Bruce asked. “So you really think Luthor has stooped so low as to resort to kidnapping?”
“This has his name all over it. It’s just too much of a coincidence to think otherwise.”
“Wait,” Bruce pushed the stop button on the elevator. “What aren’t you saying? Crap, he knows about Jason? That’s it isn’t it?” Bruce didn’t need an answer, it was written all over his friend’s face.
“Lois thinks he figured it out while they were trapped on the yacht.”
“How? Did he have a reaction to Kryptonite or something?”
Superman looked back at him like a kid who had been caught breaking curfew. “I guess it would fit under the something category. From what I’ve been told he threw a grand piano to protect his mother from being violently attacked by one of Luthor’s men.”
Bruce leaned back against the elevator wall as he pressed the up button “Yeah that would do it.” He patted his friend’s shoulder secretly planting a bug seconds before the doors opened.
“It’s this way.” The billionaire motioned as the two exited the elevator.
They were met by a man in the hallway just outside the state of the art hospital equipped room. “Superman, this is my business manager and friend, Lucius Fox.”
“Mr. Fox I’m pleased to meet you. How is Miss. Kowolski? Is the doctor in with her now?”
Lucius looked at Bruce questioningly. “The doctor left a while ago saying she’s likely to be out for some time. The nurse is looking after her with explicit instructions to call if there is any change.”
“Did she say anything about Luthor or his plans while she was awake?”
Lucius shook his head. “No she’s been pretty incoherent. I don’t think she has said anything but to call out in fear a couple times. If you will excuse me, I was just on my way out.”
Superman turned back to Bruce his understanding of the situation showing on his face. “That is not what you led me to believe, but then that was all a ruse to get me here. Why? Do you think I am so incapable of handling myself with Luthor that you feel a need to bug me to track my whereabouts?”
Bruce shrugged he hadn’t thought he’d been caught. “I just wanted to make sure I had your back.” The two headed back to the batcave while they continued to speak.
“Next time just ask. Where Luthor is concerned it might not be such a bad idea to have backup. But just so you know in the future, I heard that bug the second you activated it while attaching it to my cape.” He turned his head to look at his shoulder and picked the miniature electronic device off handing it back to Bruce. “Here, you might need this for something else.”
“Sorry, I was told it was a silent model and completely undetectable. Next time I’ll know better.” Superman squinted his eyes at him as if in warning. Holding his hands up in surrender Bruce continued. “All right, no next time.”
When they arrived back in the cave Superman turned towards the dark expanse. “I need to get back in the air. Please, call me with any news.”
“Wait, I have a new and improved state of the art satellite phone for you. It’s much better and safer than that one you’ve been using.”
“The one I have is just like the ones the CIA operatives are currently using. It is safe.”
“This one is even better, trust me.”
“Trust the guy that just tried to bug me?” He arched one eyebrow as he stared down his friend.
Bruce shrugged. Looking contrite he added “It’s just a small thank you for that satellite you fixed for us. I must say that saved Wayne Enterprises a mint. It would have been a complete loss without your help, besides this phone will make our communications absolutely undetectable.” Bruce handed him the phone. “Truce old friend?”
“I know you meant well but you don’t need to bug me. I’ll call you if I hear from Luthor.
Likewise please call me as soon as Miss Kowolski regains consciousness.”
Smiling as Superman departed Bruce pulled up a screen and almost laughed looking back over his shoulder into the darkness where his friend had just disappeared. “Yep, the GPS on that phone will do just as well, perhaps even better.”
Xoxo
Luthor contemplated just how things would go down. He twirled the ring on his finger with unabashed glee enjoying the green crystal so like the color of money, perhaps a little brighter but close enough. He wasn’t sorry he had squandered that small bit of the rare crystal on a trinket for his finger. He already considered it a cherished souvenir.
Getting up he went over to the little boy. Soon, he would be waking up soon. He brushed the hair out of the boys face as he smiled down at him anticipating the scene to come. His own eyes turned dark as he remembered how Superman had been able to escape against all odds when they last met. That was not going to happen this time. Not this time. He wouldn’t let that blasted alien out of this sight until he was positive he was long past dead, cold, green and forever dead. He had been cheated of that victory one too many times. Superman was going down and he was personally going to be the one to finish the job. All it would take was one well placed little green bullet and he had five left. He fingered the loaded gun in his pocket antsy to use it again this time for its intended purpose, to finally kill the alien.
Xoxo
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All That Matters 14/? (Read 1507 times)
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