Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.
A/N: Thanks to my faithful readers for leaving your reviews. I'm pleased you like the storyline thus far. If this is your first time here or you didn't dare to leave your impressions before, please, I'd appreciate feedback. Don't be afraid to say what you think.
Here's the second part of chapter 2 and, as a bonus, a short chapter 3. Good reading !
CHAPTER 2: Time to Collect-Part B
It was close to one o'clock when the taxi parked in front of her block of flats, and Chloe saw a man get out of a car across the street. It didn't take her long to realise he was there for her and she felt a knot in the pit of her stomach. In spite of all those years, the new face and the new identity, the strongest link with her past hadn't been severed. She had known the day would come when they'd knock at her door to collect, and she wasn't ready- not now that she knew something about herself she had ignored.
“ Miss Lawrence ? I'm Agent Clarkson from the FBI, “ he said, flashing the badge. “ Could I have a word with you ? “
“ Clarkson, you said ? “ asked Chloe. The name certainly was a joke.
“ Couldn't you have waited until tomorrow ? Do you live in a different time zone ? The last time I checked it was one o'clock, and I really feel like taking an aspirin and going to bed. And no, I'm not making a proposition if that's what you're thinking. I'm not that desperate. “
“ Have you ever been told you have a sharp tongue, Miss Lawrence ? “
“ What do you want, Mr Clarkson ? “ asked Chloe exasperated.
“ It's not what I want but what the government wants, Miss Lawrence. Why don't we go up ?
“OK. But don't you get any ideas in that head of yours. “
Once inside the apartment, Chloe kicked off her shoes, took off her jacket and sat on the sofa with her feet tucked underneath her.
“ Well, Agent Clarkson, let's come straight to the point. What does Uncle Sam want from me ? “
“ I assume you've learnt about the recent developments. “
“ Recent developments ? “
“ The lab accident that left the younger Luthor blind. It was on the front page of every major newspaper in the country. “
“ Oh, yes ! I think I've read something about it on the net, “ confessed a poker-faced Chloe.
“ We need your help on this case. “
“ My help ? I don't see how I can help. Remember that I'm part of the Witness Protection Program. I'm not supposed to come near any of the people that were once part of my life- least of all the Luthors.
“ I know how you feel, Miss Lawrence, but... “
“ You couldn't possibly know what I feel like, agent. Still, I've made my bed and I'm prepared to lie on it. I don't regret what I did. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's not the deed but what I've lost that I regret. “
“ You knew that one day we'd ask for your help again. You weren't fit to testify in court and Mr Luthor got away with murder. Now, he's involved in something bigger, and we've got reason to believe he's behind the attempt on his son's life. “
“Knowing the old devil, it wouldn't surprise me. What I don't understand is why he waited thirteen years. “
“He didn't. This wouldn't be his first attempt at finishing Alexander. The day your safe house exploded, the younger Luthor was found dying on the floor of his study. Poisoned wine. Those Luthors are definitely made of strong stuff. He survived a chemical onslaught that would have killed 99.9 of people and he required a very expensive treatment to purify his blood every 72 hours, “ explained the agent to a stunned Chloe.
“ What is it that you want me to do ? “ asked Chloe, trying to hide the effect the agent's revelation had had on her.
“ You've got an advantage, Miss Lawrence. You look nothing like your old self, and that charming accent of yours would never be associated with the midwestern girl you used to be. Were you to come near them, they wouldn't recognise you. Besides, you were just seventeen and, judging by the old photos I've seen of you, they could never confuse the girl they knew with the sophisticated woman in her thirties you're now. “
“ Well, gee, thanks... I guess, “ said Chloe with a smirk. “ But tell me, agent, how am I supposed to come near Luthor without blowing my cover ? “
“ Alexander's condition'll require him to have a personal assistant that could be his ' eyes', so to speak, and ... “
“ Alexander ? Aren't we talking about getting Lionel ? “ interrupted Chloe with a puzzled look.
“ Getting close to the son would be easier. He's an attractive young man and you're a beautiful young woman- although he wouldn't be able to see that, poor bastard. “
“ Why don't you refrain from making hurtful comments, agent Clarkson ? “ she exploded.” Just stick to the facts, please. “
“ I'm sorry, Miss Lawrence. I didn't think you'd be so touchy, considering he's the reason why you're part of the program. “
“ Let it rest, agent, “ snarled Chloe. “ Couldn't you send one of your undercover agents to spy on Lionel Luthor ? “
“ We tried that in the past but the old man smells federals from miles. “
“ I wonder how he manages to do that. You're the masters of disguise, “ she added ironically.
“ As I was saying... being Alexander's assistant would put you in a priviliged position. You'd have access to confidential information and be near Lionel Luthor. “
“ You're poor judges of character, agent. There's no love lost between those two, and you don't know Alexander as I do. He's been raised to distrust strangers, and there's no one I know who could get close enough to be privy to his personal or business matters. “
“ You're right, Miss Lawrence. You know him. You know how he thinks and that makes you perfect for the plan. “
“ I'm not spying on him, agent. It's out of the question. My days as an intrepid reporter are over, “ she shouted, leaving the sofa.
“ It'd be the perfect way to send to prison the man who killed your father, Miss Lawrence. Isn't that incentive enough ? Besides, you owe us. “
“ You're asking me to renounce to everything I've managed to build in these last thirteen years. And what's more you want me to deceive someone I used to call my friend, “ she said, pacing up and down the room for a couple of minutes. “ Let me sleep on it, agent. “
“ I'll wait for your call, Miss Lawrence, “ he said, walking towards the front door.
“ Goodnight, “ said Chloe, locking the door behind him.
Here's the promised bonus chapter. Enjoy !
CHAPTER 3: The Decision
Chloe arrived at the magazine when the clock struck nine. She had taken extra care with her wardrobe and make-up to cover up the puffy nose, the red eyes and the bags she got after a particularly sleepless and tearful night.
“ Good heavens , L ! What in bloody hell's happened to you ? “ asked her very British friend Janice. “ Have you been crying ? “
“ Not at all, Janice. I've spent too many hours in front of the computer screen to finish that damn article. My eyes were dry and I've just put some drops in them. “
“ You can't fool me, L. Why don't you confide in me ? I promise I won't tell. I'm the Bank of England as far as secrets go. “
“ Wouldn't that be Fort Knox ? “ asked Chloe, remembering the nickname Lex and her had given to an old friend of theirs. “ You're a wonderful friend but there's nothing to tell. However, I need to ask you a favour, Janice. I'm taking my holidays now and... “
“ That's the best news I've heard so far. You could use them, L. You're on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I can tell. Whatever happened yesterday morning has clearly pushed you closer to the edge, my friend, “ added her perceptive friend.
“ You could say I had an epiphany. I realised it's high time I stopped running away. I've been hiding for too long. “
“ I know what you mean, L. It's time to live and let your hair down. Have you thought of taking a cruise to the Caribbean ? “
“ Nothing as sophisticated as that. I was thinking of spending the three-month vacation the magazine owes me in Kansas. “
“ The countryside ? What's a cosmopolitan girl like you going to do in the middle of nowhere ? “
“ It'd be the perfect place to rest my weary mind but I've got a tiny little problem “
“ That's where I come in, isn't it ? “
“ Right. I've spent my savings on my wardrobe and the new carpet I bought for the apartment so I'm going to need a temporary job to make ends meet. “
“ Why don't you ask the boss for an advance ? “
“ I wouldn't like to owe him more than it's necessary, Janice. You know what he's like.”
“ Yes, yes, I know what you mean.What kind of job were you thinking of ? “
“ Maybe secretary or assistant. Something that involved clerical work. I'd need a letter of recommendation and I was wondering if your grandmother could write one for me. “
“ Grandma ? What have you got up your sleeve, L ? You want to impress someone ? OK... OK... I won't ask. I'll talk to her. She dotes on you so, I guess, it won't be a problem. Sometimes I think she loves you more than me. “
“ Thanks, Janice. You're a dear. “
“ Don't mention it, love. It'll be my pleasure. “
The wheels were already in motion and the only thing left now was to call Agent Clarkson with her answer. She'd agree to colaborate but in her own terms because she didn't trust the FBI. Some of its agents were easily bought, she was the living proof- their corruptible nature had cost Gabe his life and her a lot of pain and suffering. She couldn't trust anyone who could be outsmarted by the devil incarnate, and she didn't mean Lex Luthor. She'd agree to come back because it was the right thing to do. It was definitely high time Lionel paid for what he had done to her life and that of his son.
Well ? What do you think ? Are you willing to read what happens next ? Review !
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