Life In Smallville {2}

Chapter 13: Suspect

Liana's in the Talon with Lana, Clark, Henry Small. Henry says, "I'm sorry about your father, Clark but I'm afraid I can't represent him." Lana says, "I don't understand. Why?" Henry says, "Because, I'm not the right man for this kind of case." Clark says, "Mr. Small, from everything I know about you you're perfect for this case." Henry says, "I'd be happy to make some referrals." Liana says, "They don't need a list of names. They need someone they can trust." Henry says, "I'm sorry, Liana. My decision's final." After Henry leaves, Lana says, "Just when I thought I was getting to know him." Clark says, "Looks like we need to find another lawyer." As Clark gets up, Liana says, "Clark, um... there's something I have to tell you." Lana then leaves to give them some alone time. Liana says, "I went by the mansion yesterday to drop off the Talon's quarterly tax bills and your dad was there." Clark says, "What was he doing?" Liana says, "Yelling at Lionel Luthor. He threatened him, Clark." Clark says, "My dad told me he was running errands. Why would he lie to me?" Liana says, "Look, the sheriff came by earlier... I told him what I just told you. I didn't want to, but I couldn't lie." Clark says, "It's okay. I mean you know my dad would never try to kill anybody. Right?" Liana softly says, "He was angry, Clark. But I know him. And there's no way." Clark smiles and says, "Thanks."

The next day, Lana goes to see her sister in the Torch. Lana says, "Hey. Are you okay?" Liana says, "Sometimes being an objective journalist really sucks." Lana says, "I can imagine. I still can't believe Henry didn't take Mr. Kent's case." Liana says, "I found it out that Henry passed up an opportunity to take on a Luthor so I ran a search on his legal history. It turns out that Mr. Small was a top white-collar criminal defense lawyer. He and his firm did a lot of business with surprise, surprise... LuthorCorp." Lana says, "Maybe he considered the Kent case a conflict of interest." Liana says, "As opposed to all the other times he's taken on Lionel and his buddies? This is interesting, though. LuthorCorp filed a compliant against Henry Small that got him fired from his firm." Lana nods and says, "Okay, so that explains why he might hate the Luthor's. But doesn't explain why he won't take the case." Liana says, "You know, Lana, my computer only spits out cold, hard facts. If you want explanations, you're gonna have to go to the source." Lana nods. The next day, Lana texts Mr. Small to come to the Talon. Henry says, "Lana, I got your message. What's the urgency?" Lana says, "I know about the compliant Lionel Luthor filed against you." Henry says, "Have you been snooping into my past?" Lana says, "I was curious to find out why you wouldn't help Clark's father." Henry says, "And that gives you the right to pry into my personal life?" Lana says, "I'm your daughter. And if we're gonna have more than the same DNA in common we have to be honest with each other." Henry says, "Look, I didn't ask you to come barging into my life." Lana nods and says, "Don't worry, you know... I won't be imposing on you again." Henry says, "Lionel Luthor has nothing to do with this." Lana says, "I saw the complaint." Henry says, "Payback after I refused to go along with one of his ethically dubious schemes. Business as usual for LuthorCorp. You should have kept on digging." Lana says, "And what would I have found?" Henry says, "Kansas vs. Sutton. A murder trial back in the early '90s." Lana says, "I don't understand." Henry says, "I was defense counsel, court-appointed which meant I didn't give a damn. Five years after his conviction his family has the evidence retested proving he was innocent." Lana says, "So you were still able to get him out, right?" Henry says, "By then it was too late. He has been executed three months before. After that, I hung it all up. Now, I try to save the world from my living room. But, at least, I know nobody's gonna die because of me." Lana says, "I know you can't undo the past... but maybe you can't hide from it, either."

Later, Liana, Lana, and Mr. Small are at the sheriff station. Clark walks in and says, "Liana? Lana? What are you guys doing here?" Liana smiles and says, "Just offering some moral support." Lana says, "Brought some reinforcements." Henry says, "I'd like to handle your father's case if you'll still have me." Clark says, "Of course. We need all the help we can get. Thank you." Clark says, "How'd you get him to change his mind?" Lana says, "We set the ground rules for our relationship and we promised to be honest with each other, no matter what."