Superman: Dawnbreaker (DC Icons #4)(22)

Clark watched Montgomery’s eyes grow wide as he stood frozen for several awkward seconds. Then his smile returned, and he shook his head. “Can’t say I do.” He extended his hand to Clark. “But like I said, email any more questions. I’ll try to respond within a few days.”

Clark shook the man’s hand. “Thanks for your time.”

After shaking Lana’s hand, too, Montgomery hit a button on his desk, and the executive assistant came back into the room to show Clark and Lana out. Just before they went through the double doors, Clark glanced back and saw Montgomery still standing near his desk, smiling and waving at them.



* * *



—

“Well, that was an odd goodbye,” Lana said in a low voice as they headed back through the lobby and toward the exit.

Clark nodded. “Tell me about it.”

“What the hell is Project Dawn, anyway?” she asked.

“No clue. I overheard someone say it on the way into the building, and I was curious.”

“I have to say, overall I was pretty impressed. Of course, people like him don’t get where they are without being able to turn on the charm—” Lana stopped in her tracks and grabbed Clark by the wrist. “Shit, it’s him,” she said in a much quieter voice.

Clark stopped, too. “Who?”

“The guy from the coffee shop.” Her gaze slid meaningfully toward the front door.

Clark saw a tall, muscular guy heading for the exit in a hurry, like he was late for a meeting or something. Clark recognized him immediately. “Wait, that’s who was hitting on you?”

She grinned. “Cute, right?”

“That’s Corey Mankins, Lana. Montgomery’s older son.”

Lana turned to Clark. “So he’s cute and rich?”

“Yeah,” Clark said. “And according to Bryan, he’s also a punk.”

Lana ignored this comment, saying, “Let’s follow him.”

“What?” Clark didn’t understand what was happening. “Why?”

But Lana was already pulling him through the lobby.

Once they were outside, Clark saw Corey walking across the street toward an old commercial building with several FOR LEASE signs posted in the storefront windows. The building he entered was in bad shape. It was as if the surging Smallville economy had missed a spot. Few of the storefronts still had company banners above the doors or OPEN signs. The door Corey went through displayed a small sign with a generic-looking sunrise logo and a company name: WESCO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INDUSTRIES.

Lana looked to Clark.

He didn’t know what she expected to find in a place like this. But then again, he was sort of curious about Bryan’s brother, too. For a very different reason. He motioned across the street. “After you.”

They crossed and Lana opened the door and they went inside.

This Wesco company clearly wasn’t anticipating any new clients. The front lobby of the small commercial space was empty aside from a dusty plastic plant hanging in a corner of the room. The reception desk was stacked with uneven piles of takeout menus, coupons, flyers, and other solicitations that had probably been slipped under the front door over the past several months.

Corey stood leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed. “Can I help you?” After focusing on Lana a few more seconds, he uncrossed his arms and pushed off the wall. “Wait,” he said. “Do I know you?”

Lana smiled. “You may have bought my coffee the other day.”

“Oh, that’s right. Cool. You’re…”

“Lana.”

“Lana. Cool. I’m Corey.” He glanced over his shoulder at an open door just inside a hallway. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m working on a news story for school, and I saw you outside, and…I don’t know. I thought I’d come say hi.” Lana tilted her head and looked up at Corey.

Clark felt like she was dangerously close to batting her eyelashes. He stepped up beside her, telling Corey, “You know me, too.”

Corey looked Clark up and down. “You’re that Kent kid. From the farm.” He turned to Lana. “You two know each other?”

Lana shrugged. “Sort of.”

“Wait, you’re not, like…”

Lana laughed and shook her head. “Not even close. We’re just friends.”

Clark bristled at how dismissive Lana had sounded. What did she mean, “not even close”?

“Man, small world,” Corey said. He walked over to the open door and gently pulled it closed while saying over his shoulder to Lana, “Anyway, if you wanna hang out or something, we should go back to the coffee shop. This place isn’t great for socializing.” He motioned around the empty room.

Lana took out her notepad and pen. “The story I’m doing is on your dad’s company. Would it be okay if I just interviewed you real quick? I promise it’ll only take a few minutes.”

“Wait, you want to interview me?” Corey looked anxious. “So you’re, like, a reporter?”

Lana shook her head. “Not a real one. It’s just for class. My teacher assigned an article about charities, and I know how much your family gives back.”

“They’re definitely not wasting their money on decor,” Clark said under his breath as he looked around the room.