Chapter 10
Everybody headed off to the reception in the church's rectory.
Luthor enjoyed a dance with Kitty's cousin, who praised him for
making a decent woman out of Kitty. "I cannot," Luthor
told her, "make what already is! I can only show the world
how much I appreciate it. I was once very mad at your cousin
about something she did. I even had thoughts of strangling her.
But then I really began to think about the reasons why she did
what she did, that she was even willing to risk her life to do
it. And I found I couldn't be angry at her any more. When a man
doesn't have a conscience himself, he has to find someone that
has a conscience good enough for two to keep his perspectives in
line."
Sherina smiled. "Mr. Luthor!" she argued, "I
believe there is quite a conscience there! Sometimes it takes a
little effort to bring it out."
Luthor returned her smile. Luthor had sat down with her groom.
"We didn't get to be introduced," Luthor greeted.
"Lex Luthor."
"Harry Longbrow," the man answered extending his hand.
Luthor took it. It was a strong grip.
"Native American?" Luthor asked.
"Fifty per cent!" Harry answered.
"
What do you do for a living?" Luther enquired. "I'm a
business consultant," came the answer, "but I'm trying
to organize a new bank here in the area. The three banks we've
got take advantage of the local farmers. They've foreclosed on
too many farms, when the farmers just needed a little more time
to pay their bills."
"How much seed capitol do you need?" Luthor asked.
"At least two million," Harry answered.
"Well," Luthor sighed, "I think it would present
too many difficulties if I was to give you the money. But I have
some contacts more or less honest that like to invest in things
like this. They have so much money that they don't mind putting
some of it to good work. I'll have them get in touch with you.
I'm sure we can get your bank rolling! I'll warn you, though,
you'll be watched! Everyone connected with me in any way is
watched."
"Well, they'll have nothing to complain about!" Harry
answered.
"Anything I'm involved with will be perfectly
straightforward."
Luthor hesitated a moment. "Perhaps you can answer a
question for me," he began. "Kitty doesn't talk about
it but I'd like to know. What happened to her parents?"
Harry looked disturbed but answered. "They were running a
meth lab. It blew up. They found their charred bodies in what was
left of the house. Katrina was found out in the yard. She was
nearly starved to death, she had been so neglected! She said an
Angel had picked her up and carried her out of the house just
before it exploded and left her there, wrapped in a blanket. He
had told her not to be afraid, that she'd be found in the
morning, and she wasn't! She just lay there all night watching
the stars. A sheriff's deputy found her the next morning and
rushed her to the hospital. Anthony and Charlotte took her in.
But she wasn't a country girl, she wanted the big city, and left
with somebody, we don't even know who."
"That's somebody you don't have to worry about," Luthor
remarked. "He won't be luring any more young ladies to a
life of excitement!" A look of concern came on Harry's face.
Two men were entering the hall. Kitty's uncle was intercepting
them.
"Oh oh!" Harry remarked, "The Kings!"
"Who?" Luthor enquired.
"Richard and John King," Harry explained. Richard
thought he had bids on Sherina but he kept getting himself in too
much trouble to suit her. He wasn't supposed to be back for a
couple of weeks. I'd better go see to them." "No,"
Luthor snapped, "Let me handle it!" He rose and started
across the room. The two men at the door saw him coming and were
obviously concerned.
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