"Of course," Adrian said, as if it were obvious. He casually carried the iron bucket of fresh milk and stepped out of the cow shed.
"It's best not to go out in this weather," he warned Courtney before leaving.
"You faced Devourer of Heaven at Smallville High School, didn't you?" Courtney asked, trying to understand.
Adrian stopped and turned slightly. "Yes. The information you and Pat provided was wrong. Devourer of Heaven wasn't actually released from the dark heart at that time."
"How could that be?" Courtney's eyes widened in surprise. "Shadow told me otherwise."
"Seems one of you two lied," Adrian said with a shrug. "But it doesn't matter anymore. Devourer of Heaven has been released from the dark heart. In a sense, you were right; the timing was just off."
He paused. "Also… Devourer of Heaven's host, Cindy Burman, has gone to hell."
"Gone to hell?" Courtney stepped closer, alarmed. "What do you mean? Are you saying she's dead?"
Though she had become Stargirl's adversary, she couldn't help but care. Adrian glanced at the milk in his bucket before continuing.
"Yes, literally. Devourer of Heaven dragged her to hell—or Shadow Land, wherever it exists. She's definitely gone."
Courtney lowered her head, distressed. "Did… did Devourer of Heaven kill her?"
"I…" Adrian hesitated only briefly.
Tears welled up in Courtney's eyes. "First Taylor, then Beth… everyone is gone. Devourer of Heaven made them face the darkness in their hearts. I tried to reach them, but no one turned back. Maybe the enemy isn't Devourer of Heaven—it's ourselves."
Adrian's lips curved slightly, his sharp edge cutting through her despair. "The fact that you can think like this shows that the brainless Courtney from before has grown."
"Go back and rest. This isn't something you can figure out tonight," he added, lifting the bucket as he walked toward the barn.
After a few steps, he spoke over his shoulder. "Don't return to Blue Valley for now. And don't tell anyone about tonight."
Under the dark, stormy sky, faint beams from streetlights barely cut through the gloom, illuminating the spot where Adrian had stood. Now it was empty. Courtney exhaled, covering her lips with her hand, and returned to bed, a strange warmth in her chest. Perhaps Adrian wasn't as detestable as she'd imagined.
The next morning, Courtney opened the door to find police officers outside. The chubby lead officer showed his badge and an arrest warrant. "Is this Adrian Kent's residence?"
Courtney, stunned, nodded. "Yes… Kent Farm. But who are you looking for?"
Two more officers joined, flanking the first. The lead officer's nervousness eased slightly. "Are Mr. and Mrs. Kent home?"
"They're not," Courtney replied.
Before she could add more, Adrian and Clark emerged. The officers stiffened.
"Adrian Kent," the lead officer said firmly, "we suspect your involvement in a murder case. You are required to come with us to the station."
"Murder case?" Adrian's frown was sharp. "You can't arrest me without evidence."
He had destroyed all key traces from Dikes' death and prepared for contingencies. He didn't flinch.
"This warrant guarantees a 24-hour investigation," the officer replied sternly.
Clark, beside Adrian, quietly shook his head, warning him not to expose his powers. Adrian simply nodded once, calm, and followed them into the police car, heading to Smallville Police Station.
As the car drove away, a black Chrysler roared past. Lex, inside, saw Adrian in the police vehicle, face etched with shock. Screeching to a halt, he exited and watched helplessly. Was he too late?
"Lex," Clark greeted him, approaching. "Aren't you recovering in the hospital?"
Lex, clad in his black trench coat, nodded. "Slow recovery doesn't suit me, Clark. I've regained my pace."
Clark hesitated, then decided not to reveal the full truth about last night. "I… I don't know what happened."
Lex nodded thoughtfully. "Besides Lana and Chloe, the others at the scene are too shaken to testify reliably."
"Why?" Clark asked nervously.
"Paranoia, mild psychological trauma," Lex explained. "The scene was too bizarre. Doctors say their minds were overstimulated. Preliminary info only, I can't verify fully."
Clark exhaled, tense but relieved. "We have to get Adrian out. He can't stay there."
Lex's hand rested casually in his coat pocket, holding his phone. "Don't worry, Clark. I've got the best lawyers on this. Adrian will be safe."
Clark's brows relaxed slightly. "Thank you, Lex."
Lex simply smiled, already lost in thought.
Smallville Medical Center
Amanda, dressed in white casual wear, frowned at the relentless bad weather. She disliked the town—not for casualties or Deadshot's accident—but the gloomy sky that never seemed to lift.
Deadshot lay in a hospital bed, barely alive. Amanda shook her head and left the ward, phone in hand. A call came: Smallville High School.
Twenty minutes later, Amanda arrived at the school. Police blocked the perimeter. After coordinating with her secretary, she entered the tutoring classroom.
The walls were covered in disturbing oil paintings, graffiti, and black ink-like smears. Eyes on the blackboard glared malevolently. Paintings depicted a girl holding a black diamond before her eyes, her gaze chilling.
Amanda turned to the deceased. "Any findings?"
The forensic expert replied, tension in his voice. "The wound on the victim's head matches those of the Falcon Task Force members. There may be a connection between the incidents."
===
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