Peter recorded the image of Clark and Mark as parasitic hosts, then sent it to Officer Chandler, asking him to help with the investigation.
Night.
Peter was having dinner with Jonathan's family when the farm phone rang.
Peter picked up the phone, "Hello, this is Patrick Farm."
"Peter, it's me, Chandler."
Hearing Chandler's voice, Peter brought the receiver closer to his ear and said, "I guess—you have a lead on the identity of the person I asked you to investigate, right, Officer Chandler?"
"You guessed right, Peter. Based on your description of his appearance and features, I've narrowed it down to a few individuals."
Chandler, on the other end of the phone, told Peter, "The most suspicious one is Dr. David Harwood. He's an employee of the Luther Group Chemical Company, specializing in synthetic biology and bioenergy."
"He's also the Chief Technology Officer of the Luther Group's biological laboratory. Logically, he shouldn't be in Smallville, but someone recently saw him in town."
Peter adjusted his posture, switching the receiver to his other ear, "That's not strange. Maybe Leno Luther is secretly conducting some experiments in Smallville."
After thanking Chandler and hanging up, Peter held the receiver, lost in thought.
David Harwood, this guy has a very high possibility of being the host of the alien parasite.
This also explains why he attacked Lex Luthor.
As an employee of the Luther Group, it's understandable that he might harbor resentment and dissatisfaction, leading him to attack Leno Luther's family.
Speaking of which, Leno Luther invited me to his party earlier.
If I remember correctly, it's tomorrow night.
It seems I need to prepare in advance to attend tomorrow night's party.
After putting down the phone receiver, Peter made up his mind.
The next day.
Time quickly came to evening.
In Luther Manor, the lavish yet elegant living room was filled with pleasant, lively, or insincere conversations and laughter.
Peter stood in the hall, putting down his champagne, observing the well-dressed people, standing in small groups and talking.
There weren't many people at the party. Peter recognized many familiar faces—members of the oldest Hank family in town, Old Mike, the museum curator and amateur historian, the mayor, and his office assistant.
"Thank you for coming to the party, Patrick."
Leno walked over, greeting Peter in good spirits, "I haven't properly thanked you for bringing Lex back last time."
Peter politely replied, "You're welcome, it was just a small favor."
Leno took a glass of champagne from a waiter and said to Peter, "Giving champagne to others leaves a lingering fragrance in your hand. That's a realm I can't reach. Regardless, Patrick, let me express my gratitude."
He knew Peter wouldn't accept material thanks, so he wanted to introduce the people at the party to Peter.
"No, thank you, I don't need it for now."
Peter declined the offer.
He wasn't here to network.
If David Harwood was the host of the alien parasite, his boss, Leno Luther, might know something.
He planned to use the opportunity of attending the party to investigate Luther Manor, so he naturally wouldn't waste time on this.
After being rejected, Leno Luther put down his wine glass with some regret.
Just as he was about to say something else, he saw other important guests waving at him.
After exchanging a few more words with Peter, he went to entertain the other guests.
Peter watched him leave, then tightened the tie on his somewhat unfamiliar suit, and turned to a secluded corner.
"Whoosh!"
The curtain was blown by the wind, and in the instant it fell, Peter disappeared from his original spot.
Second floor, Leno Luther's office.
Peter surveyed the office, then began to look for clues.
Soon, in a drawer, he found a videotape labeled "Laboratory David Harwood Accident."
After inserting the videotape into the player, the video of David Harwood dissecting a coyote began to play on the screen.
As the video progressed, Peter saw David Harwood grab the lab assistant's face and rapidly absorb his life, then he pressed the pause button.
He leaned closer to the screen, staring intently at the somewhat eerie and distorted face on the screen.
The alien parasite seemed to have endowed David with immense power and affected his sanity.
After a while, he shifted his gaze from the screen to the foggy night outside the window.
If this parasite can grow stronger by absorbing life force, will it become even stronger after absorbing Clark and Mark?
Meanwhile, downstairs in the main hall.
An uninvited guest appeared at the party.
Leno Luther was talking with guests when he inadvertently caught sight of a familiar figure.
Seeing the familiar face of Dr. David Harwood at the entrance, Leno's expression instantly changed.
He forced himself to calm down, pretending nothing was amiss, and said to the people around him, "Excuse me, I must leave you for a moment."
With that, he quickly walked upstairs, telling his secretary who followed him, "Immediately close all entrances and exits on the first floor. Have all guards prepare to take their positions. Since he has appeared, don't let him escape."
"But… what about the guests?"
The secretary asked with difficulty.
"Never mind, some sacrifices always have to be made."
Leno said with an unchanging expression.
But he stopped, hesitating, and told his secretary, "Arrange a helicopter immediately. Also, send someone to escort Peter Patrick upstairs. Ensure his safety at all costs."
Knowing that David Harwood was parasitized and having witnessed his terrifying power, Leno was, of course, not unprepared.
Although he didn't know where the other party would appear, he had prepared contingency plans for various situations.
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, the hall door was slammed shut.
The lively sounds in the living room fell silent. Everyone stopped what they were doing, looking curiously in the direction of the sound.
Fully armed guards in protective suits surrounded David Harwood.
David, with a middle-aged White face, looked at the surrounding guards in surprise, "Well, I didn't know Leno would welcome me this way. I just wanted to talk to him."
With that, he casually waved his hand forward, and with a "bang" and a dull impact sound, a gun-wielding guard was directly smashed against the wall.
Bones shattered, and blood splattered onto the wall, forming a shocking "red painting."
The stunned crowd immediately let out terrified screams and scattered.
Amidst the screams and cries, accompanied by a strong smell of blood, the lively party instantly turned into a horrifying "Death Party."