Bab 50: Arrow ~ Divided ~ Part One
***
Cayden watched the last man exit his target's office, then strode forward. Behind him, Diaz and Evelyn exchanged glances before following.
When they entered the office, the man reclining at his desk scowled at them. "Who the hell are you?"
"Someone," Cayden answered, tilting his head from side to side. "Important."
important," Diaz smirked, leaning against the wall.
"You don't look it," the man scoffed. "How'd you get past my men?"
"They thought they saw a bigger threat," Evelyn answered sweetly.
The man raised an eyebrow, looking her over before dismissing her and looking back at Cayden when he spoke. "Jerry Bertinelli of the eponymous crime family and the last of his kind. The rest of your family is either dead or incarcerated."
"You writing a book?" Bertinelli snorted.
"I have heard that sometimes ships appear on your docking manifest but never actually arrive," Cayden continued.
"Sometimes, ships arrive and never end up on the docking manifest," Diaz added.
"That's very profound," Bertinelli smirked. "If the price is right, maybe – – we can facilitate a few things."
"No, I'm afraid you misunderstand," Cayden shook his head. 'We want to buy you out."
"I got a feeling you're not hearing me," Bertinelli snarled, standing up. "Port's not for sale. Take a walk."
Diaz suddenly stood up, reaching under his coat. Bertinelli responded, drawing a gun quickly, but in the process, turned his back on Evelyn. The girl launched a dark grey dart at his neck, and Bertinelli yelped, dropping his gun and clapping a hand on top of his neck, sinking the dart in deeper. He groaned in pain, and Evelyn sauntered forward, placing her hands flat on the desk and leaning in close. "I guess you thought you saw a bigger threat, too," she smiled, watching his eyes cloud over as the sedative sunk in.
"You have forty-eight hours to consider our proposal," Cayden informed him. He turned to leave, then paused and looked back. "Don't you have a daughter attending Columbia University?"
"I've always wanted to visit New York," Evelyn beamed.
Cayden headed out the door first, and Diaz held out his hand, gesturing Evelyn out first. Evelyn nodded back, and Diaz spared Bertinelli one last look before bringing up the rear.
***
"Well, if nothing else, we've set the new record for most arrows made in a day."
Oliver couldn't help but snort in amusement as he double checked the arrow he'd just made. "Pretty sure that's a single person record to make, Malcolm."
"Well, one of us has to have beaten that," Malcolm smirked, carefully checking the tip of one of his arrows. He winced when he pricked his finger, setting it down again. "Which one of us, though, that's the question."
"I'm not counting," Felicity called drowsily from where she was sitting down and leaning against one of the columns in the base.
The elevator doors dinged open, making all three look over. Laurel was the first out, and she took one look at Felicity and giggled. "Long night?"
"You have idea," Felicity nodded.
"Who won the arrow making contest?" Slade raised an eyebrow.
"Debating," Malcolm called back.
"Never was a competition," Oliver threw him a look.
Slade snorted. "It'll be one where the wizard's concerned."
"First off, Malcolm narrowed his eyes. "Second, says the other one who keeps score during our battles!"
"If everyone's done," Dig cut in, entering and holding up a cardboard tray of coffee. "Looks like at least one of you needs this."
"Oh, John Diggle," Felicity groaned in relief, slipping her glasses back on. "Savior of souls and bringer of java."
"Mmmhmm," Dig smirked as Laurel and Slade took their drinks, holding a hand out to help her up.
"Oh, thank you," Felicity nodded, taking his hand.
"I have been called," Dig nodded back, walking down to give the other two drinks to the archers. "I guess I have to find ways to be useful. You're all working overtime trying to find Cayden James, and I'm still on the disabled list."
"Well, not for long," Felicity shook her head. "Curtis is on his way over, and we will fix you. We have the technology."
"Ha," Dig snorted, taking a sip of his drink. "I'm not the six million dollar man."
"Not yet, you're not," Felicity shook her head. "And more like 2.24 million dollar man because Curtis and I are stretching pennies with Helix Dynamics as it is." She looked down when her phone beeped and vibrated, then picked it up and checked who contacted her. "Oh, speak of the devil, that little psychic. Oh," she blinked. "He's early. He'll be here soon."
"Who's early?" Oliver called as he put his arrows away.
"Curtis," Dig answered.
"You look like you could use a break, kid," Slade frowned, looking him up and down. "Should you be getting home?"
"Yeah, Raisa must be making quadruple overtime by now," Felicity agreed.
"Raisa's doing fine, and Kara's with William right now," Oliver shook his head. "I mean, Williams loves both of them, so – "
"And William doesn't know you're here," Laurel raised an eyebrow.
"I know," Oliver winced. "And I don't like it, but we need to find Cayden James. Are we making any progress on that front?"
"Despite my 21st consecutive all-nighter?" Felicity sighed. "No. He's either the first bad guy to ghost us, or he's just biding time."
"I'd go for the second," Malcolm shook his head. "He's smart enough for both, but he seems to be the guy to – "
"Savor the anticipation," Slade drawled.
did you just say?"
"His words, not mine."
"Boys," Laurel glared at them.
"What about Evelyn?" Oliver asked.
"Another strikeout," Felicity shook her head. "I can't track her cry, and Cayden must have inserted some sort of Trojan into the software. It's confusing our facial recognition algorithms. I cannot find her."
Oliver sighed. "All right. We will continue with the low tech option, and I will go out there again tonight."
"Or the other low tech option," Malcolm folded his arms. will go out there tonight, and take one of the others with me so you finally get more than just a nap in."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone