Chương 93: Arrow ~ Brothers In Arms ~ Part Three
***
Felicity was still deep in her work when Dig returned from A.R.G.U.S. Malcolm was maneuvering through practice dummies, sword a blur of silver as he moved through them like a dance. Dig watched him for a few seconds before he saw Slade checking over their weaponry. The Aussie looked up as he approached, giving him a nod. "How did it go at A.R.G.U.S.?"
"Good," Dig nodded absently, tapping one fist over the other. "It went good. Lyla's on her way to meet with Oliver and Captain Hill."
"That's a relief," Slade sighed. "The sooner she's no longer a threat, the sooner Diaz has less claws in the city."
"Yeah," Dig nodded, still staring at a blank spot on the wall.
Slade looked long and hard at Dig before picking up a particularly heavy handgun and dropping it down on the metal table. The resulting clang made not only Dig jump, but Malcolm and Felicity as well. "Hey!" Felicity complained.
"Sorry," Slade apologized as Dig blinked rapidly. "Had to snap John out of it."
"Thanks," Dig winced, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry about that."
"Something's bothering you," Slade leaned back against the column behind him. "What is it?"
Dig sighed. "Thanks for backing my play with Katz," he said.
Slade did a double take. "That's it?" he asked in surprise.
"That's typically not Oliver's style of doing things."
"Oliver left this in our hands while he's at City Hall," Slade reminded him. "We're doing what we need to do."
"Exactly!" Dig pointed at him. "That's exactly my point! Out at City Hall, he needs to be careful with who he pisses off and who he talks with. Kara's good for that, but out in the field? We do what we've gotta do to keep the city safe. And every person we fail to bring down, that's another person Oliver has to protect the city from. That's another win for Diaz."
"And Oliver can't have that," Slade shook his head.
"Exactly," Dig nodded furiously, taking a deep breath and leaning back against the table. "Wow, I've been sitting on that for a while."
"I know what you mean," Slade told Dig. "Malcolm and I do. On Earth-38, we don't have a history that could turn civilians against us. We're friends of Kara, we can walk freely. Here in Star City? One picture at the wrong time, and the city will be up in arms calling for our heads. All we can do is fight in the field, try and ease Oliver's burden for him so he doesn't carry everything by himself."
"And I can't thank you enough for that," Dig said genuinely. "I screwed up in how I was thinking of you, all of you. I'm sorry."
Slade nodded. "And I'm sorry for that verbal lashing I gave you."
"I deserved it," Dig grumbled.
"I won't argue that," Slade snorted. "But it could have been more civil." He held out his hand. "Water under the bridge?"
Dig smiled and nodded, clasping the Aussie's hand. "Water under the bridge."
A whoop came from Felicity's station. "Katz came through!" she announced, spinning around in her chair as the three men in the room turned to look at her. "I got the location of Diaz's Vertigo operation!"
"Where?" Dig asked, heading up the stairs.
Malcolm checked the location, then eyed Slade and Dig. "If you two want to keep your bromance moment going, I'll be lookout again."
"Did that just come out of your mouth?" Felicity stared at the assassin.
Slade and Dig exchanged looks, then Dig nodded. "Let's do it," he said.
***
Oliver broke away from his tense conversation with Hill to answer the intercom. "Let her in, please."
Oliver stood from his desk and gave Lyla a very relieved smile as the woman stepped into the office, a tablet in her hand. "Lyla," he greeted. "Thank you for coming."
"Of course, Oliver," Lyla gave him a quick hug. "It sounded urgent."
"It is," Oliver nodded, gesturing as Hill stiffly stood. "Director Lyla Michaels, Captain Kimberly Hill."
"Director," Hill nodded curtly, extending her hand.
"Captain," Lyla returned in the same flat tone, giving her exact opinion of what she thought of the corrupt woman as she shook her hand.
It got a flinch out of the other woman. "As I said, Lyla, this is urgent," Oliver said, directing them to sit in the chairs in front of his desk, himself pulling his out to sit with them. "I'm sure John has told you about Ricardo Diaz."
"He has," Lyla nodded. "Your e-mail asked if I could set up a protection detail."
Oliver gestured at Hill, who nodded. "After I was promoted, I was sent surveillance photos by Diaz; my niece, my father, and my sister were all in them."
Lyla nodded, turning her tablet on. "Oliver informed me of it before I came here. I've pulled together a few different safe houses to go over with you that we can place you and your family in, including protective details."
"Wait," Hill blinked, looking at Oliver. "Me and my family?"
"You wanted me to prove that I could find a way to protect your family," Oliver raised an eyebrow. "What better way to do that than being there with them?" Hill's mouth closed with a click. "Take a leave of absence," he told her. "Be with your family. And when Ricardo Diaz is done, we will discuss your place in the police force."
"My place?" she repeated.
Oliver sighed. "We can make a deal for what you know about Diaz. But you will never be captain of the force again." Hill swallowed hard, and Oliver gave her a look. "I was ready to fire you on the spot before I had second thoughts. I could have easily refused to help you."
"You are very lucky you're getting a chance at all," Lyla added.
Hill lowered her head, taking a deep breath. "I'll clear out my desk," she said quietly. "I'll take the deal."
Oliver sighed in relief as Lyla nodded. "Thank you," he said gratefully.
"Do I get to choose my replacement?" Hill asked.
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