章節 73: Arrow ~ Collision Course ~ Part One
***
"Severed subclavian artery, no defensive wounds," Oliver read from Cayden's file in disbelief, then closed it and looked up at Hill. "How did this happen?" he demanded.
"Some time between transfer and intake at Iron Heights, an inmate caught James unaware," Hill answered, making Oliver sigh in frustration. "By the time the guards intervened, it was too late."
"Motive?" Oliver asked.
"The inmate was a headcase off his meds," she shrugged. "For all we know, he thought he was killing his mother."
"Well, the random murder of Cayden James, it – it doesn't feel very random," Oliver seethed.
"It was bad timing and even worse luck, Mr. Mayor," Hill shook her head. "That's all."
"All right," Oliver sighed, nodding.
"But Cayden James was my responsibility," Hill told him. "If a head has to roll for this, make it mine."
"That is not how I run things here," Oliver told her. "Just . . . check in with the others who came in with him and keep doing what you're doing."
He left Hill's office, mentally bracing himself for the meeting that was about to take place at City Hall.
***
Not to Oliver's surprise, it was Quentin who managed to shout over everyone in the conference room and get their attention. "One at a time!
That, coupled with Thea's iron glare and Oliver's raised hand, finally silenced everyone. "Thank you," he looked around. "I understand that you're angry. I am – I am angry, too, but we are not gonna solve any problems by yelling at one another."
"Last I heard, Cayden James is dead, but you still don't have the money he stole," the representative from the Teachers Union said.
"You mean the money he was the woman representing the Fire Department glowered.
"We are still in the process of recovering the money that was from the city," Oliver told her. "We just need a little more time."
Chatter erupted again, but the woman cut through the noise. "We're on the verge of financial collapse. Without an influx of cash soon, we have to shut down – schools, sanitation, emergency services, everything!"
Oliver refrained from gritting his teeth. "Fine," he said. "We will have those funds back in forty-eight hours. You have my word." He looked around the table. of you have my word. Thank you."
He quickly stood and left the room, Thea and Quentin hurrying to catch up. "OK, um, not that I don't love your confidence and everything, but should we really be making promises like that?" Thea asked as they walked into Oliver's office.
"The accountant is on his way back from Corto Maltese with the money that was deposited into Cayden James' bank account as we speak," he told her.
"You could've just told them that, got those folks off your back," Quentin blinked.
"I'm not telling them anything concrete until that money is back in the city's bank accounts," Oliver shook his head. "My bigger concern right now is the concern Dinah has right now, and she is on the warpath."
"Evelyn," Thea murmured. "Any luck with that?"
"John is working a few leads, and your father and Siren have been working nonstop to find her in shadier ways," Oliver answered. "I'm being updated constantly. Nothing yet."
"Well, I'm looking on the bright side," Quentin snorted. "At least we don't have one of those Worldkillers in this city."
"Yeah," Oliver grimaced in agreement. "That's the last thing we need."
The intercom on his desk beeped, and his secretary spoke through it.
"Send him in," Oliver responded.
"All right, I'll take that as my cue," Quentin rubbed his hands together. "I got to head over to planning." He opened the door, and the accountant almost smacked right into him. "OK," he cleared his throat, stepping aside for the man to step by. "Welcome." He was about to head out again, only to stop and narrow his eyes when Dinah stepped in. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Well, he's carrying evidence," Dinah answered with a smirk. "I'm just, uh, making sure it doesn't get up and walk away."
"Good luck with that," Quentin scoffed, closing the door behind him as he left.
"Wasn't planning on seeing you here today, Lieutenant," Oliver scowled.
"Well, I wasn't planning on it, either," Dinah retorted. "But we've got a problem."
The accountant nodded. "Cayden James' Corto Maltese bank account has been withdrawn."
Oliver blanched. "What do you mean, it's been withdrawn?" Thea demanded angrily.
"It's empty," the accountant answered. "All seventy million. Somebody took all the funds out before we got access."
Oliver sighed. "Do we have any idea who?"
"No," Dinah shook her head, but a smug look was on her face. "But I have one guess."
Oliver gave her a warning look as the accountant continued to speak. "I put in a request for the withdrawal log, but it's a long shot."
"If we don't have those funds in forty-eight hours, this city's government services will shut down," Oliver told him.
"And I understand," the accountant nodded, "but banks in third world countries like Corto Maltese aren't exactly known for their transparency. I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor."
***
Oliver walked into the loft, pausing and taking a sniff. "Something smells good," he remarked.
Kara poked her head up over the divider between the living room and the kitchen, an iced sugar cookie halfway in her mouth. "Hi!"
"Hi," Oliver chuckled, stopping and looking at his fiancée, noting the apron she wore. "Correct me if I'm wrong, angel, but I thought the chef had to finish baking all the cookies before she ate one?"
"Good thing she's not the chef!" Felicity turned around from the counter, putting an icing bottle down, William looking up from his rack of cookies. "She's
"Hey!" Kara blushed. "I'm allowed to be . . . not so super at some things! I can do physics, mathematics, and chemistry on paper, that doesn't mean I can do thermodynamics in the kitchen!"
"So who wanted cookies more, Kara or William?" Oliver couldn't help but grin.
His fiancée and his son pointed to the other at the same time. "Yes," Felicity supplied the answer.
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