Standard Disclaimer: I don't own anything hereā¦
Author's note: Someone (mfmxxx) has pointed out that Walter didn't refer Oliver to Felicity, I'm referring to Season 1 Episode 3 the line says "they" I'm positing that Walter is the "they" Oliver is referring to since there has never been any mention of Oliver interacting with anyone at Queen Consolidated (where he does not work at that point).
Walter is the obvious choice to have pointed him in that direction especially since Walter is the one who unknowingly got Felicity roped in to the Undertaking business when he goes to her with his own issue ( Moira's copy of the book) ...and lets be honest geniuses from MIT are not generally the random person you take your laptops to hope that clears that up.
Chapter 2: The Better Part of Valor
How does one go about building a team for a vigilante? That was the question of the hour, or more appropriately the day... to be perfectly honest it had been the question of the past week. It was unusual for Walter to encounter a problem which he could not overcome through the combination of his business accruement, personal charm, and intellect. In point of fact it was unusual for him to encounter a situation that he could not quickly bring to a resolution however it was quite an unusual situation all the way around and unfortunately not the only issue requiring his attention at the moment. Retrieving the small seemingly innocuous leather bound volume from its hiding place in his desk as he once again to deduce its, and by extension its owner's secrets. He had nothing concrete to pin his suspicions on but his intuition rarely steered him wrong and he suspected his wife was up to something, finding the mysterious notebook had seemingly confirmed his suspicion.
Putting aside his suspicions for the moment Walter returned to his current dilemma; discretion being the better point of valor, Walter recognized it was past time to call in reinforcements, picking up his phone he hit the extension of Queen Consolidated Head of Security Joshua Hudson confident that the man would be able to advise him on a matter that Moira had asked for his assistance on...hiring a bodyguard for Oliver.
Yet another variable thrown into an already complex equation, the idea of Oliver requiring a bodyguard was laughable given his nightly activities, however he couldn't fault Moira her concern. Oliver had only just been returned to them and already he'd been abducted by a team of professionals and while he had emerged from that incident unscathed no Mother should be expected to entrust her child's welfare solely to the heroics of a vigilante; the fact that the child in question was in fact the vigilante was a secret that must be maintained at any cost. That cost at the moment was the massive headache he was developing. His figurative hat was off to Oliver, Walter himself was having a hard enough time balancing his stepson's dual identities in public and private, and that was second hand. It was a wonder that Oliver could function at any level, truthfully it must be exhausting.
Joshua Hudson answered his phone on the second ring, after a brief discussion he agreed to head up to Walter's office to discuss a matter of some sensitivity. If the man thought it odd that the CEO of one of the world's top conglomerates would feel the need to discuss personal security for his stepson in person rather than over the obviously secure lines in the building, he hid it well then again one didn't reach the pinnacle of ones career in security without dealing with some unusual circumstances.
As discretely as possible Walter manager to convey that he was looking for more than just an ability to protect Oliver but also a certain amenability to exist and function in a morally gray area, on the one hand the person would need to be able to withstand Oliver's not inconsiderable charm and stand firm, they would also need a strong moral code that was still able to adapt to not be overly concerned or dismayed but Oliver's shall we say less than reputable activities, let Hudson make of that what he would. Oliver hadn't exactly been a model of propriety prior to his disappearance and for the time being that would serve Walter's purpose admirably.
After several moments of reflection Hudson informed him that only one name sprang immediately to mind. John Diggle. Walter thanked Hudson for his input and asked him to forward the contact information for Mr. Diggle. Pulling that information up on his computer now he was impressed with what he saw. Two tours in Afghanistan, exemplary service record, glowing recommendations from his former superiors and emergency medic training, which, given his charge would likely come in handy. Yes, on paper John Diggle seemed the perfect man for the job, of guarding Oliver Queen but would he back the vigilante? That was the real question, and unfortunately there was really only one way to know for certain.
With a sigh born of frustration Walter once again reached for his phone this time to set up a time for him to interview Mr. Diggle, after all Walter was a keen judge of character and in this instance he would need to be, because what he was contemplating could have far reaching consequences for not only himself but his entire family, and so it seemed the question of the hour had yet to be answered, it had merely morphed into another. Could John Diggle be trusted?
