Chapter 14
"Do you want to go over the plane again?" The blonde haired guy who had told Connor to call him Joe says. "No but you are going to make me any way. Step 1 go into cafe, step 2 wait for the guys to show, step 3 "protect" the girl," Connor says doing air quotes before going on. "Step 4 flatter Marone step 5 get hired." "That pretty much it. Now the team will..." "Have blanks and you have a person planted to fake die. I know. Of course given what I know about Waller I wouldn't trust her not to actually kill some guy. I mean she did some how come back from a head shot to run another secret spy ring," Connor says. "Believe it or not you are doing the world a favor taking out Marone," Joe says. "The right thing done for the wrong reason," Connor mumbles.
Joe hands him an ear piece that Connor puts in. With one final nod Connor gets out of the van and head for the cafe. Before heading in he takes look at his reflection in the mirror his beard was shaven his hair cut. The white t-shirt and jeans along with a guide book made him look like any dopey American tourist in Italy. Heading in he made it a point not to look at the twenty year old beauty off in a booth. She was the target Madison Marone the only known child to her mob boss father. Seems she and Daddy were spending the summer in the old country. She had met up with some friends and had gone shopping. From the photos he had seen she looked like an innocent kid. Did she know who her father was? Was she in denial or did she simply not care?
At the counter the person asked what he wanted in Italian. "Ah English?" Connor asked earning a sign from Joe's partner Casey. At least Joe tried to be a decent guy Casey was an asshole. He was upset since he knew Connor could speak some Italian. The server asked again in English and Connor got a scone and coffee. "Why the hell did you want it in English don't draw attention to yourself," Casey warned. Really? This guy was pissed because Connor playing a tourist was playing dumb. "Be ready they are coming in now," Joe says. On cue three guys entered the cafe. They head to a table and not so kindly asked the people sitting there to leave.
Queen Mansion
Connor was sitting a desk thinking about of things. "Mr. Connor you have a visitor," one of the maids says. "Who?" "Me kiddo," Thea says coming into the room as the maid leaves. They hug quickly. "Mom didn't tell you coming into town," Connor says. "Its kind of surprise and a confrontation," Thea says. "With who?" Connor asks. "You... I know I left town pretty quick last time when you told us all about you being the Green Arrow and Roy," Thea says. Connor sucks in a breath. He figured this was coming at some point. "Go ahead anything you want to know," Connor says. "Did he ever talk about me... I can't believe that is what I am asking its just been..." "Yeah he did. He told me how much he loved you how much he missed you. How much he wished you were happy," Connor says. Thea smiles sadly at that.
"Why didn't he ever try to come back? Oliver and I we manged to work out a pardon for him," She asks. Connor holds up one finger and quickly heads to his room he comes back down with an envelop. "He wrote this for you. I didn't get a chance to give it to you last time. I think it will answer a lot more questions than I ever could," Connor says. Her hand trembles as she takes it.
Dana's Apartment
"William calm down," Dana says having never seen this look in his eyes before. "No you don't get it Dana. Lives are on the line here," William says. "Lives?" "I gotta go. Dana just forget everything. Xavier Wintergreen is not the guy you want to mess with," William says his hand shaking again. Dana sees it. "William is he blackmailing you or something?" Dana asks. "Dana just drop it," William pleads. "I can't. I have a job to do," Dana says. "So do I its looking out for the best interest of Queen Smoak," William claims.
Dana can't believe how unnerved he looks. "William because we have friends a long time I will give you a day to tell Connor and Felicity." William doesn't respond instead he just turns and walks out the door. William practically runs down to his car. He feels this urge to get on the phone. "No please no... I don't want Dana to get hurt," He says out loud. Still some compels him to call Wintergreen.
Later that night
Dana opens the door and find Connor there with a Pizza box. "Oh right we had plans for tonight?" She says. "Right... I mean it's a bad time I can go," Connor says clearly nervous. "Yes... I mean no. Its just been a long day with work and it slipped my mind and it's just so awkward," Dana says. "Yeah there really aren't many tips for starting to date you ex-fiance again except DON'T!" Connor says. "Come on in," She says. "So how is the new job going?" Connor asks. Dana doesn't want to tell the truth given he's clearly not in a bad mode. "Better question how is your job hunt going?" "Its going no where. I haven't had a job in years and I have no desire to work ever again," He says. The truth is he has no idea how his father ran a night club, or acted as CEO or was the freaking mayor all those years he was the Arrow/Green Arrow. Most days Connor was exhausted and that wasn't counting days he took a beating in the mask.
"Connor you have been back for months. You have to do something with the time," Dana scolds. "I do plenty its called living off my trust fund and stock options," Connor says. "Maybe you should take more of an interest in QSI," Dana says her thoughts again turning to William. "QSI is fine. My mom's dong great and William won't need my help when its time to take over," Connor says. "Connor, William might not be the person you think he is," Dana says. Connor picks up on her unease. "I know he's not perfect. Hell I wanted to punch him the face when I heard he sued mom while I was gone. End of the day's my big brother and I know..." Connor's phone starts to ring. He checks it and sees it's Felicity. He signals for one second.
"Hey I need you to get to the liar NOW! Something huge is going on. I think its tied to the whole Wintergreen mess," Felicity says. Connor stands up about to go into full Arrow mode when he remember where he's at. "Oh my god... I'll be right there mom... I love you..." Connor says awkwardly. "What's up?" "Mom went out to eat with Aunt Thea and Dig turns out they tried a new place the put nuts in her salad. She's on her way to hospital I gotta go," Connor says thinking it's a perfect excuse. "I'll go with you," Dana says standing up and getting her coat. "NO!" He yells to harshly. "I mean its not necessary. You know how they are family only and my mom's going to be fine she already had her epi pen. It's just I gotta go more for own mind than anything else," Connor says. "Alright," Dana says knowing something more is going on.
Madison Marone stood up grabbing her shopping bags. She was talking about some other plans she had for the day. The biggest off the goons got out of his seat. "Madison Marone I need you to come with me," he says. "Excuse me?" She says very confused. "Just move," He says showing her a gun he had tucked in his belt. The other two have stood up now. "Look what ever is going on..." "Step back," Two men say bursting in. They have to be her guards. Joe never said anything about this. Two shots are fired clearly right to the head. Connor is stunned. This wasn't the plan. The girls are screaming as the goons grab Madison.
Connor picks up the coffee he was drinking and tosses it one of the guy's face before kicking another one in the head. "You should mind your own business," The final guy says pointing the gun at Connor. Connor manages to take the gun from him and he runs off. "Its okay you are alright now," Connor says looking at the scared girl he just "saved." He new full well she wasn't alright not as long as Amanda Waller was involved.
QSI Main Lobby
"Sir stop or I will be forced to call the cops," A guard says as Connor is about to jump over a divider. Connor is about to say something when Shelia the woman filling in as his mother assistant arrives. "It's alright Charles the boss says he's cleared," she says. The guard opens the divider and Connor ignores him as he head for the elevator. "Thank you," Connor says passing Shelia. "Oh your welcome," She says smiling evilly behind him. It felt like it took the elevator forever to reach the executive level. Connor actually runs to his mother's office.
When he finally gets there he sees his mother putting things into a box. "Mom what is going on?" Connor says he can tell she is upset. It looks like she is about to cry. She stay silent instead she runs her hands over her CEO nameplate. "Mom?" He says softly getting worried.
William walks in. "Felicity please listen..." "Get out!" She yells. "I know you upset with me," William says. "Oh why would she be upset William you just stabbed her in the back again," Thea says coming in with another box. "Time out! Someone explain what is going on. Mom why are you set upset?" Connor asks. "Go ahead William you wanted the be in charge now you can explain it to a share holder," Felicity says.
"I had no other choice... Felicity this company needs a full time leader and you haven't been that for the last year. Even before Connor came home you were spending less time here," William defends. It dawns on Connor what is happening. His brother has once again made a move to take over. He doesn't think just reacts and shoves him. "You sued her again?" Connor yells. "Oh no he did worse than that? He called a board meeting tonight and some how got three thirds of the board to vote Felicity out and him in. As of right now William is the CEO of Queen Smoak Industries," Thea says not hiding her own anger and disappointment. "I did what needed to be done," William says.
"You know the really sad part William... I was planning to announce my retirement at the award ceremony. I want you to run this place. I want you to lead this company. Because I thought you had earned it. But now I see you aren't the kind of man I thought you were or the kind of many your father would want you to be," Felicity says. "That's a low blow," William says. "Do you not get it William. You hurt her!" Connor says. "You want to talk hurt? You leave for five years take not interest in this company or family. We don't' even know if you even know if you're alive or dead. And you come back to play dress up. Don't act like you have any idea what goes on in this business," William yells losing his own temper and shoving Connor. "No Connor don't," Felicity pleads seeing her son is making a fist. William leaves. "Can we just pack up quickly," Felicity says.
"Madison my angel," A strong male voice says entering the cafe. The cops were already there. "Daddy," the girl says running up to man. Connor can't stop looking at the two dead body guards. Finally after a few minutes Arturo Marone walks up to Connor. "Young man I understand I owe my daughter's life to you.
Dana's Apartment
"Is your mom alright?" Dana asks opening the door to Connor who looks almost shell shocked at her door. "No... I lied earlier. I'm sorry I just thought something else was happening," Connor says. "What really happened?" She asks as he sits down in a chair. "My brother showed he can be a real bastard," Connor says. She doesn't say anything she wants him to explain. "He some how manged to get the board to vote my mother out. He took the company she founded with my father away from her," He says. "I'm sorry," Dana says no regretting giving William time. Instead all she did was cause him to move his plans up.
"And he doesn't even seem all that sorry. He couldn't even be honest about it," Connor says. "I'm sure he thinks he was doing the right thing," Dana tells him taking his hand. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions... I've had a lot of lies over the years. I'm sick of them... Dana I need to tell you something a lot of somethings..."