[Downtown Starling City]
Hip-hop song playing on radio inside a truck.
Yes, sir yeah, yeah yes, sir yeah, yeah
Man 1: Whatever you're listening to, it ain't music. Changes station to slow jazz There ought to be a law.
Man 2: Well, there's not. Changes station back
One of the men sees a man on the road holding something pointed towards them.
Man 1: Watch it!
The man driving slams the brake, as he does so another van pulls up behind them with more armed men jumping out the van.
Man 2: It looks like he has a gun!
Man 1: Yeah so do the men behi…
The man standing on the road fires something cylindrical at the truck just as the truck comes to a stop. The object smashes through the windshield and releases smoke causing the men to start coughing. The smoke forces the men to leave the truck and just as they do so, they are shot down by the armed men behind them.
[Lair]
Thea and Laurel are sparring against each other with Jared giving pointers when he sees fit. Oliver is currently making more arrows when an alarm on the computer goes off. Everyone stops what they are doing and gather around the monitors. Jared begins working away to then pull up a recording and begins to play it for everyone.
Jared: The SCPD may not be willing to go on the record, but looks like the traffic cameras got the entire heist in this exclusive.
Diggle enters the lair just as the recording finishes.
Thea: The heist is like a scene out of the movies.
Diggle: That's why you keep all your money offshore. By the way, with all the guys working up top, you might want to think about a side entrance for your…"Arrow Cave".
Oliver gives him a glare, while everyone else lets out a small laugh.
Jared: Just put one in. South alleyway.
Oliver: Something we need to show you.
Oliver points to the stopped recording on the monitor.
Diggle: Yeah, I read about it. This is the third truck to be hit this month.
Oliver: Nothing else?
Diggle: what do you mean?
Oliver: Should have been familiar to you...Jared pulls up another recording... Kandahar, '09, when the Marines took out a Taliban transport vehicle. These guys are running the same swarming technique.
Diggle: Where'd you find this?
Oliver: We were researching someone. Bodyguard who works for a private security firm. Blackhawk squad protection group. His name is Ted Gaynor.
Diggle: Oliver, Ted Gaynor was my commanding officer on my first tour in Afghanistan. Jared: Dig...I'm sorry. Gaynor's on the list.
Diggle: Gaynor's a few hundred thousand dollars short of making your list.
Laurel and Thea notice the angry look on forming on Diggle's face.
Oliver: Well, we never said it was just one-percenters, did we?
Diggle: Oliver, this guy saved my life. Received a commendation for it. I don't care what your book says. He's not a stick-up man.
Jared: You haven't known him in a long time, Diggle.
Diggle: We both kept in contact with each other since we got stateside. 6 months ago he even offered me a job at Blackhawk. Now, trust me, you guys don't know this man like I do.
Jared: We know in Afghanistan his training specialty was M-32 multiple grenade launchers, the exact same weapon used in these heists and not exactly something that you find at your local sporting goods store.
Diggle: Two months ago, we found out this wasn't even Robert's book, that it was written by whoever hired the other archer. Doesn't that kind of beg the question what else you could be wrong about?
Oliver: We could be wrong. But the list isn't. Now, we are gonna have a pointed conversation with Mr. Gaynor tonight.
Jared: We'll see what he has to say about it.
Oliver: We understand if you want to take the week off.
Diggle: Well, thank you. Sirs. Diggle walks out the lair.
Thea: He has a point you know. You two put a lot of faith in that book.
Oliver: Trust me Thea, if he's name is on the list then it's for a reason.
[Malcolm Merlyn's Office]
Moira: And how much longer must you keep Walter your prisoner?
Malcolm: Until there is no possibility that he will be able to stop what is to come.
Moira: I hope that he is being kept safe and well.
Malcolm: Trust me Moira, he is fine.
Moira: I don't trust you and you don't trust me. Let's stop with the false pretenses.
Malcolm: I know you don't see it, but this will all be worth it.
Moira gives Malcolm a disgusted look and leaves his office.
[Tommy's office]
Tommy and Oliver are working on Verdant's newest project: a housing project designed to provide homes to lower income families in the glades.
Tommy: Are you sure you have time to work on this. If you need to help your mom, I can handle this.
Oliver: Thanks Tommy but Thea, Jared and I are taking turns making sure mom's doing okay.
Tommy: Well, then let's power thr...Tommy's phone rings and he picks it up after hesitating a few seconds when he saw it was his dad calling.
Malcolm: Hey, Tommy.
Tommy: Dad, I am really busy.
Malcolm: Tommy, I know things have been, well, strained between us since...
Tommy: Since you cut me off and told me that I was a loser?
Malcolm: I was just trying to jolt you into adulthood. And look at you now. You've got your first job. My tough love worked.
Tommy: What do you want, Dad?
Malcolm: Nothing more than to share a meal with my son. Dinner tomorrow night?
Tommy: Jo and I have plans. She's visiting for the day before she heads back to her mom.
Malcolm: Bring her along. I think it's time I got to know her a little better. Tommy... I've said some pretty hurtful things, and I regret them. But you're still my son. And I still want what I've always wanted. For us to be close.
Tommy: Let me check with Jo and I'll get back to you. Tommy hangs up the phone.
Oliver: Everything okay?
Tommy: My dad wants to have dinner with Jo and I, he wants to make amends…
Oliver: You don't believe him.
Tommy: I know my dad, this can't be just about dinner.
Oliver: Either way, Jo should meet Malcolm at least once, she is your girlfriend. After that well...see how the dinner goes and then see if you want him in your life.
Tommy shakes his head in agreement.
[Blackhawk Main Office]
Ted Gaynor is busy planning his next heist, downloading his plans to a memory stick. Finishing the download he heads to his door to leave, just as he opens the door Arrow kicks him in the chest forcing him to fall onto his desk. Deathstroke enters right behind him and picks up the dropped memory stick.
Arrow: Ted Gaynor, we're gonna have a conversation.
Deathstroke: You make a move, go for a gun, anything, things will end badly for you.
Before they can ask a question they hear a gun cock behind them and immediately turn to attack but stop when they see it's Diggle.
Diggle: Put the bow down and both of you step away NOW!
Arrow and Deathstroke put their weapons down and step away, as Diggle steps in between them and Gaynor. Deathstroke was going to make a move when Diggle turned to check on Gaynor but Arrow stopped him and led him out of the office.
Gaynor: Thanks for the save!
Diggle: Anytime!
Gaynor: Well, I gotta talk to my boss, but after... what I just saw, I'd say you're as good as hired.
Diggle: Hell of a job interview, Ted. Usually the Vigilante only goes after rich schmucks. Any reason why he would change his M.O. for you?
Gaynor: You've known me for a long time, John. What do you think?
Diggle: That he made a mistake.
[Airport]
Johanna is waiting for Tommy to pick her up. As she checks her phone, she notices Tommy pull up in the Verdant company car. As soon as she gets in the car, Tommy pulls her in for a deep kiss.
Johanna: Hmm...Yeah I missed you too.
Tommy: Yeah not for much longer
Johanna: And why is that?
Tommy: My dad asked to have dinner with us, I told him I'd ask you.
Johanna: So you're going to make me the deciding factor...Tommy doesn't answer but gives her a sheepish grin.
Johanna: (fake angry tone)Fine, but you owe me!
[Lair]
Jared is currently practising his sword techniques against the steel beams in the lair. Each swing is hard but true. Thea and Laurel are appreciating his form given their attempts at learning to fight with a sword. Oliver is busy working on the salmon ladder. Everyone stops and turns to face Diggle when they hear him come down the stairs.
Oliver: I could've shot you.
Jared: I could've killed you. What the hell were you thinking?!
Diggle: I'm not gonna let you two William Tell an innocent man.
Jared: Gaynor isn't innocent, Diggle.
Diggle: You seem to think that mainly because of what's in your damn book, which you apparently trust more than you trust me.
Oliver:I trust my father. And he explained to me that every name on that list has a reason to be there.
Diggle: I thought you took that book off your father's dead body. How can he have been so chatty?
Oliver:A few years ago, I found a message he left me explaining the list.
Diggle: Oliver, how is that possible? You were on a deserted island.
Thea: They weren't on the island the whole time.
Diggle turned to look at Thea in shock.
Oliver: Diggle,do you really think that we would do all of this if we weren't sure?
Diggle: Listen. Gaynor got me into Blackhawk, and I'm gonna prove he's innocent.
Laurel: And if he isn't?
Diggle: If he's not, I'll be the one to take him down myself. You owe me at least that.
Jared: Digg...Before Jared can say anything Diggle leaves…Son of a bitch!
Thea: Jared...Thea walks up behind Jared and gives him a tight hug...I know, you're thinking about what happened with Wintergreen. But that doesn't have to be the case this time.
Jared:Maybe…
Laurel gives Oliver a questioning look, Oliver responds with a look telling her, they will talk about it later.
[Big Belly Burger]
Gaynor and Diggle are at the bar of the restaurant talking amongst themselves.
Gaynor: 6 years serving my country, the only thing I'm qualified for is babysitting spoiled brats.
Diggle: Well, Ted, they're not all like that.
Gaynor: I haven't met one yet that would survive a single day in the country. Sometimes it makes me wonder what I was doing over there.
A man enters the restaurant and walks up to Gaynor.
Man: Car's waiting outside. Got a client to drop off at the Chaykin Art Gallery opening.
Gaynor: John, you remember Paul Knox? He was a couple of ranks under us back in the 'Stan.
Knox: Good to be working with you. I'll be outside.
Diggle: I didn't know Knox worked at Blackhawk.
Gaynor: They recruited him when his tour ended last month.
Diggle: Mm-hmm.
Gaynor: People change, John. And everyone deserves a chance to prove it.
[Malcolm's house]
Malcolm, Tommy and Johanna are having dinner.
Johanna: This has been lovely, Mr. Merlyn. Thank you.
Malcolm: Thank you for joining me. It's been wonderful getting to know you better. And if Tommy doesn't mind me mixing a little business with pleasure, I could use your signature on these.
Tommy takes the papers and gives them a quick read.
Tommy: You want to shut down mom's free clinic?
Malcolm: It's not hers anymore, Tommy.
Tommy: That clinic meant everything to mom.
Malcolm: You were 8 years old. I don't think you were in a position to know what was important to your mother. I just need your signature-
Tommy: Stop. This dinner was never about getting to know Jo or making things better with me. It was about this. You haven't changed and you never will. It's about time that I learned that and stopped letting you disappoint me. We're leaving.
Tommy gets up and barges out the main door.
Johanna: This clinic was his mother's.
Malcolm: Yes. And his mother taught him a lesson I've been trying to, that the world is a harsh and unforgiving place.
Johanna: And when did she teach him that?
Malcolm: When she was lying dead in the street with a bullet in her head.
Johanna does her best to not react to Malcolm's statement and instead gets up to leave.
Johanna: Good night.
[Outside Malcolm's house]
Johanna catches up to Tommy and pulls him in a tight hug.
Tommy: I don't get him Jo...I can't…
Johanna: Sshh...You don't need to say anything right now. Let's get out of here first, I'll take your keys, I don't think you should drive right now.
Tommy responds with a kiss to Jo's cheek and then hands her his keys.
[Queen Consolidated - IT Department]
Thea and Jared walk into Felicity's office to ask her to hack the memory stick as Jared could not get past the encryption.
Jared: Hi Felicity!
Felicity: Well I was beginning to wonder if you guys forgot about me.
Thea: You're unforgettable Felicity! You're one of a kind. Thea gives her a smile as Felicity blushes.
Jared: Should I give you guys the room…
Thea lightly punches his arm.
Jared: Anyway, we need your help getting into this stick. Jared hands her the memory stick.
Thea: We need any info you can get.
Felicity gets working and in about 5 min she pulls up all the info on the stick.
Thea: What did you get?
Felicity: Well, I think you stumbled onto, or got me to stumble onto something pretty illegal.
Jared: Define illegal.
Felicity: Oh, you know. Robbing an armored car with grenade launchers and tear gas.
Jared & Thea: What? Both faking a shocked expression.
Felicity: Someone at Blackhawk was using their system to store detailed routes and schedules for each of the city's 7 major armored car carriers, including the 3 that have already been hit.
Felicity: Ms. Queen, I think we should provide this information to the police. With it, they should be able to predict the next heist.
Thea: Hold on. Felicity, I don't want to get you in trouble. Forward that directory on to me and I'll get it to the police personally. Thank you.
As the two leave, Felicity can't help but wonder what kind of work the Queen siblings are involved in.
[Starling City Outskirts]
A truck comes to stop in front of an armed man in a similar fashion to the previous robbery. Just as before there are 4 armed men waiting to take out the men in the truck as soon as they get out. The armed men too focused on the truck don't notice Arrow and Deathstroke get onto their van. Deathstroke launches the first strike as he jumps down slashing at one of the men's back and then finishing him with stab through the chest. As the rest of the armed men turn around to face Deathstroke, Arrow releases his arrow as he jumps down and drops one of the men, at the same time Deathstroke kills another with his swords. Arrow releases another arrow that hits the last man in the shoulder, the man that was in front of the truck comes around and opens fire on the two vigilanties. Both Arrow and Deathstroke jump out the way circling around the truck to avoid fire giving the remaining men time to get in the van and escape.
[Lair]
Jared and Oliver are taking off the suits as Diggle enters the lair.
Diggle: I heard the vigilanties foiled an armored car heist this evening.
Oliver: Gaynor wasn't running the rocket launcher.
Diggle: I know. I was with him the whole time it was going down.
Jared: Just because he wasn't there this time, does not mean he isn't involved. He had the memory stick, why the hell would he have that otherwise.
Diggle: Gaynor could have been looking into it himself.
Jared: Highly unlikely.
Diggle: Listen, if someone at Blackhawk is involved, I'd put my money on Knox. He started right before the heists began, and he has military training.
Jared: Fine we'll shift focus on Knox for now.
Oliver: Okay. I injured one. He was bleeding pretty badly when they made off in their van. Diggle: Okay, so if any of the blood is in one of the motor pool vans then we'll know for sure.
Jared: We're going with you.
Diggle: No, no, no, listen. I told you I would handle this. If there's any problems, you're just a phone call away.
Oliver: Hey. Head on a swivel.
Diggle: That's the way I was born, man.
Oliver smirks as he sees Jared secretly place a tracking chip on Diggle before he leaves.
[CNRI]
Johanna and Tommy are working at Johanna's desk when Thea and Laurel walk in. Laurel and Thea immediately run to Johanna and give her big hugs.
Thea: Hey Jo! So good to see you, I didn't know you were in town.
Johanna: Well I was only supposed to be in for tonight to see Tommy then I was going to head back to take care of my mom but something came up.
Laurel: Yeah it sounded urgent on the phone, what's up?
Tommy: My dad wants to sell my mom's clinic.
Thea and Laurel can only respond with a shocked look.
Tommy: Yeah, that's just how I felt when he brought it up.
Laurel: I'm sorry to hear that Tommy, I know how much the clinic meant to your mom.
Tommy: Funny how you see that but my dad can't.
Thea: Did your dad say why he wants to sell it?
Tommy: Nope!
Laurel: Okay, how can we help?
Johanna: We need to go over all the documents of the clinic and then make sure Malcolm can't sell it. Even though it is in Tommy's name, there might be something Malcolm could use to bypass Tommy. We also want to see if Oliver and Jared can look for ways to get more patients for the clinic.
Thea: Okay, let's get cracking.
Laurel: And we'll ask them as soon as we see them.
[Blackhawk Garage]
Diggle is sneaking around the garage with his phone light. He opens the passenger door of one of the vans and sees blood pooled at the bottom of the seat. He is about to open the dashboard to keep looking but hears a gun cock behind him.
Knox: I had a feeling you'd show up.
Diggle: Yeah? Why is that, Knox?
Knox: Right after Gaynor got you hired, someone hacked our system. First person to ever make it through our firewall. You want to tell me how you did it?
Diggle: I'm not really sure.
Knox: He didn't think you'd be very cooperative.
Diggle: Who?
Gaynor walks in with another armed man.
Gaynor: Hey, John.
Diggle: Ted, you're part of this?
Gaynor: No, not part of. My men. My mission.
Diggle: Mission? This isn't Afghanistan.
Gaynor: Oh, don't I know that. Over there we were trusted with millions of dollars in weapons and personnel. We were conquerors. Now we're nannies with tasers.
Diggle: So that gives you the right to steal, to kill innocent civilians?
Gaynor: I'm not gonna convince you I'm right. And I can't take any chances, sorry John!
Gaynor pulls out his gun and aims it at Diggle.
Gaynor: Any last words!
Diggle: Yeah… You're late!
Gaynor: What…
Before Gaynor can finish his sentence, Arrow jumps through a window firing his arrow at the armed man in the corner, taking him out instantly. Knox tries to turn to shoot at Arrow but is disarmed by Deathstroke, who managed to get behind Knox. Diggle tries to disarm Gaynor with the move Oliver and Jared taught him but only manages to get his gun before he is pushed back by Gaynor. Diggle stumbles back giving Gaynor time to draw his other gun and aim it at Diggle just as Diggle recovers and aims his gun at Gaynor.
Diggle: Drop it, Ted, or I swear...
Gaynor: Don't...posture. You're not gonna do it. You can't. I can see it in your eyes.
Before either men can shoot, an arrow pierces Gaynor through the chest, Gaynor turns around as he falls to the ground. The last image he sees is of the Arrow dropping his bow to his side. Jared and Oliver remove their mask and hood, respectively.
Oliver: You knew we were coming?
Diggle takes out the bug Jared placed on him.
Diggle:Next time you plant a bug on someone, be more subtle about it. I wish you trusted me, though.
Jared: We do trust you, Diggle. But them, never.
The three men hear sirens approaching.
Diggle: We should get out of here.
[Lair]
Thea and Laurel enter the lair just as Jared and Oliver finish changing back to regular clothes. Diggle is busy compiling all records on Blackhawk they can send the police in the morning.
Oliver: What are you two doing here? I thought you were meeting up with Tommy and Johanna.
Thea: Just came from there, apparently Malcolm wants to sell the clinic.
Oliver: Clinic?...Wait you mean…Rebecca Merlyn's clinic.
Laurel: Yeah.
Oliver: Wow.
Laurel: We're going to spend tomorrow with Johanna making sure there isn't anything Malcolm can do to sell it without Tommy's permission. We need Jared and you to see if there is a way to revive the clinic.
Jared: Hoping Malcolm won't want to sell it if the number of patients visiting increases.
Thea: Maybe, it's worth a shot.
Oliver: Okay let's go see what we can do.
Before anyone can head out Diggle interrupts them.
Diggle: Can we talk before you guys head out?
Oliver: What's up Dig?
Diggle: I screwed up, Oliver. Obviously Gaynor wasn't who I thought he was. I was wrong.
Jared: Yeah, but... you were right, too. When you told us that we trusted the list more than we trusted you…
Thea walks up and places a comforting arm on Jared's knowing what he is about to say.
Jared: Look Dig, on the island, I had someone like Gaynor in my life. He was my dad's best friend and an uncle to me. He taught me some of the stuff I know...
Diggle: What happened?
Jared: He was given a choice to betray us and he didn't hesitate to take it. He almost killed me because of that choice.
Diggle and Laurel can only open their mouths in shock.
Jared:... So it's difficult for me to trust...anything. I thought Oliver was the last person I could trust.
Oliver: Not just Jared, both of us have a hard time letting people in.
Laurel and Thea: Understatement of the year!
Jared and Oliver glare at their respective partners.
Oliver: As I was saying, trust isn't easy for us, we can't trust new people but you do. And that reminded us why we chose you as our partner. It's because you see the best in people.
Diggle: I learned something, too. Until you guys tell me, I'll never want to know what other names are in this book.