Disclaimer: I do not own Daredevil, Arrow or anything else you may recognize
Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.
Before you read this, I want to tell you all that I added another scene in the last chapter just before the last scene. I request you all to read that scene so that this chapter doesn't feel rushed.
Chaos Sorcerer: Yeah, I wish it was a longer story too. Thea, Lance and the Judge had it coming. Let's see how I handle the finale. I have an idea but I will realize the full thing only when I do it. I am a huge fan of both- Final Fantasy and Devil May Cry. Dante is arguably the most powerful video game character.
Chapter 8- Betrayal
In Iron Heights, a man was released from prison. He happily walked out to see his girlfriend waiting near the car. The two kissed passionately.
Next day, George Wolfman was about to leave his house for work when the man and his girlfriend entered. He stared at them in shock.
"Hi George", said the man casually.
"Vanch", said Wolfman in dread.
"Surprised to see me?" asked Vanch, "I imagine you would be, seeing as how you botched my trial, and from Viv here tells me, protecting my interests."
"There were contingencies that couldn't be anticipated", said George in fear.
"Yes, Vivian told me", said Vanch, "The head of the Triad getting ventilated, Bertinelli getting collared, and, uh, this archer."
"Exactly", said Wolfman as he started believing he would survive, "What am I supposed to do in the face of something like that?"
"Absolutely nothing, Georgie", said Vanch as he held out his arms, "Tell you what? All is forgiven. Give us a hug."
He forced Wolfman into a hug and said, "You know, I could use a place to stay while I'm getting my sea legs back under me, George, and you got a nice place here. What do you say? George? George? George?"
He let George go and the lifeless body dropped to the ground as his switchblade slipped out of George's chest.
Vanch looked at his dead lawyer and then at Vivian saying, "I hope George has been food shopping. I'm famished."
In the lair, Oliver brought Matt and Diggle up to speed on everything.
"So this book contains the list of the names of the guys you've been hunting", said Dig as he held up Oliver's notebook before holding up the second one, "And this book, your mother's, has the same list of names."
"It's identical", Oliver confirmed.
"Where'd your mother get this copy?" asked Matt, "And how did you get it?"
"Felicity Smoak", Oliver told them, "From the IT Department of Queen Consolidated. She said that Walter found it in their bedroom."
"And then he went missing", said Matt while Oliver frowned at what the blind lawyer-vigilante was implying.
"She's my mother", argued Oliver, "She's not the kind of person who would-"
"Have her husband disappeared?" John finished, "Because that's really the question, isn't it, Oliver? I understand why you'd believe your mother over your stepfather, but I tend to believe the innocent party is whoever's missing- and presumed dead."
Moira was putting on her shoes, getting ready to head out when Oliver walked in.
"Hey", he said, "Heading out?"
Moira smiled and said, "Oh yeah, it's a meeting with the financial planners."
She noticed Oliver's far-off look and asked, "Are you all right?"
After some hesitation, Oliver said, "There was something I wanted to talk to you about." He then held up the notebook and held it up for Moira to see, "I want to talk to you about Walter. Right around Christmas, when he disappeared, he gave me this."
He handed her the book and she looked over it, not showing any emotion, "This is your father's notebook. He kept a list of all the people in Starling City who owed him favors. I had no idea there were so many of them."
"I've just been researching some of those names online", said Oliver, "And, um, they're not good people."
"Oliver", said Moira, "I have no idea what your father was involved in, or with whom. And you and your sister both know he wasn't exactly honest with me."
Oliver tried to say, "Then we need to find out-"
"No", said Moira firmly, "If what you say is true and this list is filled with bad people, and Walter was looking into it, and now he-"
She stopped and threw the book into the fire. Oliver was frustrated at that but managed to regain his cool face when she looked at him.
"The only way to keep this family safe is for everyone in it to stop asking questions", said Moira, "Including you, Oliver."
She placed her hand on his chest and said, "Promise me."
Oliver just looked at the now burning book.
"So this is really happening", commented Thea as she walked with Laurel at CNRI, "498 hours of community service to go."
"499", said Laurel with a smirk, "This orientation doesn't count."
Thea groaned, "Tell me how this is not cruel and unusual punishment."
"Anastasia, Joanna", said Laurel, attracting the attention of Joanna and another woman, "Meet Thea Queen, our new intern."
"Interns get school credit", Thea argued, "I am more like a court-ordered slave."
"Oh, I can relate", said Anastasia as she shook Thea's hand.
"Welcome aboard, Thea", said Joanna with a smile.
"Anastasia is on a pro-bono sabbatical term from her law firm", explained Laurel.
"And apparently from my six figure salary", quipped Anastasia.
"The experience of helping others is its own reward", said Laurel as Thea rolled her eyes.
"I have yet to see any evidence of that", said Anastasia.
"Speaking of evidence", said Joanna, "Cyrus Vanch was released from Iron Heights."
Laurel looked shocked as Joanna said, "Anastasia told me."
"We represent a victim's advocacy group who's trying to keep Vanch locked up", explained Anastasia.
Laurel walked over to her desk and picking up her phone said, "I'm calling Kate Spencer."
"I already did", said Anastasia, "She said there's nothing the D.A.'s office can do without further evidence."
Laurel slammed down her phone and then said, "Well then, I'm going to her office."
"And then she also said to not show up at her office", Anastasia revealed as Laurel stopped.
"Vanch is connected to human trafficking, drug running, racketeering and at least 52 different homicides", said Laurel angrily.
"What's our play?" asked Joanna, "Because unless we have access to some private police force, Vanch will be free to roam the streets."
Hearing that, Laurel got an idea.
"You don't find this a little convenient?" John asked Oliver, "Her just so happening to have burnt that book?"
"She did it out of concern for my safety, Diggle", Oliver argued, defending his mother.
"Or maybe, her own", said Matt and when Oliver glared at him, he said, "Or both of you."
"Oliver, you said it yourself", said John, "Whoever compiled that list is someone very dangerous, and if your mother is lying to you-"
"And she didn't know any of the names on the list", Oliver argued again.
"You don't know that, Oliver", said Matt, "She could have said that to get you off this."
"Yes", said Diggle, "You don't have to take her word for it. Oliver, if this was anybody else, you'd be hooded up right now on your way to have an arrow-sided chat with them."
"This isn't anybody else", said Oliver, "This is my mother. And I know her."
Before Matt could say anything, Oliver's phone rang.
"What's that?" asked Diggle as Oliver picked up the phone from his table.
"That is the phone I gave to Lance so that he could contact The Hood", said Oliver.
"Is he asking you to turn yourself in?" Dig quipped.
"I don't think he is that stupid", said Matt.
"He gave it to Laurel", said Oliver as he answered the call, "Hello?"
"I need your help", said Laurel from the other side.
"That's why you have the phone", said Oliver.
"Cyrus Vanch was just released on a technicality", she said to him, "Living large in his lawyer's house."
Oliver ran a search on his computer and an article of George Wolfman being missing popped up.
"Who is now missing", he told her.
"There's no evidence of foul play", said Laurel, "But he isn't Vanch's first victim. And I'm sure he won't be his last."
"What about the police?" asked Oliver.
"They can't move on him without evidence of new criminal activity", she said in a bitter tone.
"Laurel, obtaining evidence isn't what I do", Oliver told her.
"Vanch is dangerous", Laurel said in a pleading tone.
"Hold on to the phone", said Oliver after considering the situation, "I'll call."
He hung up and turned to Matt and Diggle.
"Laurel needs my help", he said to the two.
"Oliver, are you running to help her or away from your mother?" John asked him.
"I think it's a bit of both", said Matt, "But we should help her. I have heard about Vanch. I can't believe they freed him. Does the law have no honor now?"
He was trembling with rage after the last sentence. He was angry with the system. He wanted to use the law to solve the problem but the people were so corrupt that more problems were created. The innocents were tormented while their tormenters were not punished.
"Let's go", he said to Matt and the two walked off.
Lance was working on his case when Kelton walked up to him.
"Hey, Detective?" he asked.
"I'm busy, Kelton", he said to him.
"I'm pretty sure you want to hear this", said Kelton, "The bug I planted in the phone from the vigilante just lit up. It seems your daughter is playing Maid Marian to Robin Hood again."
Lance got up as Kelton asked, "Where're you going?"
"Lieutenant Pike's office", he said, "If she's going to meet The Hood, there should be a taskforce there when she does."
Outside Wolfman's house, The Hood shot down a guard while Daredevil threw his club at another, knocking him out.
Inside, Vanch said to Vivian as they ate, "See, we got to look at this as an opportunity, the Triad and the Bertinellis are leaderless. The giant sucking sound you're hearing is the current power vacuum in Starling City, the one I'm planning on filling."
Outside, The Hood shot down another guard while Daredevil knocked out another by throwing his club.
Inside, Vivian asked Vanch, "How are you going to convince the Triad and the Bertinellis to sign up with you?"
Outside, The Hood fired an arrow and it embedded itself outside Vanch's room with a 'thwarp.' Vanch managed to hear the sound but ignored it for the time being.
The arrow had a recording device which The Hood used to record everything they were saying.
"Well, that's an excellent question", Vanch said to her, "I need to do something. Something spectacular, to get their attention and earn their respect."
Daredevil heard a man sneaking up on them and turning around, threw the club. It hit him but before going down, he ended up firing shots into the air as his aim had gone awry.
The sounds attracted Vanch's attention so he got up and looked around. He spotted the arrow with the recording device. He yanked it out and turning to Vivian said, "You know what I learnt in prison? If you want to be respected, you find the biggest guy and put him down permanent."
Holding up the arrow, he said, "I think I just found the biggest guy."
Daredevil and The Hood ran off and disappeared into the night.
Laurel was preparing to go out and eat outside when she felt a vibration in her pocket.
"Hello?" she said, answering the call.
"It's me", said The Hood, "I have something. Can you meet?"
"Yeah", she said, "Where?"
"Rooftop", he said, "Winick Building. 30 minutes."
At the SCPD, Lance listened to the conversation and told the tech, "Good work, Kelton."
Turning to the taskforce, he said, "Okay everybody, rubber bullets. This is my daughter here. She cannot come to any harm. But outside of that, you do whatever needs doing to bring that archer down."
Laurel arrived at the roof of the Winick Building. As she looked around, The Hood arrived.
"Hello, Laurel", he said to her.
"Thank you for helping", she said to him.
"I couldn't do much, Vanch's position is too heavily fortified, but I did get this", he pulled out a flash drive which she took, "Evidence he's trying to take over the positions vacated by Frank Bertinelli and-"
He paused to listen to the surroundings as something felt off, "And the Triad."
Laurel had noticed his brief pause and asked, "What's wrong?"
"We're not alone", he told her.
"What?" she asked in shock.
The door burst open as Lance, Hilton and several other cops arrived on the scene.
"SCPD! Get down!" Lance commanded as him and the others pointed their guns at him.
Acting quickly, The Hood grabbed Laurel and put her between them.
"Hands where we can see 'em!" Lance commanded again.
"Dad!" Laurel shouted in surprise.
"Do it now!" Lance commanded a third time, "You so much as leave a bruise on her, and I swear I'll drag you down to hell myself!"
"Laurel, I'm sorry", The Hood whispered to Laurel and pushed her at Lance. He jumped off the roof, falling on the park below. Lance shoved Laurel into Hilton's arms and looked over the edge of the roof.
"Quentin, don't!" Hilton shouted but Lance jumped off and fell hardly on the grass. He staggered to his feet and saw The Hood running into an office building.
He ran after him and entered the building. He saw a door marked 'Level 5' closing. He opened it and cautiously entered, gun at the ready. As he looked around, he was knocked out by a strong punch from The Hood.
Later, Quentin sat on a chair in the SCPD Department, nursing his wounds as Laurel yelled at him.
"I don't know what's worse", she said, "The fact that you lied to me or nearly got me killed!"
"You were completely safe", he argued.
"I was on a rooftop with an army of men pointing their guns at my face!" she yelled.
"Well, you shouldn't have been on that roof in the first place", he argued again.
"No!" she yelled, "You wanted me on that roof. Wasn't that the whole point of your little trap?"
"I'm trying to catch a killer!" snarled Quentin.
"You manipulated me", she yelled angrily again.
"Manipulated?" he asked incredulously, "You practically ran to this guy. I told you, I said stay away from him and you did not!"
"That was before you gave me the phone!" Laurel said angrily.
"What?!" he asked.
"That's before you realized you could use me as bait", Laurel accused, "Your own daughter!"
"Yeah" Quentin shouted, "But you wouldn't listen to me!"
"You are so blinded by your hate for him that you don't realize the damage it's doing in your life", Laurel told him bluntly, "To your family. So what happens when you catch him? What happens then? You're going to find another criminal. Somebody else to blame for mom leaving? For Sara dying? For your drinking?"
"That's enough, Laurel", Quentin snarled, trembling with rage.
"Yeah", she yelled, "You're damn right it is."
She turned and started leaving when he suddenly called out, "Laurel!"
She stopped, thinking he was going to apologize. As she turned to him, he held out his hand and said, "The phone."
As she stared at him in disbelief, he said, "Give me the phone."
Laurel walked up to him slowly, taking it out from her pocket, and then slammed it down hard on the table.
In the lair, Oliver put his bow in the crate and slammed the lid hard.
"Laurel could have been hurt", he said angrily, "Or worse."
"Just when I thought her father couldn't sink any lower!" growled Matt, "I can't believe he did something like that to catch you."
"It was Lance's fault, I guess", said Dig.
"What's your point, Dig?" asked Oliver as he faced him.
"Just that you don't see straight when it comes to Laurel", said Dig, "Or your mother."
Oliver walked up to Dig and hissed, "This is not the time to bring this up again."
"Dig, tell me, did you see clearly in Gaynor's case?" asked Matt and John was silent, "In this case, it wasn't Laurel's fault. It was all Lance! That man doesn't deserve to be a cop! However in Mrs. Queen's case, I think you might be right."
As Oliver tried to say something to Matt, Dig said to him, "I think I should tell you something right now. I'll be driving your mother around for a few days."
"You're spying on her?!" Oliver growled.
"Just doing my due diligence", said John, "See if she meets with anyone we might be interested in."
"She's not a suspect", stated Oliver, "She's my mother."
"I think that does not remove her from the suspect list", said Matt as Oliver glared at him, "I understand that she is your mother and you can't stand it if somebody accuses her, but we only choose to see the good in those we care about and are blinded to their faults."
"We need to take a closer, objective look at her", said Dig.
"Something is going on and it involves both our cities", said Matt, "We need to do everything we can about it."
"She's not involved", said Oliver.
"Then there's no harm in me driving her around for a few days, is there?" asked John as he picked up his jacket and walked out.
Next day, Vanch was standing and eating his breakfast while watching the news as his men stood around with guns.
"A sting operation to catch the notorious Starling City vigilante wreaked havoc last night", said the reporter, "Despite the police's failed attempt to apprehend the vigilante, police have continued to insist that their warnings remain. This archer is considered to be armed and dangerous. Should you find yourself in harm's way, always, always call 9-1-1."
"Interesting", said Vanch as he turned off the TV, "Using deception and intimidation to make a name for himself. This guy stole my move."
"I have news", said Vivian as she walked in, "From my friend in the police department. I think I've figured out a way to get The Hood out and into the open."
"Huh", he said, "Astonish me."
"Remember that attorney? Laurel Lance?" asked Vivian as Vanch gave a slightly sinister smile.
Laurel was sitting in her apartment when someone knocked the door. She thought it was her father and getting up to open the door said, "Dad! If you want to talk to me then-"
She paused on opening the door and gasped as two men lunged at her. One of them grabbed her by the neck and tried to slam her against the door. The two made the mistake of assuming she was easy prey. Her father was a cop and he had taught her self-defense.
The man was behind her, trying to tighten his grip when she used her feet to push back, slamming him against the door and then elbowing him. He went down. The other man hadn't entered yet. She grabbed him by the face and pushed him down before slamming his leg with the door. As he screamed in pain, she ran inside and threw down some furniture to slow them down.
She ran inside but the second man grabbed her again. She picked up her umbrella and smacked him with it. The first man recovered and ran at her.
She hit the second man on the face with the umbrella, knocking her out. The first man lunged at her but she ducked and slipped past him. She hit him on the back with the umbrella and slammed his head into the curio cabinet's glass doors, knocking him out.
She turned around- coming face to face with Vanch.
"I love a girl who can take care of herself", he quipped as he brought his taser to the side of her neck, making her drop down, unconscious, "But can't block a taser."
"Laurel, it's me", said Matt as he knocked at her door. He wanted to give her company after how her father had used her. He even had a credible explanation as to how he knew about it.
But the door opened on its own and he realized that he could not hear her heartbeat anywhere close by.
He walked around and sensed the toppled furniture. He then realized an arrow was stuck in the wall. It had a recording device on it with the light blinking red. He yanked it out of the wall and pressed the play button.
"Make sure this message finds its way to the vigilante", said the voice of Vanch as Matt tensed, "Do it fast, because at sunrise, I'm going to leave pieces of this girl all over Starling City unless he pays me a little visit. You know, gives us a chance to know each other better."
Matt trembled with rage and then with a roar, punched the wall so hard a small crack formed on it. He needed to tell Oliver. And as much as he hated Lance, he realized the man had a right to know too as he was Laurel's father.
Detective Lance collapsed on the chair with the arrow, holding his head in his hands as Matt stood in front of him.
"Do whatever you have to do", said Matt, "Quick!"
"How did they know about Laurel?" Lance muttered.
"I have no idea", said Matt when suddenly Quentin realized something.
Lance looked at the officers around him and muttered, "There's a leak."
"So you think some of them are friends with whoever kidnapped her?" asked Matt in a whisper and Quentin nodded slowly before pulling out the phone he had taken from Laurel.
As Oliver arrived in the lair, Diggle said, "Thanks for coming. It didn't seem like a good idea to talk about it at your home."
"Yeah", said Oliver sarcastically, "It would have been awkward for you to explain to my mother that you're spying on her."
"No man", Dig said as held out a recording device, "Awkward part's coming up."
Oliver took the device and asked, "You bugged my mother?"
"Just listen", said Dig firmly and Oliver turned the device on with a sigh.
"It's taken care of", said the slightly distorted voice of Moira, "I've taken care of it. Carl Ballard will not be a problem anymore."
"Given your property for squeamishness, I'm assuming that Mr. Ballard remains in good health", said a second voice which Oliver did not recognize.
"I made it clear to him persuasively that his plans endangered the Undertaking", said Moira's voice, "I didn't have to make the usual threats."
"Excellent", said the other voice, "Now one more matter to attend to. I need you to have contents of this address removed and disposed of thoroughly. The warehouse where you're storing the remains of 'The Queen's Gambit.'"
"I already told you", said Moira's voice, "I knew the yacht was sabotaged."
Shocked, Oliver shut off the device.
"I am sorry, man", said Dig apologetically.
"The yacht was sabotaged", Oliver gasped, "Somebody tried to kill my father."
Diggle pointed out, "And your mother was involved somehow."
Oliver glared at him and said, "You do not know that she was involved, Diggle!"
Dig stared at him and said, "What I do know, Oliver, and so do you, is that she kept this a secret. Why would she do that if she didn't have something to hide?"
A buzzing sound was heard and Dig asked, "Is that-"
"Yeah!" Oliver took out the phone and accepted the call before growling, "You have three seconds before I have this line permanently disconnected."
"It's Laurel", said Quentin desperately, "She has been kidnapped. Listen, whoever it is, he's going to kill my daughter. Please believe me."
"He's telling the truth", said Matt as he walked in, looking tired as he had jumped around the city in about 3 minutes to get from the SCPD to the lair.
Detective Lance stood on the roof of the Winick Building. This time, he was alone.
"Detective", Lance spun around and saw The Hood standing there who warned him, "If this is another trick, you will not like the consequences."
"I'm not particularly happy right now", said Lance with a sigh, "I hate you. I hate everything you stand for. But this lunatic has my little girl."
He held up the recording arrow and said, "He left this behind as some kind of ransom note."
"His name is Cyrus Vanch", said The Hood without needing to listen to the recording.
"Jeez", said Lance, "He'll kill her if he doesn't get to you."
"He'll kill her anyway", said The Hood bluntly, "So why come to me?"
"It's a pretty tight circle that knows about you and my daughter working together", said Lance with a sigh, "If Vanch knows, it's because someone at the precinct talked. There isn't anybody else I could trust."
"Vanch is holed up at a fortidied mansion", said The Hood, "I'm going to get her."
"I'll come with you", said Lance.
"I don't need your help", said The Hood.
"Then how are you going to save her?" asked Lance, "You said it was fortified. How can you defeat them all alone?"
"He's not alone."
Quentin spun around and gasped on seeing Daredevil standing there.
"You?" he said in shock, "So you are really here?"
"When men like you can't get the job done", said Daredevil, "Men like me are needed."
At Vanch's mansion, he was in the dining room with Vivian and a bound Laurel.
"Time's running out", said Vanch casually, "And still no visit from your friend. I might have overestimated his fondness for you."
As he said that, he yanked her head back by the hair and placed his knife at her throat.
"Assault with intent", said a tearful Laurel with defiance, "And kidnapping. You're going to rot in prison for life this time."
Vanch chuckled and said, "Assuming your hooded BFF saves you. And his chances of survival are not so great. He's going up against trained men with their fingers on the trigger of guns that fire up to 600 rounds per minute. Now, I'm no Einstein but that's a lot of bullets."
Outside, two of his men were shot down by arrows while a third was knocked out by a club.
Daredevil and The Hood ran past them. One of the men turned to them to fire but Daredevil leapt at him and grabbing his head between his feet, slammed him to the ground. Before he could get up, Daredevil slammed his head on the ground, knocking him out. Another ran up to them but was shot down.
Daredevil and The Hood ran around the building.
"And even if he were to take them out", said Vanch, "I have two sharpshooters on the roof."
The Hood spotted the sharpshooters. He shot an explosive arrow which blinded the two men. He shot down one of them while Daredevil threw his club at the other, knocking him down.
"And even if he were to get by them", said Vanch, "What's he going to do about the veritable army of sons of bitches I've got waiting for him!"
The Hood shot down one man as he fired off a shot into the air while Daredevil leapt over him and kicked a man hard on the face, breaking a few bones. The Hood fired at another man while Daredevil knocked another out by throwing his club.
"Now, as I said, I'm no Einstein, but I can count to 24", said Vanch unaffected by the sounds of battle from outside, "And in case you're wondering, I was so studied up on my news footage- 24 is the exact number of arrows he carries in his quiver around his forearm."
His plan was brilliant but fortunately for Laurel, it had one fatal flaw. He had not taken into account another vigilante.
Daredevil and The Hood walked into the house. Daredevil heard a heartbeat and turning around, threw his club at another man, knocking him out.
The two walked in. Vanch and Vivian gasped in horror on seeing Daredevil with The Hood.
"Y-you?" said Vanch in horror with a trembling voice, cursing the vigilante inwardly.
Daredevil sensed Laurel's heart beating fast and her tears. He angrily clenched his fists and before Vanch could do a thing, he rushed him and grabbing him, slammed him on the table, breaking it.
As Vanch lay on the ground, Daredevil knelt down and punched him in the stomach, making him gasp for breath. As Vivian looked on in horror, he picked up Vanch by the head and slammed it on the ground hard thrice, finally knocking him out.
Vivian now tried to escape but The Hood grabbed her arm and flipped her to the ground, taking her down. Looking at Laurel, Daredevil said, "Don't worry. You'll be all right."
He picked up Vanch's knife and cut her restraints.
Later, Quentin was wrapping up his day's work as Laurel stood near the desk, a blanket wrapped around her, a cup of coffee in her hands.
"All right", he said to her, "You're good to go. I'll, uh, I'll take you home now."
Laurel looked at him for a moment and with a shake if her head said, "I can take a cab."
"Laurel, you had a trauma. I'll drive you home", Quentin insisted.
"No", she said firmly.
With a confused look, he asked, "What?"
"I'm going to need you to keep your distance for a while", she said.
"Laurel-"
"Dad, I love you. I'll always love you", she assured him, "But what I can't do right now is trust you."
"I was just doing my job", Quentin argued, "I thought you'd understand at least that."
"That part I do understand", she said, "But lying to me? Using me? It's going to take longer."
She walked out to a line of cars when The Hood stepped out.
"Are you all right?" he asked her.
"What would you do if I said I didn't know?" she asked.
"That you were being honest", he said.
"My father has the phone now", she said with a sigh, "And I don't think he'll be giving it back anytime soon."
"Maybe that's good", replied The Hood, "I didn't see how that would put you in danger."
"I'm a big girl", she said, "I knew the risks."
"Now I know them", he said, "And I'm not willing to take them with you."
"What does that mean?" she asked as she looked at him, confused.
"It means goodbye."
Before she could say anything, she heard Matt's voice, "Laurel!"
The Hood slipped away as Matt walked up to Laurel.
"Laurel!" he said as the two embraced tightly, "Oh, my God! Are you all right?"
"Yes, yes", she said tearfully as she hugged him tighter, "I'm all right."
"Don't worry", he said, "You'll be all right."
Laurel gave him a curious look at that as she had heard those exact words a while ago. But hearing that from him made her feel better.
Their faces were now inches apart. Because of her ordeal, Laurel wasn't thinking clearly. Because he was worried for her, Matt wasn't thinking clearly.
But before their lips could connect, Matt stopped. Not because he thought going down this road again was a mistake. But because he sensed someone close by watching them. It was a cop. Matt heard his heart beating really fast as he looked at Laurel. There was sweat on him too. He seemed scared. Matt clutched his stick angrily as he realized who had sold out Laurel to Vanch and Vivian.
In the lair, Oliver listened to the recording over and over again.
"I've heard this 15 times", said Oliver as Matt and Diggle walked in, "It's definitely her voice….. I just can't believe it's her."
"We all have blind spots when it comes to family", said Dig.
"Yeah", said Oliver, "Laurel's almost got her killed tonight. Vanch never would have known about her connection to me if Lance hadn't lied to her."
"Not just for family", said Matt, "But for anyone we care about. You told Dig he hadn't known Gaynor for a long time. But you haven't known your mother for a long time either."
"You're right, Matt", said Dig, "Everyone we know changes in time. Sometimes, for the better. Sometimes, for the worse."
Oliver turned the device back on as Moira's voice said, "I made it clear to him persuasively that his plans endangered the Undertaking. I didn't have to make the usual threats."
"What's the Undertaking?" asked Dig.
"I don't know", said Oliver, "But with all this talk about threats, it can't be good."
With a sigh, he said, "You two warned me that she was lying to me to cover up something dangerous. I need to know about this Undertaking."
"What are you going to do?" asked Dig as Oliver rose.
"I think I know", said Matt.
Oliver said, "I think I need to have another chat with my mom."
As Dig realized what he was talking about, Matt said, "I was recently watching the news. Crime is on the rise again in Hell's Kitchen."
Oliver realized what Matt was trying to say.
"Don't worry, Matt", said Oliver, "Hell's Kitchen needs you just like Starling City needs me."
"But it's obvious both our cities are involved", said Matt, "So maybe I might find something there."
"If you do, tell me", said Oliver, "And I will do likewise."
"Thank you", said Matt as the two shook hands.
"Thank you", Oliver said too.
Matt and Dig shook hands as well as he turned to walk out.
"I'm going, for now", he said, "I just need to do something first."
The cop who was watching Matt and Laurel before now walked out of the building. His name was Marc. He had sold out Laurel to Vanch. He decided he needed to run away from the city as Vanch might tell the cops he was the mole.
As he walked, he was grabbed from behind and slammed into a wall. He fell down. Getting up, he looked back and gasped on seeing Daredevil.
"You answer to Vivian", said Daredevil, "Don't you?"
"Son of a bitch!" snarled Marc, regaining courage. He got up and took out his gun. Before he could do a thing, Daredevil grabbed his wrist and twisted it, causing him to yell in pain.
He threw him back down and threw the gun away.
"You sold out Laurel to Vanch", growled Daredevil, "Go to Lance and confess to him."
"I won't", snarled Marc. Daredevil roared and punched him on the face, breaking his nose. He grabbed his nose in pain but still gave the defiant look.
Daredevil kicked him on the chest, breaking a rib or two. Now he yelled in pain, not being able to take it.
"Tell him!" Daredevil growled, "Or I am coming for you. Choose!"
Marc said, "Okay, okay, I will tell him. Please don't hurt me."
Daredevil nodded as Marc staggered back to the SCPD building past him. He went to Lance and started confessing while Daredevil disappeared into the night.
Hell's Kitchen, New York
Two leaders of the Gnucci family who were good friends of Tony Gnucci were enjoying in a bar. The bar was owned by the Gnuccis. It was 2 A.M.
Some strippers were dancing near them.
One of the leaders, who was called Meran, said to one of them in a flirty tone, "Want to give me the pleasure of a lap dance?"
As she looked at him seductively, there were several gunshots and people ran around, screaming in terror.
The thugs of the Gnuccis took out their guns to fight but were gunned down rapidly by some men who entered with guns.
"Out!" said one of the men as the strippers ran out.
Meran and the other leader, Jack, made to run out too but a sharp voice commanded them, "Not you two!"
And then from among the gunmen waked out a single man who carried a small gun. The two Gnucci leaders gasped on seeing the man's face. The right half of it was normal. But the left half was badly burnt and some of his gums on that side were burnt off too.
"So I have heard this bar is owned by the Gnuccis", he said casually to them as he picked up a drink and sipped it, "Well, I guess ownership has changed."
"We are soon going to rue Hell's Kitchen", said Meran in a warning tone, "You're making a huge mistake. Walk out of here. And then we will hunt you and kill you. There's nothing you can do."
"I won't do a thing", said the man, "But fate will."
He pulled out a coin. One half of it was normal and the other half was burnt. Looking at Meran, he said, "You first."
He flipped the coin and it landed on the back of his right hand. He looked at it. It was the burnt side. He shot Meran in the head and he fell down, dead.
Jack gasped in fear and looked at the man again. The man flipped the coin again and it landed on the back of his right hand. This time, it was the normal side.
"I guess you'll live", said the man to him, "Now you're going to deliver a message to the other Gnuccis."
"W-what?" asked Jack, trembling with fear.
"That Hell's Kitchen no longer belongs to them", he said, "It is now the property of Two-Face."
Yes. Two-Face is here in Hell's Kitchen. But be assured, he is not the one Malcolm remembered in Chapter 5. We'll see about that later.
Now some chapters won't be about Starling City because we know what's going on there. But don't worry. That's the main plot so it will come up soon in Hell's Kitchen too. The thing is, now I will do the interesting filler stuff I had planned.
I think you know who I named the cop who sold out Laurel after. And Meran is a play on the word 'Mericle.' I think you know that person too.
Please review. I always appreciate your feedback.