Sorry for the late posting, guys. It's been a hectic week. Thanks for taking the time to comment last chapter. Happy reading!
Chapter 19
The soft, fast clicking of Felicity's fingers on the keyboard was the only sound that could be heard in the Foundry. Although Oliver and Diggle were silent, Felicity could feel their eyes on her. She was just as eager to see the footage that her facial recognition software had caught. Aside from the Brother Eye attacks in Starling, Cooper had been off the grid for three months. Either this was the lucky break they needed or Cooper had decided he was ready to be found.
"I got it," Felicity announced. Oliver and Diggle came to stand on either side of her. "This is from a traffic cam across the street." Felicity zoomed in on the footage of Cooper entering the double doors of a large, brick building. His hair was slightly longer, but there was no mistaking his lean, pale face. Instead of his usual jeans and a button down shirt, he wore a suit and tie.
Oliver studied the footage. "Felicity, zoom back so we can see the building again." He nodded when his thought was confirmed. "It's the Starling City Psychiatric Hospital."
"What would he be doing there?" Diggle muttered. "Unless he's finally realized he's a few paper plates short of a picnic and decided to check himself in."
Felicity snorted. "I doubt it. Cooper's giant-sized ego would never let him do something that rational."
"There's got to be cameras inside the lobby," Oliver said.
"Give me a second." Felicity hacked into the hospital's server and pulled up the security footage with the same date and time stamp. Cooper walked to the front desk. He leaned forward and said something to the receptionist. She smiled flirtatiously back, causing Felicity to roll her eyes in disgust. The woman made a call and another man in a suit greeted Cooper. They shook hands and walked down a corridor.
"Can you follow them through the footage?"
"Already on it," Felicity muttered in full techie mode. A moment later, she was groaning in frustration.
"What's the matter?" Diggle questioned.
"The security footage is missing."
Oliver leaned forward. "You're sure?"
"Positive. Clearly, he didn't want anyone knowing who he was visiting." Felicity stared at the computer screen, deep in thought, when an idea struck. "But I'm not 'anyone,'" she declared and started typing away once more. "I'm much smarter than that."
Oliver and Diggle exchanged perplexed looks. "We're not following." With anyone else, Oliver would be frustrated that he couldn't keep up. With Felicity, he was impressed as she took the initiative and trusted that she'd get the answers they needed.
"Cooper may have altered the footage, but he still left a digital trail. I can find out exactly where in the building he went." Felicity traced the anomaly and pulled up blueprints of the psychiatric hospital. "Okay, I got a room number. Now let's see who's in residence..." A list of names scanned down the screen in fast succession until one in particular popped up. "We have a match. Cooper was visiting a patient named Thomas Werner."
Felicity, catching the charged exchange between Oliver and Diggle, asked, "You know who he is?"
"His street name was Count Vertigo," Oliver stated. "He was a big-time drug dealer. He experimented on his victims to perfect the recipe. They were found with puncture marks on their necks like a vampire, hence the name. But there were still casualties after Vertigo hit the streets. People were jumping off buildings and causing accidents." Oliver felt his muscles tense at the memory of Thea's car accident when she was under the influence of the drug. "I stopped him last year by injecting him with his own drug. He got three times the proper dosage. He survived, but it messed with his head. He was practically a zombie afterward, so they put him in the psychiatric hospital instead of prison."
"It doesn't make any sense," Felicity commented as she tried to piece together Cooper's motives. "Why would Cooper visit some stupefied drug dealer he's never even met?"
"That's what we need to find out." Oliver was already heading for his suit.
"I don't think that's the best idea, Oliver," Diggle spoke up.
Felicity nodded. "I agree. Even if you can break into the psychiatric hospital, you won't be able to get answers out of a vegetable."
"He could be faking it. In which case, The Arrow will get it out of him."
"Or the mere sight of the man who put him in there could send him deeper down the rabbit hole. If he's as mentally unstable as his chart states, we could blow our only chance of getting the information we need."
"I could go as Oliver Queen," he suggested as an alternative. "I'll pretend that QC is looking to donate money to some new causes this year and get a tour of the place. I can slip away to visit The Count."
"Let's say that The Count is faking it. He'll recognize you from when you tried to buy off of him last year," said Diggle.
"Um, what?" Felicity turned in her chair to face them, curious and totally confused.
"It's a long story, but it was basically a setup," Oliver explained before addressing his partner once more. "Dig, I don't plan on interrogating him as myself. I can steal an orderly's uniform and get a surgical mask."
"Oh. Well, that could work," Diggle acknowledged as he folded his arms.
"I don't know." Felicity shook her head. "I doubt the staff is going to let you slip away long enough to get the answers you need out of him. Again, assuming he's faking it."
Oliver could see the wheels turning in her head. "You have a different idea?"
"I was thinking maybe we should take the legal route on this one."
Diggle frowned. "How so?"
"If The Count survived a lethal drug overdose and has somehow managed to pretend to be a glorified zombie all this time, force might not work on him. He'll still look crazy but with some bruises."
"Who said I was going to beat him up?"
Felicity gave Oliver a look. "Says the man who's default method of getting answers is 'putting the fear of God into the bad guys until they talk,'" she replied, making air quotes.
He shrugged unapologetically. "It works."
"I suggest we try a more enticing approach. Laurel and her father are investigating Brother Eye. If we bring this information to Laurel, she can pass it on to the police. That way they can also follow the trail. Since Laurel's working on the case, she would be able to visit Count Vertigo and question him."
"There's a couple of issues. First, Detective Lance will be even more suspicious if he knows this information came from you. And second, what makes you think Laurel will have better luck questioning The Count than me?" Oliver argued.
"Laurel doesn't have to say the information came from me," Felicity explained. "It's also not her questioning that is key. It's what she can offer The Count. If he was in his right mind, he'd be at Iron Heights serving a life sentence. Laurel is an assistant district attorney, and she could get him some kind of deal if he talks."
"Felicity, The Count is dangerous."
"I'm not saying they let him go or even give him parole. But she could offer to have him moved to a lower-security prison instead of Iron Heights. At least there he could watch some TV and get fresh air instead of sitting in a padded cell actually slipping slowly into madness," she stated. "I'll leave the details up to Laurel if she agrees. It's a long shot, but I think it's worth it."
"It's not a bad plan," Diggle spoke up.
Oliver, taking in her hopeful gaze, relented. "All right. We can try it your way. But if Laurel isn't able to get through to him, I'm going in there."
"Deal." She added, "By the way, maybe it would be better if you gave the information to Laurel. You've known each other longer, and she trusts you. We've been getting friendly, but I don't think we're at the stage where I can ask her for a huge favor like cutting a deal for a hardened criminal."
"We'll do it together tomorrow," Oliver promised. Felicity's relieved smile at his words made him want to cross the distance between them and pull her into his arms. Oliver knew that everything about this situation had her on edge despite the brave face she put on. No matter how much Felicity tried to adjust to her new life, Cooper was always waiting in the shadows. This time, Oliver would be there waiting with him. Waiting for him. He wouldn't let Cooper slip through their fingers again.
After speaking with the secretary, Oliver took a seat next to Felicity in the waiting room of the District Attorney's office. Laurel's time in court was taking longer than expected, but she was supposed to be back soon. Felicity, filled with nervous energy, bit her lip and fiddled with her hands. She'd been like that all morning.
"Felicity, are you okay?" Oliver murmured so only she could hear.
"My psycho ex-boyfriend hell-bent on revenge is visiting another dangerous psycho most likely for some evil, master plan." She shrugged. "Other than that, I'm fine."
He rested his hand over hers. "It's not like before. We're working together now, and we're going to find him, Felicity."
His reassurance made her smile. "You're right." Looking at his hand on hers made Felicity's face get hot. It was the first time they'd touched since their heated encounter the night before. It was another reason why Felicity was so on edge. She'd finally told Oliver that she loved him. He hadn't said it back, not directly, but it was strongly implied. A part of her was thrilled that they'd been so honest with each other, but another part worried that they could just as easily slide back into old habits.
Oliver recognized that crinkle between her eyes. It was the look Felicity got when she was trying to work something out. He knew that she was thinking about last night. He wasn't able to stop thinking about it either. They hadn't gotten a chance to talk about what happened since Cooper came barreling back into their lives.
There never would be a right time to bring it up. It was now or never, Felicity decided. "So, last night...that was...revealing."
"Yeah," Oliver said, fighting a smile at the way she was blushing.
"I didn't know that was going to happen. I mean, it's not like I haven't imagined it happening. Not that I imagined that exactly. I just mean that I do have a vivid imagination. Like cronuts. I had a vision of them-"
"I know what you mean, Felicity," Oliver cut in, for which she was thankful.
Her mind was running wild as she tried to come up with the best way to phrase her thoughts. Felicity's eyes drifted to their hands. "Where does that leave us now?"
Oliver answered, "Honestly, I don't know." He had strong feelings for Felicity. That much was obvious. But they still had a lot of challenges ahead of them. Challenges that required their immediate attention and focus.
"Do you regret it?" Felicity's voice was barely above a whisper. Her insides twisted in anticipation of his response.
As confused as Oliver was about where their relationship was going, he was clear on one thing. "No. Do you?"
"No."
"Do you remember when I told you that because of what I do, I didn't think I could be with someone that I could really care about?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Well, maybe I was wrong," Oliver admitted and interlaced their fingers.
"Oliver, what exactly are you saying?" Felicity pressed.
"I'm saying that there's been something between us from the start, and I'm done fighting it." He gave her hand a squeeze. "But my life is dangerous, Felicity. Right now, so is yours. It doesn't always have to be that way, though. Not for you."
"Oliver-" Felicity began to protest. She'd already told him last night that it didn't matter. That he was what she wanted.
"Whatever this is, I think we should take things slow. Not make any decisions now. When Cooper is no longer a threat and you do have a choice, you may feel differently." Oliver gave her a serious look, willing her to see his reasoning. "Merlyn is still out there somewhere, too. I have to get justice for my mother and the city, Felicity. I have to. As much as you need to put Cooper behind you, I need to put Merlyn behind me. I can't let go until I do. Do you understand?"
Felicity did understand. Letting her in, this was a big step for Oliver. In the short time she'd known him, it was obvious that he had a hard time trusting people. Sometimes even himself. The threats they were facing were very real, and he was right. They needed to put their pasts behind them before they could truly move forward.
She squeezed his hand back. "Yes." So caught up in their conversation, neither noticed Laurel enter the room. It wasn't until she mildly cleared her throat that they managed to look away from one another.
"Am I interrupting something?" The brunette stared between the two, barely hiding her satisfied smile.
Oliver and Felicity quickly separated and stood. "Hello, Laurel," Oliver greeted as if he and Felicity weren't just caught gazing deeply into each other's eyes. "How was court?"
"I won, so it was good. What about the two of you? What brings you to my office?"
"We have some information to share with you about a case," Felicity spoke up.
"Come on in." Laurel led them into her office and shut the door. "I'm assuming this is in regard to the Brother Eye case."
Oliver and Felicity sat in the chairs across from her desk. "Yes, it is," he replied.
"What have you got for me?"
At Oliver's encouraging nod, Felicity began, "I've been trying to track down Cooper these last few months. For awhile, the trail went cold. That is until last night."
"There was another cyber attack last night." Laurel leaned forward, eager. "You know where he is?"
"I don't know where in Starling he's been hiding out, and I don't know the details of the latest attack. All I know is that he's probably got something else up his sleeve. Cooper was last seen at the Starling City Psychiatric Hospital."
"Do you know why?"
"Apparently, he was visiting a patient there," Oliver cut in. "You remember Count Vertigo."
Laurel seemed surprise at that. "The Count? Why would he visit him?" She looked to Felicity. "Have you brought this information to my father?"
"That's the thing," Felicity said. "I can't exactly explain how I know this. Your father already has his doubts about me."
"But you have proof of this visit?" Felicity nodded, to which Laurel surmised, "You obtained it illegally."
"I didn't think your father would appreciate my investigative methods." Felicity handed the folder with the photographs of Cooper to Laurel. The brunette scanned through them. "But I can't let Cooper get away with this. He's done enough damage already."
"We were hoping that you could pass these on to your father," Oliver stated.
"Anonymously, you mean."
"Yes."
"The DA and my father hate the idea of an invisible threat that could potentially get into any system in the city. They're out for blood with Brother Eye. I'll make sure they get these and that your name stays out of it," Laurel promised.
"Thank you, Laurel, but there's one more thing," Felicity stated. "There must be more to this Count Vertigo guy if Cooper is visiting him. I have a history with Cooper, so I know how he is. He wouldn't waste his time with some unresponsive criminal in a vegetative state."
"We think he may be faking his condition to avoid jail time," Oliver added. "If he is faking, then maybe you could get some answers out of him. You could learn what Cooper's next move is."
"How exactly would I do that?" Laurel questioned. "Assuming you're right, he's not going to suddenly drop the act and implicate himself."
"You could give him an incentive to talk," Oliver suggested. "Cut a deal in exchange for information."
"You two really have this all figured out, don't you?" She eyed them curiously.
Felicity told her the truth. "Cooper's been hovering in the shadows of my life for the last five years. I can't keep looking over my shoulder, Laurel, and Oliver's security can't always be there to protect me. I need to put this behind me." Laurel's stare softened at Felicity's beseeching expression. "I know I'm asking a lot but if there's anything you can do, I would be so grateful."
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try." It was the best she could offer.
"Thank you." Felicity hesitated for a moment, but then pressed on. There was something else she needed to ask Laurel. "If you can cut a deal and speak with The Count, do you think I could be there when you question him?"
Oliver's head whipped to the side to look at the blonde. He'd assumed that Felicity would use one of her tech devices on Laurel, so they could hear the conversation. Felicity never mentioned joining her. "Felicity." She kept her eyes on Laurel despite his protesting tone.
"It's not the typical protocol, but you probably could. Is there a reason you want to be there?"
"If The Count does tell you anything, I'd like to hear it for myself. Because of my past with Cooper, a seemingly insignificant piece of information might mean something more to me."
"Okay. But first, let me handle this new evidence. I'll keep you posted if anything comes of it. It might take some time. With the weekend and Thanksgiving coming up, things tend to get a little slow around here," she explained.
"We understand," Oliver replied.
"Speaking of, what are you guys doing for the holiday?"
Oliver and Felicity exchanged a startled look. Truthfully, they'd been dealing with so much lately that they hadn't given it much thought.
"Thea's coming home next week, right?"
Nodding, Oliver said, "Right."
"What about you, Felicity?"
"Oh, um, I don't know yet," Felicity answered. "My family is a bit complicated." She was quick to shift the focus off of her. "Are you doing anything?"
"My dad and I are going to Central City. We've got relatives there."
"That'll be nice," Felicity politely said.
"Oliver, if you and Thea are going to be around, maybe you could hang out with Tommy," Laurel suggested. Her concern was evident. "I'd invite him to come with me, but my dad isn't exactly his biggest fan. I'd hate for Tommy to be alone, especially after what's happened this year."
Oliver didn't even have to think about it. Tommy was his best friend and practically family. They needed to stick together now more than ever. "Of course."
"Well, I'm needed at QC. And we should let you get back to work," Felicity declared and stood up. Oliver followed suit. "Thanks again, Laurel."
"I'll be in touch."
The pair made their way out of the office and to the car, where Diggle was waiting. No sooner had they gotten inside did Oliver start. "Felicity, why didn't you tell me you planned on going with Laurel?"
"Because I hadn't decided until just now. It makes sense, Oliver. I know Cooper, and I need to be there in case The Count reveals something that could lead us to him."
"The Count is dangerous."
"Oliver, the hospital is secure. Besides, now we can put the bug on me instead of Laurel. You'll be able to see and hear everything."
"She has a point," Diggle spoke up. "But I can go with her, too, just in case."
"The Count can't see you, Dig. He'd recognize you."
"I'll stay outside."
"Fine," Oliver relented. He felt better knowing that his partner would be with them.
Felicity crossed her arms and gave him a challenging look. "You do know that I'd be going anyway, even if you hadn't agreed, right?"
"And you guys say I'm the stubborn one," he muttered.
Felicity met Diggle's eyes in the rearview mirror, and they both smirked. "Now that Laurel mentioned it, we should probably discuss Thanksgiving." Thea coming home was definitely going to complicate an already complicated situation.
"Do you want to see your mom?" Oliver questioned. "I'd invite her here to Starling but after the story we told everyone about how we met-"
"She could compromise everything," Felicity agreed. Her mother, although kind and bubbly, was not a subtle woman. Sometimes, she could be downright embarrassing. Felicity could only imagine the conclusions her mother would jump to if she introduced her to Oliver. Her mother would already be planning the wedding, and Felicity would never hear the end of it. "No, she can't come here."
Oliver reluctantly offered, "You could go there." Despite hating the idea of Felicity leaving Starling, he didn't want to deprive her of time with her family. "I could send a security team with you. They'd be discreet."
Felicity shook her head and looked down at her hands. "That's not necessary. It's not the first holiday I've missed. My mom will understand."
"Felicity," Oliver murmured, concerned at the sadness in her voice.
"She's got friends and a new boyfriend. She'll be fine."
"What about you?"
"I'll stay here in Starling. If you want time alone with Thea, I can go someplace else. I'll make myself scarce."
"Absolutely not. The loft is your home, too, and Thea knows I have someone staying with me." Oliver, holding her gaze, added quietly, "I'd like you to meet her."
Felicity knew this was no small thing for Oliver. His sister meant everything to him. Allowing them to meet was significant. Smiling, Felicity replied, "I'd like to meet her, too."
"Then it's settled," Oliver declared before looking to Diggle. "What about you, John? Any plans?"
"It'll probably be just Lyla and me."
"Ooh, Lyla! Finally, there's a name," Felicity teased, causing Diggle to chuckle. She turned back to Oliver. "We could have Thanksgiving at the loft. We'll invite Tommy over and, Dig, you could bring Lyla if you'd like to join. Unless you and Thea usually do something else."
"We spent Thanksgiving with our parents." Oliver glanced out his window, fighting back the wave of bittersweet sadness at the memory. "My mom handled everything. She brought us together."
"Oh," Felicity commented softly. She and Dig shared another worried look. She placed a comforting hand on Oliver's arm. "Well, perhaps Thea and I can make the arrangements this year."
That put a small smile on Oliver's face. "She can't cook for her life."
"Then she can help me, if she'd like." The intense way Oliver was looking at her, his eyes wandering down to her lips, made Felicity's breath catch in her throat. She knew that if Diggle weren't around, he would've kissed her right then.
Oliver had been dreading the holidays this year. It was tough enough without his father but losing his mother, too, made it all the more bleak. He imagined that Thea was feeling the same way. Oliver was more worried about her. She was too young to suffer so much loss. As always, he just wanted to protect her. He was thankful to have Felicity around. Her warm and kind presence would be a welcomed distraction for Thea, he was sure of it.
It took a few days, but Laurel had made good on her promise. She managed to cut a deal for The Count if he cooperated and gave information about Cooper. Laurel had been right that the DA was eager to bring down Brother Eye by any means necessary. Today, Felicity would go with Laurel to question The Count. She tried to keep still as Oliver positioned the tiny camera she'd disguised in a pin on her sweater.
"That should do it. If you can, sit at an angle where I can see his face," Oliver instructed. He'd gotten good at reading people over the years. If The Count was faking it, Oliver would most likely be able to tell.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he checked it. It was Carrie asking him what time he would be back in the office. Oliver sent a quick reply that he'd be out for the rest of the day and to reschedule his afternoon meetings. He planned to stay in the Foundry and watch the questioning.
"Okay." Felicity grabbed the earpiece and put it in her ear with a weighted sigh.
Sensing her nervousness, Oliver said, "Felicity, you don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do." Her voice was strong despite her unease. "It's not The Count I'm worried about. It's what I might find out. Does that make sense?"
"No matter what, none of this is on you. Remember that." He placed his hand on her face. Felicity's eyes closed as she leaned into his touch. Seconds later, Oliver found himself closing the small distance between them. Their lips had barely brushed when they heard Diggle come down the stairs. Oliver quickly pulled away. He and Felicity had agreed to keep whatever was happening between them quiet while they figured things out.
Ignoring the electrified heat she felt running through her veins, Felicity put some more distance between her and Oliver. She needed a clear head before meeting up with Laurel. Grabbing her purse, she told Diggle that she was ready and followed him to the car.
"Felicity, can you hear me?" Oliver questioned, testing the comms.
"Yes."
"Okay. I'll be with you the entire time."
"Thanks. It feels really good having you inside me." Felicity flinched as the embarrassment washed over her. "And by 'you' I mean your voice. And by 'me' I mean my ear. I'm going to stop talking right now."
"That'd be my preference," Oliver replied, trying very hard to ignore the explicit mental images her words called up.
Diggle, thankfully, didn't say anything. However, there was no missing the slight shaking of his shoulders as he suppressed a quiet chuckle. Felicity leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes, needing a moment to collect herself once more.
Finally, they arrived at the psychiatric hospital. Laurel was already waiting inside.
"You ready for this?" the brunette asked as The Count's doctor came to greet them.
"As I'll ever be," Felicity mumbled back.
The doctor shook both their hands. "Ms. Lance, Ms. Smoak, welcome. You said on the phone that you needed to speak with Mr. Werner. I don't want to disappoint you, but I don't know how far you'll get with him." He led them down a series of corridors.
"What does that mean?" Laurel questioned.
"The unrefined Vertigo overdose he suffered caused damage to the caudal portion of his anterior cingulate."
"Can you translate that to English?"
"I've been working with him for months now, and all I've gotten out of him is the word 'salad' and the occasional spit in the face."
"Charming," Felicity muttered under her breath.
"This is Werner's room. I would normally have a couple of orderlies in there with you, since he is a security risk. But you mentioned that you'd like to keep the details of your case confidential, so I've had him put in a straight jacket." The doctor looked to Diggle, since he knew Diggle was their security. "They'll be safe."
"Still, I'll wait outside," Diggle informed him.
"As you wish."
Laurel nodded. "Thank you."
"Best of luck," the doctor said before leaving them.
Laurel was first to step into the room. Felicity, after shooting a quick look to Dig, joined her. The Count sat on his bed in the corner, staring at the concrete wall. The room was cold and empty looking except for the two chairs that had been brought in for them to sit. Immediately, Felicity's eyes went to the drawings hanging on the walls. Some of them were nonsensical scribbles but others were of green figures. Felicity frowned when she realized they were drawings of The Arrow. In each one he was hurt and bleeding. It made Felicity sick. She could only imagine what Oliver was thinking.
"Do you see this?" Felicity whispered.
Laurel, thinking that Felicity had spoken to her, replied, "What the hell?"
"It doesn't matter," Oliver said in Felicity's ear. Whether he was crazy or faking, Oliver knew The Count would have it out for him. Right now, he needed Felicity to focus.
"Mr. Werner," Laurel said to get his attention. The Count remained silent, rocking back and forth. "My name is Laurel Lance. I'm with the District Attorney's office. My associate and I have a few questions to ask you about a suspect in an ongoing investigation."
"Here I was born and there I died. He took no notice. It was only a moment for him."
Felicity and Laurel looked at each other, confused. "Mr. Werner, you had a visitor last week," Laurel tried once more. "His name is Cooper Seldon. What did he say to you?"
"The man in the hood," The Count gritted out. Finally, he faced them. His eyes were red and bloodshot, and his hair was a spiky, tangled mess. The Count barely spared a glance at Laurel before his eyes honed in on Felicity. She couldn't be sure, but Felicity could've sworn she saw some kind of spark of recognition. It sent an eerie chill up her spine. "He is never far from my thoughts."
Oliver must've noticed the same thing because he said, "He knows you're connected to me."
Felicity didn't know how that was possible unless...Cooper must've told him about her. It perplexed her at first, but then she worked it out. Cooper knew that Felicity had set him up by sending The Arrow after him. He probably figured they were still working together and told The Count that. Nevertheless, he was right.
But what worried Felicity most was Cooper making the connection between The Arrow and Oliver. Cooper didn't know every detail of her life, but it wouldn't be difficult for him to put two and two together. She had gotten close to Oliver after The Arrow helped her. However, Cooper knew that she'd met Oliver at Verdant the night before her plan went down. Cooper could've also assumed that she made a connection with him and that it turned into something more. His jealousy had been obvious and might've been enough to cloud his logic.
"Felicity, I don't know his exact level of crazy but he's aware enough to understand. Laurel won't be able to get through to him, but you will."
Felicity asked Laurel for the case folder and grabbed the photo inside. She held it up for The Count to see. "This is Cooper, the man who visited you. What did he want with you?"
The Count blinked and tilted his head. "What was I going to do? Can't remember. The mind isn't what it once was."
"Do you recognize him?" She leaned forward with the photo.
The Count's unfocused eyes followed her movement. For a moment, they cleared. "Skinny, slick, arrogant..."
"That's a yes," Felicity murmured to Laurel. "What did he say?"
"So shiny," he whispered, as if in a trance, while staring at Felicity. He must've been talking about her hair. She had it down to hide her earpiece. "Want to touch." He tried to move his arms, but they were constricted from the straight jacket. He growled suddenly, making both women jump.
"Felicity, stay back," Oliver warned. She did as he said and leaned away once more.
The Count continued to struggle, but his voice lowered. "Should be in a grave. A grave would be better than this. More peaceful."
"I can get you out of that jacket," Laurel interjected. "I can get you out of this place. If you tell us what we want to know, you never have to be in this cold cell again."
"You lie," he accused.
"I'm not. I can have you transferred. You can have a window and books. Go outside," Laurel tried to coax him. "All we need is answers." She held up the documents. "This right here is a promise."
Felicity tried again. "What did this man say to you?"
"Drugs."
"He wanted Vertigo?" Laurel pressed.
"Not my drugs. My brain. Drugs on my brain."
"He wanted you, because you were drugged."
"No!" The Count shouted, frustrated. "Drugs on my brain. I said drugs on my brain."
"He wanted your knowledge of drugs," Felicity surmised.
The Count looked to her and instantly calmed. "Yes," he said with a nod. "You're smart. He said you would be."
"What else did he say?"
"Names. He wanted names."
Laurel nodded for Felicity to keep going. Oliver had been right. If anyone was going to get answers out of him, it would be her. "Whose names?"
"Cook. Ingredients. Tools. So demanding. So many names...don't like him."
That makes two of us, Felicity thought.
"Try to get him to name something specific. We need details, Felicity."
Felicity continued, "What is a cook?"
The Count shook his head. "The Cook."
"He's a person." The Count nodded. "What does he do?"
The Count laughed. "He cooks."
Felicity tried another angle. "What ingredients did Cooper need?"
"Not mine."
"What tools?" Felicity needed to get something else out of him. Anything that would give them a solid lead.
"Small mind. Very small."
"We're losing him. He's talking gibberish now," Laurel said quietly.
"I don't know." What The Count was saying didn't make any sense, but Felicity believed he was trying to tell them something. He just didn't know the right words to get his point across.
"So much light," The Count drawled. He appeared to be staring at Felicity's hair again. "A shame to be put out."
That piqued Laurel's interest. "Are you saying she's in danger?"
"If he can't have the light, no one will. A shame," he repeated menacingly. "He will fail this city. He will fail you."
Felicity felt goosebumps form on her arms and legs. Cooper would be after her. She'd always known that. However, The Count's warning, clearly directed toward The Arrow with that last part, brought her deepest fears to the forefront. Cooper had taken enough from her. Felicity couldn't let him take Oliver away from her, too.
"Where is Cooper?" Laurel demanded. She must've sensed that Felicity was too shaken up to speak any longer.
"Don't know. Didn't say." The Count finally dragged his eyes from Felicity and looked at Laurel. "Your promise. Get me out of here."
Laurel placed her hand on Felicity's arm. "Come on, Felicity. We're done here."
The Count struggled in his restraints. "Get me out of here."
Felicity stood and let Laurel guide her toward the door. Her mind was on autopilot as she walked out.
"Get me out of here!" he screamed after them. "Get me out of here!" The door shut and the screams faded, but it wasn't enough to block out the warning The Count had given her. It echoed in Felicity's mind. She shivered, feeling the warmth drain out of her.
"Felicity, are you okay?" Oliver questioned. "Felicity." When she didn't respond, Oliver called to Diggle. Diggle was by her side in an instant. His hand on her shoulder was enough to help her snap out of it.
"I'm okay," she assured everyone. Felicity didn't want to scare them or seem weak. She just needed to let her brain process everything.
"We're going to bring Cooper to justice, Felicity," Laurel promised.
"Yes," Felicity agreed, feeling her resolve harden once more. She looked to Dig, well aware that Oliver could also hear her. "We most definitely are."
The elevator dinged once it reached their floor, and the doors opened. Oliver glanced over his shoulder at Felicity, who followed him out into the hallway. They'd spent the rest of the evening looking into The Count's information. They were only able to dig up one important detail, since the rest didn't quite make sense. It turned out The Cook was the street name of a chemist. Dr. Ian Thorne used to work for a major pharmaceutical company before he was caught using the labs to make illegal substances. There was some speculation that he was involved in helping The Count create the Vertigo drug. He managed to flee before the cops could arrest him.
It was unclear why Cooper would be so interested in Dr. Thorne. Aside from the occasional pot brownie, Felicity said that Cooper had never been into drugs before. This was new territory, which made discovering his plan all the more difficult. Oliver and Diggle had hit the streets afterward to try and get leads on Dr. Thorne's whereabouts. They'd hit up a few of the major drug dealers' lackeys. All they'd gotten were more rumors with no definite location, but it was a start.
It was almost two in the morning now, and Felicity looked exhausted. She hadn't said much on the way home. He knew she was going over all of the information in her mind. Each piece a part of a larger puzzle she was determined to solve.
"You did good today," he told her.
"Thanks," she replied softly.
" We'll figure it out. Don't worry."
"Too late for that," Felicity huffed. The Count in his madness had seriously creeped her out.
Oliver turned to face her. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"I know. It's you I'm worried about." At Oliver's frown, she elaborated, "You take crazy risks, and Cooper has a habit of taking things from me. Just the idea of losing someone else important to me..." A wave of sadness hit her and a tear escaped.
"Hey, you're not going to lose me." Oliver pulled her into him and hugged her.
Felicity let herself melt into his embrace, accepting the comfort he was offering. Her eyes closed when he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Then her temple and down to her cheeks. His hands came up to frame her face and brush away the stray tears before he claimed her lips. Tonight, she needed the reassurance that he wasn't going anywhere just as much as he needed to know that she was there and safe.
Standing on her tiptoes and gripping his shoulders, Felicity drew Oliver closer. She lost herself in the kiss. Only he could make her heart pound while simultaneously putting her mind at ease. They were both breathless when they finally broke apart.
"I was going to say we should get some rest, but I think we both need to unwind first."
Felicity bit her lip. "What did you have in mind?"
"I got a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982. Maybe we can have a glass. I can even light a fire." He rubbed at her arms. "Chase away the chill that's been running through you all night."
That was the best idea Felicity had heard all day. She was practically glowing. "That sounds perfect."
Oliver kissed her once more before getting out the keys and unlocking the door. He took a few steps inside and placed an arm out to halt Felicity. The fireplace was already lit and the TV was on and paused. A light was also on in the kitchen with a teapot on the stove.
"What the..." Felicity trailed off just as someone shouted "Ollie!"
They looked to the top of the stairs to see a skinny brunette come bounding down. She threw herself at Oliver and hugged him tightly. "Hello, big brother. Surprise!"