Chapter 51: Vertigo
"Welcome back to Star Light radio. We're coming to you live from our news chopper where we can see a massive traffic jam coming in and out of Star City International Airport. Blame in on the added security for our 'royal arrival'. Then again, what can you expect when the Queen of Vlatava pays a visit to our fair city. Cut her some-"
"Cut me some," Oliver cut off. "Dig, how much farther to Roy's place?"
"Judging by this pile up," Dig replied, noting the line of cars in front of them. "It's gonna be a bit. Just relax, man."
Oliver was far from relaxed, glaring out the window.
"Hey! Green arrow means go you idiots!"
"I know it's virtually impossible for you," Diggle spoke up. "But you can at least 'try' to seem relaxed."
"Easier said than done. You know, this'll be the first time Thea and I have talked since Laurel's funeral. I don't want to run late, or flake on her this time. I'm on thin ice with her as is, and I can't lose any more family."
"You won't. Thea's just going through a rough time. You won't let her down."
Oliver leaned back in his seat.
"God, I hope not..."
…
Inside the airport, security was as tight as possible with the arrival of the coming monarch. It was so tight that the Justice League had even gotten involved. On duty were Wonder Woman, Flash, GL, and Batman. Batman had secluded himself in the rafters of the main terminal, watching as a woman, several body guards, and a young girl entered.
"The Queen has just entered the terminal," Batman reported. "Any sign of trouble?"
"Nothing down here," Diana reported, dressed as a diplomat.
"Perimeter secure," Flash announced, having circled the entire airport.
"All clear up here," GL replied, having taken to the skies. "Maybe your intel was wrong, Batman."
"It's never wrong. Somebody's going to make an attempt on the Queen's life tonight."
"Any idea why?" Flash asked. "I've never even heard Vlatava before tonight."
"Then you wouldn't know that her father died under mysterious circumstances recently. There are those who believe she isn't fit to rule."
"She is next in line for the throne," Diana remarked. "In time, she will prove her worth."
"All we have to do is make sure she stays alive to get that chance," GL added.
Down on the ground, a group of four bodyguards approached surrounding a middle aged woman and a 10 year old girl. They remained in tight formation as they made their way down the escalator, where several reporters and photographers were gathered. As they got off, one photographer was lining up his camera, but had yet to take a picture. Diana took notice, alarm bells going off in her head.
"I have something," she reported. "Photographer on the ground level."
"I see him," Batman replied, taking a closer look.
Seeing something alarming about the camera, he leapt down and threw a batarang at it. It knocked the camera out of his hands. It fell, and when it did, a gunshot rang out. This caused everyone to scream in panic before running off. The body guards quickly ushered the woman and the girl back up the escalator. More phony photographers quickly moved forward, firing their camera guns at them, prompting Wonder Woman to dart forward and deflect the bullets. She punched one out before turning her attention on the others. They fired at her, prompting her to deflect the shots. Batman quickly ran up and punched one of the photographers out as Flash sped in, hitting the other.
…
On a rooftop across from the airport, a lone gunman made his way towards the roof's edge. He was dressed in a red suit with a target symbol on his chest over his right eye., a white mask over his face, and a red laser scope over his right eye. He set up a sniper rifle on the edge and peered through the scope. He saw the heroes in action, taking special note on the Flash. He followed his movements, moving his sights a few feet ahead of him. Finally, he pulled the trigger, striking Flash in the leg. The Speedster howled in pain, falling to the ground and skidding several feet.
"Flash!" Diana let out.
GL started looking around from the sky, seeing the man on the roof.
"I got a sniper on an adjacent rooftop!" He called out. "I'm moving in.
"I'll be right behind you!" Diana called back, moving outside.
…
Meanwhile, Oliver and Diggle finally managed to make it through traffic and proceeded onward. Before they could get much farther though, Oliver's cell phone started ringing. He glanced at caller ID, seeing that it was Felicity.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Someone's trying to kill Queen Perdita!"
Oliver perked up upon hearing that.
"You sure?"
"Positive. The Justice League is there, but-"
"I'm on my way," he said reluctantly before hanging up. "Sorry Thea…"
…
Back on the rooftop, Green Lantern landed in front of the gunman, aiming his ring at him.
"Try it, and you'll regret it," Lantern warned.
"Not likely."
The gunman aimed two wrist mounted machine guns at Green Lantern, opening fire on him. Lantern put up a shield to block the oncoming bullets. The gunman looked off to the side and saw Diana, now in her Wonder Woman attire, racing towards him. Not wasting a second, the gunman aimed his wrist guns at her, the guns cycling to a different caliber before firing. This time, the guns fired miniature missiles, which Wonder Woman was able to swerve around before getting hit by one, landing on the roof next to Green Lantern.
"You ok?" he asked.
"Yes," she confirmed, getting back up. "I know this gunman. He is known as Deadshot."
"Always pleased to meet a fan," Deadshot told her. "And you would not believe the amount of foriegn powers that have put a price on your head. Maybe once I'm done here, I'll collect."
"You will not be taking any lives," she promised.
"Agree to disagree," Deadshot remarked, pulling out a small disk and tossing it at the two heroes.
Upon impact, the disks exploded, knocking the two heroes back. Deadshot quickly took advantage of their disoriented state and realigned his shot, taking aim at the woman. Neither of them could react fast enough and Deadshot fired, hitting the woman right between the eyes.
"No!" they both let out.
"Sorry," Deadshot replied, but that's business."
He quickly leapt off the rooftop onto an adjacent building, activating an earpiece in his mask.
"This is Deadshot. Target neutralized. I'll be expecting my payment within the hour."
"So the little brat is dead?"
Deadshot stopped in his tracks.
"What do you mean? You told me to kill the Queen, and I-"
"Killed her nanny you imbecile. The Queen is the girl!"
"What?!"
…
Back inside, the remaining false photographers continued their fight against the League, with Flash reduced to a limp as Batman continued taking them out. One stray assassin managed to get clear and aimed his camera at the girl, getting ready to fire. All of a sudden, an arrow shot out and knocked the camera out of his hands. Before he could react, two more arrows fired, nailing him in the shoulders and pinning him to the wall. Batman and Flash took note of this, looking up to a second floor balcony and seeing Green Arrow standing on the edge.
"Sorry I'm late!" he called out, firing a grappling arrow and zipping down, punching a third assassin out as he did so.
"Better late than never!" Batman called, pointing to the girl. "Get her out of here!"
Green Arrow nodded, moving towards the girl. He quickly scooped her up and began running for the door.
"Apologies, your majesty!"
"A quite forgivable trespass," the young queen assured him. "After all, you are attempting to save my life."
Green Arrow smiled a little as he barreled through the door, with Diggle driving up in the Limo.
"Get in!" he cried out.
Arrow pushed the Queen into the limo, then climbed in himself.
"I suggest you buckle up, your Highness," Green Arrow warned. "This is not gonna be pretty."
Diggle floored it, speeding off down the road. Batman saw him leave, then got on the comms.
"Green Arrow has the Queen. Black limo headed south on Amell Avenue."
"We're on em!" GL reported.
Green Lantern and Wonder Woman followed close as three men on motorcycles drove after them. Each of them were armed with machine guns that they were firing at the Limo.
"Don't worry," Diggle reassured. "The glass is bulletproof!"
One of the gunmen aimed lower, nailing one of the tires as a result.
"Too bad that's not what they're aiming for!" Arrow replied, rolling down the window and climbing on top.
The limo skid around as Arrow tried steadying his shot. He finally fired, hitting one of the wheels on the motorcycle in front. It spun out and sent its rider crashing hard into a lamp post. As the other two cyclists continued to fire, Wonder Woman flew up and shot her lasso around one of them, pulling him off his bike and onto the ground. The last one revved forward, still trying to mow down the limo. Just then, a green loop de loop appeared out of nowhere, causing the cyclist to drive through it and off a large ramp at the end. The assassin flew through the air before landing in a green cage, the door shutting behind him.
"That should hold ya," GL remarked.
Finally, the limo came to a screeching stop. Green Arrow and the girl made their way out as Wonder Woman and Green Lantern approached.
"Queen Perdita?" Wonder Woman spoke. "I am Wonder Woman of the Justice League. We will be escorting you to a safehouse until this plot is uncovered."
Perdita smiled and gave a curtsey.
"I gladly welcome your escort, Justice League."
"I'll look into whoever was behind this," Green Arrow volunteered.
"Uh… appreciate the assist," GL replied. "But this is kinda a League matter now."
"And it's in my city. I want to be in the loop."
"We'll keep you updated," Batman promised, joining the others.
"Good," Arrow replied before firing a grappling arrow. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got somewhere to be."
"What?" GL remarked. "Got a hot date?"
"Not exactly," Arrow replied, zipping away.
…
Sometime later, at a small, single story house on the edge of the remains of the Glades, Thea Queen and her boyfriend Roy Harper were sitting in the dining room. A cold dinner was laid out, and Thea was leaning on the table in annoyance.
"I don't even know why I thought he'd actually show up on time. Probably flaked again, as usual."
"I'm sure he has his reasons. I mean, he is running a company now."
"Hardly an excuse. Dad was CEO, but he still made time for family. But ever since Ollie came back, he's done nothing but avoid everyone, lie, and break promises."
"Thea, he spent five years experiencing God knows what. He's really trying, so… maybe give him a chance?"
"I have, Roy… so many chances… honestly, it feels like he's still on that island."
Roy sighed, then scooched over and wrapped an arm around Thea. just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Better late than never, right?" Roy remarked.
Thea just rolled her eyes before getting up to answer the door. She opened it, seeing Oliver standing there nervously.
"Thea, hey," he greeted. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic today was-"
"Save it," Thea replied.
"I, uh… I brought you something."
He held up some flowers, hyacinths specifically, crafted into a beautiful bouquet.
"Flowers?" Thea replied. "Seriously? You think that will magically make this better?"
"No, I just-"
"You just what? Thought that you could pull your usual shit and I'd just let it slide? Ollie, it's been over a year since you returned, and you've pushed me away at every turn. You claim to be my brother, but you sure as hell don't act like it. It's like I don't even know you anymore, and every time I try to get you to open up, you just close yourself off more."
Before Oliver could respond, Thea just stormed off, leaving him feeling dejected and defeated.
"Uh… sorry about that," Roy apologized. "I tried talking to her, but-"
"It's… it's alright, Roy. Thanks for trying..."
…
Later that night, at the newly renovated Verdant, Thea sat inside, tapping her fingers on a table. Finally, there was a knock at the door, to which Thea answered. She opened it up, revealing a man in a hoodie and dark pants. He met Thea's eyes, smirking.
"Was surprised to get your call, Queen. Thought you were trying to go legit."
"Yeah, well, I'm treating myself tonight. I need something that will make me forget life for awhile."
"The usual?"
"No. something stronger."
The man smirked, reaching into his trenchcoat and pulling out a bag with green pills inside.
"Then I've got just the thing. Street name's Vertigo. Makes you feel lighter than air and free as the wind."
Thea smiled in response.
"Perfect."
…
Across town at a hotel, Queen Perdita's private security and the Justice League were keeping an eye on the area.
"Flash and Green Lantern have checked the perimeter," Batman reported to the head of security. "Everything's secure."
"Same goes in here," the security head replied. "Thanks again for all your help."
"It's what we do."
He walked into the room, where Diana was helping the Queen into a nightgown.
"Thank you," Perdita spoke. "For everything you have done."
"You are welcome," Diana replied. "You show great strength for taking the throne at such a young age."
"I had to," Perdita told her. "I could not let my people down, nor allow the throne to fall into the wrong hands. I only came to this country because they believed it was too dangerous for me to be there after my father's death. They are searching for who is responsible..."
"I'm sure they will find him."
"I know…"
Her head lowered a little. Diana placed a hand on her shoulder, and Perdita leaned into her.
"You haven't had a chance to properly mourn, have you?"
Perdita shook her head.
"How can we make you feel better?"
"Whenever I was upset, my father would have the servants warm some milk for me. Would you mind?"
"Not at all." Diana turned to Flash as he came in. "Warm milk for the Queen?"
"Sure thing," Flash replied, heading to the kitchen
As he did, he noted Batman approached.
"So, we gonna talk about how cold we treated Arrow earlier?" Flash asked.
"What do you mean?" Batman replied.
"Like you and GL were so adamant about not getting him involved."
"This doesn't seem like the situation to involve someone of his… temperament."
"Look, the guy's a little rough around the edges, but so are you. Besides, if this was Gotham, would you want to be kept out of the loop on something as big as this?"
"I wouldn't be. Arrow's too unpredictable right now, and this situation needs to be handled delicately."
Flash sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Bats, delicate went out the window a while back. And in case you forgot, the only reason that the Queen's still alive is because Arrow showed up when he did."
"I'm not discounting that."
"Look, he's trying to be a hero," Flash insisted as he began walking away. "How's that gonna happen if we don't give him the chance."
Batman remained silent as Flash handed Perdita the glass of milk.
"Bats, you there?" GL called in.
"Go ahead, Lantern."
"Got somebody skulking around back. I'd look into it myself, but… well, bright lights and all."
"I'm on it."
Batman moved outside, quickly making his way to the roof just as the man GL reported duck into an alley. Narrowing his eyes, he fired a grapple and zipped after him. As the guy rounded a corner, Batman dropped down in front of him, much to his shock.
"Who are you?" Batman demanded. "What are you doing here?"
The guy just laughed.
"Doesn't matter. It's too late."
"What are you-"
His eyes widened, and he quickly grappled up to the balcony of the room, throwing the door open. What he found was Perdita on the ground, the glass of warm milk shattered next to her, and the girl convulsing in what looked like a seizure.
"Flash! Get her to a hospital! Now!"
"I'm on it!" Flash confirmed, scooping her up and running out.
…
Meanwhile, Thea was driving home, still high as a kite off the Vertigo. She was giggly and swerving all across the road. One of those swerves nearly sent her into the path of an oncoming car.
"Shit!"
She swerved hard to avoid the car, and ended up spinning out and hitting a lamp post. Her head collided with the steering wheel as the airbag deployed, and she was knocked unconscious.
…
At Star City General, Flash came screeching to a halt in the waiting room of the ER.
"She's been poisoned!"
Hearing that, the doctors immediately took Perdita and rushed her into an operating room. Sometime later, the other Leaguers arrived to get an update on the situation.
"How is she?" Batman asked.
"Not good," Flash replied. "I brought her here as quick as I can, and all we can do is hope I was fast enough."
"You always are, Flash," Wonder Woman concoled. "Now, we need to figure out exactly who hired the assassins."
"That guy Bats and I found might know something," GL offered. "I say we pay him a little visit."
"He's long gone by now," Batman lamented, "and we don't know this city."
"No, but I think we know someone who does," Flash pointed out. "We need Arrow"
Batman gave him a bit of a look, but Flash remained undeterred.
"Look, I know you don't trust the guy, but he's Star City's hero. He knows this city better than anyone. If we want to find out who did this, we need to bring him in."
"... alright."
…
Meanwhile in another part of the hospital, Oliver is rushing into the room Thea was in. She had bandages on her head, but was otherwise unharmed.
"Thea, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she groaned, turning away, "Like you care..."
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't. What happened?"
"None of your damn business."
"Thea, you could've died out there."
"Roy found me, I'm fine, so you don't have anything to worry about. Go back to being your usual flaky, uncaring self."
Seeing as there was nothing he could do, Oliver stepped out, running into Roy as he did.
"Roy..."
"Oliver," Roy greeted. "They wouldn't let me in because I'm not family. How is she?"
"Alive and conscious. Just go on it. If anyone stops you, I'll talk to them… she needs someone to be there."
"No argument there," Roy replied, heading on in.
"Mr. Queen!" a doctor called out, getting Oliver's attention.
He approached the doctor, seeing he was holding a clipboard in his hands.
"What is it?" he asked.
"We just completed the toxicology report on your sister, and we found something of note."
"What?"
"Her tests revealed that she was under the influence of Vertigo. It's a new drug that's been plaguing the streets, and we've already seen far too many ODs because of it."
Oliver was floored by the revelation.
"Do you… do you know where it's being distributed… so we can inform the police."
"Mostly in the Glades, or what's left of it."
"Right… so, what's gonna happen with her now?"
"We'll keep her under observation for a little bit, but after that, I'm sorry to say, it's in the police's hands now. Like I said, I'm sorry."
Oliver let out a sigh as the doctor walked off. In his mind, he knew what had to be done.
…
Meanwhile, Flash had just finished getting off comms with Caitlin and Cisco, ensuring that they arrived at the Star City S.T.A.R. Labs site to help out.
"Alright, Cisco and Caitlin are setting up shop," Flash reported. "Now we just need to find Arrow."
"Bats, you know where he hangs his quiver?" GL asked.
"I do," Batman confirmed. "I'll head over, and-"
"Excuse me," a doctor spoke up, getting their attention. "You're the ones who brought that young girl in, yes?"
"Yes," Wonder Woman confirmed. "Has there been any change?"
"She's still comatose, but stable. However, we did find something interesting in her system."
"What's that?" Batman asked.
"From what we can gather, it looks like she was roofied with some kind of… narcotic. The tests match a drug that's been plaguing the streets the past couple of weeks: Vertigo."
"Sounds pretty serious," GL noted.
"It is. So many cases of overdoses, and it's so addictive that it only takes a single hit to make a junkie. Even worse is the lasting effects, especially on younger bodies."
"And for a child like her?" Wonder Woman asked in dread.
The doctor just shook his head.
"She has days. A week, at best. Unless a cure is found, and we've been working on one for a month"
"Guess that means we've got some work to do," Flash declared.
…
Meanwhile, the man who sold Thea the Vertigo in the first place was running down a darkened alley. He was panting heavily as he rushed as fast as he could. He toppled trash cans and hopped fences, desperately escaping from something. As he ran towards his car, an arrow shot out and nailed him in the leg, causing him to fall over. He screamed, clutching his leg as Green Arrow dropped down from above him, a boot stomping down hard on the wounded leg.
"Marc Berlenti," Arrow spoke. "You have failed this city."
"Hey, man! Don't kill me!"
"Who supplies you with Vertigo?!"
"I- I-... Look man, I'm just a middle man!"
"Somebody gives you the supply. I want his name!"
"I dunno! I swear!"
Arrow just stomped on the wound, causing Berlenti to cry out in pain.
"Alright! Alright!" Arrow backs off. "They… they call him the Count, but that's all I know! I swear!"
"Where can I find him?"
"I don't know! He calls me! He sets up the meetings! It's the truth!"
Seeing he couldn't learn anymore, Green Arrow withdrew, leaving Berlenti on the ground, writhing in pain.
…
A short time later, Green Arrow returned to his secret Bunker, ready to meet up with Diggle and Felicity so they could plan their next move. When he entered though, he found his partners talking with the four Justice Leaguers. Flash glanced up when he heard the elevator, giving a wave.
"Was wondering when you'd show up."
"What are you guys doing here?" he asked, bluntly.
"Queen Perdita was poisoned with a drug known as Vertigo," Batman explained. "We need information on its supplier, as well as any progress you've made on a potential cure."
"Just got onto the Vertigo case myself. Do have a name for who's distributing it though. The Count."
"The Count?" GL questioned. "Not much to go on."
"It's a start."
"We believe it would be in our best interest to work together on this," Wonder Woman told him. "A child's life, a monarch's life, hangs in the balance."
Arrow looked towards Diggle and Felicity, who both seemed to be on the same page.
"This does seem like a big deal," Diggle replied. "We could use their help."
"Plus, a girl's life on the line," Felicity added. "Kinda makes this a bigger deal then it already is."
"Fine," GA relented.
…
At the Star City Police department, a lone man approached the main desk. He had short black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He was wearing a trench coat, and had a long case with him.
"Excuse me," he told the receptionist at the front desk. "I would like to speak with Detective Quentin Lance."
"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.
"Just tell him Floyd Lawton wants to speak with him."
The receptionist nodded and began typing away, running the name. As she did, Floyd stepped back until he was in the center of the room, setting his case to the side. He then slid his trench coat off, revealing Deadshot's signature outfit. By this point, the receptionist had gotten a hit on Floyd Lawton, identifying him as the infamous assassin. She immediately hit the alarm button, shutters closing down and cutting off exits as cops flooded the main hall. Floyd just laid his coat over the case, got to his knees, and put his hands behind his head. As he was surrounded on all sides, Quentin came out as well, pistol at the ready.
"Floyd Lawton… you got a lot of nerve showing your face here."
"I've got information you want," Floyd told the detective bluntly. "But, I'll only talk to the Green Arrow."
...
Back in the Bunker, Green Arrow was showing Batman and Felicity a sample of Vertigo he managed to recover. The Dark Knight instantly got to work, trying to discern what about Vertigo made it so deadly. Meanwhile, Flash was looking around, taking note of the Emerald Archer's set-up. He let out a whistle as he did.
"And I thought STAR Labs was well equipped. This is pretty impressive."
"Thanks," Arrow replied. "It was mostly Felicity's handiwork."
"Flash," Batman spoke up. "We could use your help over here."
"Right."
Flash zoomed over as GL looked around himself, noting the salmon ladder off to the side.
"So… what's that thing for?"
Felicity looked over and smirked a little.
"Distracting me from work," she replied before straightening up. "I'm sorry, did I say that out loud?"
"Yes, yes you did."
GL went over, and began doing a few reps on the ladder.
"I don't see what's so hard about this," GL remarked.
"He's certainly eager," Diggle remarked to Wonder Woman.
"He is a pilot who has been fortunate not to see combat until the League," Wonder Woman replied. "He still maintains his innocence, in a fashion. It is something I envy."
"I hear that," Diggle replied.
"You are a soldier then?" Wonder Woman inquired.
"Marine Corps. Served two tours over in Afghanistan and Iraq. you?"
"I fought in The Great War, and lended aid during the Holocaust. I have seen many conflicts, and watched many friends perish."
"Something else we can relate to…"
Wonder Woman took note of the tone in which he said that last part.
"You lost someone. Someone close."
Diggle remained silent for a moment, then sighed in response.
"My brother… Killed in action several years ago."
"I'm sorry. I-"
Suddenly, Oliver's phone began to ring. He saw that it was Detective Lance and answered it immediately.
"Detective?"
"Hey, you'll never guess who just waltzed right into the police station. Floyd Lawton."
"Lawton?" Oliver repeated, getting the others' attention.
"Walked in and surrendered. Says he'll only talk to Green Arrow."
"I'm on my way," Oliver replied before hanging up. "Deadshot's at SCPD."
"I'll come with you," Batman declared, his tone brokering no argument.
Arrow cocked an eyebrow, but nodded in acceptance. Together, the two walked out of the base. As the two went off, Flash received an update of his own from comms.
"Hello. Really? Great. We've got a sample and we'll have it to you soon." Flash then signed off before turning to the others. "Caitlin and Cisco have set up shop at S.T.A.R. Labs."
"Who?" Diggle inquired.
"Scientists we've asked to help identify the Vertigo," GL answered. "They may find something we can't."
"Great," Felicity replied, grabbing the sample. "I know where their office is in town. I'll run it by."
"How about I give you a lift?" Flash offered, picking her up and speeding off before she could protest.
"Never gonna get used to that," Diggle commented.
"You will," Wonder Woman reassured. "In the meantime, we should get out into the city. See if anyone has heard anything of this 'Count'."
…
Within seconds, Flash arrived at S.T.A.R. Labs, carefully setting down a stunned and windswept Felicity. After catching her breath, she looked around in utter amazement
"So, what do you think?" Flash asked.
"I think-" Felicity cut herself off when she saw smoke rising from her shirt. "MY SHIRT'S ON FIRE!"
"Oh God!" Flash let out, trying to pat out the fire.
Felicity just ripped her shirt off, throwing it to the ground while panting in shock. Flash kept stomping on the shirt until the fire was gone, then they noticed Cisco and Caitlin staring at them blankly. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Felicity covered herself, Flash rushing off and returning with a STAR Labs sweatshirt for her.
"Guys, this is… Felicity Smoak," he introduced as Felicity hastily got dressed. "She works with Green Arrow. You remember him, right?"
"No, but I'm always remembering this," Cisco replied.
Caitlin smacked him on the arm before walking over.
"It's nice to meet you Felicity," Caitlin greeted, shaking her hand. "Sorry about that."
"It's alright," Felicity reassured. "Guess I should be lucky I decided not to go braless."
"Yeah, my bad," Flash apologized. "Friction proof suit. Don't really think about those things."
"I can imagine," Felicity responded, fishing out the Vertigo sample from her pocket. "Anyway, I have the sample, but the compound is different from any other narcotic I've encountered before."
"Let me take a look at the samples, see what I can find," Caitlin insisted.
...
At SCPD, Lance was pacing around anxiously as he waited for Green Arrow to show up. He still couldn't wrap his mind around exactly what happened, and his brain was working overtime to try and make sense of it all. Because of this, he was completely taken off guard when the two vigilantes suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Detective," Arrow greeted.
"Jesus-" Lance hissed, stopping in his tracks as he put a hand to his chest and looked at the two. "Oh, great. The Gotham one is here too."
"We're working the Perdita case together," Batman explained.
"Where's Lawton?" Arrow questioned.
Lance just silently pointed towards an interrogation room flanked by two guards in heavy body armor. Green Arrow and Batman approached the door, and one of the men opened it to reveal Lawton sitting at the table. He was in heavy restraints and a prison jumpsuit, but somehow looked as if the two vigilantes were walking into his office.
"I didn't know she was a kid," Lawton told them almost immediately.
"That supposed to matter?" Arrow questioned.
"I may be a gun for hire, but I don't go after kids."
"I find that hard to-"
"Believe it," Batman interjected. "Lawton has a daughter. Zoe. Nearly 60 percent of the money he makes goes to a blind trust he set up for her."
Lawton tensed at his daughter's name, grimacing and his hands clenching.
"You wanted to talk, so talk," Arrow pressed. "Who hired you to kill the queen?"
"Never got a name. Client wanted to remain anonymous, so he used middle men and phone calls on restricted numbers to contact me. Men were thugs off the streets given pocket change to run errands. He covered his tracks well."
"Any of those middle men call himself, the Count?" Batman inquired.
"No. Like I said, just thugs. When I talked to him though, I picked up on his accent. Only distinguishing feature about him. It was eastern. Vlatvian, I think. Knew a lot about the Queen, so I'm assuming he's close to her. That's all I know."
"We'll look into it," Batman replied as he and Green Arrow took their leave.
"You really think he's telling the truth?" Green Arrow asked.
"Deadshot's many things, but a liar isn't one of them. He also takes any hit on kids personally, and has even killed competitors because they either maimed or killed a child."
"Alright. So what next?"
"His description said that he was Vlatvian, and Deadshot's continued use of 'he' suggests they are male. Given Deadshot's high rates, they're well off financially, and have something to gain from the death of the Queen."
"That leaves quite a bit of ground to cover... Where do we start?"
