Finally Home

Chapter 29

I walked into the base as both Oliver and Diggle were discussing the copycat archer.

"Who would kill Adam Hunt with an arrow?" Diggle asked.

"The question is who wouldn't." I said, drawing both of the boys' attention.

Oliver opened his mouth to say something but I shut him down.

"We put this archer on the streets. We need to take him off them."

Oliver nodded, and Diggle hummed in understanding.

"It could be a set up." Oliver said.

"You mean someone looking to cover up killing Hunt, by making it look like the work of the hoods?" Diggle questioned.

"Whoever he was, he's good." Oliver answered. "The grouping on Hunt's chest was tight. It's a compound bow, most likely, the guy is a legitimate archer."

"So someone who would be particular about their choice of arrows." Diggle added leaning forward.

"We get an arrow, we get a bead on where he purchased them." I concluded.

"So what are you going to do?" Diggle asked.

I shared a look with Oliver.

"What anyone does when they need help. Call a cop." I answered.

~~

We mailed Mr.Lance a phone that was encrypted with a whole bunch of things to make it so he couldn't trace it back to us. Deciding that Oliver would be the one to talk to Lance, since we didn't want to reveal that the other vigilante was back. Oliver dialed the number and put it on speaker.

"Lance." Mr.Lance answered the phone.

"I didn't kill Adam Hunt." Oliver said, knowing his voice would change thanks to the voice changer in the phone.

"You." Mr.Lance's voice shook in anger.

"You call me The Hood. It's not a great nickname. You told Commissioner Nudocerdo that you might be dealing with a copycat."

"Or another one of your rogue girlfriends. Possibly you old pal." Mr.Lance growled.

"I can assure you it's not her. You're dealing with another archer, which makes me your best bet to take him down. But I need your help. I need one of his arrows from the murder."

"Yeah, we're pretty good at pulling down leads off evidence. Thanks."

"Not like I am. I can do things police can't, go places they won't."

"Like I said, I don't even know who-"

"If this archer doesn't stop with Adam Hunt, we both have a problem. Think about it. Then call me. Number's programmed in." Oliver hung up the phone.

~~

The man led us through the forest, pulling Fyers along with us.

"You're a good man. I can see it. Well, beneath the privileged upbringing and the wealthy veneer. I saw it when my man tortured you and you wouldn't give up your friend. Not even a friend, really. Someone you just met." Fyers broke the silence.

"Shut up." Oliver hissed.

"What do you know about him? Nothing, I suspect. Do you even know what this island really is? It's a prison. I mean this literally. Until eight years ago, the Chinese military operated this island as a penitentiary for criminals deemed so dangerous they couldn't be safely incarcerated on the mainland. When the military shut the program down my unit came in and disposed of all the inmates. With the exception of two. Your friend was one of them."

"Who was the other?"

"You meet him. He presided over your interrogation."

"He tortured me."

"You had information I needed. What would you do in my position? What would you do to capture the man who had slaughtered dozens of people?"

Oliver pushed Fyers forward ignoring his words.

~~

I was sitting in the bunker with Diggle, both of us working with what little we had to find this guy. Oliver was off doing something with his family. That's when the phone rang. The one that was connected to Mr.Lance. Diggle looked up. I answered, knowing that the voice changer would make me sound like a man.

"Don't bother trying to trace this back to me. You'll never make it through the encryption." I said.

"There's a heating vent on the corner of O'Neil and Adams. You'll find what you're looking for there."

"It'd be a mistake to set a trap for me, detective."

"I'm trading away just about everything I believe in here because it's the only way I've got to get this bastard. And you've got till Christmas. And then, copycat or not I'm coming after you."

I hung up the phone, quickly suiting up.

"It could be a trap." Diggle said.

"I don't care."

"We should at least tell Oliver."

"Oliver doesn't need to know, I'll go get it and be back in a few."

I walked out the door Diggle calling my name as I left. I was sick of being treated like a child, of being lied to. I was going to bring this copycat to justice and quit. Oliver's made it clear he doesn't need me and besides how could I forgive him. Our bond was forged out of many things but honesty being one of the key elements Oliver has broke my trust in him, even if he still trusts me. I don't have it in me to be broken again.

Before I knew it I was at the corner of O'Neil and Adams. I looked around for any signs of a trap. When there were no red flags I went to the vent grabbing the arrow, and heading back to the base.

~~Hi, Fallen_Angel here. Okay, today's end of chapter note is gonna be a little longer than usual. If you don't want to read all the way through here are the key points, I might not publish Friday, I'm thinking of writing a second book, and my publish schedule is Friday and Sunday. 

So first things first, Friday is going to be a busy day for me. Meaning I might not have time to write a chapter. If I do have time it would be really early in the morning. If I'm unable to post on Friday, I'll most likely post two chapters on Sunday. 

Second, I've been thinking about writing a second book. I'll finish the first season for sure, and it'll all be in this book. The way I've been thinking of ending the book would leaving it hanging, so I would be able to write a second book if I wanted. The end of this book is pretty far away, so I don't know I might change my mind. If I do decide on writing a second book I'll let you guys know. 

Last but not least, to my new readers I just wanted to let you know I post on Fridays and Sundays, and sometimes post early chapters. 

That's all for today, thank you if you read through all of that. If you have any questions just ask. Have a good day. Be good people.~~