Lauriver Chronicles

Chapter 15

Oliver sighed as he walked into Big Belly Burger and saw Lyla waiting for him, though she was clearly trying to avoid attention.

"Lyla. Why are you trying to avoid me?" Oliver asked, even though he was pretty sure he knew why as he sat down across from her.

"You know why. I'm risking a lot by even meeting with you now Oliver." Lyla said quietly.

"Why? We were friends before the island, this is just us catching up." Oliver said.

"More like you're best friends with my husband and likely the reason we didn't get divorced after Andy died, considering how far gone John was after that. Besides, we both know why you really called." Lyla said.

"And if Waller gives you trouble, remind her that she still owes me." Oliver said.

"Still, but I don't want to take chances and I know that you hate associating yourself with Waller in any way." Lyla said.

"True, but I think I have a lead on someone who's on Argus's radar." Oliver said.

"Go on." Lyla said.

"There's a new player in Star City who goes by the name Deadshot. I've reached out to my contacts in Bratva, but they're not exactly being cooperative or expedient right now and I have a feeling that Argus is also looking for this guy, so tell me what you know." Oliver said and Lyla considered for a second before sighing and nodding.

"Yes, he is and now I'm glad you reached out, because you're not the only one who's been tracking him." Lyla said.

"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.

"Deadshot's calling card is bullets laced with a poison called curare. The same poison that was found in Andy's bloodstream when he died." Lyla said.

"Deadshot killed John's brother, which means that taking him down also provides an opportunity to bring him into the fold, since I can't do this alone and there's no one I trust more to have my back than him. And I'll likely need your help to convince him, since while we can see the shades of grey, John's always seen the world as very black and white." Oliver said.

"Isn't Laurel the same way? Does she know what you're up to?" Lyla asked.

"She does, since I'm not keeping secrets from her. Especially about something like this. And while she doesn't completely understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, she supports it, since she does understand that everything I'm doing is to make this city a safer place for our daughter to grow up." Oliver said and Lyla smiled.

"John really stepped up and helped Laurel out with taking care of Jasmine while you were gone." Lyla said.

"I know, Laurel told me. There's a reason she named John Jasmine's godfather, since the only person who'd fight harder to protect that little girl than him is me." Oliver said.

"And what exactly are you gonna do when she discovers boys?" Lyla asks with a chuckle.

"That's when I put bars on her window and asked Quentin to loan me a gun from SCPD, which he's already assured me he will do." Oliver said and Lyla rolled her eyes.

"And you know Laurel will just teach her how to get around that right?" Lyla said.

"Lyla, I already missed five years of my daughter's life, I don't want to think about her being even older." Oliver said.

"Fair enough. And Oliver, I am sorry about what Waller put you through, but you can't deny that you did good work and saved a lot of lives." Lyla said.

"I know and that's the only reason why I can live what she made me do. But that doesn't mean I will ever forgive her for what she put me through. And we both know the reason I'm not welcome at Argus is because she knows that I will put an arrow in her if I ever see her again. And I'm honestly tempted to do that anyways so you can take over, since I'd much rather you be in charge of Argus, since you actually have a moral compass, unlike Waller. Seriously, who picked her to run Argus?" Oliver asked.

"Believe me, if I knew, I'd tell you, since they made a huge mistake. But until we can get proof of Waller's crimes that can't be disputed, you can't make a move against her." Lyla said.

"I know. But anyways, Deadshot." Oliver said, getting back to why they were initially here.

"I'll get you everything I have on him. I hope that you can put that son of a bitch down. But why are you after him, since I don't think he's on your list." Lyla said.

"He shot up the community center I'm building. I want to know who hired him and why. Besides, both Laurel and Thea were there that night, they could've gotten hurt or worse. He needs to answer for that." Oliver said and Lyla nodded in agreement.

"I heard about your center and I think it's a good idea. You can prevent a lot of people from becoming criminals by showing them a better path." Lyla said.

"Thank you, though we both know that Waller would rather I was putting my skills to use working for her, which will never happen now that the world knows I'm still alive." Oliver said and Lyla nodded.

"I think that we've concluded our business, so now I'd better leave before Waller catches us, if she hasn't already. But I'll get you what you need." Lyla promised.

"Thank you Lyla." Oliver said as Lyla left and he went to go order, since unlike Lyla, he saw no point in wasting a trip to Big Belly Burger, since after five years away, he'd missed the taste of these greasy burgers immensely and he wasn't wasting a chance to have one now.