Sapphire (Book One, Arrow)

chapter 12 ⚔ Vertigo

Oliver was tracking drug pushers selling Vertigo, because Thea had gotten some, and that was why she had gotten into the accident, because she was under the influence of Vertigo, so she got arrested.

I was in the hideout.

Oliver walked downstairs, suited up.

"Find what you looking for?" I asked.

"Took down three Vertigo pushers tonight, Jill," Oliver told me. "Last one finally knew a name. The Count."

"The Count?" I repeated skeptically. "That's worse than the hood and the girl in blue." I walked closer. "Are you going back out there?"

"I'm not done for the night," Oliver told me. "Whoever this Count is, he has a lot of blood on his hands, and it is long past time he started paying."

"Well, slow down," I told him. "I think you're missing the point here."

"What?" Oliver asked. I gave him a look. Oliver sighed, nodding. "Thea."

"Her hearing's in a few hours," I told him. "You think she cares more about some drug lord getting his just desserts, or you being by her side when she needs you the most?"

Oliver knew I was right, nodding.

⚔ 

The next morning, Moira and Oliver took Thea to her hearing.

We were walking upstairs of the court house.

News reporters were clamoring around. "Miss Queen. Thea, over here. Can we get a comment? Just one comment. Thea, are you going into rehab? Miss Queen, are you being expelled from Balliou Prep?" We pushed through the crowd to get inside. "Are you worried about the outcome?"

⚔ 

The hearing was in progress.

Judge Brackett was leading the trial. "Docket ending 1-10-5-6, people vs. Thea Dearden Queen. Possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Counselors, I understand you've reached a plea agreement."

Thea's lawyer,Alex Salese, stood. "We have, your honor. Given that my client is a juvenile, the people have generously agreed to probation."

"Juvenile?" Brackett repeated. "Says right here she's 18."

Laurel walked in from the back of the room.

"She is 18 now, your honor, but at the time of arrest, she was still two days shy of her 18th birthday," Alex told him. "Miss Queen has no priors."

"Well, just because Miss Queen's family sweeps her priors under the rug, doesn't mean they don't exist," Brackett told him. "You get your client off, and you help your boss avoid dealing with the drug that's sweeping across our city like the plague. Everyone wins, except us, the people of Starling City."

"Your honor, with all due respect--" Alex started.

Brackett ignored him, looking at Thea. "Miss Queen, like it or not, you are now the poster child for this menace. Maybe if people see that the Queen family can't get away with using Vertigo, they'll think twice before using it themselves. The plea arrangement is denied. This case will proceed to trial."

Thea looked at us worriedly, nervously.

⚔