The Darkest Part (Arrow Fanfiction)

Chapter Two

Max tried to ignore the plaque on the wall in Captain Lance's office. It wasn't what the plaque stood for that bothered him, it was the crooked angle it hung at. He knew he had a problem. Six reminded him of it daily, but he couldn't help that he liked things to be orderly. It helped him think.

He looked out the office window to the large room swarming with detectives and officers going about their duties at the precinct. He checked his watch. The officer who brought him here had told him the Captain would only be a minute or two. It had been five. He twisted his cane between his fingers.

Yes, he had another problem. He liked it when people were punctual, but that had been something he'd learn to deal with better than untidiness. Six was always late, or early, but never on time. He called it unpredictable. Max called it paranoia.

Captain Lance finally walked in straightening his tie. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Queen. This recent crime wave keeps me busy."

"I understand. It's not a problem," Max lied.

Lance sat down at his desk and shuffled through some papers. "Like I told you on the phone we still don't have a name for this guy. We can't find him in any database, so I was hoping you might have something to point us in the right direction."

"I'm afraid I don't have much. I didn't get a name either."

"And that didn't strike you as odd when the suspect hired you."

"In my line of work it's not uncommon for people to remain anonymous, or give a false name. It's just something you get used to."

"What exactly did this man hire you for?"

"Well, that's the thing, he hired me to find out who he was. He didn't remember."

Lance leaned back in his chair. "Was he suffering from amnesia or something?"

"I'm not a doctor, so I can't really say, but I'm sure he had no idea who he was."

"So were you able to find out anything about his identity?"

"Unfortunately, no. He only hired me a week ago and I had business out of the country to attend to first. I was here to meet him, which is why I was in town when you called."

"Were you aware your client was involved in criminal activity?"

"No."

Lance rubbed his chin. "So I have a dead suspect with no identity. What am I supposed to do with that?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"Maybe you still can. How much do you charge for a consulting fee?"

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Laurel hurried down the sidewalk, clutching a take out bag. The food was probably cold by now. Her car had decided to break down that morning, which meant she was getting a lot of exercise. She would be glad when she went to get her car from the shop at the end of the day. Her body was a little sore from last night's patrol as the Black Canary.

Her phone chimed and she tucked the take out bag under her arm, so she could dig her phone out of her purse. During her struggle to find it she accidentally bumped into someone going the opposite direction.

She looked up, apologetic, "I'm sorry- Max? Max Queen?"

The man turned and tried to smile. "Laurel."

"It's so great to see you." She pulled him into a hug even though she knew Max had never really understood or liked them. She stepped back and looked at him. He wore the usual vest, tie and blazer all perfectly pressed. "How are you?"