Prodigal Son

Chapter 7

John Diggle, Queen Consolidated's current head of security, was a mountain of a man. Oliver studied him. Keen brown eyes, tight whirls of closely cropped black hair, and smooth, richly brown skin. Probably an inch taller than Oliver's own 6'1". At least a decade older. And judging by the muscles not so hidden beneath his tailored suit, biceps bigger than his head.

Oliver held out his hand after Felicity introduced them.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Diggle."

"I usually go by Diggle."

Diggle's handshake was firm without being crushing. This was a confident man, secure in his position and abilities.

"Then please, call me Oliver."

The man smiled but made no promises. Felicity jumped in.

"John, Oliver needs to be outfitted for all security credentials. Can you start the process now or does HR need to have him first?"

"I can fit him with a Visitor's Pass right away while we get the rest sorted."

He paused, noticing something across the hall. "Felicity, it looks like Curtis is trying to get your attention."

Oliver followed his line of sight and saw a very tall, black man with glasses and a wild halo of springy hair ducking behind a potted palm that only made him stand out more as he attempted, and failed, to surreptitiously wave Felicity over. When he saw all of them turn to look at him, he stopped and pretended to examine one of the fronds. Felicity rolled her eyes.

"I'll be right back"

"Who is Curtis?" Oliver asked when she'd stepped out of earshot.

"Curtis Holt. Works up in Research and Development." Diggle took out a digital camera and aimed it Oliver's direction. "Smile for the camera...or not."

He wasn't completely paying attention when the flash went off, too busy watching Felicity across the mezzanine. She and this Curtis Holt were standing with their heads very close together looking furtively away. She was too far away for him to be sure, but he thought he saw her blush right before she grabbed Curtis's gesticulating hands.

Oliver frowned and, without looking away, asked, "What exactly is he to her?" Maybe Tommy wasn't the one he needed to be worried about.

The sound of clattering keys stopped. "Huh. Now that's interesting."

"What?" Oliver turned to find Diggle watching him watch Felicity and Curtis. The large man looked him over with a speculative gleam.

"Just a twist I hadn't expected."

"You want to expand on that?"

"Not really." He studied him for a moment longer and then crossed his arms in front of his massive chest. "Tell me Mr. Queen, why did you agree to come back?"

"I'm accepting the lead position on the Robert Queen Memorial Initiative."

Diggle gave a short shake of his head. "I understand that's the job. Why did you come back? Your mother has been trying for almost three years. Felicity tried to contact you for a month and you ignored every message. Last Thursday, she made a trip out to see you in person that from what she told me, did not go well. But three days later, here you are?" He gave him a puzzled smile that seemed to know more than he was letting on. Oliver adopted an equally genuine smile.

"Felicity made a persuasive argument. I reconsidered."

John Diggle nodded. "She can be persuasive. Usually right too. But not always. Guess time will tell if she is right about you." He busied himself with the printer and then fed the color photo through a laminator.