"Quentin Lance?"
Jack Kadere was somewhat surprised to recognize the middle-aged police officer chasing the man.
Isn't this Laurel's father?
The gap between them was widening, and the thief was getting closer to where Jack stood blocking the path. He stepped back to clear the way.
Seeing this, the thief looked smug, while Quentin Lance's expression filled with frustration.
This was Starling City. Not a single citizen was willing to help the police.
The thief sprinted past, even managing to throw Jack a look that said, Smart move.
Jack returned a smile—and extended his left foot.
The thief's body pitched forward. He flew through the air and skidded a long way on his face before coming to a stop.
Silence.
No one had expected the smiling young man to do that.
Quentin Lance froze for a moment, then quickly caught up, pinned the man's arm, and cuffed him. "Thank you for your help."
"It's nothing." Jack smiled brightly, watching Quentin haul up the thief, whose face was now covered in blood.
Tsk, tsk. The legendary face-plant.
As they spoke, a breathless woman in professional attire ran up from behind.
"Thank you, thank you so much," she said gratefully to Quentin. "There's a very important legal document in this bag. It would have been a disaster if I'd lost it."
"You should thank him." Quentin handed over the bag, glancing around. The surrounding pedestrians kept their heads down and quickened their pace, as if nothing had happened. "If he hadn't been willing to help, you probably wouldn't have gotten it back."
"Thank you very much." The woman took out a business card and handed it to Jack. "My name is Anna Loring. I'm a lawyer. If there's anything I can help you with, call me anytime."
"Okay." Jack pocketed the card and turned to Quentin. "Can I borrow your phone? I had an appointment to meet someone, but now..."
"Of course." Quentin handed it over.
Jack smiled gratefully, took the phone, and dialed Laurel's number.
After a few rings, her bewildered voice came through. "Dad? Is something wrong?"
"We agreed to meet today. You haven't forgotten, have you?" Jack asked in a relaxed tone.
"It's you!" Laurel's voice sharpened with recognition. "How do you have my dad's phone? What did you do to him? I already agreed to your terms, why would you—"
"Darling, don't be angry. Can we meet and talk? The usual spot. I should be there in about half an hour." Jack hung up and returned the phone to Quentin. "Thank you."
"Like you said—a small favor." Quentin smiled as he took it back, completely unaware that his small favor had just scared his daughter half to death.
"May I go?"
"Of course."
Jack smiled politely at Quentin and Anna Loring, then left.
---
Twenty minutes later.
In front of the Queen factory gates, a frantic Laurel saw Jack appear and rushed toward him.
"What did you do to my father?"
Jack chuckled. "I just happened to run into him and helped him catch a bag snatcher. Borrowed his phone to contact you."
"Really?" Laurel remained skeptical.
"Why don't you call him and find out?"
Laurel hesitantly pulled out her phone and dialed. A few seconds later, Quentin's voice came through over background noise.
"Is something wrong? I'm busy."
"No, nothing."
"Then I'm hanging up." He disconnected before she could say another word.
Quentin glanced at his call history. No unfamiliar numbers—the most recent call was his daughter's. Did he delete it after calling? He shrugged it off, pocketed the phone, and got back to work.
"Next time, don't be so reckless," Jack said, watching Laurel sigh with relief and put her phone away. "If a villain calls you from someone you know's phone, confirm the situation first. Don't just come running." He got the feeling that if someone texted her I Demand Money! she might actually fall for it.
"Who knows what you'll do," Laurel muttered resentfully.
"Did you bring money?" Jack asked suddenly.
"Yes."
"Come with me." He patted her shoulder and led the way.
After about ten minutes of walking, Jack brought her to the entrance of a hotel.
"What are we doing here?" Laurel asked, wary and suspicious.
"Getting a room." He glanced at her. "Or do you want to do this outside? I don't mind if you don't."
...