Fffc Regular Challenge r18.16 - Vetting plans

[m_findlow]

Title: Vetting plans
Fandom: Arrow
Characters: Robert Queen, Malcolm Merlyn
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,021 words
Content notes: none
Author notes: Written for Regular Challenge r18.16 - Abide  at fffc
Summary: Robert has some misgivings over Malcolm's plans for the Glades.

Malcolm eased back on the plush sofa, quietly sipping the short black in his hands as he watched Robert Queen reading the file.

It was only preliminary work at this stage. He had a second file with much more detail, but it wasn't wise to tip his hand just yet. The others didn't know how far along he'd pushed this plan. He may have convinced them this was a good idea, but Robert was the lynch pin. If he wavered, the rest would follow suit and crumble. He didn't necessarily need them, but it would make certain parts of it easier to accomplish if they were complicit. It would also prevent them from talking or pointing fingers later. Malcom had made sure to entangle them deep enough that they'd be setting the noose about their own necks if they so much as thought about crossing him. That was something he'd learned from Robert, as fine a mentor in business as one could want. But now, Malcolm had surpassed him in that respect. He was meant for more than just a successful corporate figurehead.

'It all feels very dire, Malcolm,' he said, setting the file down in his lap.

'It's all there in black and white,' he replied. 'Crime statistics in the Glades have never been higher. Gangs are running rampant on the streets, theft, drugs, gun crime. Occupancy rates are on the decline, land values are plummeting and commerce is barely keeping its head above water. All because people are scared to live there.'

'There's over a million people living in the area. It's not exactly falling into ruin.'

Malcolm pulled a face. 'Stop deluding yourself, Robert. Don't tell me Queen Consolidated's business interests in the Glades aren't the reason for the dip in share price.'

'Is that was this is about, Malcolm? You're upset because your stock portfolio is going down? Don't you have enough stock options in Merlyn Global to prop up your retirement fund?'

Malcolm leaned forward, elbows resting on the knees of his bespoke navy suit. 'I've supported you because we collectively have the resources to build up this city. I can't stand by and watch it all go to waste.'

Robert gave him a knowing look, throwing the report down on the coffee table. 'I thought you already had. Didn't I read just this morning in the papers that you were doing a due diligence on Star Labs? It seems your focus lately has been on Central City.'

'Can you blame me? People are losing confidence in investing in Starling. If we don't forge a future for it, who will?'

Robert smirked and let out a little chuckle. 'You're young.'

Malcom sat back. 'Not that young. I have a seventeen year old who's just gotten his driver's license. I haven't seen him for days, and the only comfort I have is that the police haven't called me to say he's either wrapped that new sports car around a pole or been arrested for breaking the speed limit.'

Robert chuckled again. 'You had a family much earlier than I did. I was out of puff before Thea was learning to ride a bike. Not you, though. You've still got that fire of youth, that inexhaustible hunger to do more.' He pushed the report back across the table. 'I'm not sure about this, though.'

'I've garnered the support the others already. I wouldn't come to you unless we were all in agreement.'

'I'm not sure I can abide by this, Malcolm.'

'We have to.'

'You're suggesting some kind of destruction for the Glades.'

He gave a thin smile. 'Some call it destruction. I say it's a new beginning. A way to clear out the undesirables and to pave a better path.'

'And where will these undesirables live? Not in your new world, so I gather.'

'They're the root of the problem. There is no place for them. Let them crawl away to whatever dark hole they came from.' With luck, half of them would be dead before then.

Robert shifted uncomfortably. 'Yes, but this sounds like you want to take the law into your own hands.'

'Only because the law doesn't go far enough.' For the first time, Robert could see the cracks forming in his colleague's cool demeanor. Malcolm had an axe to grind, his wife's brutal murder as fresh now as it had been ten years ago. Robert could sympathise, but this proposal was going beyond merely sweeping the rabble off the streets.

'Let me think it over,' Robert said. 'I'm taking my son out on the Gambit in a few weeks and it's all he's been taking about since I suggested it. A chance for both of us to clear our heads and get some fresh perspective, though I expect he'll be too busy texting Laurel. Oh, to be young and in love again.'

'I trust I'll have your support before then?' Malcolm insisted. 'It might be wise if you weren't in town should something... happen.'

'Don't do anything rash, Malcolm. I'm not discounting your proposal entirely, but I do think we need to reconsider the potential fallout. This sort of thing needs proper time and planning.'

Malcolm smiled at him again. 'Of course. This is why I come talk to you about these things. It's that impetuous youth you keep insisting I have.' He picked up the report and stood from the sofa, reaching across the table to shake Robert's hand.

'Glad you came over. Now, if you'll excuse me, Malcolm, I believe I have one of these fandangled charity events to attend this evening. Moira's handiwork, I believe. She won't be happy unless I'm properly done up, never mind the fact that they'll be looking at her and not me.'

'I'll see you there tonight.'

Robert shook his head in amusement. 'You too, huh?'

'She's very a persuasive woman,' he agreed. 'I find it hard to say no to her.'

As Malcolm heard the door shut behind him and began the walk to his car, he pulled out his phone. 'Moira. Meet me at my office tonight. We may have hit a snag.'