Oliver looked up as Lance stepped into his office, shutting the door quickly behind him. He set aside the report he had been reading. The look on Lance’s face said he wanted to discuss something, and that it wouldn’t wait. He waited for him to start.
Lance pulled up a chair.
“We need to put someone in Thea’s place.”
Oliver leaned back in his chair. “You think so?”
“Look,” Lance said, “I don’t mean to bring up anything painful. You know I love that kid, but she did a helluva job keeping up with you and making sure you see everyone you need to without making anyone suspicious of where you go when you do your ‘other work.’” He shook his head. “I can’t keep up with it all, not and do the job you ask me to do.”
“Thea isn’t just my family, Quentin, she’s an excellent chief of staff. It’s not like we can replace her by calling an employment agency.”
Lance blew air out of his mouth. “You don’t know the half of it. I’m taking calls and trying to juggle people for you. Man, they get upset if you mess up their time with the mayor.” His hands went up in surrender. “I just can’t do it.”
“Then let’s move Rene up.”
Lance stared at him for a long moment. “You did hear the part where I said people are hard to handle?”
“I did.”
Lance shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“He’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, but will everyone else?”
Oliver’s cell phone vibrated on the desk by his hand. A glance showed that it was Felicity texting. He picked up the phone.
“Let’s give him a chance.”
FAUST LOCATION UNLOCKED.
TRANSMIT OR F2F?
“We have to finish this later,” he said, fingers already typing.
MOBILIZE THE TEAM
Lance didn’t even try to keep the irritation from his face.