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It was a normal case that was ending with a typical
con
sting. It was all normal and going perfectly fine until a silvering man slid up to Neal.
“Little Bird,” the man says lowly.
“Slade,” Neal replies, false cheer lacing his tone. “I’d say it’s nice to see you again, but then we’d both be liars.”
The man, Slade, rumbles a laugh and murmurs something too low for the microphone to pick up.
“What are you doing here, Slade?” Neal asks, tiredly.
“What do you think, Grayson?”
The team froze. Was this another alias? Or was this something else? While none of them had truly believed that ‘Neal Caffrey’ was his actual name, they never deluded themselves into thinking that they’d ever find out what it really was, so the thought that it was anything more than an alias was quickly dismissed.
Neal’s jaw clenches. “Who?” he bites out.
Slade laughs, amused by Neal’s ire, “Some thief. Nick Holden.”
The team freezes again. That was Neal’s alias for this sting. They didn’t know for sure what this man did, but they could guess. A mercenary had a very distinctive look.
“Did you get a picture of him?” Neal asks, his voice low.
“No, got a vague description,” Slade replies.
“I’ll save you the trouble of finding him,” Neal chuckles.
Slade’s eyebrow raises. “Have you finally decided to take me up on my offer, Renegade?”
Neal’s eyes hardened, his voice icy, “That is not my name, and if you ever call me that again I will sic your daughter on you. And I won’t tell her to hold back.”
Slade just laughs, “I thought that your brother was hanging with Rose more these days, Grayson.”
‘Brother?!’ the team collectively shut down. This was too much truth about Neal at once.
“He does, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t talk. Who do you think gives me the most updates about Jay?” Neal shrugs. “Anyway, no. I am not taking you up on your offer, but I will save you a night’s work.”
“Oh?” Slade asks, interested. “How’s that?”
Neal just holds out a hand, “Nick Halden, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Slade laughs. A full-blown laugh. “And why would you tell me that?”
“Because last you told me, you’d charge north of ten figures to take my life. Or does that not apply anymore?”
“I just don’t want to deal with your father and siblings. They’d be even more annoying if I were to kill you.”
Neal just shrugs, “What can I say? They love me.”
“Hmm,” Slade hums. “I’ll be seeing you, Grayson.”
“Get out of here, Deathstroke,” Neal calls, sending the man off.