The King's Woman

Chapter Sixteen

Harry's POV

  - Harry?
  - Yes?
  - If I don't make it out alive, replace me with Em. Promise me!
  - Don't talk like that. You'll be alright. I'll make sure of it.
  - Harry.. just promise. Please.
  - If that's what you want. Okay, I promise. But..
  - No buts. Now let's catch that son of a bitch!

We were standing beside Westminster Bridge. She went straight back towards the Westminster palace. I had to run to catch up, a slight pain biting at my chest. I decided to ignore it and hurry along.

  - Why Westminster palace?
  - He would want to come from a quieter direction. To enjoy the calm before the storm.
  - I'm not sure I understand..
  - It's hard to explain and we don't have the time, Harry. It's all part of his psychological profile. Here, come this way!

I saw her rush in the direction of Westminster Abbey. Without thinking, I followed suit. But once we were close to it, and Andrea stopped, I had to ask her..

  - Why the Abbey?
  - I'll tell you something that will sound stupid but that's as true as it gets. Vale is religious. He might die, so he will want to pray, here, in the heart of London.
  - This is the heart of London?
  - I had Merlin triangulate.. Yes, this is the heart of London.
  - We should get inside.
  - Harry.. I need to go inside on my own.
  - What?
  - Listen, you are angry. You want him dead. And so do I but..
  - But what? We go in, catch him and put a bullet in his head.
  - Spreading the virus as you do so..
  - I.. suppose I haven't considered that.
  - Which is particularly my point. You are blinded by hate. I do not allow myself to be. And I'll be fine.
  - I can't let you go in by yourself. But I can promise to behave.
  - No. He'll get distracted. I need to play my mind games alone. Me and Vale. He thinks I betrayed him.
  - Which is why he'll want revenge.
  - But you see.. I already know that. I know how he thinks. I have a vantage point. Me. Not him.
  - If you insist. But I'll be close nearby.
  - Trust me. I'll be okay.

With that, she gives me a furtive kiss and disappears inside the abbey..

Andrea's POV

I left Harry standing outside, half willing to do so, after giving him a kiss that was meant to be reassuring, although it could as well have been a goodbye.
I stepped inside the abbey, naturally, like any other tourist would do. I even took one of the audio guides, to keep up appearances. With the guide hung around my neck and the headphones fitted inside my years, I started pacing the abbey, among tourists, looking around as if I've seen the place for the first time. In reality I was scanning the crowd, looking for Vale.
I finally noticed him, in the centre of the abbey, looking upwards.. I approached him slowly, as not to disturb him. When I was close enough to hear his mumbles, I realised that I was right. Vale was praying.

  - Richard.. I whispered in his ear.
  - God?..
  - No. Better than God.

As if escaping from a dream, he frowns. He looks at me, and as she motions to touch me I take a step back. His hand falls through thin air.

  - You figured it out.. I underestimated you.
  - Richard, I understand you.
  - You what? You betrayed me!
  - Easy. No need to shout. No need to attract attention. The guard will trow us out. Is that what you want?
  - No. What I want is to see you die in pain.
  - How can you be sure?
  - Of what?
  - That I'll die of your virus? Do you think I'm one of the weak?
  - I..
  - You don't know. I might survive. There goes your revenge, Richard.
  - Stop calling me that. I am Mr Vale for you, you ungrateful bitch.
  - Richard, Richard.. I say as if scolding him. Is this how you speak in the house of God?
  - You have no place in the house of God.
  - Richard.. I'm here to help you.
  - What?
  - I didn't betray you. I believe in you, in your research.
  - You're lying.
  - I'm not.
  - Prove it!
  - How?
  - Kill him.
  - Who?
  - Harry Hart. Kill him. Then I could trust you.
  - Alright, if that is what you want. He is right outside.
  - After you..

We go outside the abbey, my eyes glued to Vale, making sure he does not touch anyone. When we are outside, Harry sees us. He looks surprised, and for a second is stunned in place. Then he comes towards us..

  - Now, finish him off!
  - And then what?
  - Then we release the gas bomb.

My eyes are wide open in surprise and realisation that I was mistaken. He did not infect himself. He had another way.. He took no risk, which meant he was afraid he would die. I decide to use it in my favour.

  - You didn't think you were strong enough.. I mumble, loud enough for him to hear.
  - What are you talking about?
  - You didn't have the courage to infect yourself.
  - Why would I do that?
  - To prove you're strong enough to resist your virus. If your own invention killed you, it would still be heroic, wouldn't it?
  - I.. he mumbles, taken aback.

Then he regains himself and in a slip second takes my gun from the back of my pants.

  - If you won't shot him, I will!

Harry is close to us by now. He sees the gun, and his eyes widen. The shot deafens me, and I fall to the ground as if I've been shot. As in a haze, I hear a second shot, then a bang, like something fell close to me. My ears ring, and I can't get up. I'm feeling dizzy.
Then I see a hand. Someone's trying to help me up. I take it and I see..

Harry. He has blood on his cheek. His hair is disheveled. He looks at me with a mixture of love and worry. The ring in my ears begins to fade. I take a look sideways, and see Vale on the ground, with a whole through his skull. Harry takes me into his arms, holding me tight, until the ringing and the dizziness are gone and I regain myself.

  - You did it. You put a bullet through his head.
  - He was sloppy. He didn't seem to notice the glasses hanging on your shirt.
  - He didn't know you were watching the whole time. Fell right into our trap.
  - He was a true mad scientist. I assume that black case is the gas bomb.
  - Must be. Let's have it taken slowly and safely, and destroyed for good. Harry.. you're bleeding.
  - It's just a scratch. Another scratch. I dodged the bullet. It was meant for my brains.
  - Haven't I told you not to take any other bullet for me?
  - Haven't I told you I would do it as many times as it takes?
  - My mistake almost cost your life. Twice.
  - Honest mistake. This man was insane.
  - But I mistook the level of his insanity. Or bravery. Or dedication to his cause. However you'd like to put it.
  - Let's put this behind us. He's gone. We're both okay. Let's get out of here.
  - Who'll take care of the mess? The people?
  - Merlin and Eggsy. Come on, let's go home..