ST PETER’S, THE VATICAN
W hen I get back to the basilica, I see Fabiola scream at the Pillar.
I don’t actually hear most of what she says. I am looking at the Pillar. He takes off the fake priest’s outfit, showing the blood-stained blue suit underneath. His face is slashed with bruises and cuts, and he needs medical attention.
More than anything, he looks like someone who needs a hug to me. You can’t kill so many people and feel okay, not even if you are the Pillar.
“I want you gone.” I hear Fabiola now. “I don’t want to see you ever again.”
“Why would you say something like that to me?” He sounds sincere.
“You’re a terrible man.” The veins on her neck stick out. “A terrible, terrible man. Get out.”
“I just killed everyone who worked for the Executioner, Fabiola. Does that not count as an act of righteousness to you?”
“You don’t want justice, Pillar. All you want is blood.”
“How can you have justice without blood?”
Wow. The conversation is taking a heavy turn.
“Ask the kids,” he approached them. “Are you happy the Executioner and his friends are all dead now?”
The kids hurray.
“Stay away from them.” Fabiola stands in the way. “They don’t need a role model like you in their lives.”
“Yeah, I understand.” The Pillar wipes blood off his lips. “I’m the bad guy, after all.”
“Don’t try to have anyone sympathize with you,” Fabiola says. “You fooled Alice and took the key from her. You made a deal with the Queen of Hearts.”
“I did.”
“Why?” I cut in. “Why give the key back to her?”
“First of all, I have the key with me. I haven’t given it to her yet.”
“So why were you going to give it to her after you played me?”
“I said I made a deal. I didn’t say I was going to keep my end of it.”