“You have nothing left to bargain with. You’re losing blood,” Fielding said. “But we can still get you to a doctor; they can remove the bullet and you’d survive.”
He reached out for the necklace at the same moment the Raven looked over his shoulder at the water below.
“David, don’t,” Fielding said.
The Raven’s face tightened. He inched his feet back.
“That’s Traitor’s Gate below,” he growled. “Fitting, I suppose.”
Fielding closed the distance between him and the wall and grabbed the Raven’s shirt. “Get down.”
But the man wouldn’t budge.
“David,” Fielding said. “I know the truth. I know you’re my father.” Fielding knew Esme was behind him, knew she’d hear the truth, but none of that mattered.
The Raven’s features softened and he almost smiled. “Beatrice finally told you.” It was not a question. And for a moment it looked as if the man might climb down, but then his foot slipped. “It’s too late.”
Fielding reached up and put his hand around Esme’s pendant right as the Raven pushed off the wall. The necklace broke off in Fielding’s hand.
“David!” Fielding yelled.
He looked over the edge in time to see the splash below. Esme ran to his side and peered over the wall into the river. Still he saw nothing. He pushed himself away from the wall.
“Fielding, look,” she said, pointing to the splashing in the middle of the river. The splashing settled into a rhythm and became strokes as the Raven swam to the opposite bank. “He made it,” Esme whispered.
Fielding turned to her. “I know you heard everything. And I wanted to tell you.” He sighed. “I didn’t know how—”
“You were afraid I’d believe you to be the same as the Raven.”
“I am,” he said. “I’m his son; his blood is my blood.”
She shook her head. “That doesn’t matter. You are nothing like him. You are kind and gentle and brave. Family only determines where we come from; it doesn’t mandate who we become.”
And in that moment, he knew she truly loved him. “Are you all right?” he asked, gripping both her arms.
“I think so,” Esme said.
He looked up at the sky. The moon was only partially covered. “We don’t have much time.”
Fielding took her hand, and together they ran until they reached Max and the rest of the men.
They’d taken the liberty of notifying the police, and several officers were just coming out of the Jewel House.
“The jewels were put back in their appropriate place,” the lead investigator said. He held his hand out to Max. “Your country thanks you.”
Max shook his hand. “I’m afraid I’m not the one to thank.” He nodded toward Fielding.
“No time,” Fielding said as he dragged Esme over to where Graeme still held Waters prisoner.
Fielding pressed the key into Esme’s hand, then held the box out for her. With shaking hands, she pressed the key to the engraving. The box opened and her bracelet immediately fell to the ground. Fielding’s and the one from Thatcher’s hand also dropped.
“I’ve got this one,” Graeme said.
Fielding grabbed Esme and pulled her tightly into his arms. “We did it,” he whispered.
She leaned into him and exhaled. “I didn’t think I was going to survive.”
“I told you I’d make certain you did,” Fielding said. “Yes, you did.” She smiled.
