Kohler stumbled to his feet. "Soon, the whole world will know." He said angrily. "All your lies will fall apart, and everyone will know what you've done."
Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca smirked. "I assure you, you will not leave this office alive."
"Neither will you if I can help it!" Kohler's body swayed uneasily, and his legs buckled beneath him, sending him tumbling back into his chair.
Carlo laughed at the pathetic man before him. "You?"
"At least your pride will be taken." Kohler's dead eyes seemed to sparkle with hatred. "You can kill me, but with me, I will have your pride."
The Camerlengo turned suddenly, his back to Max Kohler. As Kohler stumbled once again to his feet, pulling with him his revolver, the Camerlengo spun back towards him, a fiery hot brand flashing brightly in his hand.
"What're you—" Kohler gasped as Carlo turned the brand on him self, ripping open his shirt. "You're insane." Kohler muttered, eyes wide.
Carlo merely smirked, before placing the white-hot iron against his skin.
The smell of burning flesh hit Kohler like a wave, nearly knocking him off his feet. A second later, a piercing scream echoed through the office. Max looked down at his feet, and saw the Camerlengo writhing in agony, the skin on his chest, charred black. He bit back a wave of nausea, and leveled the gun in his hand.
Two quick shots, and the Camerlengo lay motionless before him, a dark puddle of blood slowly soaking into the rug.
With a load crack, the door behind Max was forced open, the pale faces of the Swiss guard standing shocked in the doorway.
"Max…." Vittoria murmured in shock, before turning away as Chartrand fired his weapon once, twice, three times into Max Kohler's back.
His body crumpled to the floor beside the Camerlengo's.
Distantly, he saw the fuzzy outline of the American professor above him. Wordlessly, he removed the video recorder from the arm of his wheel chair. "Take…it." He whispered, pushing the box into Langdon's hands.
His arm fell to his side, stomach convulsing in a fit of coughs. His body shook violently, a pool of blood falling from his mouth.
It was worth it. Oh God, was it worth it.