Stapleton had been right. Prince had got to Beatrice, but he hadn't killed her. He wasn't going to. He was going to use her to his advantage. He was going to get Lucas to kill her. Just like he should have done when he was ordered to. Prince wanted Beatrice out of the way. He knew that if she was kept alive then all his hard work to destroy the country would be foiled. He would be arrested. However, he didn't want to get blood on his hands. The only way to do that was to get Kovalevski to convince Beatrice, Lucas was going to assassinate The Queen instead. He knew Beatrice was going to try to stop him. And that's what he wanted her to do.
"Vaisey, I want you to convince Marian and Gisbourne to go with you." Prince told Kovalevski.
"Go where?" Kovalevski asked.
"Buckingham Palace."
Kovalevski nodded.
"I'll be at the office if needed. But, I'm sure you can handle the situation." Prince called out as he walked out the front door.
With that, Prince got into his car and drove off. All Kovalevski had to do was to get Lucas and Beatrice at the same place. He went into the study to work out how he was going to get the two of them together. However, he didn't have to wait that long. As soon as Kovalevski was about close the study door, the door was pushed open. Kovalevski staggered backwards, caught off guard. Beatrice had untied her hands and was now pointing a gun at him. Kovalevski raised his hands above his head.
"Make a move and I will shoot you from here." Beatrice warned him. "Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
Kovalevski did exactly what Beatrice told him to do. Satisfied that he was not going to do anything rash, Beatrice slowly walked over to him, lowering her gun as she did. As Beatrice reached Kovalevski, she grabbed his wrists. However, in doing so, Kovalevski caught her by surprise. He swung around, ducking underneath her and threw Beatrice upon the desk. He pinned her down, placing his arm against her neck. Beatrice tried to kick out of the grip, struggling to breathe as she did.
"You shouldn't have done that." Kovalevski told her. "I should kill you right now, but I'm not going to. What use would you be to me if you're dead, right?"
It wasn't really a question. He did actually want her dead, well Prince did anyway. But, it wasn't his job to kill her. Kovalevski released his hold on Beatrice and let her get up. Before Beatrice could do anything else, Kovalevski threw her into a chair, got some rope out of a draw and tied her up.
"I don't think you're going to go anywhere." He said slyly.
Just then they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Kovalevski tightened the ropes before heading to the door. As he approached the front door, he noticed the knocking was getting more louder and faster. It sounded like the visitor was getting impatient.
"Alright," Kovalevski shouted. "I'm coming."
He unhooked the latch and turned the handle to open up the door.
"Ah, it's you." Kovalevski greeted emotionlessly.
"Yes, it's me. I know you've got Marian here. Can I see her?" Lucas asked as he stepped inside.
"Why would she be here?" Kovalevski asked.
"Don't lie to me. I know Prince ordered for her to be brought here."
"Very well, follow me."
Lucas and Kovalevski entered the room. Lucas noticed Beatrice was tied up.
"Er, why is she tied up?" Lucas inquired.
"She," Kovalevski pointed at Beatrice. "tried to kill me. That is why she is tied up. Do you think that was a wise move to make? A clue? No."
"Let her go." Lucas said through gritted teeth.
"I don't think so." Kovalevski shook his head.
"Why?"
"She is going to come with us." Kovalevski responded.
"Where?"
"Buckingham Palace."
"Buckingham Palace?" Beatrice asked from where she was sat. "Why are we going there?"
"That, young lady, is none of your business." Kovalevski told her.
With that, Kovalevski walked over to her and untied the ropes. Grabbing her by the arm, he dragged her out of the study.
"Gisborne! Let's go." He shouted as he walked down the corridor.
Lucas followed. He didn't like this one bit. The plan was to get Beatrice away from Kovalevski before he went off and did what Prince had told him to do. But, not wanting to look suspicious, Lucas just went along with whatever the plan was that Kovalevski had. The drive was about half an hour. As they drove, they saw in the distance Buckingham Palace. Instead of heading towards the palace, Kovalevski veered off the main road and drove down one that headed towards a place that seemed to be deserted. Looking out of the windscreen, Lucas noticed there was not much around apart from an old derelict building. The windows were bordered up with planks of wood and the front door had graffiti on it.
"Why are we here?" Lucas wondered.
"We're going to stay here for the night." Kovalevski informed him. "That is until we get more information from Prince."
Lucas nodded. Kovalevski got out of the driver's seat, walked around to the passenger door and grabbed Beatrice out.
"You, on the other hand, are going to stay over there." Kovalevski smirked.
He led Beatrice away from the car and into a small shed. Kovalevski threw her in and locked the door from the outside. he then walked back over to Lucas. He threw him the keys.
"Make sure she doesn't escape." Kovalevski ordered him.
Kovalevski then headed towards the derelict building and went inside. Lucas was left outside, watching as Kovalevski closed the door. Certain that he was alone and he wasn't being watched, Lucas crept over to the shed. Placing the key in the keyhole, he unlocked the door and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"Lucas, what on earth is going on?" Beatrice raised her voice, quietly. "What are we doing here?"
"Sh," Lucas raised a finger against his lips. "Not so loud."
"Fine. But, I'll ask you again. Why are we here?"
Yet, before Lucas could answer, the door to the shed opened. It was Kovalevski.
"Phone call for you." Kovalevski said.
Lucas nodded. He left Kovalevski alone with Beatrice. Lucas headed into the building found the phone.
"It's Gisbourne." He called into it.
Although he knew Prince knew that he wasn't really his associate using the alias of Gisbourne, Lucas carried on with the act. After all, if he was going to stop Prince for good, he still needed to keep his act up.
"Lucas, it's me." Harry's voice replied. "Everything's in place. The team are in their positions. The rest is up to you."
"Copy that."
Lucas ended the call. This was it, the time had come to put the plan into action. He inhaled a deep breath before heading back outside. He walked back up the shed and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Kovalevski announced as he opened it.
"Uh, that was Prince on the phone. He's given the green light." Lucas answered. "He said go to Kensington Gardens, the Italian Gardens."
Kovalevski nodded.
"Right, we'll go ahead," He said dragging Beatrice out. "Give us 20 minutes. Then follow us."
Kovalevski pushed Beatrice out towards the car.
"Be in your position when you get there." He said, turning back to Lucas.
Kensington Gardens was not as busy as Lucas thought it would have been. In fact, it was practically deserted. That was good. Especially when he knew what was going to happen. He waited in his position until he saw a figure walking towards him. Not directly, but in his direction. As the figure got closer, it turned off away from him so that their back was facing Lucas. Letting the figure walk a bit further away from him, Lucas smoothly removed his gun and held it out in front of him. Creeping slowly towards the figure, Lucas held onto the handle tightly. A shot rang out. He had pulled the trigger. The bullet ricocheted out of the gun toward its target. The bullet penetrated the victim's shoulder. The figure collapsed to the ground, grabbing their shoulder as they did. Lucas walked closer towards the figure, holding his gun out in front of him. Before Lucas had time to pull the trigger once more, he heard a familiar voice.
"Guy!"
Lucas lowered his weapon as he looked up. Beatrice was running towards him as he expected.
"Guy, stop!" Beatrice yelled. "You just shot The Queen!"
Lucas was about to reply back, when another familiar voice called out. This time it was Kovalevski.
"Gisborne!" He shouted. "Finish the job! Kill her."
Beatrice stood in-between Lucas and The Queen, her hands held up beside her.
"Don't. I won't let you do it."
"Get out of the way!" Lucas pretended to be angry with her.
He needed Beatrice to think he was actually going to kill The Queen. This was all part of the plan. He needed Beatrice to play along so he could get Kovalevski to say what he was going to say next.
"Ignore her." Kovalevski ordered.
"No," Beatrice said as she stepped backwards, shielding the figure from Lucas's gun.
"I said get out of the way!" Lucas raised his voice.
Lucas gave a her look. A look that told her what was happening.
"I won't let you do it. I won't let you kill The Queen. All this time I've, we've been trying to save England. Do you really think I'm going to let you kill England?" Beatrice said, playing along with Lucas's act after realising what he was actually doing.
"Marian," Lucas said, using her alias. "I have to do this. It's the only way."
"No, you don't." Beatrice said. "You're a good man, Guy. Don't do this!"
"What other choice do I have?" Lucas asked.
"Kill the Sheriff." Beatrice whispered so only he could hear.
Lucas gave a slight nod. Kovalevski saw Lucas lower his gun.
"What are you doing?" He shouted.
"I'm doing something I should have done along time ago." Lucas said, spinning around and pointing the gun at Kovalevski. "On your knees, Sheriff or should I say Nikolay Kovalevski?"
Kovalevski stuttered.
"How do you know my real name?"
"Oh, I know a lot about you." Lucas said, grinning. "So does she." He pointed at Beatrice.
"I gathered." Kovalevski announced. "But, you also forget I know your real name too, Lucas North."
Before Lucas knew what was happening, Kovalevski drew out his gun. The sound of gunshots rang out.
"NO!" Stapleton's voice rang out. "Beatrice!"
Lucas turned, Beatrice was lying on the floor in a pool of blood. She had been shot. He then turned back towards Kovalevski. His gun was still pointed. Lucas didn't think twice. He pulled his trigger and shot him. The bullet entered Kovalevski's shoulder blade. He collapsed to the floor. Loud voices were heard as Dimitri, Ros, Tariq and Erin ran out with their guns.