Chapter 6
REBIRTH
Eric Finch hung up the telephone. He had just received a bizarre call from Evey Hammond asking him to come to the Shadow Gallery as soon as he could. It was something about an old friend who had just surprised her and she had something to discuss with him about the museum gala tomorrow night. Eric grinned, Evey continued to amaze him--how she could get excited over such normal happenings. He grabbed his hat and overcoat and headed for the door.
--
" He's on his way." Evey looked at V. " Are you really sure you want to go through with this?"
V sighed, " Of all base passions, fear is the most accursed." ( 1) He looked at Evey and smiled, " I must do this. England is still not out of Norsefire's clutches yet--I have seen the reports about the cells rearing their ugly heads, trying to take control once again. " He paused, " Having the same thought for many a year now, it was only a matter of time before I would take up the mantle of freedom fighter once again."
Evey's eyes shone with worry. " This is your life we're talking about, V. I don't know if I could bear the thought of loosing you again."
" My darling," he took her by the shoulders gently. " England needs me once again , how can I refuse her?"
" Uncle Eric won't let anything happen to Father." Victoria chimed in.
" It's more like your Father wouldn't let anything happen to Uncle Eric." Evey replied, looking into V's eyes. " You know I will support you in anything you should choose to do, but you must promise me one thing..."
" And what's that?"
" Come home to us." Evey whispered softly to him she moved into his
embrace.
" You have my promise." V answered nuzzling his face into her neck, " And my heart."
Evey broke from him, " How are we going to do this? I don't know if Eric could take the shock of the legendary V coming back from the dead."
V laughed heartily " I suppose that could be a problem, but I know your Mr. Finch quite well--he would be shocked to say the least, but I don't think it would kill him."
" I think Father should come out as himself." Victoria said matter- of -factly.
V grinned at his daughter. " There, it's done. I believe that is two against one, Evey."
" Funny. " Evey smirked at them. " You will go into the bedroom and stay until I come and get you, understand?"
V smiled at Evey, giving her a deep bow. " I hear and obey, sweet lady."
' That'll be the day...' Evey said under her breath as she watched him disappear down the hallway just as the gallery door opened and Finch stepped inside.
" Uncle Eric!" Victoria hurried into his outstretched arms.
" How's my girl today?" He asked hugging her tightly. " Not giving your mother any trouble, are you?"
" Of course not." She giggled as they walked over to where Evey stood.
Finch quickly gave Evey a kiss on the cheek, looking around. " Where is this old friend you were telling me about?"
Victoria giggled.
" Victoria..." Evey scolded.
" Am I missing something, here?" Eric smiled at Evey and took a seat on the couch.
" No, " Evey paused, " Would you like a cup of tea?"
" Yes, please. It's a bit blustery out today—with the cold and all." Eric replied.
" I'll be just a moment." Evey smiled as she walked toward the kitchen.
Eric turned his attention to his god-daughter. " Did you see the fireworks last night, Vicky?"
" Yes, mother's friend took me to the rooftop, and we watched them together."
She replied. " There were beautiful."
" I know. I saw some of them from Trafalgar Square last night after the speeches.
The people still remember your father and what he did for them."
" I know..." Victoria replied as Evey came from the kitchen carrying two cups of hot tea.
Handing one to Eric, Evey sat the other on the table. " Eric, " she began, " I want to have extra security at the show tomorrow night."
The request caught Finch off guard. " Why? It's just a museum exhibit--why do I need to post extra men?"
Evey looked at Victoria, who, once again had begun giggling, then turned back to Finch. " You'll understand in a minute. Victoria, would you please go get our guest."
" Sure, Mum." Victoria hurried down the hallway and disappeared.
" Evey, what's going on?" Eric asked putting the tea down.
" Good evening Inspector." Came the voice from the archway.
Finch looked up in time to see a black clad figure moving toward him, his gloved hand holding onto Victoria's. " Bloody hell..." Finch mumbled, as his eyes grew large. There was no mistake--he knew that black and white mask anywhere--hell, for the first couple years after Parliament was brought down, that was all he did see.
V laughed, his hand releasing Victoria as he took his usual stance before the
policeman. " Surely you have something more to say than just that?"
" You're not dead..." Finch said in shock.
" No, he is definitely not." Evey said hurrying to V's side. " Eric, you remember V?"
Finch sat at a loss for words-- all he could do was stare at the masked man before him. England's hero was alive and well--and he, was in his home. He watched as V raised his hands to his face, removing his mask and wig, then smiled at him.
" It is a pleasure to meet you Inspector-- " V paused, looking at Evey, then back to him, " under better circumstances, this time. " He held out a gloved hand.
Finch rose slowly from the couch, wiping his hand on his trousers before taking V's offered one--what was it he had said earlier to Dominic at the station. " I...I..
my god, man, you're alive! After ten years of everyone thinking you were dead--you're alive..."
" Quite so." V motioned for him to take his seat. " I am another person now--Samuel King. I own a horse farm in Stratford on Hull. I've lived there for the last ten years."
" Oh..." Finch still stared at the terrorist, Dominic would never believe it.
" Now you see why I need extra men posted at the museum tomorrow night. "
Evey said taking Finch's hand, which was not overlooked by her beau. " V will be escorting me tomorrow night, Eric--I'm sorry."
Finch looked at them. " Why are you sorry? If I was in your position, I'd rather go with a hero than an old cop."
" Eric, please..." Evey began.
" Inspector, I would like to help, though..." V spoke, the low tone of his voice was back.
" You want to help...?" Finch was stunned.
" I know England is still having to contend with rebel cells throughout London. I would like to offer my assistance once again." V answered.
Finch ran a hand through his graying hair. " We could use the help-- no doubt, " he paused, " I just don't know how the government would handle it."
" That is of little concern to me. " V replied, " I know of several Norsefire cells that exist, here, in the city. Ones that even Scotland Yard and the local authorities know nothing about. I have been observing communications between the sects over the last several years--running illegal weapons, drugs and money laundering are only a few of their activities. They are continually growing in strength, and must be dealt with now, before they gain more power."
Finch looked over at Evey, her hands lying in her lap. " What about you?"
" Eric, if the new government is to become a solid fixture in the country, we must remove Norsefire completely. " She smiled over at V, " I will do anything he asks of me."
Sighing a deep breath, Finch looked at the two people he sat facing. " I never thought I'd be saying this, especially to you two, " He paused briefly, " but, what can I do to help?"
" Just have the extra men there tomorrow night." Evey answered.
" I will give the public a surprise they shant forget." V grinned at Evey, then glanced over at Eric. " I shall meet with you at your headquarters in the morning, Inspector with all the information I have gathered. Norsefire will soon breathe it's last breath--, " V stopped, taking Evey's hand, " that I can assure you."
--
The Port of Tilbury, had once been London's gateway to the South-East. Located on the Thames, it had been a major geographical advantage point for transport to and out of London and the South-East. Deserted for a some time now, the only warehouses still in use were owned by a few desperate companies hoping to get their revenue up by renting them out to shipping magnets needing to find a place to store their wares--sometimes illegally obtained on the black market. The largest one, known only as Warehouse A-1A, was now the home for a band of Norsefire rebels that met there once a week.
The two men stepped from the back of the black van, joining several others standing around, and headed toward the doorway, their guns drawn. The leader
of this faction would be attending tonight's meeting--something he did not do often,. Most of the others were already inside--arriving earlier in the night, to avoid detection by the Metropolitan Police. Finch and his bunch were beginning to sniff too close to home, so they changed meeting spots every couple of weeks to keep them off the trail. A large dark-colored car arrived within 10 minutes, and a large burley man exited, nodding his head to the gunmen surrounding the building. Pulling the door open, he stepped inside.
--
" Well, that went well." Evey smiled as she looked over at V.
" I don't think I have ever seen Chief Inspector Finch, at a loss for words moment before." V couldn't help but laugh softly as he followed Evey into the kitchen..
Evey grinned in agreement. " He took it a lot better than I thought he would."
" I told you Uncle Eric wouldn't be mad." Victoria stated as she took a seat at the table. " Dad, " She looked over at V, disappointment showing in her eyes. " I guess this means that we won't be going to the farm anytime soon, huh?"
V looked at his daughter. " I always keep my word. It may be a couple days or so, but we will go. " He paused, grinning at her, " I have the perfect horse for you to ride when we get to Ravensclaw. Her name is Vigilante, I 've had her since she was a baby. I helped her mother deliver her. She is pure black with a white blaze down her face, and she would be perfect for you."
Victoria became very excited. " I can have a horse? My very own horse!?"
" As long as you take care of her and love her, yes, she is yours. "
" Mum, I have a horse, isn't Dad wonderful?!" she exclaimed. " I've got to call ring Cindy and tell her!" Both watched as she disappeared down the hallway.
" A horse?" Evey questioned.
" She will be fine, my love. Vigilante is the gentlest horse on the farm." V reassured Evey as his hand gently ran up the length of her exposed arm.
Evey shook her head as she grinned at V. " You know, I must go shopping tomorrow for a gown--I haven't a thing to wear tomorrow night."
V stood, his hands crossed in front of him. It was wonderful to see the man instead of the idea. " Would you come with me, please?" He asked, extending his hand toward her.
" Where are we going?" Evey asked , gently taking his hand in hers.
" Back down to the second gallery. I have a gift for you."
" V, the last gift you gave me..." Evey began.
" I know, but this time my darling, I can assure you that this one will be to your liking." V interrupted as he pulled her to him. He stood for a moment, looking at the way she was studying him. " Evey, is there something wrong?"
" No, no..." she wiped a single tear from her eye, " I just can't believe you're here...here with us-- in the Shadow Gallery."
V tilted his head toward her as he had done years ago--but this time, Guy Fawkes was no where in sight. " I do love you so..." He kissed her softly, his hand reaching beneath her hair, caressing her neck gently.
Evey let out a deep breath, not realizing she had been holding it. " I think we better go get your gift, or we may never make it below." She looked into his eyes.
" As you wish." He took her hand in his, and headed for the door leading to the spiral staircase.
The low voices from the men assembled echoed throughout the warehouse, and a man raised his hands in an effort to quiet them before the leader walked joined them. Creedy shook hands as he made his way to where a makeshift table had been set up.
" Everyone here?" He asked looking around.
" Yeah, " A tall thin man who went by the name of Bones replied. " Now, you want to bloody well tell us what this is all about?"
" First of all, our safety has been compromised." He began sitting down. " Finch's watchdog unit has been sniffing around to close to us, with the help of that bitch Evey Hammond."
" Take her out!" came a suggestion from the other end of the table.
" At one time, that would have been an easy thing to do." Creedy retorted. " Things have changed."
" What'd ya mean, things have chang'd?" One of the older men asked .
" Codename V is very much alive and well. " Creedy smirked at his friends.
" What the bloody hell do you mean, he's alive?" Another voice exclaimed angrily, " I thought we got rid of him when Sutler and his bunch went up in flames."
" Undoubtedly, we didn't--he paid a visit to Prothero--scared the poor bastard so bad, he almost shit himself." Creedy laughed remembering Prothero's face. " And now, it seems he wants to obliterate us also."
" What'a we do?" Another voice from the end asked.
" I have a plan." Creedy began, " One that involves tomorrow night's museum exhibit opening. Finch has assigned extra men to work the gala--men that are true to our cause--fellow Norsefire members--I plan on taking out dezr Miss Hammond tomorrow night at that opening." Creedy answered, then added, " And possibly V also."