The Da Vinci Code Chapter 63-67

CHAPTER 63 deputy sheriff collet chuck stood alone at the foot of Leigh Teabings driveway and gazed up at the large house. Isolated.Dark.Good ground c everyplace. collet watched his half-dozen operators spreading silently bounce apart along the length of the fence. They could be over it and withstand the house surrounded in a matter of minutes. Langdon could not overhear chosen a to a greater extent ideal spot for Collets men to describe a surprise assault.Collet was ab break with to c either Fache himself when at last his environ rang.Fache sounded not tightfittingly as buoyant with the developments as Collet would have imagined. why didnt someone classify me we had a lead on Langdon?You were on a phone call and Where merely atomic number 18 you, Lieutenant Collet?Collet gave him the address. The estate belongs to a British national named Teabing. Langdon drove a fair distance to score here, and the fomite is in location the security gate, with no signs of constrai ned entry, so chances atomic number 18 good that Langdon k in a flashs the occupant.Im coming let on, Fache said. Dont make a move. Ill flip overle this personally.Collets jaw dropped. But Captain, youre twenty minutes international We should act immediately. I have him s necessitated show up. Im with eight men total. Four of us have field of force rifles and the opposites have side builds. Wait for me. Captain, what if Langdon has a hostage in there? What if he sees us and decides to leave on foot? We select to move straight My men are in position and ready to go.Lieutenant Collet, you will wait for me to arrive in the beginning taking action. That is an order. Fache hung up.Stunned, Lieutenant Collet switched off his phone. why the infernal region is Fache asking me to wait? Collet knew the answer. Fache, though famous for his instinct, was notorious for his pride. Fache wants c carmineit for the arrest.After putting the Americans face all over the television, Fache wa nted to be sure his own face got equal condemnation. Collets job was simply to adopt down the fort until the boss showed up to save the day.As he stood there, Collet flashed on a second possible explanation for this delay. Damage control. In law enforcement, hesitating to arrest a runaway only occurred when un indisputablety had arisen regarding the suspects guilt. Is Fache having second thoughts that Langdon is the rectify military personnel? The thought was f obligation-hand(a)ening. Captain Fache had gone out on a limb towickedness to arrest Robert Langdon surveillance cachee, Interpol, and now television. Not even the great Bezu Fache would live on the political fallout if he had mistakenly splashed a prominent Americans face all over French television, claiming he was a murderer. If Fache now realized hed made a mistake, then it made immaculate sense that he would tell Collet not to make a move. The last thing Fache call for was for Collet to storm an innocent Brits pr ivate estate and take Langdon at gunpoint.Moreover, Collet realized, if Langdon were innocent, it explained one of this cases strangest paradoxes wherefore had Sophie Neveu, the granddaughter of the victim, helped the alleged killer escape? Unless Sophie knew Langdon was falsely charged. Fache had posited all softs of explanations tonight to explain Sophies odd behavior, including that Sophie, as Saunieres res tear heir, had persuaded her secret lover Robert Langdon to kill off Sauniere for the inheritance money. Sauniere, if he had suspected this, might have left field the legal philosophy the message P. S.Find RobertLangdon.Collet was fairly certain something else was going on here. Sophie Neveu seemed far too so lid of caseful to be mixed up in something that sordid.Lieutenant? One of the field agents came running over. We undercoat a car.Collet followed the agent about(predicate) fifty yards past the driveway. The agent pointed to a wide shoulder on the opposite side of th e road. There, parked in the brush, almost out of sight, was a black Audi. It had rental plates. Collet matte up the hood. Still warm. Hot even.That must be how Langdon got here, Collet said. Call the rental company. Find out if its stolen.Yes, sir.Another agent waved Collet arseside over in the direction of the fence. Lieutenant, have a tint at this. He handed Collet a pair of night vision binoculars. The grove of trees near the top of the driveway.Collet aimed the binoculars up the hill and adjusted the image intensifier dials. Slowly, the greenish shapes came into focus. He located the curve of the driveway and slowly followed it up, reaching the grove of trees. entirely he could do was stare. There, shrouded in the greenery, was an panoplied truck. A truck identical to the one Collet had permitted to leave the Depository Bank of Zurich early tonight. He prayed this was some kind of bizarre coincidence, only he knew it could not be.It seems obvious, the agent said, that t his truck is how Langdon and Neveu got away from the bank.Collet was speechless. He thought of the armored truck device driver he had stopped at the roadblock. The Rolex. His offense to leave. I never checked the cargo h overaged.Incredulous, Collet realized that someone in the bank had in truth lied to DCPJ about Langdon and Sophies whereabouts and then helped them escape. But who? And why? Collet wondered if maybe this were the reason Fache had told him not to take action yet. Maybe Fache realized there were more people gnarly tonight than just Langdon and Sophie. And if Langdon and Neveu arrived inthe armored truck, then who drove the Audi?Hundreds of miles to the south, a chartered Beechcraft Baron 58 raced northward over the Tyrrhenian Sea. disrespect alleviate skies, Bishop Aringarosa clutched an airsickness bag, certain he could be ill at any signification. His conversition with Paris had not at all been what he had imagined.Alone in the minor(ip) cabin, Aringarosa twis ted the gold ring on his finger and tried to ease his overwhelming sense of fear and desperation. Everything in Paris has gone horribly wrong.Closing his eyes, Aringarosa said a prayer that Bezu Fache would have the lowlys to fix it.CHAPTER 64Teabing sat on the divan, cradling the wooden box on his lap and admiring the lids intricate embellish go up. Tonight has become the strangest and most magical night of my life.Lift the lid, Sophie whispered, rest over him, beside Langdon.Teabing smiled. Do not rush me.Having spent over a decennium inquiring for this headstonestone, he wanted to savor every millisecond of this moment. He ran a palm crossways the wooden lid, feeling the texture of the inlaid flower.The Rose, he whispered. The Rose is Magdalene is the blessed grail.The Rose is the compass that guides the way.Teabing felt foolish. For years he had traveled to cathedrals and churches all over France, paying for special access, examining hundreds of archways beneath rose wi ndows, searching for an encrypted keystone. La clef de voute a stone key beneath the sign of the Rose.Teabing slowly unlatched the lid and raise it.As his eyes finally gazed upon the contents, he knew in an instant it could only be the keystone. He was gross(a) at a stone cylinder, crafted of interconnecting lettered dials. The device seemed surprisingly familiar to him.Designed from Da Vincis diaries, Sophie said. My grandfather made them as a hobby.Of course, Teabing realized. He had seen the sketches and blueprints. The key to fall outing the Holy grail lies inside this stone.Teabing lifted the heavy cryptex from the box, holding it gently. Although he had no idea how to open the cylinder, he sensed his own set lay inside. In moments of failure, Teabing had brained whether his lifes quest would ever be rewarded. nowadays those doubts were gone forever. He could hear the superannuated words the foundation of the Grail legendVous ne trouvez pas le Saint-Graal, cest le Sain t-Graal qui vous trouve. You do not find the Grail, the Grail finds you. And tonight, incredibly, the key to finding the Holy Grail had walked right with his present door.While Sophie and Teabing sat with the cryptex and talked about the vinegar, the dials, and what the password might be, Langdon carried the rosewood box across the path to a well-lit table to get a better look at it. Something Teabing had just said was now running through Langdons mind.The key to the Grail is hidden beneath the sign of the Rose.Langdon held the wooden box up to the clarification and examined the inlaid attri alonee of the Rose. Although his familiarity with art did not include woodworking or inlaid furniture, he had just recalled the famous tile ceiling of the Spanish monastery outside of Madrid, where, three centuries after its construction, the ceiling tiles began to fall out, revealing sacred texts sc crankled by monks on the plaster beneath.Langdon looked over again at the Rose.Beneath the Rose. Sub Rosa. Secret.A bump in the mansion down him made Langdon reach. He saw nothing further shadows. Teabings manservant most likely had passed through. Langdon turned back to the box. He ran his finger over the smooth edge of the beautify, wondering if he could pry the Rose out, but the craftsmanship was perfect. He doubted even a razor blade could fit in between the inlaid Rose and the carefully carved depression into which it was seated.Opening the box, he examined the inside of the lid. It was smooth. As he shifted its position, though, the light caught what appeared to be a small hole on the underside of the lid, positioned in the exact center. Langdon closed the lid and examined the inlaid symbol from the top. No hole.It doesnt pass through.Setting the box on the table, he looked around the room and spied a stack of papers with a paper clip on it. Borrowing the clip, he returned to the box, opened it, and studied the hole again. Carefully, he unbent the paper clip and inserted one end into the hole. He gave a gentle push. It took almost no effort. He hear something clatter quietly onto the table. Langdon closed the lid to look. It was a small piece of wood, like a puzzle piece. The wooden Rose had popped out of the lid and fall onto the desk.Speechless, Langdon stared at the bare spot on the lid where the Rose had been. There, engraved in the wood, written in an immaculate hand, were quatern lines of text in a terminology he had never seen.The characters look mistily Semitic, Langdon thought to himself, and yet I dont recognize the languageA fulminant movement behind him caught his attention. verboten of nowhere, a crushing blow to the head knocked Langdon to his knees.As he flee, he thought for a moment he saw a pale ghost hovering over him, clutching a gun. Then everything went black.CHAPTER 65Sophie Neveu, notwithstanding working in law enforcement, had never found herself at gunpoint until tonight. Almost inconceivably, the gun into which she was now staring was clutched in the pale hand of an enormous albino with long white hair. He looked at her with red eyes that radiated a frightening, disembodied quality. Dressed in a wool robe with a capture tie, he resembled a medieval cleric. Sophie could not imagine who he was, and yet she was feeling a sudden newfound respect for Teabings suspicions that the Church was behind this.You know what I have come for, the monk said, his vowel system hollow.Sophie and Teabing were seated on the divan, arms raised as their attacker had commanded. Langdon lay groaning on the floor. The monks eyes barbaric immediately to the keystone on Teabings lap.Teabings tone was defiant. You will not be able to open it.My instructor is very wise, the monk replied, inching closer, the gun shifting between Teabing and Sophie.Sophie wondered where Teabings manservant was. Didnt he hear Robert fall?Who is your teacher? Teabing asked. mayhap we can make a financial arrangement. The Grail i s priceless. He go closer. Youre bleeding, Teabing noted calmly, nodding to the monks right ankle where a trickle of blood had run down his leg. And youre limping.As do you, the monk replied, motioning to the metallic element crutches propped beside Teabing. Now, hand me the keystone.You know of the keystone? Teabing said, sounding surprised. Never mind what I know. Stand up slowly, and give it to me. Standing is difficult for me. Precisely. I would prefer nobody attempt any mobile moves.Teabing slipped his right hand through one of his crutches and grasped the keystone in his left. Lurching to his feet, he stood erect, palming the heavy cylinder in his left hand, and tilt unsteadily on his crutch with his right.The monk closed to within a few feet, keeping the gun aimed straightway at Teabings head. Sophie watched, feeling helpless as the monk reached out to take the cylinder.You will not succeed, Teabing said. however the worthy can open this stone.God alone judges the worth y, Silas thought.Its quite heavy, the man on crutches said, his arm wavering now. If you dont take it soon, Im afraid I shall drop it He swayed perilously.Silas stepped quickly forward to take the stone, and as he did, the man on crutches lost his balance. The crutch slid out from under him, and he began to topple sideways to his right. No Silas lunged to save the stone, lowering his weapon in the process. But the keystone was base away from him now. As the man fell to his right, his left hand swung backward, and the cylinder tumbled from his palm onto the couch. At the same instant, the metal crutch that had been sliding out from under the man seemed to accelerate, cutting a wide arc through the air toward Silass leg.Splinters of incommode tore up Silass body as the crutch made perfect contact with his cilice, crushing the barbs into his already raw flesh. Buckling, Silas crumpled to his knees, causing the belt to cut deeper still. The pistol discharged with a deafening roar, the heater entombment itself harmlessly in the floorboards as Silas fell. Before he could raise the gun and fire again, the womans foot caught him straightforward beneath the jaw.At the bottom of the driveway, Collet comprehend the gunshot. The muffled pop sent panic through his veins. With Fache on the way, Collet had already relinquished any hopes of claiming personal credit for finding Langdon tonight. But Collet would be damned if Faches ego layed him in front of a Ministerial Review mount up for negligent police procedure.A weapon was discharged inside a private home And you waited at the bottom of the driveway?Collet knew the opportunity for a stealth approach had long since passed. He in any case knew if he stood idly by for another second, his entire career would be history by morning. Eyeing the estates exhort gate, he made his decision.Tie on, and pull it down.In the distant recesses of his groggy mind, Robert Langdon had heard the gunshot. Hed also heard a scream of suffer. His own? A jackhammer was boring a hole into the back of his cranium. somewhere nearby, people were talking.Where the devil were you? Teabing was yelling. The manservant hurried in. What happened? Oh my God Who is that? Ill call the police Bloody hell Dont call the police. assume yourself useful and get us something with which to restrain this monster.And some ice Sophie called after him.Langdon drifted out again. More voices. Movement. Now he was seated on the divan. Sophie was holding an ice pack to his head. His skull ached. As Langdons vision finally began to clear, he found himself staring at a body on the floor. Am I hallucinating? The massive body of an albino monk lay bound and gagged with duct tape. His chin was split open, and the robe over his right thigh was soaked with blood. He too appeared to be just now coming to.Langdon turned to Sophie. Who is that? What happened?Teabing hobbled over. You were pull through by a knight brandishing an Excalibur made by Ac me Orthopedic.Huh? Langdon tried to sit up.Sophies touch was move but tender. Just give yourself a minute, Robert.I fear, Teabing said, that Ive just demonstrated for your lady friend the fatal benefit of my condition. It seems everyone underestimates you.From his seat on the divan, Langdon gazed down at the monk and tried to imagine what had happened.He was exhausting a cilice,Teabing explained. A what? Teabing pointed to a bloody break up of splenetic leather that lay on the floor. A Discipline belt. He wore it on his thigh. I took careful aim.Langdon rubbed his head. He knew of Discipline belts. But how did you know?Teabing grinned. Christianity is my field of study, Robert, and there are certain sects who wear their hearts on their sleeves. He pointed his crutch at the blood soaker through the monks cloak. As it were. musical composition Dei, Langdon whispered, recalling recent media coverage of several prominent Boston businessmen who were members of constitution Dei. Ap prehensive coworkers had falsely and publicly accused the men of wearing Discipline belts beneath their three-piece suits. In fact, the three men did no such thing. Like many members of Opus Dei, these businessmen were at the tautological stage and practiced no corporal mortification at all. They were devout Catholics, caring fathers to their children, and deeply commit members of the community. Not surprisingly, the media spotlighted their spiritual commitment only briefly before moving on to the shock nourish of the sects more stringent numerary members members like the monk now lying on the floor before Langdon.Teabing was sounding closely at the bloody belt. But why would Opus Dei be trying to find the Holy Grail?Langdon was too groggy to consider it.Robert, Sophie said, walking to the wooden box. Whats this? She was holding the small Rose inlay he had removed from the lid. It covered an engraving on the box. I say the text might tell us how to open the keystone. Before Sop hie and Teabing could respond, a sea of blue police lights and sirens erupted at thebottom of the hill and began snaking up the half-mile driveway.Teabing frowned. My friends, it seems we have a decision to make. And wed better make it fast.CHAPTER 66Collet and his agents burst through the front door of Sir Leigh Teabings estate with their guns drawn. Fanning out, they began searching all the rooms on the first level. They found a bullet hole in the drawing room floor, signs of a struggle, a small amount of blood, a strange, barbed leather belt, and a partially used roll of duct tape. The entire level seemed deserted.Just as Collet was about to divide his men to search the basement and grounds behind the house, he heard voices on the level to a higher place them.Theyre upstairRushing up the wide staircase, Collet and his men moved room by room through the huge home, securing darkened bedrooms and hallways as they closed in on the sounds of voices. The sound seemed to be coming from the last bedroom on an exceptionally long hallway. The agents inched down the corridor, seal off off alternate exits.As they neared the final bedroom, Collet could see the door was wide open. The voices had stopped abruptly, and had been replaced by an odd rumbling, like an engine.Sidearm raised, Collet gave the signal. Reaching silently around the door frame, he found the light switch and flicked it on. Spinning into the room with men pouring in after him, Collet yelled and aimed his weapon at nothing.An empty guest bedroom. Pristine.The rumbling sounds of an automobile engine poured from a black electronic panel on the wall beside the bed. Collet had seen these elsewhere in the house. Some kind of intercom system. He raced over. The panel had about a dozen labeled buttonsSTUDY KITCHEN LAUNDRY CELLARSo where the hell do I hear a car?MASTER BEDROOM SUN ROOM vitamin B complex LIBRARYBarn Collet was downstairs in seconds, running toward the back door, grabbing one of his agents on the way. The men crossed the rear lawn and arrived breathless at the front of a weathered gray barn. Even before they entered, Collet could hear the fading sounds of a car engine. He drew his weapon, rushed in, and flicked on the lights.The right side of the barn was a rudimentary workshop lawn-mowers, automotive tools, gardening supplies. A familiar intercom panel hung on the wall nearby. One of its buttons was flipped down, transmitting.GUEST BEDROOM II.Collet wheeled, anger brimming. They lured us upstairs with the intercom Searching the other side of the barn, he found a long line of cavalry gos. No horses. Apparently the owner preferred a different kind of horsepower the stalls had been converted into an impressive automotive parking facility. The collection was astonishing a black Ferrari, a pristine Rolls-Royce, an age-old Astin Martin sports coupe, a vintage Porsche 356.The last stall was empty.Collet ran over and saw oil stains on the stall floor. They cant get off th e compound.The driveway and gate were barricaded with two patrol cars to pre discharge this very situation.Sir? The agent pointed down the length of the stalls.The barns rear slider was wide open, giving way to a dark, muddy be given of rugged fields that stretched out into the night behind the barn. Collet ran to the door, trying to see out into the darkness. All he could make out was the faint shadow of a forest in the distance. No headlights. This brambly valley was probably crisscrossed by dozens of unmapped fire roads and hunting cut acrosss, but Collet was confident his quarry would never make the woods. Get some men spread out down there. Theyre probably already stuck somewhere nearby. These fancy sports cars cant handle terrain.Um, sir? The agent pointed to a nearby pegboard on which hung several sets of keys. The labels above the keys bore familiar names.DAIMLER ROLLS-ROYCE ASTIN MARTIN PORSCHEThe last peg was empty.When Collet read the label above the empty peg, he knew he was in trouble.CHAPTER 67The Range Rover was Java Black Pearl, four-wheel drive, standard transmission, with high- strength polypropylene lamps, rear light cluster fittings, and the steering wheel on the right.Langdon was pleased he was not driving.Teabings manservant Remy, on orders from his master, was doing an impressive job of maneuvering the vehicle across the moonlit fields behind Chateau Villette. With no headlights, he had crossed an open knoll and was now descending a long slope, moving farther away from the estate. He seemed to be heading toward a jagged silhouette of wooded land in the distance.Langdon, cradling the keystone, turned in the passenger seat and eyed Teabing and Sophie in the back seat.Hows your head, Robert? Sophie asked, sounding concerned. Langdon forced a pained smile. Better, thanks. It was killing him. Beside her, Teabing glanced over his shoulder at the bound and gagged monk lying in the cramped luggage area behind the back seat. Teabing had the mo nks gun on his lap and looked like an old photo of a British safari chap posing over his kill.So glad you popped in this evening, Robert, Teabing said, grinning as if he were having fun for the first time in years.Sorry to get you involved in this, Leigh.Oh, please, Ive waited my entire life to be involved. Teabing looked past Langdon out the windshield at the shadow of a long hedgerow. He tapped Remy on the shoulder from behind. Remember, no brake lights. Use the emergency brake if you take up it. I want to get into the woods a bit. No reason to risk them seeing us from the house.Remy coasted to a crawl and guided the Range Rover through an opening in the hedge. As the vehicle lurched onto an overgrown pathway, almost immediately the trees overhead blotted out the moonlight.I cant see a thing, Langdon thought, straining to tell any shapes at all in front of them. It was pitch black. Branches rubbed against the left side of the vehicle, and Remy corrected in the other direction. K eeping the wheel more or less straight now, he inched ahead about thirty yards.Youre doing beautifully, Remy, Teabing said. That should be far plenty. Robert, if you could press that little blue button just below the vent there. See it?Langdon found the button and pressed it.A muted yellow glow fanned out across the path in front of them, revealing thick underbrush on either side of the pathway. Fog lights, Langdon realized. They gave off just enough light to keep them on the path, and yet they were deep enough into the woods now that the lights would not give them away.Well, Remy, Teabing chimed happily. The lights are on. Our lives are in your hands. Where are we going? Sophie asked. This trail continues about three kilometers into the forest, Teabing said. Cutting across the estate and then arching north. Provided we dont hit any standing water or fallen trees, we shall emerge unscathed on the shoulder of highway five.Unscathed.Langdons head begged to differ. He turned his eyes down to his own lap, where the keystone was safely stowed in its wooden box. The inlaid Rose on the lid was back in place, and although his head felt muddled, Langdon was eager to remove the inlay again and examine the engraving beneath more closely. He unlatched the lid and began to raise it when Teabing laid a hand on his shoulder from behind.Patience, Robert, Teabing said. Its bumpy and dark. God save us if we break anything. If you didnt recognize the language in the light, you wont do any better in the dark. Lets focus on getting away in one piece, shall we? There will be time for that very soon.Langdon knew Teabing was right. With a nod, he relatched the box.The monk in back was moaning now, attempt against his trusses. Suddenly, he began kicking wildly.Teabing spun around and aimed the pistol over the seat. I cant imagine your complaint, sir. You trespassed in my home and planted a nasty welt on the skull of a dear friend. I would be well within my rights to shoot you right now and leave you to rot in the woods. The monk fell silent. Are you sure we should have brought him? Langdon asked.Bloody well positive Teabing exclaimed. Youre wanted for murder, Robert. This scoundrel is your ticket to freedom. The police apparently want you badly enough to have tailed you to my home.My fault, Sophie said. The armored car probably had a transmitter.Not the point, Teabing said. Im not surprised the police found you, but I am surprised that this Opus Dei character found you. From all youve told me, I cant imagine how this man could have tailed you to my home unless he had a contact either within the Judicial Police or within the Zurich Depository.Langdon considered it. Bezu Fache certainly seemed designing on finding a scapegoat for tonights murders. And Vernet had turned on them rather suddenly, although considering Langdon was being charged with four murders, the bankers change of heart seemed understandable.This monk is not working alone, Robert, Teabing said, and until you learn who is behind all this, you both are in danger. The good news, my friend, is that you are now in the position of power. This monster behind me holds that information, and whoever is pulling his set up has got to be quite nervous right now.Remy was picking up speed, getting comfortable with the trail. They splashed through some water, climbed a small rise, and began descending again.Robert, could you be so kind as to hand me that phone? Teabing pointed to the car phone on the dash. Langdon handed it back, and Teabing dialed a number. He waited for a very long time before someone answered. Richard? Did I wake you? Of course, I did. Silly question. Im sorry. I have a small problem. Im feeling a bit off. Remy and I need to pop up to the Isles for my treatments. Well, right away, actually. Sorry for the little notice. Can you have Elizabeth ready in about twenty minutes? I know, do the shell you can. See you shortly. He hung up.Elizabeth? Langdon said.My plane. She cost me a Queens ransom. Langdon turned full around and looked at him. What? Teabing demanded. You two cant bear to stay in France with the entire Judicial Police after you. London will be a lot safer.Sophie had turned to Teabing as well. You think we should leave the country?My friends, I am far more influential in the civilized world than here in France. Furthermore, the Grail is believed to be in Great Britain. If we unlock the keystone, I am certain we will discover a map that indicates we have moved in the proper direction.Youre running a big risk, Sophie said, by helping us. You wont make any friends with the French police.Teabing gave a wave of disgust. I am finished with France. I moved here to find the keystone. That work is now done. I shant care if I ever again see Chateau Villette.Sophie sounded uncertain. How will we get through aerodrome security?Teabing chuckled. I fly from Le Bourget an executive airfield not far from here. French doctors make me nervous, so ever y fortnight, I fly north to take my treatments in England. I pay for certain special privileges at both ends. Once were airborne, you can make a decision as to whether or not youd like someone from the U. S. Embassy to meet us.Langdon suddenly didnt want anything to do with the embassy. All he could think of was the keystone, the inscription, and whether it would all lead to the Grail. He wondered if Teabing was right about Britain. Admittedly most modern legends placed the Grail somewhere in the United Kingdom. Even King Arthurs mythical, Grail-rich Isle of Avalon was now believed to be none other than Glastonbury, England. Wherever the Grail lay, Langdon never imagined he would actually be looking for it. The Sangreal documents.The true history of delivery boy Christ.The tomb of Mary Magdalene.He suddenly felt as if he were living in some kind of limbo tonight a bubble where the real world could not reach him.Sir? Remy said. Are you rattling thinking of returning to England for good?Remy, you neednt worry, Teabing assured. Just because I am returning to the Queens realm does not mean I intend to subject my palate to bangers and mash for the rest of my days. I expect you will get hitched with me there permanently. Im planning to buy a splendid villa in Devonshire, and well have all your things shipped up immediately. An adventure, Remy. I say, an adventureLangdon had to smile. As Teabing railed on about his plans for a triumphant return to Britain, Langdon felt himself caught up in the mans infectious enthusiasm.Gazing absently out the window, Langdon watched the woods passing by, ghostly pale in the yellow salad days of the fog lights. The side mirror was tipped inward, brushed askew by branches, and Langdon saw the reflection of Sophie school term quietly in the back seat. He watched her for a long while and felt an unexpected upwelling of contentment. Despite his troubles tonight, Langdon was thankful to have landed in such good company.After several minutes, as if suddenly sensing his eyes on her, Sophie leaned forward and put her hands on his shoulders, giving him a quick rub. You okay?Yeah, Langdon said. Somehow.Sophie sat back in her seat, and Langdon saw a quiet smile cross her lips. He realized that he too was now grinning.Wedged in the back of the Range Rover, Silas could barely breathe. His arms were wrenched backward and heavily lashed to his ankles with kitchen twine and duct tape. Every bump in the road sent pain shooting through his twisted shoulders. At least his captors had removed the cilice. Unable to inhale through the strip of tape over his mouth, he could only breathe through his nostrils, which were slowly clogging up callable to the dusty rear cargo area into which he had been crammed. He began coughing.I think hes choking, the French driver said, sounding concerned.The British man who had struck Silas with his crutch now turned and peered over the seat, frowning coldly at Silas. Fortunately for you, we Bri tish judge mans civility not by his forbearance for his friends, but by his compassion for his enemies. The Brit reached down and grabbed the duct tape on Silass mouth. In one fast motion, he tore it off.Silas felt as if his lips had just caught fire, but the air pouring into his lungs was sent from God. Whom do you work for? the British man demanded. I do the work of God, Silas spat back through the pain in his jaw where the woman had kicked him.You belong to Opus Dei, the man said. It was not a question. You know nothing of who I am. Why does Opus Dei want the keystone?Silas had no intention of answering. The keystone was the link to the Holy Grail, and the Holy Grail was the key to protecting the faith.I do the work of God. The Way is in peril.Now, in the Range Rover, struggling against his bonds, Silas feared he had failed the Teacher and the bishop forever. He had no way even to contact them and tell them the terrible turn of events. My captors have the keystone They will reac h the Grail before we do In the stifling darkness, Silas prayed. He let the pain of his body fuel his supplications.A miracle, Lord.I need a miracle.Silas had no way of learned that hours from now, he would get one.Robert? Sophie was still watching him. A funny look just crossed your face.Langdon glanced back at her, realizing his jaw was firmly set and his heart was racing. An incredible notion had just occurred to him. Could it really be that simple an explanation? I need to use your cell phone, Sophie. Now? I think I just figured something out. What? Ill tell you in a minute. I need your phone.Sophie looked wary. I doubt Fache is tracing, but keep it under a minute just in case. She gave him her phone.How do I dial the States?You need to reverse the charges. My service doesnt cover transatlantic.Langdon dialed zero, knowing that the next sixty seconds might answer a question that had been puzzling him all night.