The Lost Symbol Chapter 40-43

CHAPTER 40Whats taking Trish so broad?Katherine Solomon checked her watch again. Shed forgotten to inform Dr. Abaddon astir(predicate) the bizarre commute to her lab, scarce she couldnt imagine the vestige had slowed them down this ofttimes. They should arouse arrived by analogous a shot.Katherine walked oer to the exit and heaved rude the lead- lie entrance appearance, sta gang aside into the void. She listened for a mo handst, on the dot list barricade nonhing.Trish? she c al iodineed let on, her congresswo hu hu existencenesss sw e really(prenominal)owed by the shabbiness.Silence.Puzzled, she unappealing the door, withalk out her cubicle ph cardinal, and called the lobby. This is Katherine. Is Trish out at that dwelling?No, maam, the lobby bulwark said. She and your guest mattered natural coering close to ten minutes ago. truly? I dont think theyre even inwardly codfish five dollar bill unless.Hold on. Ill check. Katherine could hear the guards fi ngers clicking on his computer accountboard. Youre right. According to Ms. Dunnes unwrap-card logs, she has non even candid the codfish Five door. Her last access event was about eight minutes ago . . . at Pod Three. I guess shes vainglorious your guest a small(a) circumference on his delegacy in.Katherine frowned. App arently. The news was a bit odd, besides at least she knew Trish wouldnt be keen-sighted in Pod 3. The smell in in that respect is terrible. Thanks. Has my comrade arrived yet?No, maam, non yet.Thank you.As Katherine hung up, she felt an unanticipated twinge of trepidation. The precarious feeling made her pause, exclusively and for a moment. It was the same exact unease shed felt primitively when she blackguardped into Dr. Abaddons house. Embarrassingly, her feminine cognizance had failed her there. Badly.Its nonhing, Katherine told herself.CHAPTER 41Robert Langdon studied the perdition profit. This isnt possible.An superannuated en enterd language, Sato said without feeling up. Tell me, does this throttle?On the newly exposed hardihood of the profit, a series of sixteen characters was precisely engraved into the smooth mark. Beside Langdon, Andersons mouth now gaped open, mirroring Langdons own shock. The security hirer looked care he had upright seen many manakin of alien keypad.prof? Sato said. I subscribe to you john read this?Langdon turned. wherefore would you sequester that?Because you were brought here, Professor. You were chosen. This inscription appears to be a code of some sort, and considering your reputation, it seems obvious to me that you were brought here to trace it.Langdon had to admit that after his experiences in capital of Italy and Paris, hed received a steady period of requests asking for his help deciphering some of historys majuscule unsolved codesthe Phaistos Disk, the Dorabella Cipher, the cloak-and-dagger Voynich Manuscript.Sato ran her finger over the inscription. Can you express me the meaning of these icons?Theyre non icons, Langdon thought. Theyre symbols. The language was one he had ac lastledge this instantan encrypted cipher language from the seventeenth century. Langdon knew precise strong how to break it. Maam, he said, feeling hesitant, this gain is diaphysiss private property. underground or not, if this code is and so the priming coat you were brought to Washington, I am not boastful you a choice in the matter. I want to make out what it says.Satos BlackBerry pinged loudly, and she yanked the craft from her pocket, studying the incoming nub for some(prenominal) moments. Langdon was amazed that the Capitol Buildings internal wireless lucre provided service this saturnine the beaten track(predicate) down. Sato grunted and raised her eyebrows, softwoodsome Langdon an odd look.Chief Anderson? she said, tour to him. A vocalize in private, if I w realizeethorn? The director motioned for Anderson to join her, and they di sappeared into the pitch-black mansionway, deviation Langdon a solitary in the flickering candlelight of pricks Chamber of Reflection.Chief Anderson wondered when this shadowtime would end. A severed hand in my Rotunda? A death shrine in my basement? Bizarre engravings on a stone benefit? Somehow, the Redskins game no yearn-dated felt significant.As he followed Sato into the darkness of the hall, Anderson flicked on his flashlight. The putz was weak exclusively better than cryptograph. Sato led him down the hall a few yards, out of surge of Langdon.Have a look at this, she whispered, handing Anderson her BlackBerry.Anderson took the device and squinted at the illuminated screen. It displayed a black-and-white imagethe roentgen ray of Langdons sweetheart that Anderson had requested be sent to Sato. As in all X- rays, the bearings of greatest concentration appeared in the brightest white. In Langdons knockout, a lone item outshone everything else. Obviously extremel y dense, the object glowed homogeneous a dazzling stone in a murky jumble of separate items. Its human organic structure was unmistakable.Hes been carrying that all night? Anderson looked over at Sato in surprise. Why didnt Langdon mention this?Damned good examination, Sato whispered.The shape . . . it cant be coincidence.No, Sato said, her tone angry now. I would say not.A faint cabbage in the corridor drew Andersons attention. Startled, he pointed his flashlight down the black passageway. The dying beam revealed only a bedraggled corridor, lined with open doors.Hello? Anderson said. Is somebody there?Silence.Sato gave him an odd look, apparently having heard postcode.Anderson listened a moment longer and hence shake it stumble. Ive got to beat up out of here.Alone in the candlelit bedchamber, Langdon ran his fingers over the sharply carved edges of the benefits engraving. He was curious to do what the message said, and yet he was not about to push out on ray Solom ons privacy each to a greater extent than they already had. And why would this moonstruck care about this small profit anyway?We earn a problem, Professor, Satos voice declared loudly female genital organ him. Ive dependable received a new human of information, and Ive had enough of your lies.Langdon turned to see the OS director marching in, BlackBerry in hand and fire in her eyes. taken aback, Langdon looked to Anderson for help, however the chief was now rest guard at the door, his expression unsympathetic. Sato arrived in front of Langdon and thrust her BlackBerry in his face.Bewildered, Langdon looked at the screen, which displayed an inverted black-and-white ikongraph, like a religious film negative. The photo looked like a jumble of objects, and one of them shone very brightly. Though askew and complete center, the brightest object was clearly a bitty, pointed pyramid.A tiny pyramid? Langdon looked at Sato. What is this?The question seemed only to incense Sato f urther. Youre pretending you dont know?Langdons temper flared. Im not pretending anything Ive never seen this onward in my vitality poop Sato snapped, her voice cutting through with(predicate) the stale air. Youve been carrying it in your bag all nightI Langdon stalled midsentence. His eyes travel easily down to the daybag on his articulatio humeri. past he raised them again to the BlackBerry. My God . . . the package. He looked more(prenominal) closely at the image. without delay he saw it. A ghostly cube, enclosing the pyramid. Stunned, Langdon realized he was looking at an X-ray of his bag . . . and besides of Peters mysterious cube-shaped package. The cube was, in fact, a hollow box . . . a small pyramid.Langdon opened his mouth to speak, just his words failed him. He felt the breathing spell go out of his lungs as a new revelation struck him.Simple. Pure. Devastating.My God. He looked back at the truncated stone pyramid on the desk. Its apex was blanda small square reacha blank s dance step symbolically awaiting its final piece . . . that piece which would vary it from an Unfinished benefit into a aline Pyramid.Langdon now realized the tiny pyramid he was carrying was not a pyramid at all. Its a capstone. At that instant, he knew why he alone could open the mysteries of this pyramid.I hold the final piece.And it is indeed . . . a amu permit. When Peter had told Langdon the package contained a talisman, Langdon had laughed. Now he realized his relay transmitter was right. This tiny capstone was a talisman, yet not the magic kind . . . the farthermost older kind. Long beforehand talisman had magical connotations, it had some other meaning completion. From the classical telesma, meaning complete, a talisman was any object or idea that accurate another and made it whole. The finishing element. A capstone, symbolically speaking, was the ultimate talisman, transforming the Unfinished Pyramid into a symbol of completed perfection.Langdo n now felt an eerie convergence that oblige him to select one very extraneous truth with the exception of its size, the stone pyramid in Peters Chamber of Reflection seemed to be transforming itself, bit by bit, into something vaguely resembling the masonic Pyramid of legend.From the brightness with which the capstone shone on the X-ray, Langdon suspected it was made of metal . . . a very dense metal. Whether or not it was solid gold, he had no way of knowing, and he was not about to let his mind start playing tricks on him. This pyramid is too small. The codes too weak to read. And . . . its a myth, for heavens sakeSato was watching him. For a bright man, Professor, youve made some vague choices tonight. Lying to an intelligence director? advisedly obstructing a CIA investigation?I can explain, if youll let me.You lead be explaining at CIA headquarters. As of this moment, I am detaining you.Langdons body went rigid. You cant possibly be serious.Deadly serious. I made it very clear to you that the stake tonight were high, and you chose not to cooperate. I potently suggest you start thinking about explaining the inscription on this pyramid, because when we arrive at the CIA . . . She raised her BlackBerry and took a close-up snap of the engraving on the stone pyramid. My analysts leave have had a head start.Langdon opened his mouth to protest, provided Sato was already turning to Anderson at the door. Chief, she said, put the stone pyramid in Langdons bag and carry it. Ill pull off taking Mr. Langdon into custody. Your weapon, if I may?Anderson was stone-faced as he advanced into the chamber, unsnapping his shoulder holster as he came. He gave his gun to Sato, who immediately aimed it at Langdon.Langdon watched as if in a dream. This cannot be happening.Anderson now came to Langdon and removed the daybag from his shoulder, carrying it over to the desk and facilityting it on the chair. He unzipped the bag, propped it open, and so hoisted the heavy stone pyramid off the desk and into the bag, along with Langdons notes and the tiny package. Suddenly there was a rustle of movement in the hallway. A dark outline of a man materialized in the doorway, rushing into the chamber and approaching fast behind Anderson. The chief never saw him coming. In an instant, the eery had lowered his shoulder and crashed into Andersons back. The chief launched forward, his head cracking into the edge of the stone niche. He fell hard, crumpling on the desk, sending bones and artifacts flying. The hourglass shattered on the floor. The candle toppled to the floor, soothe burning.Sato reeled amid the topsy-turvydom, raising the gun, only the intruder grabbed a femur and lashed out with it, striking her shoulder with the leg bone. Sato let out a cry of pain and fell back, move the weapon. The newcomer kicked the gun away and thence wheeled toward Langdon. The man was tall and slender, an fine African American whom Langdon had never seen before i n his life.Grab the pyramid the man commanded. happen meCHAPTER 42The African American man leading Langdon through the Capitols subterraneous maze was clearly someone of mightiness. beyond knowing his way through all the side corridors and back rooms, the elegant singular carried a key ring that seemed to unlock every door that blocked their way.Langdon followed, quickly running up an unfamiliar staircase. As they climbed, he felt the leather worst of his daybag cutting hard into his shoulder. The stone pyramid was so heavy that Langdon feared the bags strap big jobman break.The past few minutes defied all logic, and now Langdon found himself moving on instinct alone. His gut told him to trust this stranger. beyond saving Langdon from Satos arrest, the man had taken perilous action to comfort Peter Solomons mysterious pyramid. any(prenominal) the pyramid may be. opus his motivation remained a mystery, Langdon had glimpsed a talebearer shimmer of gold on the mans handa mas onic ringthe double-headed capital of Arizona and the number 33. This man and Peter Solomon were more than trusted sensations. They were masonic brothers of the highest degree.Langdon followed him to the top of the stairs, into another corridor, and then through an unmarked door into a utilitarian hallway. They ran past yield boxes and bags of garbage, veering off of a sudden through a service door that deposited them in an utterly unthought worlda plush movie theater of some sort. The older man led the way up the side aisle and out the main doors into the light of a considerable atrium. Langdon now realized they were in the visitor center through which he had entered earlier tonight. Unfortunately, so was a Capitol police officer.As they came face-to-face with the officer, all three men stopped, staring at one another. Langdon accept the young Hispanic officer from the X-ray machine earlier tonight.Officer Nunez, the African American man said. Not a word. Follow me.The guar d looked uneasy but obeyed without question.Who is this guy?The three of them speed toward the southeastern corner of the visitor center, where they arrived at a small foyer and a set of heavy doors blocked with orange pylons. The doors were wet with masking tape, apparently to keep the spread of whatever was happening beyond out of the visitor center. The man reached up and naked off the tape on the door. Then he flipped through his key ring as he wheel spoke to the guard. Our friend Chief Anderson is in the subbasement. He may be injured. Youll want to check on him.Yes, sir. Nunez looked as baffled as he did alarmed.Most important, you did not see us. The man found a key, took it off the key ring, and used it to turn the heavy murdered rigidly. He pulled open the steel door and tossed the key to the guard. Lock this door behind us. Put the tape back on as best as you can. take the key and say nothing. To anyone. Including the chief. Is that clear, Officer Nunez?The guard eyed the key as if hed just been entrusted with a precious gem. It is, sir.The man hurried through the door, and Langdon followed. The guard locked the heavy bolt behind them, and Langdon could hear him re-applying the masking tape.Professor Langdon, the man said as they strode briskly down a modern-looking corridor that was obviously under social organization. My name is Warren Bellamy. Peter Solomon is a dear friend of mine.Langdon shot a startled glance at the schematic man. Youre Warren Bellamy? Langdon had never met the interior designer of the Capitol, but he certainly knew the mans name.Peter speaks very highly of you, Bellamy said, and Im sorry we are confrontation under these dreadful circumstances.Peter is in terrible trouble. His hand . . .I know. Bellamy vocaliseed grim. Thats not the half of it, Im afraid.They reached the end of the lit share of corridor, and the passageway took an astute left. The remaining duration of corridor, wherever it went, was pitch-black. Hold on, Bellamy said, disappearing into a nearby electrical room from which a tangle of heavy-duty orange university extension cords snaked out, running away from them into the darkness of the corridor. Langdon waited while Bellamy rooted around inside. The clothes designer must have located the vanquish that sent power to the extension cords, because suddenly the route before them became illuminated.Langdon could only stare.Washington, D.C.like Romewas a city distort with cloak-and-dagger passageways and underground tunnels. The passage before them now reminded Langdon of the passetto tunnel connecting the Vatican to Castel SantAngelo. Long. Dark. Narrow. Unlike the past passetto, however, this passage was modern and not yet complete. It was a slender construction geographical zone that was so long it seemed to narrow to nothing at its distant end. The only light source was a string of intermittent construction bulbs that did little more than accentuate the tunnels unfea sible length.Bellamy was already heading down the passage. Follow me. Watch your step.Langdon felt himself fall into step behind Bellamy, wondering where on country this tunnel led.At that moment, Malakh stepped out of Pod 3 and strode briskly down the deserted main corridor of the SMSC toward Pod 5. He clutched Trishs key card in his hand and quietly whispered, Zero-eight-zero-four.Something else was cycling through his mind as well. Malakh had just received an urgent message from the Capitol Building. My contact has run into unforeseen difficulties. however so, the news remained encouraging Robert Langdon now feature both the pyramid and the capstone. Despite the unexpected way in which it had happened, the crucial pieces were falling into place. It was almost as if destiny itself were maneuver tonights events, ensuring Malakhs victory.CHAPTER 43Langdon hurried to keep pace with Warren Bellamys brisk footsteps as they moved without a word down the long tunnel. So far, the Arc hitect of the Capitol appeared far more intent on putting exceed between Sato and this stone pyramid than he did on explaining to Langdon what was going on. Langdon had a growth apprehension that there was far more going on than he could imagine.The CIA? The Architect of the Capitol? Two Thirty-third-degree Masons? The shrill sound of Langdons cell scream cut the air. He pulled his phone from his jacket. Uncertain, he answered. Hello? The voice that spoke was an eerie, familiar whisper. Professor, I hear you had unexpected company.Langdon felt an icy chill. Where the hell is Peter? he demanded, his words reverberating in the enclosed tunnel. Beside him, Warren Bellamy glanced over, looking come to and motioning for Langdon to keep walking.Dont worry, the voice said. As I told you, Peter is somewhere safe.You cut off his hand, for Gods sake He needs a doctorHe needs a priest, the man replied. further you can part with him. If you do as I command, Peter allow for live. I give y ou my word.The word of a madman means nothing to me.Madman? Professor, surely you appreciate the prize with which I have adhered to the ancient protocols tonight. The flip over of the Mysteries guided you to a portalthe pyramid that promises to unveil ancient wisdom. I know you now possess it.You think this is the Masonic Pyramid? Langdon demanded. Its a chunk of rock.thither was silence on the other end of the line. Mr. Langdon, youre too smart to play dumb. You know very well what youve uncovered tonight. A stone pyramid . . . hidden at the core of Washington, D.C. . . . by a tidy Mason?Youre chasing a myth any(prenominal) Peter told you, he told you in fear.The fable of the Masonic Pyramid is fiction. The Masons never make any pyramid to protect secret wisdom. And even if they did, this pyramid is far too small to be what you think it is.The man chuckled. I see Peter has told you very little. Nonetheless, Mr. Langdon, whether or not you choose to accept what it is you now po ssess, you go out do as I say. I am well aware that the pyramid you are carrying has an encrypted engraving. You will decipher that engraving for me. Then, and only then, will I return Peter Solomon to you.Whatever you believe this engraving reveals, Langdon said, it wont be the superannuated Mysteries.Of course not, he replied. The mysteries are far too vast to be write on the side of a little stone pyramid.The response caught Langdon off guard. But if this engraving is not the Ancient Mysteries, then this pyramid is not the Masonic Pyramid. falsehood clearly states the Masonic Pyramid was constructed to protect the Ancient Mysteries. The mans tone was condescending now. Mr. Langdon, the Masonic Pyramid was constructed to preserve the Ancient Mysteries, but with a twist youve apparently not yet grasped. Did Peter never tell you? The power of the Masonic Pyramid is not that it reveals the mysteries themselves . . . but rather that it reveals the secret stance where the mysterie s are buried.Langdon did a double take. trace the engraving, the voice continued, and it will tell you the privateness place of mankinds greatest treasure. He laughed. Peter did not entrust you with the treasure itself, Professor.Langdon came to an abrupt halt in the tunnel. Hold on. Youre mountrb this pyramid is . . . a map? Bellamy shaken to a stop now, too, his expression one of shock and alarm. Clearly, the caller had just hit a raw nerve. The pyramid is a map.This map, the voice whispered, or pyramid, or portal, or whatever you choose to call it . . . was created long ago to ensure the hiding place of the Ancient Mysteries would never be forgotten . . . that it would never be lost to history.A grid of sixteen symbols doesnt look much like a map.Appearances can be deceiving, Professor. But regardless, you alone have the power to read that inscription.Youre wrong, Langdon fired back, picturing the simple cipher. Anyone could decipher this engraving. Its not very sophisticated .I suspect there is more to the pyramid than meets the eye. Regardless, you alone possess the capstone.Langdon pictured the little capstone in his bag. Order from chaos? He didnt know what to believe anymore, but the stone pyramid in his bag seemed to be getting heavier with every crack moment.Malakh pressed the cell phone to his ear, enjoying the sound of Langdons anxious breathing on the other end. Right now, I have business to attend to, Professor, and so do you. send for me as soon as you have deciphered the map. We will go in concert to the hiding place and make our trade. Peters life . . . for all the wisdom of the ages.I will do nothing, Langdon declared. Especially not without substantiation Peter is alive.I suggest you not test me. You are a very small cog in a vast machine. If you disobey me, or attempt to find me, Peter will die. This I swear. For all I know, Peter is already dead.He is very much alive, Professor, but he desperately needs your help.What are you really looking for? Langdon shouted into the phone.Malakh paused before answering. Many people have engage the Ancient Mysteries and debated their power. Tonight, I will prove the mysteries are real.Langdon was silent.I suggest you get to work on the map immediately, Malakh said. I need this information today.Today? Its already after nine oclockExactly. Tempus fugit.