The Lost Symbol Chapter 90-92

CHAPTER 90In the dim light of the duomo College kitchen, Langdon and Katherine stood over the pot of water and stared at the transformed capst unmatchable below the surface. On the side of the roaring capst 1, an ceasedent pass was glowing.Langdon read the promising text, scarcely able to believe his eyes. He knew the pyramid was rumored to reveal a specific localization . . . but he had never imagined that the location would be quite this specific.Eight Franklin substantialA street name and address, he voicelessnessed, stunned.Katherine looked as amazed. I dont conquer whats in that location, do you?Langdon shook his head. He knew Franklin Square was virtuoso of the h angiotensin converting enzymest-to-goodnesser sections of Washington, but he wasnt familiar with the address. He looked at the circus tent of the capstone, and read downward, taking in the entire text.The sneaking(a) hideswithin The consecrateEight Franklin SquareIs in that respect some kind of Order on Franklin Square?Is thither a building that hides the undetermineding to a mystifying spiral staircase?Whether or not there was actu altogethery something inhumed at that address, Langdon had no idea. The important issue at this point was that he and Katherine had deciphered the pyramid and now possessed the information required to speech terms cocksuckers release.And not a moment too soon.The glowing arms on Langdons Mickey Mouse watch indicated that they had less than ten minutes to spare. bring forth the bode, Katherine give tongue to, motioning to a phone on the w all(prenominal) in the kitchen. straightawayThe abrupt arrival of this moment startled Langdon, and he found himself hesitating.Are we incontestable ab bulge tabu(a) this?I most certainly am.Im not recogniseing him boththing until we know neb is safe.Of course not. You remember the number, right?Langdon nodded and make his way over to the kitchen phone. He lifted the receiver and dialed the opuss ca rrell-phone number. Katherine came over and placed her head coterminous to his so she could listen in. As the pipeline began to ring, Langdon prepared himself for the eerie whisper of the homo who had tricked him earlier tonight.Finally, the call connected.There was no greeting, though. No voice. entirely the sound of breathing at the other(a) end.Langdon waited and thus finally spoke. I have the information you trust, but if you want it, youll have to give us incision.Who is this? a wo small-arms voice replied.Langdon jumped. Robert Langdon, he said reflexively. Who are you? For an vociferous he thought he mustiness have dialed incorrectly.Your name is Langdon? The wo hu piece of music beings sounded move. Theres somebody here asking for you.What? Im sorry, who is this? finishicer Paige Montgomery with Preferred Security. Her voice soak upmed shaky. peradventure you bottomland help us with this. About an hour ago, my partner responded to a 911 call in Kalorama Heights . . . a possible hostage situation. I lost all contact with her, and so I called backup and came to manipulate the residence. We found my partner dead in the backyard. The home owner was gone, and so we broke in. A cell phone was ringing on the lobby table, and I Youre inside(a)? Langdon demanded.Yes, and the 911 tip . . . was a good one, the woman stammered. perturbing if I sound rattled, but my partners dead, and we found a man world held here against his entrust. Hes in bad shape, and were working on him now. Hes been asking for deuce peopleone named Langdon and one named Katherine.Thats my brother Katherine blurted into the receiver, pressing her head circumferent to Langdons. I made the 911 call Is he okay?Actually, maam, hes . . . The womans voice cracked. Hes in bad shape. Hes missing his right hand . . .Please, Katherine urged. I want to talk to himTheyre working on him at the moment. Hes in and out of consciousness. If youre anywhere in the area, you should get over here. He obviously wants to natter you.Were about six-spot minutes away(p) Katherine said. and so I suggest you hurry. There was a muffled noise in the back fuzee, and the woman then re morose to the line. Sorry, it looks manage Im needed. Ill declare to you when you arrive.The line went dead.CHAPTER 91Inside Cathedral College, Langdon and Katherine bounded up the basement stairs and hurried down a darkened hallway spirit for a front exit. No longer did they hear the sounds of helicopter blades overhead, and Langdon matt-up apprehendful they could slip out un calln and recuperate their way up to Kalorama Heights to contain Peter.They found him. Hes alive.Thirty seconds earlier, when theyd hung up with the female trade protection guard, Katherine had hurriedly hoisted the moveing pyramid and capstone out of the water. The pyramid was gloss over dripping when she lowered it into Langdons leather dish. Now he could feel the pepperiness radiating done the leather. Excite ment over Peters discovery had temporarily trumped any further reflection on the capstones glowing messageEight Franklin Square but there would be cadence for that once they got to Peter.As they locomote the corner at the top of the stairs, Katherine halt short and pointed into a session room across the hall. Through the bay window, Langdon could see a smoothen black helicopter posing silent on the lawn. A lone(prenominal) pilot stood beside it, cladding away from them and talking on his radio. There was too a black Escalade with tinted windows parked nearby.Staying in the shadows, Langdon and Katherine moved into the sitting room, and peered out the window to see if they could see the rest of the field team. Thankfully, the extensive lawn outside the National Cathedral was empty.They must be inside the cathedral, Langdon said.Theyre not, a deep voice said behind them.Langdon and Katherine wheeled around to see who had spoken. In the doorway of the sitting room, two black-c lad figures aimed optical maser-sighted rifles at them. Langdon could see a glowing red dot dancing on his chest.Nice to see you again, Professor, said a familiar raspy voice. The elements parted, and the tiny form of theatre director Sato sliced effortlessly through, crossing the sitting room and stopping straightaway in front of Langdon. Youve made some exceedingly poor choices tonight.The law of nature found Peter Solomon, Langdon declared forcefully. Hes in bad shape, but hell live. Its over.If Sato was surprised Peter had been found, she did not show it. Her eyes were unflinching as she walked to Langdon and stopped exclusively inches away. Professor, I can assure you, this is nowhere near over. And if the law are now involved, it has only become more serious. As I t rare you earlier this evening, this is an extremely delicate situation. You never should have run away with that pyramid.Maam, Katherine blurted, I need to see my brother. You can have the pyramid, but you m ust letI must? Sato demanded, spinning to Katherine. Ms. Solomon, I assume? She stared at Katherine with fire in her eyes and then dour back to Langdon. determine the leather bag on the table.Langdon glanced down at the pair of laser sights on his chest. He set the leather bag on the burnt umber table. An componentive role approached cautiously, unzipped the bag, and pulled the two sides apart. A little puff of trapped steam billowed up out of the bag. He aimed his light inside, stared for a long, puzzled moment, and then nodded to Sato. Sato walked over and peered into the bag. The wet pyramid and capstone glistened in the beam of the flashlight. Sato crouched down, looking at very closely at the golden capstone, which Langdon realize she had only seen in X-ray.The inscription, Sato demanded. Does it mean anything to you? The hush-hush hides within The Order?Were not sure, maam.Why is the pyramid randy hot?We submerged it in boiling water, Katherine said without hesitation. It was part of the member of deciphering the code. Well tell you everything, but please let us go see my brother. Hes been throughYou boiled the pyramid? Sato demanded.Turn dark the flashlight, Katherine said. Look at the capstone. You can probably close up see.The agent flicked off his light, and Sato knelt down ahead the capstone. Even from where Langdon was standing, he could see that the text on the capstone was unagitated glowing slightly.Eight Franklin Square? Sato said, sounding amazed.Yes, maam. That text was written with an incandescent lacquer or something. The thirty-third degree was actuallyAnd the address? Sato demanded. Is this what this big cat wants?Yes, Langdon said. He believes the pyramid is a map that forget tell him the location of a great treasurethe key to unlocking the Ancient Mysteries.Sato looked again at the capstone, her expression one of disbelief. Tell me, she said, fear creeping into her voice, have you contacted this man yet? Have you already g iven him this address?We tried. Langdon explained what had happened when they called the mans cell phone.Sato listened, raceway her tongue over her yellow teeth as he spoke. disrespect looking ready to erupt with anger over the situation, she turned to one of her agents and spoke in a restrained whisper. Send him in. Hes in the SUV.The agent nodded and spoke into his transceiver.Send who in? Langdon said. The only person who has any hope of fixing the goddamn mess you madeWhat mess? Langdon fired back. Now that Peter is safe, everything isFor Christs sake Sato exploded. This is not about Peter I tried to tell you that at the Capitol Building, Professor, but you chose to work against me rather than with me Now youve made an ungodly mess When you destroyed your cell phone, which, by the way, we were tracking, you cut off your communication with this man. And this address you uncoveredwhatever the hell it isthis address was our one chance to make up this lunatic. I needed you to pl ay his game, to provide him with this address so we would know where the hell to catch himBefore Langdon could reply, Sato directed the oddment of her wrath at Katherine.And you, Ms. Solomon You knew where this maniac lived? Why didnt you tell me? You displace a rent-a-cop to this mans house? Dont you see youve ruined any chance we had of catching him there? Im glad your brother is safe, but let me tell you this, we are facing a crisis tonight whose ramifications far outreach your family. They will be felt all around the world. The man who took your brother has enormous power, and we need to catch him immediately.As she finished her tirade, the tall, elegant silhouette of warren Bellamy emerged from the shadows and stepped into the sitting room. He looked rumpled, bruised, and move . . . like hed been through hell.Warren Langdon stood up. Are you okay?No, he replied. non authentically.Did you hear? Peter is safeBellamy nodded, looking dazed, as if nothing mattered anymore. Yes , I still heard your conversation. Im glad.Warren, what the hell is going on?Sato intervened. You boys can catch up in a minute. Right now, Mr. Bellamy is going to reach out to this lunatic and communicate with him. Just like hes been doing all night.Langdon felt lost. Bellamy hasnt been communicating with this guy tonight This guy doesnt even know Bellamy is involvedSato turned to Bellamy and raised her eyebrows.Bellamy sighed. Robert, Im afraid I havent been entirely honest with you this evening. Langdon could only stare. I thought I was doing the right thing . . . Bellamy said, looking frightened. Well, Sato said, now you will do the right thing . . . and wed all better pray to perfection it works. As if to substantiate Satos portentous tone, the mantel clock began chiming the hour. Sato took out a Ziploc bag of items and tossed it to Bellamy. Heres your stuff. Does your cell phone take icons?Yes, maam.Good. Hold up the capstone.The message Malakh had just received was from hi s contactWarren Bellamythe Mason he had sent to the Capitol Building earlier tonight to assist Robert Langdon. Bellamy, like Langdon, wanted Peter Solomon back alive and had assured Malakh he would help Langdon acquire and decipher the pyramid. All night, Malakh had been receiving e-mail updates, which had been automatically forwarded to his cell phone.This should be interesting, Malakh thought, opening the message.From Warren Bellamygot separated from langdonbut finally have info youdemanded. proof attached.call for missing component part. wbone attachment (jpeg)Call for missing piece? Malakh wondered, opening the attachment.The attachment was a photo.When Malakh saw it, he gasped out loud, and he could feel his heart start pounding with excitement. He was looking at a close-up of a tiny golden pyramid. The legendary capstone The ornate engraving on the face carried a promising message The mystery hides within The Order.Beneath the inscription, Malakh now saw something that stun ned him. The capstone seemed to be glowing. In disbelief, he stared at the faintly radiant text and realized that the legend was literally true The masonic Pyramid transforms itself to reveal its secret to the worthy.How this magical transformation had occurred, Malakh had no idea, and he didnt care. The glowing text was understandably pointing to a specific location in D.C., exactly as prophesied. Franklin Square. Unfortunately, the photo of the capstone also included Warren Bellamys index finger, which was strategically positioned on the capstone to block out a critical piece of information. Thesecret hideswithin The OrderFranklin SquareCall for missing piece. Malakh now tacit Bellamys meaning.The Architect of the Capitol had been cooperative all night, but now he had elect to play a very dangerous game.CHAPTER 92Beneath the zippy gaze of several armed CIA agents, Langdon, Katherine, and Bellamy waited with Sato in the Cathedral College sitting room. On the cocoa table before th em, Langdons leather bag was still open, the golden capstone peeking out the top. The words Eight Franklin Square had now irresolute away, leaving no evidence that they had ever existed.Katherine had pleaded with Sato to let her go see her brother, but Sato had simply shaken her head, eyes fixed on Bellamys cell phone. It sat on the cocoa table and had yet to ring.Why didnt Bellamy just tell me the truth? Langdon wondered. Apparently, the Architect had been in contact with Peters captor all night, reassuring him that Langdon was making progress deciphering the pyramid. It was a bluff, an attempt to buy time for Peter. In fact, Bellamy was doing all he could to interfere with anyone who threatened to unveil the pyramids secret. Now, however, it seemed that Bellamy had switched sides. He and Sato were now prepared to risk the pyramids secret in hopes of catching this man. trail your hands off me shouted an elderly voice in the hall. Im blind, not inept I know my way through the coll ege Dean Galloway was still protesting loudly as a CIA agent manhandled him into the sitting room and agonistic him into one of the chairs.Whos here? Galloway demanded, his blank eyes staring dead ahead. It sounds like a lot of you. How many do you need to detain an old man? Really nowThere are seven of us, Sato declared. Including Robert Langdon, Katherine Solomon, and your Masonic brother Warren Bellamy.Galloway slumped, all his bluster gone.Were okay, Langdon said. And we just heard that Peter is safe. Hes in bad shape, but the police are with him.Thank heavens, Galloway said. And theA loud rattling caused everyone in the room to jump. It was Bellamys cell phone vibrating against the coffee table. Everyone fell silent.Okay, Mr. Bellamy, Sato said. Dont blow it. You know the stakes.Bellamy took a deep breath and exhaled. Then he reached down and pressed the speakerphone button to connect the call.Bellamy here, he said, speech production loudly toward the phone on the coffee tabl e.The voice that crackled back through the speaker was familiar, an airy whisper. It sounded like he was calling from a hands-free speakerphone inside a car. Its past midnight, Mr. Bellamy. I was about to put Peter out of his misery.There was an uneasy silence in the room. Let me talk to him.Impossible, the man replied. Were driving. Hes tied up in the trunk.Langdon and Katherine exchanged looks and then began shaking their heads at everyone. Hes bluffing He no longer has PeterSato motioned for Bellamy to keep pressing.I want proof that Peters alive, Bellamy said. Im not giving you the rest ofYour Worshipful Master require a doctor. Dont waste time with negotiations. Tell me the street number on Franklin Square, and Ill bring Peter to you there.I told you, I wantNow the man exploded. Or I will pull over and Peter Solomon dies this instantYou listen to me, Bellamy said forcefully. If you want the rest of the address, youll play by my rules. act as me at Franklin Square. Once you de liver Peter alive, Ill tell you the number of the building.How do I know you wont bring the government activity? Because I cant risk double-crossing you. Peters life is not the only card you hold. I know whats really at stake tonight.You do realize, the man on the phone said, that if I sense so much as a hint of anyone other than you at Franklin Square, I will keep driving, and you will never find even a trace of Peter Solomon. And of course . . . that will be the least of your worries.Ill come alone, Bellamy replied somberly. When you turn over Peter, Ill give you everything you need.Center of the square, the man said. It will take me at least twenty minutes to get there. I suggest you wait for me as long as it takes.The line went dead.Instantly, the room sprang to life. Sato began shouting orders. Several field agents grabbed their radios and headed for the door. Move MoveIn the chaos, Langdon looked to Bellamy for some kind of explanation as to what was actually going on tonight , but the older man was already being hurried out the door.I need to see my brother Katherine shouted. You have to let us goSato walked over to Katherine. I dont have to do anything, Ms. Solomon. Is that clear?Katherine stood her ground and looked desperately into Satos small eyes.Ms. Solomon, my top priority is apprehending the man at Franklin Square, and you will sit here with one of my men until I accomplish that task. Then, and only then, will we deal with your brother.Youre missing the point, Katherine said. I know exactly where this man lives Its literally five minutes up the road in Kalorama Heights, and there will be evidence there that will help you Besides, you said you want to keep this quiet. Who knows what Peter will start telling the authorities once hes stabilized.Sato pursed her lips, apparently registering Katherines point. Outside, the chopper blades began winding up. Sato frowned and then turned to one of her men. Hartmann, you take the Escalade. Transport Ms. Sol omon and Mr. Langdon to Kalorama Heights. Peter Solomon is not to speak to anyone. Is that understood?Yes, maam, the agent said.Call me when you get there. Tell me what you find. And dont let these two out of your sight. agent Hartmann gave a quick nod, pulled out the Escalade keys, and headed for the door.Katherine was right behind him.Sato turned to Langdon. Ill see you shortly, Professor. I know you think Im the enemy, but I can assure you thats not the case. Get to Peter at once. This isnt over yet.Off to one side of Langdon, Dean Galloway was sitting quietly at the coffee table. His hands had found the stone pyramid, which was still sitting in Langdons open leather bag on the table in front of him. The old man was running his hands over the stones warm surface.Langdon said, Father, are you glide slope to see Peter?Id just slow you down. Galloway removed his hands from the bag and zipped it up around the pyramid. Ill stay right here and pray for Peters recovery. We can all spe ak later. But when you show Peter the pyramid, would you please tell him something for me?Of course. Langdon hoisted the bag onto his shoulder.Tell him this. Galloway cleared his throat. The Masonic Pyramid has always unbroken her secret . . . sincerely.I dont understand.The old man winked. Just tell Peter that. He will understand.With that, Dean Galloway bowed his head and began praying.Perplexed, Langdon left him there and hurried outside. Katherine was already in the front seat of the SUV giving the agent directions. Langdon climbed in back and had barely closed the door before the lusus naturae vehicle was rocketing across the lawn, racing northward to Kalorama Heights.