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CHAPTER 26
Professor Langdon? inch Sato explained. “You look like you’ve found a ghost. Are you okay? “
Langdon hoisted his daybag bigger onto his shoulder and laid his hand over it, as though somehow this might better cover the cube-shaped package having been carrying.
This individual could think his face had gone ashen. “I’m… only worried about Philip. ” Sato cocked her head, seeking him askew.
Langdon believed a sudden wariness that Sato’s involvement this evening might connect with this little package that Solomon experienced entrusted to him. Philip had warned Langdon: Strong people need to steal this kind of. It would be risky in the wrong hands. Langdon couldn’t imagine why the CIA will need a little box containing a talisman… or perhaps what the talisman could be. Ordo ab chao?
Sato stepped closer, her black eyes probing. “I sense you might have had a revelation? “
Langdon felt him self sweating at this point. “No, certainly not exactly. “
“What’s on your mind? “
“I just… ” Langdon hesitated, having no idea what to say. He had no intention of showing the existence of the package in the bag, but if Sato took him to the CIA, his carrier most certainly can be searched along the way in. “Actually… ” this individual fibbed, “I have an additional idea about the quantities on Peter’s hand. inches
Sato’s expression revealed practically nothing. “Yes? ” She looked over at Anderson now, who had been just coming from greeting the forensics team that had finally arrived.
Langdon swallowed hard and crouched down near the hand, wondering what he could possibly develop to tell them. You aren’t a instructor, Robert, improvise! He had taken one previous look at the seven tiny symbols, hoping for some sort of inspiration.
Nothing. Empty.
As Langdon’s eidetic storage skimmed through his mental encyclopedia of symbols, he could find merely one possible indicate make. It was something that acquired occurred to him at first, but had seemed unlikely. At the moment, however , he had to obtain time to believe.
“Well, inch he began, “a symbologist’s initially clue that he’s on the wrong monitor when comprehending symbols and codes is when he starts interpreting symbols using multiple symbolic languages. For example , when I told you this text was Roman and Arabic, that was a poor analysis mainly because I applied multiple representational systems. The same is true to get Roman and runic. “
Sato entered her forearms and curved her eye brows as if to talk about, “Go in. ” “In general, marketing communications are made in one language, certainly not multiple different languages, and so a symbologist’s first job with any text message is to find a sole consistent emblematic system that applies to the complete text. “
“And you see a single system now? inches
“Well, certainly… and no. ” Langdon’s experience of the rotating symmetry of ambigrams acquired taught him that icons sometimes got meanings coming from multiple sides. In this case, he realized there is indeed ways to view almost all seven emblems in a single language. “If we all manipulated the hand a little bit, the language can become consistent. inch Eerily, the manipulation Langdon was about to perform was one which seemed to have already been suggested by simply Peter’s captor already when he spoke the ancient Hermetic adage. As above, so below.
Langdon felt a chill when he reached out and grasped the wooden base on which Peter’s hand was secured. Carefully, he switched the base inverted so that Peter’s extended hands were today pointing downward. The emblems on the palm instantly changed themselves.
“From this viewpoint, ” Langdon said, “X-I-I-I becomes a valid Roman numeral, thirteen. Moreover, the rest of the characters can be viewed using the Both roman alphabet, SCHWEIZERISCHE BUNDESBAHNEN. ” Langdon assumed the analysis will elicit empty shrugs, but Anderson’s manifestation immediately transformed.
“SBB? ” the chief required.
Sato turned to Anderson. “If I’m not mistaken, that sounds like a familiar numbering program here in the Capitol Building. “
Anderson looked soft. “It is. “
Sato gave a grim laugh and nodded to Anderson. “Chief, follow me, make sure you. I’d like a word in personal. “
Because Director Sato led Chief Anderson away of earshot, Langdon stood alone in bewilderment. The actual hell is certainly going on here? And what is SBB XIII?
Chief Anderson wondered just how this evening could possibly get any stranger. The hand says SBB13? He was amazed virtually any outsider acquired even read about SBB… much less SBB13. Philip Solomon’s index finger, this seemed, has not been directing all of them upward mainly because it had appeared… but rather was pointing in quite the opposite direction. Director Sato led Anderson over to a quiet region near the dureté statue of Thomas Jefferson. “Chief, ” she stated, “I trust you know wherever SBB 13 is located? “
“Of study course. “
“Do you know can be inside? inches
“No, not without seeking. I do not think it’s been used in decades. “
“Well, you are open it up. “
Anderson did not value being told what he would do in his personal building. “Ma’am, that may be troublesome. I’ll need to check the task roster first. As you know, most of the lower amounts are private offices or perhaps storage, and security protocol regarding private, “
“You will open SBB 13 for me, ” Sato said, “or I will call OS and send in a staff with a battering ram. inches
Anderson looked at her a long second and then picked up his the airwaves, raising this to his lips. “This is Anderson. I need someone to unlock the SBB. Have got someone satisfy me generally there in five minutes. “
The voice that replied sounded confused. “Chief, confirming you said SCHWEIZERISCHE BUNDESBAHNEN? “
“Correct. SBB. Send out someone quickly. And I’ll need a torch. ” He stowed his radio. Anderson’s heart was pounding as Sato walked closer, lowering her tone of voice even further.
“Chief, time is definitely short, ” she whispered, “and I would like you to get us right down to SBB Thirteen as quickly as possible. inch
“Yes, ma’am. “
“I also need something else from you. inches
In addition to breaking and entering? Anderson was in not any position to protest, but it had not gone unnoticed by him that Sato had appeared within minutes of Peter’s hands appearing in the Rotunda, which she now was making use of the situation to demand use of private sections of the U. S. Polish capitol. She seemed so far in front of the curve tonight that the lady was almost defining that.
Sato motioned across the room toward the professor. “The duffel bag upon Langdon’s make. “
Anderson glanced over. “What about this? “
“I assume the staff Xrayed that bag when Langdon entered the building? “
“Of course. Almost all bags are scanned. ” “I need that X-ray. I want to know what’s in his bag. inch
Anderson looked over at the bag Langdon had been carrying most evening. “But… wouldn’t that be less difficult just to question him? inch
“What element of my request was not clear? “
Anderson pulled out his radio again and called in her request. Sato gave Anderson her Blackberry mobile phones address and requested that his crew e-mail her a digital duplicate of the X-ray as soon as that they had located this. Reluctantly Anderson complied.
Forensics was today collecting the severed palm for the Capitol Law enforcement, but Sato ordered them to deliver this directly to her team for Langley. Anderson was too tired to protest. He had just recently been run over with a tiny Japanese people steamroller.
“And I want that ring, ” Sato referred to as over to Forensics.
The chief technician seemed ready to question her but believed better from it. He taken out the precious metal ring from Peter’s side, placed it in a crystal clear specimen carrier, and provided it to Sato. Your woman slipped it into her jacket pocket, then turned to Langdon.
“We’re giving, Professor. Deliver your points. “
“Where are we going? inch Langdon replied.
“Just stick to Mr. Anderson. “
Yes, Anderson thought, and follow me strongly. The SCHWEIZERISCHE BUNDESBAHNEN was a area of the Capitol that couple of ever frequented. To reach this, they would move across a sprawling labyrinth of tiny chambers and tight passages buried beneath the crypt. Abraham Lincoln’s youngest son, Tad, had once become lost in that area and almost perished. Anderson was starting to think that if Sato had her way, Robert Langdon may well suffer a similar fate.
PHASE 27
Devices security consultant Mark Zoubianis had always prided him self on his ability to multitask. At this time, he was sitting down on his grabat along with a TELEVISION remote, a cordless phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, and a huge bowl of Pirate’s Booty. With one vision on the moderate Redskins game and a single eye on his laptop, Zoubianis was speaking on his Bluetooth headset which has a woman he had not been told by in over the year.
Let it stay to Trish Dunne to call on the night time of a play-off game.
Confirming her sociable ineptitude once more, his previous colleague experienced chosen the Redskins game as a perfect moment to chat him up and ask for a favor. After some brief little talk about the old days and how she missed his superb jokes, Trish had gotten with her point: she was trying to unmask a concealed IP address, most likely that of a secure server in the G. C. region. The hardware contained a tiny text record, and the lady wanted use of it… or perhaps at the very least, a few information about in whose document it was.
Right man, wrong time, he had informed her. Trish in that case showered him with her finest nerd flattery, the majority of which was accurate, and prior to Zoubianis realized it, he was typing a strange-looking IP address into his laptop.
Zoubianis took one particular look at the amount and right away felt anxious. “Trish, this IP provides a funky formatting. It’s created in a process that isn’t possibly publicly obtainable yet. It’s probably gov intel or perhaps military. inch
“Military? ” Trish laughed. “Believe me, I just taken a redacted document off this hardware, and it had been not armed service. ” Zoubianis pulled up his terminal windowpane and tried out a traceroute. “You explained your traceroute died? inches
“Yeah. Twice. Same jump. “
“Mine, too. inch He opened up a analysis probe and launched that. “And what’s so interesting about this IP? “
“I ran a delegator that tapped the search engines at this IP and drawn a redacted document. I need to see the remaining document. Now i am happy to spend them for doing it, but I actually can’t find out who owns the IP or perhaps how to can get on. “
Zoubianis frowned in his display. “Are you sure concerning this? I’m operating a diagnostic, and this firewall code looks… quite serious. “
“That’s how come you find the big bucks. “
Zoubianis regarded it. That they had offered him a fortune for a job this easy. “One question, Trish. Why are you so hot on this? inches
Trish paused. “I’m doing a favor for the friend. inch
“Must certainly be a special good friend. “
“She is. inches Zoubianis chuckled and held his tongue. I knew that.
“Look, inches Trish stated, sounding rapide. “Are you good enough to unmask this IP? Certainly or no? inches
“Yes, Now i am good enough. And yes, I realize you’re playing me such as a fiddle. inch
“How long will it have you? inches
“Not extended, ” he said, keying as he talked. “I must be able to get into a machine on their network within just ten moments or so. Once I’m in and know very well what I’m taking a look at, I’ll contact you back again. “
“I appreciate it. Therefore , are you doing well? “
Right now she demands? “Trish, pertaining to God’s sake, you named me within the night of a play-off video game and now you want to chat? Are you wanting me to hack this IP or perhaps not? inch
“Thanks, Draw. I enjoy it. I’ll be waiting for your call. “
“Fifteen minutes. inches Zoubianis hung up, grabbed his bowl of Pirate’s Booty, and unmuted the overall game.
Women.
PART 28
In which are they currently taking me?
While Langdon rushed with Anderson and Sato into the depths of the Capitol, he sensed his heartrate increasing with each downward step. That they had begun their journey throughout the west porticato of the Rotunda, descending a marble stairs and then duplicity back by using a wide entry into the popular chamber straight beneath the Rotunda floor.
The Capitol Crypt.
The air was heavier here, and Langdon was already feeling claustrophobic. The crypt’s low ceiling and soft lighting against the ceiling accentuated the robust width of the 40 Doric articles required to support the great stone flooring directly cost to do business. Relax, Robert.
“This approach, ” Anderson said, moving quickly when he angled to the left across the wide circular space. Thankfully, this kind of crypt contained no bodies. Instead that contained many statues, a model of the Polish capitol, and a decreased storage area to get the solid wood catafalque which coffins had been laid for state funerals. The environs hurried through, without even a look at the four-pointed marble compass in the center of the floor where the Everlasting Flame got once used up.
Anderson seemed to be in a hurry, and Sato again had her head hidden in her BlackBerry. Cellular service, Langdon had noticed, was increased and transmit to all corners of the Polish capitol Building to support the hundreds of government telephone calls that happened here daily.
After diagonally crossing the crypt, the group moved into a dimly lit foyer and began winding through a convoluted series of hallways and lifeless ends. The warren of passages included numbered entrance doors, each that bore an identification amount. Langdon read the doors because they snaked their very own way about.
S154… S153… S152…
He previously no idea what lay lurking behind these doors, nevertheless at least one thing at this point seemed clear, the meaning in the tattoo upon Peter Solomon’s palm.
SBB13 seemed to be a figures doorway anywhere in the bowels of the U. S. Polish capitol Building.
“What are all these types of doorways? inches Langdon asked, clutching his daybag firmly to his ribs and wondering what Solomon’s little package could possibly have to do using a door proclaimed SBB13.
“Offices and safe-keeping, ” Anderson said. “Private offices and storage, ” he added, glancing again at Sato.
Sato would not even glimpse up via her Cell phone.
“They look tiny, inch Langdon stated.
“Glorified cabinets, most of them, but they’re continue to some of the most sought-after real estate in D. C. This is the cardiovascular of the initial Capitol, as well as the old Senate chamber can be two tales above all of us. “
“And SBB Tough luck? ” Langdon asked. “Whose office is the fact? “
“Nobody’s. The SBB is a private storage area, and I must declare, I’m worried how, “
“Chief Anderson, ” Sato interrupted without looking up from her BlackBerry. “Just take us presently there, please. inches
Anderson clenched his jaw and led them upon in silence through what was now feeling like a hybrid self-storage facility and epic labyrinth. On nearly every wall, directional signs pointed back and forth, seemingly attempting to identify specific business office blocks with this network of hallways.
S142 to S152…
ST1 to ST70…
H1 to H166 , HT1 to HT67…
Langdon doubted he would ever be able to find his way out of here alone. This place is a web. From all he could gather, workplace numbers began with either an S or an H depending on whether they had been on the Senate side from the building or the House area. Areas chosen ST and HT were apparently on the level that Anderson referred to as Terrace Level.
Still no signs intended for SBB.
Finally they arrived at a heavy metal security door with a key-card entry package.
SB Level
Langdon sensed they were getting closer.
Anderson reached for his crucial card yet hesitated, seeking uncomfortable with Sato’s demands.
“Chief, ” Sato caused. “We terribly lack all night. “
Anderson unwillingly inserted his key cards. The metal door introduced. He moved it available, and they walked through into the foyer further than. The hefty door clicked on shut to their rear.
Langdon had not been sure what he had wished to see in this foyer, however the sight before him was definitely not this. He was gazing at a descending stairway. “Down again? ” he said, stopping brief. “There’s a good under the crypt? “
“Yes, ” Anderson said. “SB stands for `Senate Basement. ‘ “
Langdon groaned. Excellent.
CHAPTER up to 29
The headlamps winding up the SMSC’s wooded access street were the first the guard acquired seen in the last hour. Dutifully, he refused the volume on his portable TV set and stashed his treats beneath the table. Lousy timing. The Redskins were completing their opening drive, and he don’t want to miss this.
As the auto drew better, the protect checked the name around the notepad facing him.
Dr . Christopher Shaitan.
Katherine Solomon had merely called to alert Secureness of this guest’s imminent appearance. The protect had no clue who this kind of doctor could possibly be, but having been apparently very good at doctoring, he was being released on the in a black stretch limousine. The very long, sleek car rolled to a stop beside the guardhouse, as well as the driver’s tinted window reduced silently.
“Good evening, inches the chauffeur said, doffing his cover. He was a powerfully developed man which has a shaved head. He was playing the sports game on his radio. “I have Dr . Christopher Limbo for Ms. Katherine Solomon? “
The guard nodded. “Identification, make sure you. “
The chauffeur viewed surprised. “I’m sorry, didn’t Ms. Solomon call in advance? “
The guard nodded, stealing a glance at the tv set. “I’m still required to scan and sign visitor identification. Sorry, restrictions. I’ll need to see the doctor’s ID. inch
“Not a problem. ” The chauffeur switched backward in the seat and spoke in hushed tones through the privateness screen. When he did, the guard stole another peek at the game. The Redskins were breaking from the huddle now, and he wished to have this limo through before the following play.
The chauffeur switched forward again and kept out the IDENTITY that he’d apparently just received through the personal privacy screen.
The guard got the card and quickly scanned it in to his system. The Deb. C. driver’s license showed one Christopher Abaddon from Kalorama Heights. The photo portrayed a handsome blond guy wearing a green blazer, a necktie, and a silk pocket sq .. Who the hell wears a pocket sq . to the DMV?
A muffled cheer travelled up from the television set, as well as the guard wheeled just over time to see a Redskins player grooving in the end zone, his finger pointed skyward. “I missed it, inches the protect grumbled, returning to the windowpane.
“Okay, ” he stated, returning the license for the chauffeur. “You’re all set. inches
As the limo pulled through, the guard returned to his TV, wishing for a play back.
As Mal’akh drove his limo up the winding access road, he couldn’t help but laugh. Peter Solomon’s secret art gallery had been easy to breach. Satisfying still, this evening was the second time in twenty-four hours that Mal’akh acquired broken into one of Solomon’s private places. Last night, a similar visit was made to Solomon’s home.
Even though Peter Solomon had a wonderful country estate in Potomac, he put in much of his time in the town at his penthouse house at the unique Dorchester Arms. His building, like most that catered to the super-rich, was a veritable fortress. High wall space. Guard gates. Guest data. Secured subway parking.
Mal’akh had influenced this incredibly limousine up to the building’s guardhouse, doffed his chauffeur’s cap from his shaved brain, and proclaimed, “I have got Dr . Captain christopher Abaddon. He’s an asked guest of Mr. Peter Solomon. inch Mal’akh talked the words as though he were announcing the Duke of York.
The guard examined a sign and then Abaddon’s ID. “Yes, I see Mister. Solomon is usually expecting Dr . Abaddon. ” He hard pressed a button and the gate opened. “Mr. Solomon is in the penthouse apartment. Possess your guest use the last elevator on the right. This goes all the way up. inch
“Thank you. ” Mal’akh tipped his hat and drove through.
As he injury deep in to the garage, he scanned pertaining to security cameras. Absolutely nothing. Apparently, those who lived in this article were neither the kind of individuals that broke in to cars neither the kind of individuals that appreciated staying watched.
Mal’akh parked within a dark nook near the lifts, lowered the divider involving the driver’s inner compartment and the voyager compartment, and slithered throughout the opening into the back of the fango. Once in back, he got rid of his chauffeur’s cover and donned his jaunatre wig. Styling his clothes and tie up, he examined the looking glass to make sure he previously not smeared his makeup. Mal’akh had not been about to take any chances. Not really tonight.
I’ve waited very long for this.
Seconds later, Mal’akh was stepping into the private elevator. The ride to the top was silent and smooth. When the door opened up, he discovered himself in an elegant, non-public foyer. His host had been waiting.
“Dr. Abaddon, welcome. “
Mal’akh looked into the man’s popular gray sight and sensed his center begin to contest. “Mr. Solomon, I love your seeing me. inches
“Please, call me Philip. ” The two men shook hands. While Mal’akh held the older man’s side, he saw the rare metal Masonic band on Solomon’s hand… similar hand that had once aimed that gun at Mal’akh. A tone whispered from Mal’akh’s isolated past. In case you pull that trigger, I will haunt you forever.
“Please come in, inches Solomon stated, ushering Mal’akh into a sophisticated living place whose expansive windows presented an astonishing look at of the Buenos aires skyline.
“Do I smell tea steeping? ” Mal’akh asked as he entered.
Solomon looked impressed. “My parents always approached guests with tea. I’ve carried on that tradition. inches He led Mal’akh in to the living place, where a tea service was waiting in entrance of the open fire. “Cream and sugar? “
“Black, thank you. “
Again Solomon viewed impressed. “A purist. inches He put them both a cup of black tea. “You stated you required to discuss something with me that was hypersensitive in mother nature and could become discussed only in personal. “
“Thank you. We appreciate your time and efforts. “
“You and I will be Masonic brothers now. We certainly have a connect. Tell me how I can help you. inch
“First, I would really like to i want to thank the honor in the thirty-third degree a few months ago. This is certainly deeply important to me. inches
“I’m delighted, but please know that those decisions aren’t mine by itself. They are by vote from the Supreme Authorities. “
“Of course. inch Mal’akh suspected Peter Solomon had almost certainly voted against him, but within the Masons, as with all things, funds was electric power. Mal’akh, following achieving the thirty-second degree in his own resort, had anxiously waited only a month before making a multimillion-dollar gift to charitable organisation in the name of the Masonic Grand Lodge. The unsolicited work of selflessness, as Mal’akh anticipated, was enough to earn him a fast invitation into the elite thirty-third degree. However I have learned no secrets.
Despite the older whispers, “All is unveiled at the thirty-third degree”, Mal’akh had been informed nothing new, nothing of relevance to his pursuit. But he had never likely to be told. The lining circle of Freemasonry comprised smaller sectors still… groups Mal’akh may not see for many years, if ever. He didn’t proper care. His initiation had offered its purpose. Something exclusive had took place within that Temple Place, and completely given Mal’akh power over all of them. My spouse and i no longer enjoy by your rules.
“You perform realize, inch Mal’akh stated, sipping his tea, “that you and My spouse and i met years ago. inch
Solomon viewed surprised. “Really? I don’t recall. inches
“It was quite a long time back. ” And Christopher Abaddon is not really my true name.
“I’m so sorry. My mind has to be getting old. Remind myself how I find out you? inches Mal’akh smiled one last time with the man he hated more than any other person on earth. “It’s unfortunate you do not recall. inches
In one substance motion, Mal’akh pulled a little device by his pocket and expanded it to the outside, driving it tough into the man’s chest. There was a adobe flash of green light, the sharp sizzle of the stun- gun release, and a gasp of discomfort as one , 000, 000 volts of electricity coursed through Peter Solomon’s human body. His eyes went wide, and he slumped motionless in his seat. Mal’akh was standing up today, towering over the man, salivating like a lion about to ingest his hurt prey.
Solomon was gasping, straining to breathe.
Mal’akh saw fear in his victim’s eyes and wondered who had ever before seen the fantastic Peter Solomon cower. Mal’akh savored the scene for several long seconds. He got a drink of tea, waiting for the person to catch his breath of air.
Solomon was twitching, looking to speak. “Wh-why? ” he finally maintained.
“Why do you consider? ” Mal’akh demanded.
Solomon looked really bewildered. “You want… cash? “
Cash? Mal’akh chuckled and got another drink of tea. “I gave the Masons millions of dollars, I possess no need of wealth. inch I come for knowledge, and this individual offers me wealth.
“Then what… do you want? “
“You possess a secret. You will discuss it beside me tonight. inches
Solomon had trouble to lift up his chin so this individual could appearance Mal’akh in the eye. “I may… understand. inch
“No even more lies! ” Mal’akh yelled, advancing to within inches of the immobilized man. “I know what can be hidden within Washington. inches
Solomon’s grey eyes were defiant. “I have no idea what you’re speaking about! “
Mal’akh took another sip of tea and place the cup on a coaster. “You talked those same phrases to me 10 years ago, for the night of your mother’s fatality. “
Solomon’s eyes taken wide open. “You…? “
“She didn’t have to die. In the event you had given me the things i demanded… inch
The more mature man’s deal with contorted within a mask of horrified recognition… and shock.
“I warned you, inch Mal’akh said, “if you pulled the trigger, I might haunt you forever. inches “But you’re, “
Mal’akh lunged, generating the Taser hard in Solomon’s upper body again. There was another flash of green light, and Solomon gone completely sagging.
Mal’akh put the Taser last his pocket and steadly finished his tea. If he was completed, he dabbed his lips with a monogrammed linen napkin and peered down by his patient. “Shall we all go? inches
Solomon’s human body was motionless, but his eyes had been wide and engaged.
Mal’akh got straight down close and whispered in the man’s hearing. “I’m currently taking you to a spot where just truth remains to be. “
Devoid of another word, Mal’akh wadded up the monogrammed napkin and stuffed that into Solomon’s mouth. In that case he hoisted the limp man on to his extensive shoulders and headed intended for the exclusive elevator. On his way out, he picked up Solomon’s iPhone and keys from your hall stand.
Tonight you will tell me all of your secrets, Mal’akh thought. Which include why you left me to get dead all of the years ago.
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