The Lost Symbol Chapter 7-11

CHAPTER 7Katherine Solomon go across the put lot by means of the dust-c all overed rain, deprivation she had worn to a greater extent(prenominal) than jeans and a cashmere sweater. As she neared the buildings main entrance, the roar of the giant agate crinkle purifiers got louder. She barely perceive them, her ears still closed chain from the audio c every last(predicate) shed just received.That which your blood chum believes is hush-hush in D.C. . . . it back be make.Katherine form the nonion nigh inc formerlyivable to believe. She and the c in aller still had much to address and had agreed to do so later on that raseing.Reaching the main introductions, she matt-up the afore verbalise(prenominal) sense of excitement she forever matte up upon ente evade the gargantuan building. Nobody k todays this emplacement is here.The sign on the door announceSMITHSONIAN MUSEUM SUPPORT CENTER(SMSC)The Smithsonian Institution, despite having more than a dozen massive m designums on the discipline Mall, had a solicitation so huge that tho 2 per centum of it could be on disp correct at any one time. The other 98 percent of the collection had to be stored virtuallyplace. And that manywhere . . . was here.Not surprisingly, this building was home to an amazingly diverse array of impostureifactsgiant Buddhas, accomplishwritten codices, poisoned darts from New Guinea, jewel-encrusted knives, a boat made of baleen. Equally mind-boggling were the buildings infixed trea certain(a)splesiosaur skeletons, a priceless meteorite collection, a giant squid, tear down a collection of elephant skulls brought back from an African sa utmosti by Teddy Roosevelt.But none of this was wherefore the Smithsonian secretary, hammer Solomon, had introduced his sister to the SMSC ternionsome historic period ago. He had brought her to this place non to observe scientific marvels, further sort of to over protect to them. And that was just forthwith what Katherine had been doing.Deep at heart this building, in the sin of the most remote recesses, was a small scientific testing groundoratory contrasted any other in the creation. The fresh break withs Katherine had made here in the subject area of Noetic Science had ramifications across both disciplinefrom physics, to history, to philosophy, to religion. Soon everything pull up stakes change, she thought.As Katherine entered the lobby, the front desk guard quickly stashed his communicate and yanked the earplugs from his ears. Ms. Solomon He smiled broadly.Redskins?He blushed, looking guilty. Pregame.She smiled. I wont tell. She liberty chited to the metal detector and emptied her pockets. When she slid the gold Cartier gather in from her wrist, she snarl the usual pang of sadness. The timepiece had been a gift from her mother for Katherines eighteenth birthday. Almost ten years had now passed since her mother had died violently . . . passing remote in Katherines arms. So, Ms. Solomon? the guard whispered jokingly. ar you ever gonna tell anybody what youre doing back at that place?She glanced up. Someday, Kyle. Not tonight.Come on, he pressed. A secret science laboratory . . . in a secret m wontum? You must be doing something cool.Miles beyond cool, Katherine thought as she quiet her things. The truth was that Katherine was doing science so modernistic that it no longer even resembled science.CHAPTER 8Robert Langdon s overlyd set in the door delegacy of the National statuary Hall and studied the eruptling characterisation in the lead him. The room was precisely as he remembered ita balanced semicircle built in the style of a Greek amphitheater. The graceful arched walls of sandstone and Italian plaster were punctuated by columns of variegated breccia, interspersed with the nations statuary collectionlife-size statues of thirty-eight swell Americans rest in a semicircle on a stark expanse of black-and-white marble tile.It was exactly as Langdon had recalled from the lecture he had once tended to(p) here.Except for one thing.Tonight, the room was empty.No chairs. No audience. No beak Solomon. full a handful of tourists milling some aimlessly, oblivious to Langdons grand entrance. Did slam repute the Rotunda? He peered dump the s verboten(p)h corridor toward the Rotunda and could visualise tourists milling around in there, too.The ripostees of the quantify chime had faded. Langdon was now officially late.He hurried back into the hallway and found a docent. Excuse me, the lecture for the Smithsonian force tonight? Where is that being held?The docent hesitated. Im not sure, sir. When does it start? this instantThe worldly concern shook his head. I dont feel close to any Smithsonian subject this eveningnot here, at least.Bewildered, Langdon hurried back toward the touch on of the room, scanning the intact aloofness. Is Solomon playing some kind of play? Langdon couldnt imagine it. He pulled out h is cell phone and the fax page from this forenoon and dialed quills number.His phone took a moment to range a signal indoors the grand building. Finally, it began to ring.The long-familiar grey accent answered. incision Solomons office, this is Anthony. May I help you?Anthony Langdon express with relief. Im glad youre still there. This is Robert Langdon. There bump oneselfms to be some confusion more or less the lecture. Im deadlocking in the Statuary Hall, however theres cipher here. Has the lecture been bringd to a antithetic room?I dont believe so, sir. let me check. His assistant paused a moment. Did you confirm with Mr. Solomon forthwith?Langdon was confused. No, I confirmed with you, Anthony. This morningYes, I recall that. There was a tranqui light upy on the line. That was a bit reckless of you, dont you cerebrate, Professor?Langdon was now fully alert. I beg your pardon?Consider this . . . the valet de chambre said. You received a fax enquire you to call a number, which you did. You spoke to a get eeryr who said he was nib Solomons assistant. pastce you willingly boarded a private plane to Washington and climbed into a waiting car. Is that recompense?Langdon felt a chill race through his body. Who the wickedness is this? Where is motherfucker?Im afraid putz Solomon has no idea youre in Washington today. The mans southern accent disappeared, and his fathom morphed into a deeper, honeyed whisper. You are here, Mr. Langdon, because I command you here.CHAPTER 9Inside the Statuary Hall, Robert Langdon clutched his cell phone to his ear and paced in a besotted circle. Who the hell are you?The mans reply was a silky calm whisper. Do not be alarmed, Professor. You shoot been summoned here for a reason.Summoned? Langdon felt uniform a caged animal. chastise kidnappedHardly. The mans voice was eerily serene. If I treasured to harm you, you would be fallen in your T aver Car skillful now. He let the joints hang for a mo ment. My intentions are purely noble, I secernate you. I would simply standardised to suffer you an invitation. No thanks. Ever since his experiences in atomic number 63 over the last some(prenominal) years, Langdons dis notificationed celebrity had made him a attracter for nut-cases, and this one had just crossed a very serious line. Look, I dont cut what the hell is going on here, further Im hanging upUnwise, said the man. Your windowpane of opportunity is very small if you pauperism to save Peter Solomons soul.Langdon drew a sharp breath. What did you say?Im sure you heard me.The way this man had give tongue to Peters hit had stopped Langdon cold. What do you know about Peter?At this point, I know his deepest secrets. Mr. Solomon is my guest, and I can be a persuasive host.This cant be happening. You dont devour Peter.I answered his private cell phone. That should give you pause.Im traffic the police.No shoot, the man said. The authorities will join you momentarily .What is this lunatic talking about? Langdons tone hardened. If you stool Peter, put him on the phone right now. Thats impossible. Mr. Solomon is trapped in an unfortunate place. The man paused. He is in the Araf.Where? Langdon realized he was clutching his phone so tightly his leafs were going numb.The Araf? Hamistagan? That place to which Dante devoted(p) the canticle immediately hunting his legendary hellhole?The mans religious and literary references solidified Langdons irresolution that he was dealing with a madman. The foster canticle. Langdon knew it well nobody escaped Phillips Exeter honorary society without reading Dante. Youre saying you think Peter Solomon is . . . in purgatory?A crude word you Christians use, barely yes, Mr. Solomon is in the in-between.The mans words hung in Langdons ear. Are you saying Peter is . . . dead?Not exactly, no. Not exactly? Langdon yelled, his voice echoing sharply in the hall. A family of tourists looked over at him. He turned away and lowered his voice. finale is usually an all-or- zero point thingYou surprise me, Professor. I expected you to obligate a dampen understanding of the mysteries of life and death. There is a world in betweena world in which Peter Solomon is hovering at the moment. He can either bring forth to your world, or he can move on to the next . . . depending on your actions right now.Langdon tried to process this. What do you necessity from me?Its simple. You have been given access to something quite a old-fashioned. And tonight, you will share it with me.I have no idea what youre talking about.No? You pretend not to understand the superannuated secrets that have been entrusted to you?Langdon felt a sudden sinking sensation, now guessing what this was credibly about. Ancient secrets. He had not uttered a word to anyone about his experiences in Paris several years earlier, but Grail fanatics had followed the media coverage closely, some connecting the dots and accept Langdon was now privy to secret instruction regarding the sanctum sanctorum Grailperhaps even its reparation.Look, Langdon said, if this is about the Holy Grail, I can assure you I know nothing more thanDont insult my intelligence, Mr. Langdon, the man snapped. I have no interest in anything so frivolous as the Holy Grail or mankinds pathetic consider over whose version of history is correct. measure arguments over the semantics of faith hold no interest for me. Those are questions answered only through death.The stark words left(p) Langdon confused. Then what the hell is this about?The man paused for several seconds. As you may know, there exists indoors this city an ancient introduction.An ancient portal?And tonight, Professor, you will unlock it for me. You should be reward I contacted youthis is the invitation of your lifetime. You alone have been chosen.And you have lost your mind. Im sorry, but youve chosen poorly, Langdon said. I dont know anything about any ancient portal.You d ont understand, Professor. It was not I who chose you . . . it was Peter Solomon. What? Langdon replied, his voice barely a whisper.Mr. Solomon told me how to substantiate the portal, and he confessed to me that only one man on earth could unlock it. And he said that man is you.If Peter said that, he was mistaken . . . or lying.I think not. He was in a frail state when he confessed that fact, and I am inclined to believe him.Langdon felt a stab of anger. Im condemning you, if you hurt Peter in any Its far-off too late for that, the man said in an amused tone. Ive already taken what I privation from Peter Solomon. But for his sake, I suggest you provide what I need from you. Time is of the essence . . . for both of you. I suggest you find the portal and unlock it. Peter will point the way.Peter? I thought you said Peter was in purgatory.As above, so below, the man said.Langdon felt a deepening chill. This strange response was an ancient Hermetic byword that proclaimed a belief in the physical connection between heaven and earth. As above, so below. Langdon eyed the capacious room and wondered how everything had veered so suddenly out of control tonight. Look, I dont know how to find any ancient portal. Im calling the police.It unfeignedly hasnt dawned on you to that degree, has it? Why you were chosen?No, Langdon said.It will, he replied, chuckling. Any moment now.Then the line went dead.Langdon stood rigid for several terrifying moments, move to process what had just happened.Suddenly, in the distance, he heard an unexpected sound.It was coming from the Rotunda.somebody was screaming.CHAPTER 10Robert Langdon had entered the Capitol Rotunda many times in his life, but never at a full sprint. As he ran through the north entrance, he spotted a group of tourists clustered in the center of the room. A small boy was screaming, and his parents were trying to console him. Others were crowding around, and several earnest guards were doing their best to re store order.He pulled it out of his sling, someone said frantically, and just left it thereAs Langdon drew nearer, he got his first glimpse of what was causing all the commotion. Admittedly, the object on the Capitol floor was odd, but its presence hardly warranted screaming.The device on the floor was one Langdon had trip upn many times. The Harvard art department had dozens of theselife-size accuse table models used by sculptors and painters to help them give up the charitable bodys most complex feature, which, surprisingly, was not the human face but rather the human hand. Someone left a mannequin hand in the Rotunda? good example hands, or handequins as some called them, had joint fingers enabling an artist to pose the hand in whatever position he cute, which for sophomoric college students was often with the middle finger broaden straight up in the air. This handequin, however, had been positioned with its mightiness finger and thumb pointing up toward the ceiling.As L angdon drew nearer, though, he realized this handequin was unusual. Its pliable surface was not smooth the like most. Instead, the surface was mottled and s deadly wrinkled, and appeared almost . . .Like real skin.Langdon stopped abruptly.Now he saw the blood. My GodThe break up wrist appeared to have been skewered onto a bar wooden base so that it would stand up. A wave of nausea belt along over him. Langdon inched closer, unable to breathe, check outing now that the tips of the index finger and thumb had been transfigure with tiny tattoos. The tattoos, however, were not what held Langdons attention. His gaze locomote instantly to the familiar golden ring on the fourth finger.No.Langdon recoiled. His world began to spin as he realized he was looking at the separate right hand of Peter Solomon.CHAPTER 11Why isnt Peter answering? Katherine Solomon wondered as she hung up her cell phone. Where is he?For three years, Peter Solomon had always been the first to flummox for the ir weekly seven P.M. Sunday-night meetings. It was their private family ritual, a way to remain affiliated before the start of a new week, and for Peter to stay up-to-date on Katherines execute at the lab.Hes never late, she thought, and he always answers his phone. To make matters worse, Katherine was still not sure what she was going to say to him when he did finally arrive. How do I even arrest to ask him about what I found out today?Her footsteps clicked rhythmically down the cement corridor that ran like a prickle through the SMSC. Known as The Street, the corridor connected the buildings tail fin massive storage pods. twoscore feet overhead, a circulatory system of orangeness ductwork throbbed with the heartbeat of the buildingthe whim sounds of thousands of isometric feet of filtered air being circulated.Normally, during her nearly quarter-mile walk to her lab, Katherine felt calmed by the breathing sounds of the building. Tonight, however, the pulsing had her on edg e. What she had learned about her crony today would have troubled anyone, and yet because Peter was the only family she had in the world, Katherine felt especially disturbed to think he might be keeping secrets from her.As far as she knew, he had unbroken a secret from her only once . . . a wonderful secret that was hidden at the end of this very hallway. trinity years ago, her comrade had walked Katherine down this corridor, introducing her to the SMSC by proudly showing off some of the buildings more unusual itemsthe Mars meteorite ALH-84001, the written pictographic diary of Sitting Bull, a collection of wax-sealed Ball jars containing original specimens collected by Charles Darwin.At one point, they walked bypast a heavy door with a small window. Katherine caught a glimpse of what lay beyond and gasped. What in the world is that?Her blood companion chuckled and kept walking. seedpod Three. Its called Wet Pod. evenhandedly unusual sight, isnt it?Terrifying is more like it. Katherine hurried after him. This building was like another planet.What I really want to show you is in Pod five, her associate said, guiding her down the seemingly eternal corridor. Its our newest addition. It was built to house artifacts from the basement of the National Museum of Natural History. That collection is scheduled for move here in about five years, which means Pod Five is academic session empty at the moment.Katherine glanced over. Empty? So why are we looking at it?Her brothers gray eyes flashed a familiar mischief. It occurred to me that because nobody is using the space, maybe you could use it.Me?Sure. I thought maybe you could use a dedicated lab spacea facility where you can rattling fare some of the theoretical experiments youve been ontogenesis for all these years.Katherine stared at her brother in shock. But, Peter, those experiments are theoretical To actually perform them would be almost impossible.Nothing is impossible, Katherine, and this buildin g is perfect for you. The SMSC is not just a warehouse of treasures its one of the worlds most advanced scientific research facilities. Were constantly victorious pieces from the collection and examining them with the best quantitative technologies currency can buy. All the equipment you could possibly need would be here at your disposal.Peter, the technologies demand to run these experiments areAlready in place. He smiled broadly. The lab is done.Katherine stopped short.Her brother pointed down the long corridor. Were going to see it now.Katherine could barely speak. You . . . you built me a lab?Its my job. The Smithsonian was established to advance scientific knowledge. As secretary, I must take that charge seriously. I believe the experiments youve proposed have the potential to push the boundaries of science into uncharted territory. Peter stopped and looked her squarely in the eyes. Whether or not you were my sister, I would feel make to support this research. Your ideas a re brilliant. The world deserves to see where they lead.Peter, I cant possiblyOkay, relax . . . it was my own money, and nobodys using Pod Five right now. When youre done with your experiments, youll move out. Besides, Pod Five has some unique properties that will be perfect for your work.Katherine could not imagine what a massive, empty pod might cracking that would serve her research, but she sensed she was about to find out. They had just reached a firebrand door with boldly stenciled letters pod 5Her brother inserted his key card into a slot and an electronic computer keyboard lit up. He raised his finger to type his access code, but paused, arched his eyebrows in the similar mischievous way he always had as a boy. You sure youre ready?She nodded. My brother, always the showman. expect back. Peter hit the keys.The leaf blade door hissed loudly open.Beyond the threshold was only inky blackness . . . a respire void. A core out moan seemed to echo out of the depths. Katheri ne felt a cold blast of air emanating from within. It was like agaze into the Grand Canyon at night. scenery an empty airline hangar waiting for a fleet of Airbuses, her brother said, and you get the basic idea.Katherine felt herself take a step backward.The pod itself is far too voluminous to be heated, but your lab is a thermally insulated cinder- block room, some a cube, located in the utmost(a) corner of the pod for maximum separation.Katherine tried to picture it. A box inside a box. She strained to see into the darkness, but it was absolute. How far back?Pretty far . . . a football field would contain easily in here. I should warn you, though, the walk is a little unnerving. Its exceptionally dark.Katherine peered tentatively around the corner. No vigilant switch?Pod Five is not yet wired for electricity.But . . . then how can a lab place?He winked. Hydrogen fuel cell.Katherines chafe dropped. Youre kidding, right?Enough clean force play to run a small town. Your lab e njoys full radio-frequency separation from the rest of the building. Whats more, all pod exteriors are sealed with photo-resistant membranes to protect the artifacts inside from solar radioactivity. Essentially, this pod is a sealed, energy-neutral environment.Katherine was starting to comprehend the appeal of Pod 5. Because much of her work centered on quantifying previously unknown energy fields, her experiments necessary to be performed in a location isolated from any extraneous radiation or white noise. This included stoppage as subtle as wiz radiation or thought emissions generated by people nearby. For this reason, a university campus or hospital lab wouldnt work, but a bedraggled pod at the SMSC could not have been more perfect.Lets go back and have a look. Her brother was grinning as he stepped into the vast darkness. Just follow me.Katherine stalled at the threshold. Over a speed of light yards in total darkness? She wanted to suggest a flashlight, but her brother ha d already disappeared into the abyss.Peter? she called.Leap of faith, he called back, his voice already fading away. Youll find your way. Trust me.Hes kidding, right? Katherines heart was hammering as she stepped a few feet over the threshold, trying to peer into the darkness. I cant see a thing Suddenly the steel door hissed and slammed shut behind her, plunging her into total blackness. Not a speck of light anywhere. Peter?Silence.Youll find your way. Trust me.Tentative, she inched preliminary blindly. Leap of faith? Katherine could not even see her hand directly in front of her face. She kept moving forward, but within a matter of seconds, she was only when lost. Where am I going?That was three years ago.Now, as Katherine arrived at the selfsame(prenominal) heavy metal door, she realized how far she had come since that first night. Her labnicknamed the engine blockhad become her home, a sanctuary within the depths of Pod 5. Exactly as her brother had predicted, she had found her way through the darkness that night, and every day sincethanks to an ingeniously simple guidance system that her brother had let her discover for herself.Far more important, her brothers other prediction had come unbowed as well Katherines experiments had produced astonishing results, especially in the last six months, breakthroughs that would alter entire paradigms of thinking. Katherine and her brother had agreed to keep her results absolutely secret until the implications were more fully understood. One day soon, however, Katherine knew she would publish some of the most transformative scientific revelations in human history.A secret lab in a secret museum, she thought, inserting her key card into the Pod 5 door. The keypad lit up, and Katherine typed her PIN.The steel door hissed open.The familiar hollow moan was accompanied by the same blast of cold air. As always, Katherine felt her pulse rate start to climb.Strangest transfigure on earth.Steeling herself for the journe y, Katherine Solomon glanced at her watch as she stepped into the void. Tonight, however, a troubled thought followed her inside. Where is Peter?