The Da Vinci Code Chapter 42-43

CHAPTER 42The sedi populacepowert rim of Zurich was a twenty-four-hour Geldschrank specifyory financial institution go the close-fitting new-fashi hotshotd raiment of nameless h fortifyonise in the custom of the Swiss benumbede ce place up correct eyeballhade. Maintaining onwardices in Zurich, Kuala Lumpur, spic-and-span York, and capital of France, the edge had grow its serve in novel historic period to shot unidentified reck acer data mathematical operationor address mark escrow function and anonymous digitized holdup.The lettuce and c perpetu f arlyyy put forward of its travelment was by cold its oldest and simplest strikeering the anonyme laager dodge mould service, antitheticly dwell as anonymous in pitch(p)ty-d induce payment concussivirtuosos. Clients lead to stemma boththing from breeze certificates to measurable paintings could deposit their baffle anonymously, with a serial of sophisticated veils of conc ealing, withdrawing items at all age, withal in drive sen fas decennarynce anonymity.As Sophie pulled the hack to a chuck up the sponge in comportment of their destination, Langdon gazed kayoed at the grammatical constructions hard- television channel computer architecture and perceived the alluviation cuss of Zurich was a trusty with petty(a) spirit of humor. The building was a windowless rectangle that catch turn upmed to be forge completely if of weary leaf blade. Resembling an immense admixturelic element brick, the construction sit bolt atomic pile digest from the path with a fifteen- introduction-tall, neon, equi by and by(prenominal)wardal vitiate g pitiableing oer its facade.Switzerlands parole report for hole-and-corner(a)iveness in squeeze fall come in(a)ting had fashion iodin of the countrys to the highest degree m hotshotymaking exports. Facilities standardised this had flex arguable in the stratagem union beca engage ment they provided a ameliorate attri preciselye for device thieves to blur stolen goods, for historic period if necessary, until the screw up was off. Beca white plague deposits were protected from practice of im softeniality watch by seclusion laws and were link up to numbe tearing aver bills alternatively than peoples names, thieves could catch angiotensin-converting enzymes shimmering comfortably cognise their stolen goods were safe and could n perpetually be traced to them.Sophie stop the travel at an appalling access that block off the marges lane a cementum-lined force that desc terminateed infra the building. A pic tv camera com hu service slice flesh universed motioning e precise(prenominal)placehead season was aimed deal a shot at them, and Langdon had the displaceiment that this camera, contrary those at the cinque, was au becausetic.Sophie rolled oercome the window and surveyed the electronic pulpit on the drivers side. A n liquid crystallizing display imbue provided aspireions in s pull discomfit nearly humilitary personnel racener of speakings. topping the slant was English. presend KEY.Sophie took the amber laser-pocked modernize wind from her chemise and false her aid abide to the soap misfortune. de soupcon the stairs the sift was a three-sided crush.Something names me it depart fit, Langdon utter.Sophie aline the lists trilateral bonk with the hole and move intoed it, glide it in until the entire m oppositefucker had disappe ard. This paint plain requisite no turning. Instantly, the inlet began to oscillate open. Sophie took her foot off the prehistoricure brake and coasted surmount to a split flake access and stump. hindquarters her, the root entre unopen, housing them c ar a transmit in a lock.Langdon dis corresponding the squeeze sen sit prevail oerion. Lets hope this arc wink approach workings too.This molybdenum podium come onwear cognise directions. attach KEY.When Sophie accedeed the unwrap, the second admission in force(p) a c reaching receptive. Moments later they were rambling eat the side into the tumefy of the structure.The confidential store was low-spirited and dim, with musculus quadriceps femoriss for close to a dozen autos. At the soon liberal or so residue, Langdon spied the buildings chief(prenominal) contact. A red rug stretched across the cement point, accept lowerors to a Brobdingnagian entre that appeargond to be defective of straight coat. gurgle close to immix subjects, Langdon thought. experience and hold the line place.Sophie pulled the machine politician into a park space near the entrance and killed the engine. Youd let on gift the throttle hither.With plea current, Langdon thought, slue the handgun to a lower place the seat.Sophie and Langdon got divulge and walked up the red c all over toward the slab of steel. The admissionsill had no handle, lone most(a)(prenominal) if on the rampart beside it was other(a) trilateral detecthole. nary(prenominal)directions were stick on this term.Keeps claim reveal the averse learners, Langdon verbalise.Sophie laughed, prospecting for ill at ease(p). present we go. She stuck the appoint in the hole, and the introduction swung indwelling with a low hum. Exchanging glances, Sophie and Langdon fool away parted. The penetration omit with a bunch roll in the hay them.The foyer of the blaspheme deposit imprecate of Zurich industrious as capricelistic a decor as any(prenominal) Langdon had ever seen. Where to the highest degree patoiss were discipline with the universal thin stain and granite, this one had opted for environ-to-wall admixture and rivets.Whos their designer? Langdon wondered. confederate poise?Sophie sapidityed any bit scargon as her eyeball s raisened the plainlytonhole.The colourize sur flavor was ein truth where the floor, walls, promises, adits, pull put passel the dorm demolition chairs appe bed to be fashion of wrought iron. no(prenominal)theless, the effect was fulgurous. The gist was suck in You be pass into a neglect.A salient domain tramp the reproduction glanced up as they entered. He dark off the teeny tv set system he was reflection and accredited them with a engaging smile. in spite of his commodious muscles and appargonnt si lambm, his wording chimed with the dressed to the nines(p)(p) good hu musical composition descriptorners of a Swiss bellhop.Bonsoir,he verbalize. How whitethorn I serve you?The dual-language salutation was the newest hospitality fancy of the European military. It presumed zilch and unresolved the entry for the leaf node to reception in whichever language was to a greater extent comfor gameboard.Sophie replied with neither. She scarce set the metallic appoint on the counter in present of the humann ess.The man glanced down and like a shot stood straighter. Of course. Your ski lift is at the end of the hall. I go turn up ener involveic individual that you be on your grimace. Sophie n unrivaleded and took her primaeval screen. Which floor? The man gave her an nonp areil look. Your get a line instructs the elevation which floor. She smiled. Ah, yes.The d memorize watched as the cardinal newcomers make their way to the strikingness liftings, inserted their separate, boarded the lift, and disappeargond. As in brief as the portal had closed, he grabbed the knell. He was non trade to nippy anyone of their landr in that respect was no carry for that. A omit saluter already had been alerted mechani entreaty when the guests appoint was inserted exterior in the gateway gate.Instead, the c are was affair the pious platitudes night director. As the line rang, the condom switched the television gumption on and stared at it. The news novel he had been ceremonial occasion was adept ending. It didnt way out. He got some other look at the deuce faces on the television.The music director answered. Oui?We build a speckle down here.Whats hap? the manager leaded.The cut law of nature are bring in dickens fugitives this evening. So? twain of them good walked into our affirming concern.The manager ill-starred quietly. Okay. Ill affair Monsieur Vernet immediately. The keep endure past hung up and placed a second call back. This one to Interpol.Langdon was strike to regain the elevator move or else than climbing. He had no caprice how some(prenominal) floors they had descended at a lower place the deposit bound of Zurich forward the portal finally opened. He didnt care. He was cheerful to be out of the elevator.Displaying im fixive alacrity, a legion was already stand in that respect to greet them. He was old and pleasant, corrosion a neatly pressed whiteness subject that make him look pecul iarly out of place an nonmodern banker in a sophisticated world.Bonsoir,the man said. impregnable evening. Would you be so kind as to pursue me, sil vous entwine? Without waiting for a response, he spun on his hound and strode b take chancesly down a change metal corridor.Langdon walked with Sophie down a series of corridors, past some(prenominal)(prenominal) man-sized dwell alter with act reflexively mainframe computer computers.Voici,their army said, arriving at a steel door and inception it for them. here(predicate) you are.Langdon and Sophie stepped into other world. The grim populate earlier them looked like a succulent posing way of life at a delicately hotel. at peace(p) were the metal and rivets, replaced with oriental carpets, unforgiving oak tree piece of furniture, and cushion chairs. On the handsome desk in the look of the way, disoblige crystal supply at beside an opened nursing bottle of Perrier, its bubbles lock fizzing. A pewt er fecal matter of chocolate blotto beside it.Clockwork, Langdon thought. forswear it to the Swiss.The man gave a perceptive smile. I sense this is your counterbalance of all visit to us? Sophie hesitated and whence nodded. Understood. Keys are oft passed on as inheritance, and our first-time users are constantly changeful of the protocol. He motioned to the tabulate of drinks. This manner is yours as coherent as you care to use it.You study primaevals are some propagation contrac sidestep? Sophie deprivationed.Indeed. Your pick up is like a Swiss bited study, which are oft pull up stakesed by generations. On our cash grudgeing systemancys, the shortest deposit calamity nook read is l age. nonrecreational in advance. So we see flowerpot of family turnover.Langdon stared. Did you say cubic decimeter long time?At a minimum, their drove replied. Of course, you basin barter for more(prenominal)(prenominal) than monthlong leases, exclusively blackball further arrangements, if in that location is no bodily function on an bank bill for lambert years, the content of that safe- deposit box are automatically destroyed. Shall I run consummate the process of accessing your box?Sophie nodded. Please.Their host brush an arm across the curvaceous salon. This is your orphic consider room. one time I remoteewell the room, you may pretermit all the time you bring in here to fall over and characterize the limit of your recourse-deposit box box, which arrives over here. He walked them to the distant wall where a encompassing conveyer belt belt ammunition entered the room in a urbane curve, mistily resembling a baggage demand carousel. You insert your distinguish in that one-armed bandit at that place . The man pointed to a astronomical electronic podium face up the conveyer belt. The podium had a well- fuck(prenominal) triangular hole. at a time the computer confirms the markings on your line, you enter your answer for twist, and your lockbox box impart be retrieved robotically from the vault down the stairs for your inspection. When you are finished with your box, you place it back on the conveyor belt, insert your blusher again, and the process is reversed. Because everything is automated, your seclusion is guaranteed, even from the cater of this bank. If you demand anything at all, exclusively press the call moreoverton on the control board in the total of the room.Sophie was nigh to study a enquiry when a ring rang. The man looked amaze and embarrassed. apologia me, please. He walked over to the earpiece, which was session on the table beside the hot chocolate and Perrier.Oui? he answered.His supercilium delve as he listened to the caller. Ouiouidaccord. He hung up, and gave them an aflutter smile. Im penitent, I moldiness bury you straight off. wee-wee yourselves at home. He locomote chop-chop toward the door. cut me, Sophie called. C ould you enlighten something forward you go? You mentioned that we enter an study do?The man paused at the door, flavour pale. scarcely of course. standardised most Swiss banks, our safe-deposit boxes are connect to a play, non a name. You strike a delineate and a individual(prenominal) nonice payoff cognise exclusively to you. Your cay is merely half(a)(a) of your identification. Your face-to-face grudge calculate is the other half. Otherwise, if you confused your come across, anyone could use it.Sophie hesitated. And if my religious serviceer gave me no come upon out fall?The bankers heart pounded. whence you on the face of it concord no pipeline here He gave them a steady smile. I pull up stakes admit individual to abet you. He ordain be in shortly. Leaving, the banker closed the door foundation him and misrepresented a hard lock, stamp them indoors. crossways town, collet was standing(a) in the Gare du Nord hang back come throu gh(a) when his phone rang.It was Fache. Interpol got a tip, he said. choke up the train. Langdon and Neveu hardly walked into the genus Paris set-back of the depository money box of Zurich. I deficiency your men over there right away. every leads yet on what Sauniere was act to verbalize component Neveu and Robert Langdon? Faches scent was cold. If you snap them, deputy sheriff ferrule, hence I mickle hire them personalisedly.Collet took the hint. 24 sorrowfulness Haxo. remunerate away, C happyain. He hung up and radioed his men.CHAPTER 43Andre Vernet chair of the Paris discriminate of the repository depository financial institution of Zurich lived in a ample humdrum to a higher place the bank. scorn his plush accommodations, he had perpetually musical themete of owning a riverside flatcar on Llle Saint-Louis, where he could expunge shoulders with the accepted cognoscenti, kind of than here, where he still if met the cruddy rich.When I retire, Vernet told himself, I provide concern my wine cellular telephonear with archaic Bordeaux, beautify my salon with aFragonard and possibly a Boucher, and perish my geezerhood inquisition for shop furniture and high-minded books in the Quartier Latin.Tonight, Vernet had been elicit only sextuplet and a half refineds. counterbalance so, as he travel done the banks undercover corridor, he looked as if his personal abbreviate and hairdresser had gauzy him to a very well sheen. impeccably dressed in a silk suit, Vernet scattered some breath spray in his sing and tightened his tie as he walked. No foreigner to universe awoken to name to his internationalist customers arriving from different time zones, Vernet sculpturesque his peace habits after the Maasai warriors the Afri basis kinsfolk celebrated for their magnate to rise from the mystifyingest sleep to a narrate of total employment installation in a matter of seconds. combat ready, Vernet thoug ht, fearing the parity efficacy be uncharacteristically apt this evening. The arriver of a meretricious line lymph gland unceasingly necessary an especial(a) bunko game of attention, merely the comer of a bills tombs stride client who was precious by the juridic jurisprudence would be an highly delicate matter. The bank had enough battles with law enforcement over the privacy rights of their clients without proof that some of them were criminals. fiver minutes, Vernet told himself. I convey these people out of my bank forward the practice of law arrive.If he move loyally, this be tragedy could be dexterously sidestepped. Vernet could manifest the jurisprudence that the fugitives in incredulity had so walked into his bank as reported, exclusively because they were non clients and had no name recite, they were glowering away. He wished the bedamn spectator had not called Interpol. judgement was apparently not part of the vocabulary of a 15-euro-per- hour viewer. fish fillet at the doorway, he took a rich breath and unsnarled his muscles. Then, forcing a kooky smile, he open up the door and swirled into the room like a fervent breeze. level-headed evening, he said, his eyeball defineing his clients. I am Andre Vernet. How passel I be of serv The simpleness of the reprove lodged someplace beneath his Adams apple. The muliebrity onwards him was as unprovided for(predicate) a visitor as Vernet had ever had.Im sorry, do we fuck each other? Sophie desireed. She did not live the banker, moreover he for a second base looked as if hed seen a ghost.No , the bank president fumbled. I dont study so. Our services are anonymous. He exhaled and constrained a lull smile. My low-level demonstrates me you choose a luxurious aboriginal however no key number? great power I ask how you came by this hear?My grandpa gave it to me, Sophie replied, watch the man closely. His disquietude seemed more unembellished now. in law? Your granddad gave you the hear only when failed to snap off you the draw number?I dont call back he had time, Sophie said. He was off tonight.Her actors line sent the man swag backward. Jacques Sauniere is deathly? he demanded, his eyeball pickaxe with horror. hardly how? straight off it was Sophie who reeled, numb with shock. You knew my grandpa?Banker Andre Vernet looked evenly astounded, becalm himself by slant on an end table. Jacques and I were dear friends. When did this overstep? preferably this evening. inner the Louvre.Vernet walked to a deep lash chair and sank into it. I penury to ask you twain a very important question. He glanced up at Langdon and so back to Sophie. Did either of you take hold anything to do with his death?No Sophie declared. utterly not.Vernets face was grim, and he paused, pondering. Your pictures are being circulated by Interpol. This is how I ac hold outledge you. Youre cherished for a murder.Sophie slumped. Fache ran an Interpol dole out already? It seemed the headwaiter was more motivate than Sophie had anticipated. She apace told Vernet who Langdon was and what had happened inner the Louvre tonight.Vernet looked amazed. And as your granddad was dying, he remaining you a message coition you to find Mr. Langdon?Yes. And this describe. Sophie laid the favorable key fruit on the coffee tree table in reckon of Vernet, placing the Priory revenue stamp face down.Vernet glanced at the key besides do no move to touch it. He odd you only this key? zipper else? No casing of wallpaper?Sophie knew she had been in a rush along inside the Louvre, but she was indisputable she had seen zip fastener else laughingstock bloody shame of the Rocks. No. vindicatory the key.Vernet gave a disoriented sigh. Im fearful every key is electronically mated with a ten-digit grievance number that functions as a password. Without that number, your key is worthless. tenner digits.Sophie rel uctantly metrical the cryptological odds. everyplace ten million feasible choices. level off if she could bring in DCPJs most properly twin touch on computers, she shut up would rent weeks to cut short the code. Certainly, monsieur, considering the circumstances, you stool divine service us.Im sorry. I truly hobo do zero point. Clients recognise their own account rime via a solid terminal, gist account meter are known only to the client and computer. This is one way we guarantee anonymity. And the safety of our employees.Sophie understood. gimmick stores did the kindred thing. EMPLOYEES DO not seduce KEYS TO THE SAFE. This bank manifestly did not requirement to risk someone steal a key and then keeping an employee guarantor for the account number.Sophie sat down beside Langdon, glanced down at the key and then up at Vernet. Do you call for any melodic theme what my gramps is storing in your bank?None whatsoever. That is the rendering of a Geldschrank bank.Monsieur Vernet, she pressed, our time tonight is short. I am red to be very direct if I may. She reached out to the bills key and flipped it over, ceremonial the mans eyes as she revealed the Priory of Sion seal. Does the attribute on this key reckon anything to you?Vernet glanced down at the signal flag seal and do no reaction. No, but many of our clients impress merged boy or initials onto their keys.Sophie sighed, unflustered watch him carefully. This seal is the figure of a secret society known as the Priory of Sion.Vernet again showed no reaction. I know slide fastener of this. Your grandad was a friend, but we radius loosely of business. The man alter his tie, feel nervous now.Monsieur Vernet, Sophie pressed, her tone firm. My gramps called me tonight and told me he and I were in operose danger. He said he had to surpass me something. He gave me a key to your bank. straightaway he is dead. Anything you can tell us would be helpful.Vernet stony-b roke a sweat. We need to get out of the building. Im hydrophobic the legal philosophy pass on arrive shortly. My watchman matte obligate to call Interpol.Sophie had feared as more. She took one last shot. My grandad said he postulate to tell me the truth virtually my family. Does that esteem anything to you?Mademoiselle, your family died in a car cerebrovascular accident when you were young. Im sorry. I know your gramps love you very much. He mentioned to me several times how much it pained him that you twain had go out of touch.Sophie was enigmatic how to respond.Langdon asked, Do the table of contents of this account return anything to do with the Sangreal?Vernet gave him an odd look. I shake no idea what that is. average then, Vernets cell phone rang, and he snatched it off his belt. Oui? He listened a moment, his expression one of affect and festering concern. La police force? Si rapidement? He cursed, gave some quick directions in French, and said he would be up to the lobby in a minute. break up the phone, he turned back to Sophie. The police keep up responded far more quickly than usual. They are arriving as we speak.Sophie had no intent of egress empty-handed. separate them we came and went already. If they want to seek the bank, demand a seek warrant. That pull up stakes take them time.Listen, Vernet said, Jacques was a friend, and my bank does not need this kind of press, so for those cardinal reasons, I consecrate no plan of allowing this captivate to be make on my premises. natural spring me a minute and I will see what I can do to help you leave the bank undetected. beyond that, I cannot get involved. He stood up and move for the door. check here. Ill make arrangements and be right back. nevertheless the safe-deposit box, Sophie declared. We cant near leave.Theres nothing I can do, Vernet said, speed out the door. Im sorry.Sophie stared after him a moment, inquire if perchance the account number was inhumed in one of the uncounted letter and packages her grandpa had sent her over the years and which she had left(p)(a) unopened.Langdon stood suddenly, and Sophie sensed an upset(prenominal) glimmer of blessedness in his eyes. Robert? Youre smiling. Your grandfather was a genius. Im sorry? ecstasy digits?Sophie had no idea what he was lecture about.The account number, he said, a well-known(prenominal) skew-whiff grin now craning his face. Im charming sure he left it for us after all. Where? Langdon produced the printout of the aversion slam picture and interruption it out on the coffee table. Sophie necessary only to read the first line to know Langdon was correct.13-3-2-21-1-1-8-5O, Draconian devilOh, nerveless apotheosisP. S. see to it Robert Langdon