Langdon realized how close they really were. If the missing orb revealed the password, they would be able to open the second cryptex. He had a hard time imagining what they might find inside.
Langdon eyed the poem again. It was like some kind of primordial crossword puzzle. A five-letter word that speaks of the Grail? On the plane, they had already tried all the obvious passwords – GRAIL, GRAAL, GREAL, VENUS, MARIA, JESUS, SARAH – but the cylinder had not budged. Far too obvious.Apparently there existed some other five-letter reference to the Rose’s seeded womb. The fact that the word was eluding a specialist like Leigh Teabing signified to Langdon that it was no ordinary Grail reference.
«Sir Leigh?» Rémy called over his shoulder. He was watching them in the rearview mirror through the open divider. «You said Fleet Street is near Blackfriars Bridge?» «Yes, take Victoria Embankment.» «I’m sorry. I’m not sure where that is. We usually go only to the hospital.»
Teabing rolled his eyes at Langdon and Sophie and grumbled,» I swear, sometimes it’s like baby- sitting a child. One moment please. Help yourself to a drink and savory snacks.» He left them, clambering awkwardly toward the open divider to talk to Rémy. Sophie turned to Langdon now, her voice quiet. «Robert, nobody knows you and I are in England.» Langdon realized she was right. The Kent police would tell Fache the plane was empty, and Fachewould have to assume they were still in France. We are invisible.Leigh’s little stunt had just boughtthem a lot of time.
«Fache will not give up easily,» Sophie said. «He has too much riding on this arrest now.»
Langdon had been trying not to think about Fache. Sophie had promised she would do everything in her power to exonerate Langdon once this was over, but Langdon was starting to fear it might not matter. Fache could easily be pan of this plot.Although Langdon could not imagine the Judicial Police tangled up in the Holy Grail, he sensed too much coincidence tonight to disregard Fache as a possible accomplice. Fache is religions, and he is intent on pinning these murders onme.Then again, Sophie had argued that Fache might simply be overzealous to make the arrest. After all, the evidence against Langdon was substantial. In addition to Langdon’s name scrawled on the Louvre floor and in Saunière’s date book, Langdon now appeared to have lied about his manuscript and then run away. At Sophie’s suggestion.
«Robert, I’m sorry you’re so deeply involved,» Sophie said, placing her hand on his knee. «But I’m very glad you’re here.»
The comment sounded more pragmatic than romantic, and yet Langdon felt an unexpected flicker of attraction between them. He gave her a tired smile. «I’m a lot more fun when I’ve slept.»
Sophie was silent for several seconds. «My grandfather asked me to trust you. I’m glad I listened to him for once.»
«Your grandfather didn’t even know me.»
«Even so, I can’t help but think you’ve done everything he would have wanted. You helped me find the keystone, explained the Sangreal, told me about the ritual in the basement.» She paused. «Somehow I feel closer to my grandfather tonight than I have in years. I know he would be happy about that.»
In the distance, now, the skyline of London began to materialize through the dawn drizzle. Once dominated by Big Ben and Tower Bridge, the horizon now bowed to the Millennium Eye – a colossal, ultramodern Ferris wheel that climbed five hundred feet and afforded breathtaking views of the city. Langdon had attempted to board it once, but the» viewing capsules» reminded him of sealed sarcophagi, and he opted to keep his feet on the ground and enjoy the view from the airy banks of the Thames.
Langdon felt a squeeze on his knee, pulling him back, and Sophie’s green eyes were on him. He realized she had been speaking to him. «What do you think we should do with the Sangreal documents if we ever find them?» she whispered.
«What I think is immaterial,» Langdon said. «Your grandfather gave the cryptex to you, and you should do with it what your instinct tells you he would want done.»
«I’m asking for your opinion. You obviously wrote something in that manuscript that made my grandfather trust your judgment. He scheduled a private meeting with you. That’s rare.»
«Maybe he wanted to tell me I have it all wrong.»
«Why would he tell me to find you unless he liked your ideas? In your manuscript, did you support the idea that the Sangreal documents should be revealed or stay buried?»
«Neither. I made no judgment either way. The manuscript deals with the symbology of the sacred feminine – tracing her iconography throughout history. I certainly didn’t presume to know where the Grail is hidden or whether it should ever be revealed.» «And yet you’re writing a book about it, so you obviously feel the information should be shared.» «There’s an enormous difference between hypothetically discussing an alternate history of Christ, and…» He paused. «And what?» «And presenting to the world thousands of ancient documents as scientific evidence that the New Testament is false testimony.»
«But you told me the New Testament is based on fabrications.»
Langdon smiled. «Sophie, every faith in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith – acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove. Every religion describes God through metaphor, allegory, and exaggeration, from the early Egyptians through modern Sunday school. Metaphors are a way to help our minds process the unprocessible. The problems arise when we begin to believe literally in our own metaphors.»
«So you are in favor of the Sangreal documents staying buried forever?»
«I’m a historian. I’m opposed to the destruction of documents, and I would love to see religious scholars have more information to ponder the exceptional life of Jesus Christ.»
«You’re arguing both sides of my question.»
«Am I? The Bible represents a fundamental guidepost for millions of people on the planet, in much the same way the Koran, Torah, and Pali Canon offer guidance to people of other religions. If you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted the holy stories of Islamic belief, Judaic belief, Buddhist belief, pagan belief, should we do that? Should we wave a flag and tell the Buddhists that we have proof the Buddha did not come from a lotus blossom? Or that Jesus was not born of a literal virgin birth? Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.»
Sophie looked skeptical. «My friends who are devout Christians definitely believe that Christ literallywalked on water, literally turned water into wine, and was born of a literal virgin birth.»
«My point exactly,» Langdon said. «Religious allegory has become a part of the fabric of reality. And living in that reality helps millions of people cope and be better people.»
«But it appears their reality is false.»
Langdon chuckled. «No more false than that of a mathematical cryptographer who believes in the imaginary number ‘i’because it helps her break codes.»
Sophie frowned. «That’s not fair.» A moment passed.» What was your question again?» Langdon asked. «I can’t remember.» He smiled. «Works every time.»
CHAPTER 83
Langdon’s Mickey Mouse wristwatch read almost seven-thirty when he emerged from the Jaguar limousine onto Inner Temple Lane with Sophie and Teabing. The threesome wound through a maze of buildings to a small courtyard outside the Temple Church. The rough-hewn stone shimmered in the rain, and doves cooed in the architecture overhead.
London’s ancient Temple Church was constructed entirely of Caen stone. A dramatic, circular edifice with a daunting facade, a central turret, and a protruding nave off one side, the church looked more like a military stronghold than a place of worship. Consecrated on the tenth of February in 1185 by Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Temple Church survived eight centuries of political turmoil, the Great Fire of London, and the First World War, only to be heavily damaged by Luftwaffe incendiary bombs in 1940. After the war, it was restored to its original, stark grandeur.
The simplicity of the circle , Langdon thought, admiring the bui
lding for the first time. The architecture was coarse and simple, more reminiscent of Rome’s rugged Castel Sant’Angelo than the refined Pantheon. The boxy annex jutting out to the right was an unfortunate eyesore, although it did little to shroud the original pagan shape of the primary structure.
«It’s early on a Saturday,» Teabing said, hobbling toward the entrance,» so I’m assuming we won’t have services to deal with.»
The church’s entryway was a recessed stone niche inside which stood a large wooden door. To the left of the door, looking entirely out of place, hung a bulletin board covered with concert schedules and religious service announcements.
Teabing frowned as he read the board. «They don’t open to sightseers for another couple of hours.» He moved to the door and tried it. The door didn’t budge. Putting his ear to the wood, he listened. After a moment, he pulled back, a scheming look on his face as he pointed to the bulletin board. «Robert, check the service schedule, will you? Who is presiding this week?»
Inside the church, an altar boy was almost finished vacuuming the communion kneelers when he heard a knocking on the sanctuary door. He ignored it. Father Harvey Knowles had his own keys and was not due for another couple of hours. The knocking was probably a curious tourist or indigent. The altar boy kept vacuuming, but the knocking continued. Can’t you read? The sign on the door clearly stated that the church did not open until nine-thirty on Saturday. The altar boy remained with his chores.
Suddenly, the knocking turned to a forceful banging, as if someone were hitting the door with a metal rod. The young man switched off his vacuum cleaner and marched angrily toward the door. Unlatching it from within, he swung it open. Three people stood in the entryway. Tourists, he grumbled. «We open at nine-thirty.»
The heavyset man, apparently the leader, stepped forward using metal crutches. «I am Sir Leigh Teabing,» he said, his accent a highbrow, Saxonesque British. «As you are no doubt aware, I am escorting Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Wren the Fourth.» He stepped aside, flourishing his arm toward the attractive couple behind them. The woman was soft-featured, with lush burgundy hair. The man was tall, dark-haired, and looked vaguely familiar.
The altar boy had no idea how to respond. Sir Christopher Wren was the Temple Church’s most famous benefactor. He had made possible all the restorations following damage caused by the Great Fire. He had also been dead since the early eighteenth century. «Um… an honor to meet you?»
The man on crutches frowned. «Good thing you’re not in sales, young man, you’re not very convincing. Where is Father Knowles?»
«It’s Saturday. He’s not due in until later.»
The crippled man’s scowl deepened. «There’s gratitude. He assured us he would be here, but it looks like we’ll do it without him. It won’t take long.»
The altar boy remained blocking the doorway. «I’m sorry, what won’t take long?»
The visitor’s eyes sharpened now, and he leaned forward whispering as if to save everyone some embarrassment. «Young man, apparently you are new here. Every year Sir Christopher Wren’s descendants bring a pinch of the old man’s ashes to scatter in the Temple sanctuary. It is part of his last will and testament. Nobody is particularly happy about making the trip, but what can we do?»
The altar boy had been here a couple of years but had never heard of this custom. «It would be better if you waited until nine-thirty. The church isn’t open yet, and I’m not finished hoovering.»
The man on crutches glared angrily. «Young man, the only reason there’s anything left of this building for you to hoover is on account of the gentleman in that woman’s pocket.»
«I’m sorry?»
«Mrs. Wren,» the man on crutches said,» would you be so kind as to show this impertinent young man the reliquary of ashes?»
The woman hesitated a moment and then, as if awaking from a trance, reached in her sweater pocket and pulled out a small cylinder wrapped in protective fabric.
«There, you see?» the man on crutches snapped. «Now, you can either grant his dying wish and let us sprinkle his ashes in the sanctuary, or I tell Father Knowles how we’ve been treated.»
The altar boy hesitated, well acquainted with Father Knowles’ deep observance of church tradition… and, more importantly, with his foul temper when anything cast this time-honored shrine in anything but favorable light. Maybe Father Knowles had simply forgotten these family members were coming. If so, then there was far more risk in turning them away than in letting them in. After all, they said it would only take a minute.What harm could it do?
When the altar boy stepped aside to let the three people pass, he could have sworn Mr. and Mrs. Wren looked just as bewildered by all of this as he was. Uncertain, the boy returned to his chores, watching them out of the corner of his eye.
Langdon had to smile as the threesome moved deeper into the church. «Leigh,» he whispered,» you lie entirely too well.» Teabing’s eyes twinkled. «Oxford Theatre Club. They still talk of my Julius Caesar. I’m certain nobody has ever performed the first scene of Act Three with more dedication.»
Langdon glanced over. «I thought Caesar was dead in that scene.»
Teabing smirked. «Yes, but my toga tore open when I fell, and I had to lie on stage for half an hour with my todger hanging out. Even so, I never moved a muscle. I was brilliant, I tell you.»
Langdon cringed. Sorry I missed it.
As the group moved through the rectangular annex toward the archway leading into the main church, Langdon was surprised by the barren austerity. Although the altar layout resembled that of a linear Christian chapel, the furnishings were stark and cold, bearing none of the traditional ornamentation. «Bleak,» he whispered.
Teabing chuckled. «Church of England. Anglicans drink their religion straight. Nothing to distract from their misery.»
Sophie motioned through the vast opening that gave way to the circular section of the church. «It looks like a fortress in there,» she whispered.
Langdon agreed. Even from here, the walls looked unusually robust.
«The Knights Templar were warriors,» Teabing reminded, the sound of his aluminum crutches echoing in this reverberant space. «A religio-military society. Their churches were their strongholds and their banks.»
«Banks?» Sophie asked, glancing at Leigh.
«Heavens, yes. The Templars invented the concept of modern banking. For European nobility, traveling with gold was perilous, so the Templars allowed nobles to deposit gold in their nearest Temple Church and then draw it from any other Temple Church across Europe. All they needed was proper documentation.» He winked. «And a small commission. They were the original ATMs.» Teabing pointed toward a stained-glass window where the breaking sun was refracting through a white-clad knight riding a rose-colored horse. «Alanus Marcel,» Teabing said,» Master of the Temple in the early twelve hundreds. He and his successors actually held the Parliamentary chair of Primus Baro Angiae.»
Langdon was surprised. «First Baron of the Realm?»
Teabing nodded. «The Master of the Temple, some claim, held more influence than the king himself.» As they arrived outside the circular chamber, Teabing shot a glance over his shoulder at the altar boy, who was vacuuming in the distance. «You know,» Teabing whispered to Sophie,» the Holy Grail is said to once have been stored in this church overnight while the Templars moved it from one hiding place to another. Can you imagine the four chests of Sangreal documents sitting right here with Mary Magdalene’s sarcophagus? It gives me gooseflesh.»
Langdon was feeling gooseflesh too as they stepped into the circular chamber. His eye traced the curvature of the chamber’s pale stone perimeter, taking in the carvings of gargoyles, demons, monsters, and pained human faces, all staring inward. Beneath the carvings, a single stone pew curled around the entire circumference of the room.
«Theater in the round,» Langdon whispered.
Teabing raised a crutch, pointing toward the far left of the room and then to the far right. Langdon ha
d already seen them.
Ten stone knights.
Five on the left. Five on the right.
Lying prone on the floor, the carved, life-sized figures rested in peaceful poses. The knights were depicted wearing full armor, shields, and swords, and the tombs gave Langdon the uneasy sensation that someone had snuck in and poured plaster over the knights while they were sleeping. All of the figures were deeply weathered, and yet each was clearly unique – different armory pieces, distinct leg and arm positions, facial features, and markings on their shields.
In London lies a knight a Pope interred.
Langdon felt shaky as he inched deeper into the circular room.
This had to be the place.
CHAPTER 84
In a rubbish-strewn alley very close to Temple Church, Rémy Legaludec pulled the Jaguar limousine to a stop behind a row of industrial waste bins. Killing the engine, he checked the area. Deserted. He got out of the car, walked toward the rear, and climbed back into the limousine’s main cabin where the monk was.
Sensing Rémy’s presence, the monk in the back emerged from a prayer-like trance, his red eyes looking more curious than fearful. All evening Rémy had been impressed with this trussed man’s ability to stay calm. After some initial struggles in the Range Rover, the monk seemed to have accepted his plight and given over his fate to a higher power.
Loosening his bow tie, Rémy unbuttoned his high, starched, wing-tipped collar and felt as if he could breathe for the first time in years. He went to the limousine’s wet bar, where he poured himself a Smirnoff vodka. He drank it in a single swallow and followed it with a second.
Soon I will be a man of leisure.
Searching the bar, Rémy found a standard service wine-opener and flicked open the sharp blade. The knife was usually employed to slice the lead foil from corks on fine bottles of wine, but it would serve a far more dramatic purpose this morning. Rémy turned and faced Silas, holding up the glimmering blade.
Now those red eyes flashed fear.
Rémy smiled and moved toward the back of the limousine. The monk recoiled, struggling against his bonds.
«Be still,» Rémy whispered, raising the blade.
Silas could not believe that God had forsaken him. Even the physical pain of being bound Silas had turned into a spiritual exercise, asking the throb of his blood-starved muscles to remind him of the pain Christ endured. I have been praying all night for liberation.Now, as the knife descended, Silas clenched his eyes shut.
A slash of pain tore through his shoulder blades. He cried out, unable to believe he was going to die here in the back of this limousine, unable to defend himself. I was doing God’s work.TheTeacher said he would protect me.
Silas felt the biting warmth spreading across his back and shoulders and could picture his own blood, spilling out over his flesh. A piercing pain cut through his thighs now, and he felt the onset of that familiar undertow of disorientation – the body’s defense mechanism against the pain.
As the biting heat tore through all of his muscles now, Silas clenched his eyes tighter, determined that the final image of his life would not be of his own killer. Instead he pictured a younger Bishop Aringarosa, standing before the small church in Spain… the church that he and Silas had built with their own hands. The beginning of my life.
Silas felt as if his body were on fire.
«Take a drink,» the tuxedoed man whispered, his accent French. «It will help with your circulation.»
Silas’s eyes flew open in surprise. A blurry image was leaning over him, offering a glass of liquid. A mound of shredded duct tape lay on the floor beside the bloodless knife.
«Drink this,» he repeated. «The pain you feel is the blood rushing into your muscles.»
Silas felt the fiery throb transforming now to a prickling sting. The vodka tasted terrible, but he drank it, feeling grateful. Fate had dealt Silas a healthy share of bad luck tonight, but God had solved it all with one miraculous twist.
God has not forsaken me.
Silas knew what Bishop Aringarosa would call it.
Divine intervention.
«I had wanted to free you earlier,» the servant apologized,» but it was impossible. With the police arriving at Château Villette, and then at Biggin Hill airport, this was the first possible moment. You understand, don’t you, Silas?»
Silas recoiled, startled. «You know my name?» The servant smiled. Silas sat up now, rubbing his stiff muscles, his emotions a torrent of incredulity, appreciation, and confusion. «Are you… the Teacher?»
Rémy shook his head, laughing at the proposition. «I wish I had that kind of power. No, I am not the Teacher. Like you, I serve him. But the Teacher speaks highly of you. My name is Rémy.»
Silas was amazed. «I don’t understand. If you work for the Teacher, why did Langdon bring the keystone to your home?»
«Not my home. The home of the world’s foremost Grail historian, Sir Leigh Teabing.» «But you live there. The odds…» Rémy smiled, seeming to have no trouble with the apparent coincidence of Langdon’s chosen refuge. «It was all utterly predictable. Robert Langdon was in possession of the keystone, and he needed help. What more logical place to run than to the home of Leigh Teabing? That I happen to live there is why the Teacher approached me in the first place.» He paused. «How do you think the Teacher knows so much about the Grail?»
Now it dawned, and Silas was stunned. The Teacher had recruited a servant who had access to all of Sir Leigh Teabing’s research. It was brilliant.
«There is much I have to tell you,» Rémy said, handing Silas the loaded Heckler Koch pistol. Then he reached through the open partition and retrieved a small, palm-sized revolver from the glove box. «But first, you and I have a job to do.»
Captain Fache descended from his transport plane at Biggin Hill and listened in disbelief to the Kent chief inspector’s account of what had happened in