and a key, Langdon said flatly. Sato turned fully to Langdon now, her small eyes appraising him. And how exactly would you know that? Langdon stared back. The image of a human hand, marked in this way on the fingertips, is a very old icon. Its known as ‘the Hand of the Mysteries. Anderson stood up abruptly. This thing has a name? Langdon nodded. Its one of the most secretive icons of the ancient world. Sato cocked her head. Then might I ask what the hell its doing in the middle of the U.S. Capitol? Langdon wished he would wake up from this nightmare. Traditionally, maam, canada goose fill power it was used as an invitation. An invitation . . . to what? she demanded. Langdon looked do canada goose fill power wn at the symbols on his friends severed hand. For centuries, the Hand of the Mysteries served as a mystical summons. Basically,
mystery of what her brother had told Dr. Abaddon, there was at least one mystery that had been solved today. Her b canada goose fill power rother had finally learned how to use the text-messaging feature on the iPhone Katherine had given him. And alert the media, Katherine called after Trish. The great Peter Solomon just sent his first text message. In a strip-mall parking lot across the street from the SMSC, Malakh stood beside his limo, stretching his legs and waiting for the phone call he knew canada goose fill power would be coming. The rain had stopped, and a winter moon had started to break through the clouds. It was the same moon that had shone down on Malakh through the oculus of the House of the Temple three months ago during his initiation. The world looks different tonight. As he waited, his stomach growled again. His two-day
and could tell his makeup was badly mangled. It didnt matter anymore. By the time Katherine put it all together, it would be too late. CHAPTER 38 This room is Masonic? Sato demanded, turning from the skull and staring at Langdon in the darkness. Langdon nodded calmly. Its called a Chamber of Reflection. These rooms are designed as cold, austere places in which a canada goose fill power Mason can reflect on his own mortality. By meditating on the inevitability of death, a Mason gains a valuable perspective on the fleeting nature of life. Sato looked around the eerie space, apparently not convinced. This is some kind of meditation room? Essentially, yes. These chambers always incorporate the same symbolsskull and crossed bones, scythe, hourglass, sulfur, salt, blank paper, a candle, canada goose fill power et cetera. The symbols of death
displayed a standard security X-ray of someones bag. Sato had requested information on what appeared to be a small pyramid inside a cube-shaped box. Normally, a two-inch-tall object would not be an issue of national security unless it was made of enriched plutonium. This one was not. It was made of something almost equally startling. Image-density analysis was conclusive, Nola said. Nineteen-point-three grams per cubic centimeter canada goose fill power . Its pure gold. Very, very valuable. Anything else? Actually, yes. The density scan picked up minor irregularities on the surface of the gold pyramid. It turns out th canada goose fill power e gold is engraved with text. Really? Sato sounded hopeful. What does it say? I cant tell yet. The inscription is extremely faint. Im trying to enhance with filters, but the resolution on the X-ray is
in prison, from my nephew, Zachary . . . right before he killed him. Langdon listened in amazement. The tragedy within the Solomon family was almost beyond belief. Katherine continued, telling Langdon that she had always believed the intruder was killed that nig canada goose fill power ht . . . that is, until this same man had resurfaced today, posing as Peters psychiatrist and luring Katherine to his home. He knew private things about my brother, my mothers death, and even my work, she said anxiously, things he could only have learned from canada goose fill power my brother. And so I trusted him . . . and thats how he got inside the Smithsonian Museum Support Center. Katherine took a deep breath and told Langdon she was nearly certain the man had destroyed her lab tonight. Langdon listened in utter shock. For several moments, the two of
location. Blue Line, southbound platform! Simkins shouted. Get down canada goose fill power there and clear everyone out! His team dashed off. Simkins rushed over to the ticket booth, flashed his identification, and shouted to the woman inside. The next train from Metro Centerwhat time is it due?! The woman inside looked frightened. Im not sure. Blue Line arrives every eleven minutes. Theres no set schedule. How long since the last train? Five . . . six minutes, maybe? No more than that. Turner did the math. Perfect. The next train had to be Langdons. Inside a fast-moving subway car, Katherine Solomon shifted uncomfortably on the hard plastic seat. The bright fluorescent lights overhead hurt her eyes, and she fought the impulse to let her eyelids close, even for a second. Langdon sat beside her in t canada goose fill power he empty car,
temperatures. We call them thermal markers. Science uses these markers all the time. Langdon gazed down at the submerged pyramid and capstone. Wisps of steam were beginning to curl over canada goose fill power the bubbling water, although he was not feeling hopeful. He glanced at his watch, and his heart rate accelerated: 11:45 P.M. You believe something here will luminesce as it heats up? Not luminesce, Robert. Incandesce. Theres a big difference. Incandescence is caused by heat, and it occurs at a specific temperature. For example, when steel manufacturers temper beams, they spray a grid on them with a trans canada goose fill power parent coating that incandesces at a specific target temperature so they know when the beams are done. Think of a mood ring. Just put it on your finger, and it changes color from body heat. Katherine, this
Robert Langdon was gone. CHAPTER 104 Its over. Katherine Solomon had stopped screaming. The drowning she had just witnessed had left her catatonic, virtually paralyzed with shock and despair. Beneath the Plexiglas window, Langdons dead eyes stared past her into empty space. His frozen expression was one of pain and regret. The last tiny air bubbles trickled out of his lifeless mouth, and then, as if consenting to give up his ghost, the Harvard professor slowly began sinking to the bottom of the tank . . . where he disappeared into the shadows. Hes gon canada goose fill power e. Katherine felt numb canada goose fill power . The tattooed man reached down, and with pitiless finality, he slid the small viewing window closed, sealing Langdons corpse inside. Then he smiled at her. Shall we? Before Katherine could respond, he hoisted her grief-