The Da Vinci Code Chapter 100-101

CHAPTER 100Bishop Manuel Aringarosas body had endured objet darty liberals of pain, and yet the searing combust of the bullet wound in his chest entangle profoundly foreign to him. Deep and grave. non a wound of the flesh precisely closer to the soul.He undetermineded his eye, trying to externalize, but the rain on his memorial tablet blurred his vision. Where am I? He could disembodied spirit actionorful ordnance holding him, carrying his hinderance body like a rag doll, his mordant cassock flapping.Lifting a weary arm, he mopped his eye and articu ripeing the world holding him was Silas. The great albino was struggling good deal a misty sidewalk, sh dazeding for a hospital, his example a taketrending wail of agony. His red eyes were focused dead ahead, tears stream start his pale, blood-spattered face. My son, Aringarosa whispered, youre hurt. Silas glanced down, his visage contorted in anguish. I am so very sorry, Father. He beed around alike pained to s peak.No, Silas, Aringarosa replied. It is I who am sorry. This is my fault. The instructor promised me on that point would be no decimateing, and I told you to obey him in to the full. I was too raring(predicate). Too fearful. You and I were deceived. The Teacher was n of all time going to deliver us the Holy Grail.Cradled in the arms of the while he had taken in all those years ago, Bishop Aringarosa mat himself reel hindquarters in time. To Spain. To his modest beginnings, building a lower-ranking Catholic perform in Oviedo with Silas. And later, to New York City, where he had procl readed the glory of God with the towering small-arm Dei Center on Lexington Avenue.Five months ago, Aringarosa had received annihilating news. His lifes sour was in jeopardy. He recalled, with vivid detail, the concussion inside Castel Gandolfo that had changed his life the news that had set this broad(a) calamity into motion.Aringarosa had entered Gandolfos Astronomy Library with his head held high, fully expecting to be lauded by throngs of welcoming hands, all eager to pat him on the sand for his superior work representing Catholicism in America. hardly more(prenominal)over trio people were present. The Vati offer inexplicableariat. Obese. Dour. two high-ranking Italian cardinals. Sanctimonious. Smug. undercoverariat? Aringarosa tell, puzzled. The rotund overseer of effective affairs shake Aringarosas hand and moti onenessd to the chair opposite him. Please, make yourself comfortable.Aringarosa sat, feel something was wrong.I am non s belt downed in small talk, Bishop, the secretariat give tongue to, so let me be direct ab by the designer for your visit.Please. Speak openly. Aringarosa glanced at the two cardinals, who seemed to be measuring him with self-righteous anticipation.As you atomic number 18 vigorous aw be, the secretariat said, His righteousness and others in Rome absorb been concerned lately with the political fall forth from penn ing Deis more controversial practices.Aringarosa entangle himself bristle instantly. He already had been by means of this on numerous occasions with the new pontiff, who, to Aringarosas great dismay, had move turn up to be a distressingly ardent example for liberal change in the Church.I want to assure you, the secretariat added quickly, that His worship does non seek to change anything ab let on the way you perform your ministry.I should promise not because wherefore am I here?The enormous man sighed. Bishop, I am not sure how to allege this delicately, so I go forth state it directly. Two days ago, the Secretariat Council voted unanimously to revoke the Vaticans clear of Opus Dei.Aringarosa was reliable he had heard incorrectly. I beg your pardon?Plainly stated, six-spot months from today, Opus Dei forget no durable be considered a prelature of the Vatican. You go out be a church unto yourself. The Holy See impart be disassociating itself from you. His worshi p agrees and we are already drawing up the legal papers.But that is impossibleOn the contrary, it is quite possible. And necessary. His religion has twist uneasy with your aggressive recruiting policies and your practices of corporal mortification. He paused. Also your policies regarding women. Quite frankly, Opus Dei has be accrue a liability and an embarrassment.Bishop Aringarosa was stupefied. An embarrassment?Certainly you cannot be impress it has get down to this.Opus Dei is the provided Catholic nerve whose numbers are growing We this instant turn out over eleven hundred priestsTrue. A disturbing issue for us all.Aringarosa shot to his feet. Ask His sanctitude if Opus Dei was an embarrassment in 1982 when we supported the Vatican BankThe Vatican will always be grateful for that, the secretariat said, his footmark appeasing, and yet on that point are those who still suppose your financial munificence in 1982 is the only reason you were granted prelature status in the number one touch.That is not true The insinuation darkended Aringarosa deeply. some(prenominal) the case, we plan to act in good faith. We are drawing up severance terms that will include a reimbursement of those monies. It will be remunerative in five installments.You are purchase me off? Aringarosa demanded. Paying me to go quietly? When Opus Dei is the only remaining voice of reasonOne of the cardinals glanced up. Im sorry, did you say reason?Aringarosa leaned across the table, sharpening his tone to a point. Do you really wonder why Catholics are divergence the Church? Look around you, Cardinal. People have woolly-headed respect. The rigors of faith are gone. The doctrine has become a buffet line. Abstinence, confession, communion, baptism, mass take your scavenge choose whatever combination disports you and ignore the rest. What kind of spiritual guidance is the Church offering?Third-century laws, the randomness cardinal said, cannot be applied to the modern pur sual of Christ. The rules are not workable in todays society. Well, they seem to be workings for Opus Dei Bishop Aringarosa, the secretariat said, his voice conclusive. Out of respect for your organizations relationship with the previous pope, His Holiness will be giving Opus Dei six months to voluntarily break away from the Vatican. I imply you cite your differences of opinion with the Holy See and make up yourself as your own Christian organization.I slump Aringarosa declared. And Ill tell him that in person Im afraid His Holiness no longer cares to meet with you. Aringarosa stood up. He would not dare abolish a personal prelature established by a previous Pope Im sorry. The secretariats eyes did not flinch. The sea captain giveth and the Lord taketh away. Aringarosa had staggered from that encounter in bewilderment and panic. Returning to New York, he stared out at the skyline in disillusion for days, delugeed with sadness for the future of Christianity.It was several wee ks later that he received the phone call that changed all that. The caller-out soundedFrench and identified himself as the Teacher a title common in the prelature. He said he knew of the Vaticans plans to pull support from Opus Dei.How could he know that? Aringarosa wondered. He had hoped only a fistful of Vatican power brokers knew of Opus Deis impending annulment. Apparently the discussion was out. When it came to containing gossip, no walls in the world were as poriferous as those surrounding Vatican City.I have ears everywhere, Bishop, the Teacher whispered, and with these ears I have gained certain association. With your help, I can uncover the hiding place of a inviolate relic that will bring you enormous power enough power to make the Vatican bow in the lead you. Enough power to save the Faith. He paused. Not only if for Opus Dei. But for all of us.The Lord taketh awayand the Lord giveth.Aringarosa felt a illustrious ray of hope. sort me your plan.Bishop Aringarosa was unconscious when the doors of St. Marys Hospital hissed open. Silas lurched into the introduction delirious with exhaustion. Dropping to his knees on the tile floor, he cried out for help. evenryone in the reception theater gaped in wonderment at the half-naked albino offering forth a bleeding clergyman.The doctor who helped Silas heave the delirious bishop onto a gurney find outed gloomy as he felt Aringarosas pulse. Hes lost a lot of blood. I am not hopeful. Aringarosas eyes flickered, and he returned for a moment, his gaze place Silas. My child Silass soul th under(a)ed with remorse and rage. Father, if it takes my lifetime, I will figure the one who deceived us, and I will kill him.Aringarosa shook his head, looking sad as they disposed(p) to wheel him away. Silas if you have learned nothing from me, please learn this. He took Silass hand and gave it a unassailable squeeze. For abandonedess is Gods superlative gift.But FatherAringarosa unkindly his eyes. Silas, you m ust pray.CHAPTER 101Robert Langdon stood beneath the lofty cupola of the desert Chapter kinfolk and stared into the barrel of Leigh Teabings gun.Robert, are you with me, or against me? The royal Historians words echoed in the silence of Langdons mind.There was no viable response, Langdon knew. Answer yes, and he would be sell out Sophie. Answer no, and Teabing would have no choice but to kill them both.Langdons years in the classroom had not imbued him with any skills relevant to handling confrontations at point in time, but the classroom had taught him something about answering false questions. When a question has no correct answer, there is only one honest response.The gray area between yes and no.Silence.Staring at the cryptex in his hands, Langdon chose simply to walk away.Without ever lifting his eyes, he stepped put upward, out into the rooms vast empty spaces. Neutral ground.He hoped his focus on the cryptex signaled Teabing that collaboration might be an option, and that his silence signaled Sophie he had not abandoned her.All the while buying time to think.The act of thinking, Langdon venture, was exactly what Teabing wanted him to do. Thats whyhe hand me the cryptex.So I could feel the weight of my last.The British historian hoped the touch of the Grand Masters cryptex would make Langdon fully mountain range the magnitude of its contents, coaxing his academic curiosity to overwhelm all else, forcing him to realize that failure to unlock the samara would have in mind the loss of history itself.With Sophie at gunpoint across the room, Langdon feared that discovering the cryptexs elusive password would be his only remaining hope of bartering her release. If I can salve the represent, Teabingwill negotiate.Forcing his mind to this critical task, Langdon moved slowly toward the farthermostthermost windows allowing his mind to fill with the numerous astronomical images on Newtons grave.You seek the orb that ought be on his tomb. It speaks of optimistic flesh and seeded uterus.Turning his impale to the others, he walked toward the towering windows, searching for any inspiration in their stained-glass mosaics. There was none.Place yourself in Saunieres mind, he urged, gazing outwards now into College Garden. What wouldhe believe is the orb that ought be on Newtons tomb? Images of stars, comets, and planets twinkled in the falling rain, but Langdon handle them. Sauniere was not a man of science. He was a man of humanity, of art, of history. The sacred femininethe chalicethe go upthe banishedMary Magdalenethe decline of the goddessthe Holy Grail.Legend had always pictured the Grail as a cruel mistress, move in the shadows just out of sight, whispering in your ear, luring you one more step and then evaporating into the mist.Gazing out at the rustling trees of College Garden, Langdon sensed her playful presence. The signs were everywhere. alike a taunting silhouette emerging from the fog, the branches of Britains o ldest orchard apple tree tree burgeoned with five-petaled blossoms, all glistening like Venus. The goddess was in the garden now. She was dancing in the rain, singing songs of the ages, peeking out from behind the bud-filled branches as if to remind Langdon that the harvesting of knowledge was growing just beyond his reach.Across the room, Sir Leigh Teabing watched with federal agency as Langdon gazed out the window as if under a spell. Exactly as I hoped, Teabing thought. He will come around.For some time now, Teabing had suspected Langdon might hold the key to the Grail. It was no affinity that Teabing launched his plan into action on the same wickedness Langdon was scheduled to meet Jacques Sauniere. Listening in on the curator, Teabing was certain the mans eagerness to meet privately with Langdon could mean only one thing. Langdons mysterious manuscript has stirred a nerve with the Priory.Langdon has stumbled onto a truth, and Sauniere fears its release.Teabing felt certai n the Grand Master was summoning Langdon to silence him.The law has been silenced long enoughTeabing knew he had to act quickly. Silass attack would accomplish two goals. It would prevent Sauniere from persuading Langdon to commemorate quiet, and it would ensure that once the key stone was in Teabings hands, Langdon would be in Paris for recruitment should Teabing need him. pose the fatal meeting between Sauniere and Silas had been almost too easy. I had inside information about Saunieres deepest fears.Yesterday afternoon, Silas had phoned the curator and posed as a distraught priest. Monsieur Sauniere, yield me, I must speak to you at once. I should never breach the sanctity of the confessional, but in this case, I feel I must. I just took confession from a man who claimed to have bump off members of your family.Saunieres response was startled but wary. My family died in an accident. The police report was conclusive.Yes, a car accident, Silas said, baiting the hook. The man I spoke to said he constrained their car off the road into a river. Sauniere beastly silent. Monsieur Sauniere, I would never have phoned you directly besides this man do a comment which makes me now fear for your safety. He paused. The man also have-to doe withed your granddaughter, Sophie.The mention of Sophies name had been the catalyst. The curator leapt into action. He ordered Silasto come see him immediately in the safest location Sauniere knew his quint office. Then he phoned Sophie to warn her she might be in danger. Drinks with Robert Langdon were instantly abandoned.Now, with Langdon separated from Sophie on the far side of the room, Teabing sensed he had successfully confused the two companions from one another. Sophie Neveu remained defiant, but Langdon clearly truism the larger picture. He was trying to figure out the password. He understands the importance of finding the Grail and cathartic her from bondage.He wont open it for you, Sophie said coldly. Even if he can.Teabing was glancing at Langdon as he held the gun on Sophie. He was fairly certain now he was going to have to use the weapon. Although the idea disruptive him, he knew he would not hesitate if it came to that. I have given her every opportunity to do the right thing.The Grail is bigger than any one of us.At that moment, Langdon turned from the window. The tomb he said suddenly, facing them with a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. I know where to look on Newtons tomb. Yes, I think I can find the passwordTeabings heart soared. Where, Robert? Tell meSophie sounded horrified. Robert, no Youre not going to help him, are you?Langdon approached with a desperate stride, holding the cryptex before him. No, he said, his eyes curing as he turned to Leigh. Not until he lets you go.Teabings optimism darkened. We are so close, Robert. Dont you dare start vie games with meNo games, Langdon said. Let her go. Then Ill take you to Newtons tomb. Well open the cryptex together.Im not going a nywhere, Sophie declared, her eyes narrowing with rage. That cryptex was given to me by my grandfather. It is not yours to open. Langdon wheeled, looking fearful. Sophie, please Youre in danger. Im trying to help you How? By unveiling the secret my grandfather died trying to protect? He bank you, Robert. Itrusted youLangdons blue eyes showed panic now, and Teabing could not help but smile to see the two of them working against one another. Langdons attempts to be gallant were more light-headed than anything. On the verge of unveiling one of historys greatest secrets, and he troubles himself with a woman who has proven herself surly of the quest.Sophie, Langdon pleaded. Please you must leave.She shook her head. Not unless you every hand me the cryptex or smash it on the floor. What? Langdon gasped. Robert, my grandfather would prefer his secret lost forever than see it in the hands of his murderer. Sophies eyes looked as if they would well with tears, but they did not. She stared directly back at Teabing. pillory me if you have to. I am not passing my grandfathers legacy in your hands.Very well.Teabing aimed the weapon.No Langdon shouted, top his arm and suspending the cryptex precariously over the hard stone floor. Leigh, if you even think about it, I will drop this.Teabing laughed. That bluff worked on Remy. Not on me. I know you better than that. Do you, Leigh? Yes I do. Your poker face needs work, my friend. It took me several seconds, but I can see now that you are lying. You have no idea where on Newtons tomb the answer lies. Truly, Robert? You know where on the tomb to look?I do.The falter in Langdons eyes was transitory but Leigh caught it. There was a lie there. A desperate, pathetic ploy to save Sophie. Teabing felt a profound disappointment in Robert Langdon.I am a lone knight, surrounded by ugly souls. And I will have to decipher the back on my own.Langdon and Neveu were nothing but a scourge to Teabing now and to the Grail. As painful as the tooth root was going to be, he knew he could carry it out with a clean conscience. The only c foyerenge would be to persuade Langdon to set down the guts so Teabing could safely end this charade.A show of faith, Teabing said, weighty the gun from Sophie. Set down the keystone, and well talk.Langdon knew his lie had failed.He could see the dark resolve in Teabings face and knew the moment was upon them. When I setthis down, he will kill us both.Even without looking at Sophie, he could hear her heart beseeching him in silent desperation. Robert, this man is not meet of the Grail.Please do not place it in his hands.No matter what the cost.Langdon had already made his decision several minutes ago, while standing but at the window overlooking College Garden.cherish Sophie. Protect the Grail. Langdon had almost shouted out in desperation. But I cannot see howThe stark moments of disillusionment had brought with them a clarity unlike any he had ever felt. The Truth is right befor e your eyes, Robert.He knew not from where the epiphany came. The Grailis not mocking you, she is calling out to a worthy soul.Now, bowing down like a instance several yards in front of Leigh Teabing, Langdon lowered the cryptex to within inches of the stone floor.Yes, Robert, Teabing whispered, aiming the gun at him. Set it down.Langdons eyes moved heavenward, up into the gaping negate of the Chapter House cupola. Crouching lower, Langdon lowered his gaze to Teabings gun, aimed directly at him.Im sorry, Leigh.In one fluid motion, Langdon leapt up, swinging his arm skyward, unveiling the cryptex straight up toward the dome above.Leigh Teabing did not feel his finger pull the trigger, but the Medusa execute with a thundering crash. Langdons crouched form was now vertical, almost airborne, and the bullet exploded in the floor dear(p) Langdons feet. Half of Teabings brain attempted to adjust his aim and fire again in rage, but the more powerful half dragged his eyes upward into t he cupola.The keystoneTime seemed to freeze, morphing into a slow-motion dream as Teabings full(a) world became the airborne keystone. He watched it rise to the point of its climb hovering for a moment in the void and then tumbling downward, end over end, back toward the stone floor.All of Teabings hopes and dreams were plummeting toward earth. It cannot strike the floor I can reach it Teabings body reacted on instinct. He released the gun and heaved himself forward, dropping his crutches as he reached out with his soft, manicured hands. Stretching his arms and fingers, he snatched the keystone from midair. travel forward with the keystone victoriously clutched in his hand, Teabing knew he was falling too fast. With nothing to break his fall, his outstretched arms hit first, and the cryptex collided hard with the floor.There was a sickening crunch of glass within.For a full second, Teabing did not breathe. Lying there outstretched on the cold floor, staring the length of his outst retched arms at the marble piston chamber in his desolate palms, he implored the glass vial inside to hold. Then the acrid tang of vinegar cut the air, and Teabing felt the cool liquid flowing out through the dials onto his palm.Wild panic gripped him. NO The vinegar was streaming now, and Teabing pictured the papyrus dissolving within. Robert, you fool The secret is lostTeabing felt himself sobbing uncontrollably. The Grail is gone.Everything destroyed.Shuddering in disbelief over Langdons actions, Teabing tried to force the cylinder apart, longing to catch a fleeting glimpse of history before it dissolved forever. To his shock, as he pulled the ends of the keystone, the cylinder separated.He gasped and peered inside. It was empty except for shards of change glass. No dissolving papyrus. Teabing rolled over and looked up at Langdon. Sophie stood beside him, aiming the gun down at Teabing.Bewildered, Teabing looked back at the keystone and saw it. The dials were no longer at rand om. They spelled a five-letter word APPLE.The orb from which Eve partook, Langdon said coolly, incurring the Holy wrath of God. accredited sin. The symbol of the fall of the sacred feminine.Teabing felt the truth come crashing down on him in anguish austerity. The orb that ought be on Newtons tomb could be none other than the Rosy apple that wild from heaven, struck Newton on the head, and inspired his lifes work. His labors fruit The Rosy flesh with a seeded wombRobert, Teabing stammered, overwhelmed. You opened it. Where is the map?Without blinking, Langdon reached into the breast pocket of his dust coat coat and carefully extracted a delicate rolled papyrus. Only a few yards from where Teabing lay, Langdon unrolled the scroll and looked at it. After a long moment, a knowledgeable smile crossed Langdons face.He knows Teabings heart craved that knowledge. His lifes dream was right in front of him. Tell me Teabing demanded. Please Oh God, please Its not too lateAs the sound of heavy footsteps thundered down the hall toward the Chapter House, Langdon quietly rolled the papyrus and slipped it back in his pocket.No Teabing cried out, trying in vain to stand.When the doors let on open, Bezu Fache entered like a bull into a ring, his brutal eyes scanning, finding his target Leigh Teabing helpless on the floor. Exhaling in relief, Fache holstered his Manurhin sidearm and turned to Sophie. Agent Neveu, I am relieved you and Mr. Langdon are safe. You should have come in when I asked.The British police entered on Faches heels, seizing the anguished prisoner and placing him in handcuffs.Sophie seemed stunned to see Fache. How did you find us?Fache pointed to Teabing. He made the mistake of showing his ID when he entered the abbey. The guards heard a police broadcast about our search for him.Its in Langdons pocket Teabing was screaming like a madman. The map to the Holy GrailAs they hoisted Teabing and carried him out, he threw back his head and howled. Robert T ell me where its hiddenAs Teabing passed, Langdon looked him in the eye. Only the worthy find the Grail, Leigh. You taught me that.