Robert Langdon, #1
Angels & Demons
by Dan Brown
Contents
80
Overview
Langdon returns to the Vatican Secret Archives to search Vatican asset records for Bernini works that might identify the third altar of science. The discovery that all Rome’s Catholic churches and papal-commissioned Bernini works are Vatican property gives Langdon a practical way to narrow the fire clue.
However, Langdon loses his escort because the Swiss Guard must obey protocol and Olivetti’s orders, leaving him to search alone under severe time pressure. The chapter heightens the urgency as Langdon has only minutes to locate the next murder site before the Illuminati timeline advances.
Summary
Langdon returns, unexpectedly and urgently, to the Vatican Secret Archives only two hours after leaving them. Winded from running with a scarred Swiss Guard escort, Langdon is brought through the silent archive cubicles to a smaller vault at the rear of the chamber.
The guard identifies the vault labeled Attivi Vaticani, containing records of Vatican assets such as real estate, currency, banking, and antiquities. Olivetti has reasoned that any work Bernini created under papal patronage would be recorded there as Vatican property, even if located in churches outside Vatican City.
Langdon realizes the plan may work because Catholic churches in Rome are Vatican property, and Bernini’s commissioned works would have been legally owned by the Church. With only about twenty minutes left, Langdon hopes to use the asset records to determine which church on the West Ponente line contains Bernini’s tribute to fire, the likely third altar of science.
When Langdon prepares to enter the vault, the guard refuses to accompany him. The guard explains that Swiss Guards are not permitted inside the archives and that Olivetti ordered the guard to return immediately to the security center. Frustrated by the loss of help, Langdon snaps at Olivetti’s priorities, then apologizes when the guard reacts coldly.
The guard leaves Langdon a walkie-talkie set to channel one and instructs him to contact Olivetti when he finds what he needs. Langdon is left alone in the dark archive vault to search the Vatican’s asset records for the crucial Bernini fire clue.
Who Appears
- Robert LangdonReturns to the archives to identify the Bernini fire clue under severe time pressure.
- Scarred Swiss GuardEscorts Langdon to the asset vault, refuses to enter, and leaves a radio.
- Commander OlivettiDirects Langdon toward Vatican asset records and orders the guard back to security.