Robert Langdon, #1
Angels & Demons
by Dan Brown
Contents
98
Overview
Firefighters at Santa Maria Della Vittoria uncover the aftermath of the Illuminati attack: Cardinal Guidera is dead, Commander Olivetti has been killed, and the chapel bears evidence of a violent struggle. The apparent threat of a bomb in the overturned coffin becomes a rescue situation when responders realize a living person is inside.
The chapter shifts the scene from execution to aftermath, bringing public exposure through the press and opening a path for Langdon’s survival.
Summary
Six Roman pompieri respond to the fire at the Church of Santa Maria Della Vittoria and extinguish the chapel bonfire with Halon gas to avoid damaging the frescoes. The press has already arrived and recorded footage before the firefighters can clear the church.
Once the firemen cut down the victim, they identify him as Cardinal Guidera of Barcelona. His body has been horribly burned and mutilated, and the symbol seared into his chest makes the squad chief think of diabolical violence.
A firefighter then discovers a second body: Commander Olivetti of the Swiss Guard. The squad chief tries to contact the Vatican, but the phone circuits are jammed, and he realizes the Swiss Guard will likely learn of the death through television.
Surveying the chapel, the chief notices bullet holes and an overturned coffin, signs of a violent struggle. When the chief hears electronic beeping from the coffin, the chief orders everyone out, assuming it may be a bomb.
The bomb squad rolls the coffin over and finds the source of the beeping. Instead of calling for an evacuation, the responders call for a doctor, revealing that someone inside the coffin is alive and urgently needs medical help.
Who Appears
- Pompieri squad chiefLeads the fire response, identifies Olivetti, surveys the violent scene, and orders evacuation.
- Pompieri firefightersExtinguish the chapel fire, recover the victims, and discover the beeping coffin.
- Cardinal GuideraMurdered cardinal found burned, mutilated, and branded inside the church.
- Commander OlivettiSwiss Guard commander found dead as the firefighters inspect the chapel aftermath.
- Robert LangdonImplied survivor trapped in the overturned coffin when responders call for a doctor.