Robert Langdon, #2
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 63
Overview
Collet locates Langdon and Sophie at Teabing’s estate but is ordered by Fache not to raid, raising Collet’s suspicion that Fache may now doubt Langdon’s guilt. The discovery of both a hidden Audi and the Zurich armored truck reveals that more people are involved in the night’s events than the police understood. Meanwhile, Aringarosa’s anxiety confirms that the operation connected to Paris is unraveling.
Summary
Lieutenant Collet waits at the foot of Leigh Teabing’s driveway while his agents quietly spread along the fence. The estate’s isolation and cover make it ideal for a surprise assault, and Collet believes Robert Langdon has trapped himself in a location that police can surround quickly.
When Captain Fache calls, Collet reports that Langdon’s vehicle appears to be inside the security gate and that Langdon likely knows Teabing. Fache orders Collet to wait for Fache’s arrival rather than raid immediately. Collet protests that Langdon might flee or have a hostage, but Fache repeats the order and hangs up.
Collet first assumes Fache wants personal credit for arresting Langdon, but then considers a more troubling possibility: Fache may be uncertain Langdon is guilty. Collet reflects that Sophie Neveu’s help would make more sense if Sophie knew Langdon had been falsely accused, and Collet doubts Fache’s theory that Sophie and Langdon conspired to murder Saunière for inheritance money.
An agent then discovers a warm black Audi hidden near the road, suggesting someone else recently arrived at the estate. Another agent directs Collet’s attention through night-vision binoculars to the trees near the driveway, where Collet sees an armored truck like the one he allowed to leave the Zurich Depository Bank. Collet realizes Langdon and Sophie likely escaped the bank in that truck and that someone at the bank lied to the police and helped them.
The chapter shifts south, where Bishop Aringarosa flies north over the Tyrrhenian Sea in a chartered plane. Shaken by a troubling phone conversation with Paris, Aringarosa feels fear and desperation, prays, and hopes Bezu Fache can repair whatever has gone wrong.
Who Appears
- Lieutenant ColletLeads the stakeout, questions Fache’s motives, and discovers evidence of a broader conspiracy.
- Captain Bezu FacheOrders Collet to delay the raid, suggesting possible doubts or hidden priorities.
- Bishop AringarosaFlies north in fear after learning events in Paris have gone badly wrong.
- Robert LangdonFugitive suspect believed by police to be inside Teabing’s estate.
- Sophie NeveuLangdon’s ally whose actions make Collet doubt the official murder theory.
- Leigh TeabingOwner of the estate where police believe Langdon and Sophie are hiding.