CHAPTER 16

In the Louvre men's room, Sophie worries that Fache will soon realize she has not left the building and wonders whether cornering Langdon was wise. Seeing Saunière's body has not brought the grief she expected because Sophie has been estranged from her grandfather for ten years, ever since she accidentally witnessed something disturbing and refused all his attempts to explain.

Sophie recalls Saunière's phone message from earlier that day. He said something terrible had happened, warned that they were both in danger, and begged to tell Sophie the truth about her family. Because Sophie's parents, grandmother, and younger brother died when she was four, Sophie initially dismissed the message as manipulative bait meant to make her visit him.

Saunière's murder changes Sophie's interpretation of the call. The coded message at the crime scene convinces Sophie that Saunière was writing specifically to her, using the cryptographic bond he had helped nurture in her childhood. She recognizes that Saunière's code efficiently brought together Sophie and Robert Langdon, though neither of them understands why.

Sophie questions Langdon about his planned meeting with Saunière, but Langdon says he knew only that Saunière wanted to meet after Langdon's lecture on pagan iconography. Sophie doubts this was casual, since Saunière was himself an expert and private man. When Sophie mentions Saunière's warning that they were in grave danger, Langdon can offer no explanation.

Realizing that Langdon may unknowingly possess information she needs, Sophie decides she must keep him away from Fache. Sophie urges Langdon to flee to the U.S. Embassy, arguing that Fache is determined to arrest him and is using the investigation to strengthen the case. Langdon resists because running will make him appear guilty, but Sophie concludes Fache is lying about his certainty and resolves to make Langdon escape the Louvre whether Langdon agrees or not.