Robert Langdon, #2
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 66
Overview
Collet’s raid on Teabing’s estate reveals that Langdon, Sophie, Teabing, and their prisoner have already escaped. The fugitives used the estate intercom to misdirect the police, buying enough time to flee from the barn in a vehicle.
The chapter shifts the chase away from the château and shows the fugitives outmaneuvering the police at a critical moment. Collet’s final discovery on the key rack suggests the escape vehicle is suited to the rough terrain, raising the stakes of the pursuit.
Summary
Collet and his armed agents storm Sir Leigh Teabing’s estate after the earlier gunshot. The first floor is deserted, but the police find clear evidence of recent violence and restraint: a bullet hole, signs of a struggle, blood, a barbed leather belt, and duct tape.
When Collet hears voices from upstairs, the agents rush through the upper floor and close in on a bedroom. The voices stop and are replaced by an engine-like rumble, but the room is empty. Collet discovers the sound is coming through an intercom panel, not from anyone in the room.
Seeing a button labeled for the barn, Collet realizes the fugitives used the intercom to lure the police upstairs. Collet races outside with an agent and finds a barn outfitted as both a workshop and a luxury car garage, with an intercom button transmitting to the guest bedroom.
Inside the converted stalls, Collet sees several valuable cars but finds one stall empty, with oil stains on the floor. Although the driveway and gate are blocked, the barn’s rear door opens onto dark, muddy fields leading toward woods and possible unmapped trails.
Collet initially assumes the escape vehicle will be unable to handle the rough terrain, but an agent points out the key rack. One peg is empty, and the unrevealed label above it makes Collet realize the escape may be far more serious than he hoped.
Who Appears
- Lieutenant ColletLeads the raid, discovers the diversion, and realizes the fugitives escaped.
- Collet’s agentsSearch Teabing’s estate, follow Collet’s orders, and spot the missing key.
- Robert LangdonAbsent quarry whose group has fled before police can capture them.
- Sophie NeveuAbsent quarry involved in the escape from Teabing’s estate.
- Sir Leigh TeabingEstate owner whose intercom, barn, and vehicle collection enable the escape.