Robert Langdon, #2
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 49
Overview
Vernet turns against Langdon and Sophie, convinced they are criminals and determined to keep Saunière’s mysterious box out of police hands. The confrontation reveals that Langdon is now accused of three additional murders, implying the Priory’s senior members may also be dead.
Langdon uses a spent shell casing to prevent Vernet from locking them inside the truck, allowing him and Sophie to escape with the rosewood box. The keystone remains in their possession, but their list of enemies and accusations grows more dangerous.
Summary
Vernet stops the armored truck in the woods and holds Langdon and Sophie at gunpoint, demanding that they surrender the rosewood box. Sophie protests that Saunière entrusted the box to her, but Vernet says his duty is to protect his client’s assets and keep them private.
Vernet reveals that the radio now names Langdon as wanted not only for Saunière’s murder but also for three other murders. Langdon realizes the number may refer to the Priory’s three sénéchaux, strengthening the possibility that Saunière passed the keystone to Sophie because the rest of the leadership was dead.
Vernet insists he will not allow the box to become police evidence and orders Langdon to bring it to the rear door. After Vernet fires a warning shot, Langdon complies, but while setting the box down he secretly nudges the spent shell casing onto the door’s lower sill.
Vernet puts down his gun briefly to lift the heavy box out, then tries to shut and lock the truck’s rear door. The shell prevents the door from closing properly. When Vernet forces the door, it bursts back outward, striking him in the face and knocking him down.
Langdon and Sophie seize the chance to escape in the armored truck with the box. Sophie struggles with the vehicle, clipping a tree and tearing off part of the bumper, but they reach the paved road and speed away, leaving Vernet injured and the box gone.
Who Appears
- Robert LangdonAccused fugitive who protects the keystone by outwitting Vernet during the standoff.
- Sophie NeveuSaunière’s granddaughter; defends her grandfather’s trust and drives the escape truck.
- André VernetBanker who turns on Langdon and Sophie to keep Saunière’s box private.
- Jacques SaunièreDead client whose entrusted box drives Vernet’s betrayal and Sophie’s resistance.