Robert Langdon, #2
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 70
Overview
Fache and Collet’s investigation at Château Villette confirms that Langdon, Sophie, and Teabing have escaped the immediate police net. New information from Vernet reveals that Langdon and Sophie took something from Saunière’s bank account, while Teabing’s private jet gives Fache a new trail to pursue.
The chapter shifts the chase from the château to Le Bourget Airfield and increases the pressure on the fugitives by connecting the police to both the bank theft and the illegal flight.
Summary
At Château Villette, Lieutenant Collet stands in the drawing room, discouraged after losing Langdon and Sophie again and disobeying Captain Fache’s orders. Although a bullet hole in the floor supports Collet’s claim that a shot was fired, Fache remains furious while trying to coordinate the search for the missing Range Rover.
The investigators find little clarity at the château. The black Audi outside was rented under a false name with false credit card information, and its fingerprints do not match anything in Interpol’s database, leaving the police without a firm lead on who else is involved.
An agent reports that André Vernet from the Depository Bank of Zurich has contacted Central and is changing his story. Vernet now admits Langdon and Sophie were inside his bank and offers cooperation in exchange for keeping the bank out of the news and recovering stolen property from Saunière’s account.
Collet struggles to reconcile the accusation with Sophie’s character, while Fache focuses on the practical lead. Another agent then discovers through Teabing’s speed-dial numbers that Teabing has a private jet at Le Bourget Airfield.
Fache learns the jet took off about half an hour earlier without a logged flight plan, and the airfield claims not to know the passengers or destination. Certain he can pressure the airfield for answers, Fache leaves Château Villette and puts Collet in charge of the PTS investigation, insulting his competence as he departs.
Who Appears
- Lieutenant Colletdiscouraged investigator left in charge after losing Langdon and Sophie again.
- Captain Facheangry police captain redirects the search toward Teabing’s illegal flight.
- André Vernetbanker changes his story and reports stolen property from Saunière’s account.
- Robert Langdonfugitive suspect tied to the bank visit and missing property.
- Sophie Neveufugitive accompanying Langdon; Collet doubts she would commit violent coercion.
- Leigh Teabingchâteau owner whose private jet becomes the police’s next lead.