Langdon stepped back now and surveyed the giant plaza on which the Washington Monument stood. The circular concourse was made entirely of white stone. . except for two decorative courses of dark stone, which formed two concentric circles around the monument.
«A circle within a circle,» Langdon said. «I never realized the Washington Monument stands at the center of a circle within a circle.»
Peter had to laugh.
Langdon seemed far off, gazing skyward now, his eyes ascending the illuminated spire, which shone stark white against the black winter sky.
Peter sensed Langdon was beginning to see this creation for what it truly was. . a silent reminder of ancient wisdom. . an icon of enlightened man at the heart of a great nation. Even though Peter could not
«Peter?» Langdon approached, looking like a man who’d endured some kind of mystical initiation. «I almost forgot,» he said, reaching into his pocket and producing Peter’s gold Masonic ring. «I’ve been wanting to return this to you all night.»
«Thank you, Robert.» Peter held out his left hand and took the ring, admiring it. «You know, all the secrecy and mystery surrounding this ring and the masonic pyramid. . it had an enormous effect on my life. when i was a young man, the pyramid was given to me with the promise that it hid mystical secrets. its mere existence made me
The two men stood in silence for a long while at the foot of the monument.
When Langdon finally spoke, his tone was serious. «I need to ask you a favor, Peter. . as a friend.»
«Of course. Anything.»
Langdon made his request. . firmly.
Solomon nodded, knowing he was right. «I will.»
«Right away,» Langdon added, motioning to the waiting Escalade.
«Okay. . but one caveat.»
Langdon rolled his eyes, chuckling. «Somehow you always get the last word.»
«Yes, and there
«At this hour?» Langdon checked his watch.
Solomon smiled warmly at his old friend. «It is Washington’s most spectacular treasure. . and something very,
CHAPTER 132
Katherine Solomon’s heart felt light as she hurried up the hill toward the base of the washington monument. she had endured great shock and tragedy tonight, and yet her thoughts were refocused now, if only temporarily, on the wonderful news peter had shared with her earlier. . news she had just confirmed with her very own eyes.
Her lab’s holographic data drives had been destroyed tonight, but earlier, at the House of the Temple, Peter had informed her that he had been secretly keeping backups of all her Noetic research in the SMSC executive offices.
«Katherine?» a deep voice called out.
She looked up.
A lone figure stood in silhouette at the base of the illuminated monument.
«Robert!» She hurried over and hugged him.
«I heard the good news,» Langdon whispered. «You must be relieved.»
Her voice cracked with emotion. «Incredibly.» The research Peter had saved was a scientific tour de force — a massive collection of experiments that proved human thought was a real and measurable force in the world. Katherine’s experiments demonstrated the
«Peter certainly thinks so.»
Katherine glanced around for her brother.
«Hospital,» Langdon said. «I insisted he go as a favor to me.»
Katherine exhaled, relieved. «Thank you.»
«He told me to wait for you here.» katherine nodded, her gaze climbing the glowing white obelisk. «he said he was bringing you here. something about
Langdon gave a tired chuckle. «I’m not sure I entirely understand it myself.» He glanced up at the top of the monument. «Your brother said quite a few things tonight that I couldn’t get my mind around.»
«Let me guess,» Katherine said. «Ancient Mysteries, science, and the Holy Scriptures?»
«Bingo.»
«Welcome to
«Intuitively, some of what he said made sense.» Langdon shook his head. «But intellectually. .»
Katherine smiled and put her arm around him. «You know, Robert, I may be able to help you with that.»
Deep inside the Capitol Building, Architect Warren Bellamy was walking down a deserted hallway.
When he arrived at his office, he retrieved a very old key from his desk drawer. The key was black iron, long and slender, with faded markings. He slid it into his pocket and then prepared himself to welcome his guests.
Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon were on their way to the Capitol. At Peter’s request, Bellamy was to provide them with a very rare opportunity — the chance to lay eyes upon this building’s most magnificent secret. . something that could be revealed only by the Architect.
CHAPTER 133
High above the floor of the capitol rotunda, robert langdon inched nervously around the circular catwalk that extended just beneath the ceiling of the dome. he peered tentatively over the railing, dizzied by the height, still unable to believe it had been less than ten hours since peter’s hand had appeared in the middle of the floor below.
On that same floor, the Architect of the Capitol was now a tiny speck some hundred and eighty feet below, moving steadily across the Rotunda and then disappearing. Bellamy had escorted Langdon and Katherine up to this balcony, leaving them here with very specific instructions.
Langdon eyed the old iron key that Bellamy had handed to him. Then he glanced over at a cramped stairwell
