Chapter 18

           FachesprinteddowntheGrandGalleryasCollet’sradioblaredoverthedistantsoundofthealarm.

           «Hejumped!»Colletwasyelling.«I’mshowingthesignaloutonPlaceduCarrousel!Outsidethebathroomwindow!Andit’snotmovingatall!Jesus,IthinkLangdonhasjustcommittedsuicide!»

           Facheheardthewords,buttheymadenosense.Hekeptrunning.Thehallwayseemednever-ending.AshesprintedpastSaunière’sbody,hesethissightsonthepartitionsatthefarendoftheDenonWing.Thealarmwasgettingloudernow.

           «Wait!»Collet’svoiceblaredagainovertheradio.«He’smoving!MyGod,he’salive.Langdon’smoving!»

           Fachekeptrunning,cursingthelengthofthehallwaywitheverystep.

           «Langdon’smovingfaster!»Colletwasstillyellingontheradio.«He’srunningdownCarrousel.Wait…he’spickingupspeed.He’smovingtoofast!»

           Arrivingatthepartitions,Fachesnakedhiswaythroughthem,sawtherestroomdoor,andranforit.

           Thewalkie-talkiewasbarelyaudiblenowoverthealarm.«Hemustbeinacar!Ithinkhe’sinacar!Ican’t–«

           Collet’swordswereswallowedbythealarmasFachefinallyburstintothemen’sroomwithhisgundrawn.Wincingagainstthepiercingshrill,hescannedthearea.

           Thestallswereempty.Thebathroomdeserted.Fache’seyesmovedimmediatelytotheshatteredwindowatthefarendoftheroom.Herantotheopeningandlookedovertheedge.Langdonwasnowheretobeseen.Fachecouldnotimagineanyoneriskingastuntlikethis.Certainlyifhehaddroppedthatfar,hewouldbebadlyinjured.