Chapter 49

           AndréVernetlookedawkwardwithapistol,buthiseyesshonewithadeterminationthatLangdonsensedwouldbeunwisetotest.

           «I’mafraidImustinsist,»Vernetsaid,trainingtheweapononthetwooftheminthebackoftheidlingtruck.«Settheboxdown.»

           Sophieclutchedtheboxtoherchest.«Yousaidyouandmygrandfatherwerefriends.»

           «Ihaveadutytoprotectyourgrandfather’sassets,»Vernetreplied.«AndthatisexactlywhatIamdoing.Nowsettheboxonthefloor.»

           «Mygrandfatherentrustedthistome!»Sophiedeclared.«Doit,»Vernetcommanded,raisingthegun.Sophiesettheboxatherfeet.

           Langdonwatchedthegunbarrelswingnowinhisdirection.

           «Mr.Langdon,»Vernetsaid,»youwillbringtheboxovertome.AndbeawarethatI’maskingyoubecauseyouIwouldnothesitatetoshoot.»

           Langdonstaredatthebankerindisbelief.«Whyareyoudoingthis?»

           «Whydoyouimagine?»Vernetsnapped,hisaccentedEnglishtersenow.«Toprotectmyclient’sassets.»

           «Weareyourclientsnow,»Sophiesaid.

           Vernet’svisageturnedice-cold,aneerietransformation.«MademoiselleNeveu,Idon’tknowhowyougotthatkeyandaccountnumbertonight,butitseemsobviousthatfoulplaywasinvolved.HadIknowntheextentofyourcrimes,Iwouldneverhavehelpedyouleavethebank.»

           «Itoldyou,»Sophiesaid,»wehadnothingtodowithmygrandfather’sdeath!»

           VernetlookedatLangdon.«Andyettheradioclaimsyouarewantednotonlyforthemurderof

           JacquesSaunièrebutforthoseofthreeothermenaswell?»

           «What!»Langdonwasthunderstruck.