Chapter 51

           Evenatamodestsixtykilometersanhour,thedanglingfrontbumperofthearmoredtruckgratedagainstthedesertedsuburbanroadwithagrindingroar,sprayingsparksupontothehood.

           We’vegottogetofftheroad,Langdonthought.

           Hecouldbarelyevenseewheretheywereheaded.Thetruck’sloneworkingheadlighthadbeenknockedoff-centerandwascastingaskewedsidelongbeamintothewoodsbesidethecountryhighway.Apparentlythearmorinthis»armoredtruck»referredonlytothecargoholdandnotthefrontend.

           Sophiesatinthepassengerseat,staringblanklyattherosewoodboxonherlap.«Areyouokay?»Langdonasked.Sophielookedshaken.«Doyoubelievehim?»

           «Aboutthethreeadditionalmurders?Absolutely.Itanswersalotofquestions–theissueofyourgrandfather’sdesperationtopassonthekeystone,aswellastheintensitywithwhichFacheishuntingme.»

           «No,ImeantaboutVernettryingtoprotecthisbank.»Langdonglancedover.«Asopposedto?»«Takingthekeystoneforhimself.»

           Langdonhadnotevenconsideredit.«Howwouldheevenknowwhatthisboxcontains?»

           «Hisbankstoredit.Heknewmygrandfather.Maybeheknewthings.HemighthavedecidedhewantedtheGrailforhimself.»

           Langdonshookhishead.Vernethardlyseemedthetype.«Inmyexperience,thereareonlytworeasonspeopleseektheGrail.Eithertheyarenaiveandbelievetheyaresearchingforthelong-lostCupofChrist…»«Or?»«Ortheyknowthetruthandarethreatenedbyit.ManygroupsthroughouthistoryhavesoughttodestroytheGrail.