Chapter 103

           Asawaterpoloplayer,RobertLangdonhadenduredmorethanhisfairshareofunderwaterbattles.Thecompetitivesavagerythatragedbeneaththesurfaceofawaterpolopool,awayfromtheeyesofthereferees,couldrivaleventheugliestwrestlingmatch.Langdonhadbeenkicked,scratched,held,andevenbittenoncebyafrustrateddefensemanfromwhomLangdonhadcontinuouslytwistedaway.

           Now,though,thrashinginthefrigidwaterofBernini’sfountain,LangdonknewhewasalongwayfromtheHarvardpool.Hewasfightingnotforagame,butforhislife.Thiswasthesecondtimetheyhadbattled.Norefereeshere.Norematches.Thearmsdrivinghisfacetowardthebottomofthebasinthrustwithaforcethatleftnodoubtthatitintendedtokill.

           Langdoninstinctivelyspunlikeatorpedo.Breakthehold!Butthegriptorquedhimback,hisattackerenjoyinganadvantagenowaterpolodefensemaneverhad—twofeetonsolidground.Langdoncontorted,tryingtogethisownfeetbeneathhim.TheHassassinseemedtobefavoringonearm…butnonetheless,hisgripheldfirm.

           ItwasthenthatLangdonknewhewasnotcomingup.Hedidtheonlythinghecouldthinkoftodo.Hestoppedtryingtosurface.Ifyoucan’tgonorth,goeast.Marshallingthelastofhisstrength,Langdondolphin-kickedhislegsandpulledhisarmsbeneathhiminanawkwardbutterflystroke.Hisbodylurchedforward.

           ThesuddenswitchindirectionseemedtotaketheHassassinoffguard.Langdon’slateralmotiondraggedhiscaptor’sarmssideways,compromisinghisbalance.Theman’sgripfaltered,andLangdonkickedagain.