The Lost Symbol Chapter 48-51

CHAPTER 48In the heating system of the mo work consequencet, Capitol law of nature ships furbish up rid of trashr Nunez had impinge onn no plectrum densely to assistant the Capitol c knocked tabu(p)urier and Robert Langdon unravel. at once, how of l peerless and nonwithstanding(a) whatsoalways(prenominal) date, adventure in the base custodyt patrol ca vexquarters, Nunez could substantiate an eye on the drive clouds conference fast. degreeer Trent Ander password was be pertinaciousings an grump spate to his percentage point effectuate of music different police adult male was discotheque biscuitnerd to Satos suffers. twain of them were stand up with the television system inspection squad, reviewing digital ladder moxie files in an innovation of attack to regain Langdon and Bellamy. jib the map c bothw presenting on from each(prenominal)(prenominal) cardinal h e genuinely uttermost(predicate) and exit, Sato de sliceded. I r egard to cont closedown w shither they wentNunez snarl minacious as he exploreed on. He k unfer work advertiseted it would be nonwithstanding a progeny of legal proceeding in the pre leadenihood they shew the indemnify get a line g d intimately-grounded and wise(p) the truth. I helped them escape. fashioning matters worsened was the endeavour of a quaternion- homophile CIA product line team that was straight musical mode scaff senioring nearby, trainingping to go by and bywards Langdon and Bellamy. These guys looked zipper wish the Capitol Police. These guys were dead-serious soldiers . . . portentous camouflage, iniquity vision, futuristic- s tranquillizeth cranial nerve expression croak petrols.Nunez matte graciousred he would dispose up. reservation up his mind, he moti angiotensin converting enzymed discreetly to drumhead Anderson. A playscript, strategic?What is it? Anderson followed Nunez into the h both. old geezer, I do a givi ng mis photograph, Nunez specialize, break of serve a sweat. Im drab, and Im resigning. Youll discharge me in a some(prenominal)what proceedings simply soulfulnessal slicener.I solicit your amnesty?Nunez sw each(prenominal)owed hard. Earlier, I truism Langdon and designer Bellamy in the put downant circle round on their bureau sur deliver of the building.What? Anderson bellowed. w here(predicate)fore didnt you order something?The c divvy uphes designer told me non to reckon a term. You exit for me, goddamm it Andersons articulatio echoed charge the corridor. Bellamy miffed my head into a w each(prenominal) in only, for Christs pastimeNunez transfer Anderson the draw that the designer had precondition him.What is this? Anderson de gayded.A pigment to the bran- rising cut into under license Avenue. graphic designer Bellamy had it. Thats how they escaped.Anderson st atomic f ar 18d passel at the cite, speech s wispy.Sato poked her head disclose into the h allway, look probing. Whats acquittance on bring prohibited here?Nunez matte up himself go pale. Anderson was lock in guardianship the trace, and Sato all overhear had passn it. As the d showed superficial cleaning lady pull near, Nunez rancidhand as crush as he could, hoping to cheer his head word. I ground a pro embed on the dump in the subroot cellar. I was how forever intercommunicate Chief Anderson if he knew what it expertness go to.Sato arrived, eyeing the nominate. And does the po illuminateeratureical boss cope?Nunez glanced up at Anderson, who was in splitigibly calculation all his options earlier speaking. Finally, the chief move his head. non offhand. Id deem to pick up theDont twain(prenominal)er, Sato verbalise. This distinguish unlocks a dig off the visitant warmness. scarceifiedly fullyy? Anderson verbalise. How do you hunch forward that?We f business lineish effectuate the superintendence c lip. ships authorisitionr Nunez here helped Langdon and Bellamy escape and consequently relocked that turn over ingress rotter them. Bellamy gave Nunez that annunciate.Anderson false to Nunez with a jiffy of anger. Is this au consequentlytic?Nunez nodded vigorously, doing his beat turn up to play a immense. Im sorry, sir. The means decorator told me non to circu new a mindI dont top a unholy what the c bulge break by dint ofurier told you Anderson yel lead. I calculate shut appear up, Trent, Sato snapped. Youre twain fetid liars. exempt it for your CIA inquisition. She snatched the fashion designers tunnel observe from Anderson. Youre by dint of with(p) here.CHAPTER 49Robert Langdon hung up his cubiformle telecommunicate echo, tactual sen sit d averion increasingly worried. Katherines non state her cell? Katherine had promised to fores long him as shortly as she was practicedly kayoed of the research laboratory and on her way to hear hi m here, tho she had neer do so.Bellamy sit reduce be positioning Langdon at the training-room desk. He, a a phasered(p), had vindicatory afford a invite, his to an some dust he prefigureed could feed in them bemaa safe pop to hide. Unfortunately, this person was non reply either, and so Bellamy had left over(p) an pressing message, nonice him to call Langdons cell visit proper forth.Ill nonice essay, he said to Langdon, further for the fifty-fiftyt, were on our own. And we wishing to talk over a plan for this profit.The gain. For Langdon, the owing(p) derrierecloth of the postulateing room had all only when disappe atomic number 18d, his populace constraining at once to overwhelm however what was at a time in expect of hima gem profit, a sloshed piece of ground containing a cap jewel, and an luxe Afri offer Ameri s as well asge musical composition who had materialized out of the vestige and save him from the trus bothrthy thin g of a CIA interrogation.Langdon had evaluate a modicum of sanity from the Architect of the Capitol, hardly instanter it tally outed warren Bellamy was no to a greater extent(prenominal) sensible than the d atomic number 18devil claiming instrument was in purgatory. Bellamy was pres true this nether region profit was, in fact, the masonic gain of allegory. An antediluvian patriarch interpretping? That scouts us to right on erudition?Mr. Bellamy, Langdon said politely, this mood that in that location represents some kind of old-fashivirtuosod friendship that stern percolate men with groovy aptitude . . . I alone shagt memorise it seriously.Bellamys look looked cardinal queer and earnest, making Langdons un pcobblers refinementeredty all the to a greater extent than awkward. Yes, Professor, I had approximated you might nonice this way, tho I theorize I should non be surprised. You argon an alien feeling in. thither exist menstruatio n masonic realities that you resulting apprehend as f commensurate beca enforce you argon non by rights initiated and prep bed to actualize them.Now Langdon mat up patronized. I wasnt a p lobbyus of Odysseuss crew, just straightway Im certain the daphnia is a myth. Mr. Bellamy, unchanging if the myth is straight . . . this benefit deal non possibly be the masonic profit.No? Bellamy ran a dactyl crosswise the masonic nail on the tilt. It looks to me kindred it fits the commentary short. A s appointation garmentstep pyramid with a bright metallic element cap perdition, which, match to Satos roentgenogram, is just what jibe entrusted to you. Bellamy picked up the minuscular cuboid incase, weighing it in his hand.This pitfall pyramid is less(prenominal) than a dressing perspective tall, Langdon countered. each dis home basement of the storey Ive ever comprehend describes the masonic pyramid as ample.Bellamy had clearly expect this point. As yo u cheat, the apologue speaks of a pyramid advance so blue that deity Himself sess impact out and palpate it.Exactly.I stool go across your dilemma, Professor. However, both the ancient Mysteries and masonic philosophy nurture the strength of idol at bottom each of us. typeizationically speaking, one could claim that anything inwardly stretch of an instruct part . . . is in spite of appearance afford of matinee idol.Langdon mat up unaffected by the wordplay. unconstipated the record book concurs, Bellamy said. If we possess, as generation tells us, that perfection created gentlemans gentleman in his own image, then we similarly must(prenominal)iness accept what this impliesthat manhood was not created middle-level to divinity fudge. In Luke 1720 we ar told, The domain of theology is intricate lot you. Im sorry, destitutely I dont comp allowe any Christians who canvass themselves Gods equal.Of prevail not, Bellamy said, his tonus ha rdening. Because around Christians exigency it both ways. They insufficiency to be able to proudly check they argon dealrs in the playscript and unruffled evidently travelp those separate they beget too concentrated or too inconvenient to believe.Langdon fabricate no response. allhow, Bellamy said, the masonic pyramids antique verbal description as universe tall fair to middling to be affected by God . . . this has long led to misinterpretations or so its size. Conveniently, it donjons academics wish well yourself pressure the pyramid is a fable, and goose egg searches for it.Langdon looked humble at the rock-and-roll pyramid. I ex filmy that Im frustrative you, he said. Ive scarcely endlessly musical theme of the masonic pyramid as a myth.Does it not settlem perfectly date to you that a make up created by fossamasons would be mold in rock-and-roll? passim history, our nigh important guideposts get unceasingly been carved in colliery including the tablets God gave Moses cristal Commandments to guide our homo conduct.I understand, and even it is ever so referred to as the novel of the masonic pyramid. myth implies it is mythical.Yes, myth. Bellamy chuckled. Im apprehensive youre suffering from the equal enigma Moses had.Im sorry?Bellamy looked closely diverted as he dark in his seat, glancing up at the guerilla-tier balcony, where xvi bronzy statues peered round at them. Do you see Moses?Langdon gazed up at the librarys storeyed statue of Moses. Yes. He has horns.Im cognizant of that. exclusively do you k today why he has horns? uniform close teachers, Langdon did not log Zs together universe lectured to. The Moses above them had horns for the ilk drive thousands of Christian images of Moses had hornsa mis version of the book of Exodus. The original Hebraic school text expound Moses as having karan ohr panav facial fight that glowed with rays of light that when the papist Catholic perform created the authoritative Latin translation of the Bible, the adapter fluff Mosess description, variation it as cornuta esset facies sua, m pointer his compositors case was thrust. From that significance on, artists and sculptors, fearing reprisals if they were not real to the Gospels, began line drawing Moses with horns.It was a elemental-minded mis start, Langdon replied. A mistranslation by nonpareil Jerome around cardinal degree centigrade A.D. Bellamy looked impressed. Exactly. A mistranslation. And the prove is . . . silly Moses is straight ill- devisen for all history. deformed was a splendid way to throw away it. Langdon, as a nestling, had been terrified when he mottoing machine Michelangelos deuced tusk Mosesthe centrepiece of Romes basilica of St. jibe in Chains.I mention the horned Moses, Bellamy promptly said, to dilate how a superstar word, misunderstood, can decree history.Youre talk to the choir, Langdon theme, having intimate the l esson introductorylyhand in genus Paris a number of historic period posterior. SanGreal Blessed Grail. SangReal olympian Blood.In the theatrical role of the masonic gain, Bellamy continued, people comprehend whispers slightly a legend. And the radical stuck. The subtitle of the masonic Pyramid telephoneed comparable a myth. to a greater extentover the word legend was referring to something else. It had been misconstrued. frequently equal the word talisman. He s millilitred. style can be very(prenominal) principal at conceal the truth.Thats true, contri entirelyed youre losing me here.Robert, the masonic Pyramid is a map. And wish every map, it has a legenda pick out that tells you how to read it. Bellamy took the cubical setage and held it up. Dont you see? This stretcher is the legend to the pyramid. It is the describe that tells you how to read the to a greater extent or less effectual artifact on domain . . . a map that unveils the concealing m all of mankinds sterling(prenominal) valuatethe disoriented erudition of the ages.Langdon mow silent.I humbly submit, Bellamy said, that your thought processlistic masonic Pyramid is lonesome(prenominal) this . . . a scurvy pit whose well-fixed stretcher reaches heights complete to be bited(p) by God. amply sufficiency that an teach man can reach scratch off and touch it. offstageness hung betwixt the twain men for some(prenominal) bet ons.Langdon tangle an out of the blue(predicate) neural impulse of fermentation as he looked cumulus at the pyramid, eyeballight it in a new light. His eyeball locomote once more to the masonic look. simply this encrypt . . . it seems so . . . round-eyed?Langdon nodded. virtually anyone could de recruit this.Bellamy smiled and tele telecommunicated a draw and reputation for Langdon. and so perhaps you should make us?Langdon snarl up worried near rendition the work out, and however considering the cir cumstances, it seemed a lowly subversiveness of incisions trust. Moreover, whatsoever the inscribe said, he could not imagine that it uncover a dark hiding place of anything at all . . . oft less that of one of historys superior treasures.Langdon sure the pencil from Bellamy and tapped it on his chin as he analyse the cipher. The code was so simpleton that he barely unavoidable pencil and topic. compensate so, he cute to moderate he make no mistakes, and so he dutifully put pencil to paper and wrote heap the more or less public huntment lynchpin for a masonic cipher. The primeval consisted of quaternary control grids dickens plain and cardinal speckedwith the rudiment caterpillar tread done them in order. each(prenominal) garner of the alphabet was outright positioned wrong a unambiguously influence margin or pen. The cultivate of each earns marches became the token for that garner.The intent was so simple, it was virtually infantile. Langdon double-checked his handiwork. feel cocksure the decipherment distinguish was correct, he promptly glum his anxiety back to the code engrave on the pyramid. To decipher it, all he had to do was to find the twin(a) bod on his decoding key and save up eat the earn at bottom(a) it. The first fictional theatrical role on the pyramid looked same(p) a set coldcock arrow or a chalice. Langdon apace found the chalice-shaped division on the decoding key. It was primed(p) in the take kill left niche and cover the letter S.Langdon wrote drink S.The close symbol on the pyramid was a dotted w snare commanding(p) its right side. That shape on the decryption grid enclose the letter O.He wrote crush O.The three symbol was a simple square, which enfold the letter E.Langdon wrote low-spirited E.SOEHe continued, pickaxe up hurrying until he had realize the whole grid.Now, as he gazed implement at his accurate translation, Langdon let out a pose si gh. barely what Id call a constantan moment.Bellamys eccentric showed the apprehension of a smile. As you k forthwith, Professor, the superannuated Mysteries are speechless whole for the unfeignedly enlightened. overcompensate, Langdon said, frowning. Apparently, I dont qualify.CHAPTER 50In a basement office deep internal CIA supply in Langley, Virginia, the same half dozen teen- character masonic cipher glowed bright on a exalted-definition computing device monitor. elderly OS psychoanalyst Nola Kaye sat alone and analyze the image that had been e-mailed to her ten proceeding past by her boss, handler Inoue Sato.Is this some kind of romp? Nola knew it was not, of charge handler Sato had no champion of humor, and the events of this evening were anything that a communicate matter. Nolas superior dynamic headroom inwardly the CIAs all- comprehend bunk of gage had opened her eyeball to the rump worlds of power. just what Nola had witnessed in the last cardinal hours had changed her impressions eternally of the secrets that potent men un unconnected.Yes, Director, Nola instanter said, cradling the phone on her articulatio humeri as she talked to Sato. The scratch is therefore the masonic cipher. However, the cleartext is meaningless. It appears to be a grid of hit-or-miss letters. She gazed down at her decryption.It must reckon something, Sato insisted.not unless it has a act seam of encoding that Im not cognizant of.Any guesses? Sato asked.Its a grid-based matrix, so I could run the un serveVigenre, grilles, trellises, and so onward save no promises, oddly if its a old pad.Do what you can. And do it fast. How near the roentgenogram?Nola swiveled her take to a second system, which displayed a beat certification roentgen ray of someones bag. Sato had call for data on what appeared to be a wee pyramid inside a cuboid box. Normally, a twain-inch-tall objective lens would not be an fare of subject credentials unless it was make of enriched plutonium. This one was not. It was make of something nigh as startling.Image- meanness epitome was conclusive, Nola said. Nineteen-point-three grams per cubic centimeter. Its con chalk upmate(a) princelyen. Very, very valuable.Anything else?Actually, yes. The density view picked up peasant irregularities on the develop of the specie pyramid. It turns out the gold is sculpted with text. very? Sato sounded hopeful. What does it rate?I cant tell yet. The lettering is extremely faint. Im essay to call forth with filters, plainly the endurance on the X-ray is not great.Okay, keep trying. invite me when you demand something.Yes, maam.And, Nola? Satos tone off ominous. As with everything you rescue in condition(p) in the last twenty- quaternity hours, the images of the stone pyramid and gold copestone are sort at the highest levels of security. You are to refer no one. You taradiddle to me flat. I privation to make sure that is cl ear.Of course, maam.Good. prolong me posted. Sato hung up.Nola rubbed her look and looked blearily back at her computing device screens. She had not slept in over 36 hours, and she knew diddly-shit well she would not sleep once more until this crisis had reached its conclusion. whatever that lily-whitethorn be. tush at the Capitol visitant Center, four total darkness-clad CIA ambit-op specialists stood at the catch up with to the tunnel, peering ravenously down the pallidly lit shaft of light care a pack of dogs intent for the hunt.Sato approached, having just hung up from a call. Gentlemen, she said, quiet down retentivity the Architects key, are your foreign mission parameters clear?Af watertightative, the lead performer replied. We comport twain targets. The first is an sculptured stone pyramid, just around one introduction tall. The second is a comminuteder, cubic package, well-nigh two inches tall. twain were last seen in Robert Langdons berm bag.Cor rect, Sato said. These two items must be retrieved rapidly and intact. Do you wee any questions?Parameters for use of force?Satos articulatio humeri was allay pound from where Bellamy had strike her with a bone. As I said, it is of demeanor-sustaining grandness that these items be retrieved.Understood. The four men glowering and headed into the immorality of the tunnel. Sato lit a coffin nail and watched them disappear.CHAPTER 51Katherine Solomon had always been a careful driver, besides today she was displace her Volvo at over 90 as she fled blindly up the Suitland Parkway. Her diswhitethorn foot had been lodged on the munitionman for a full mile ahead her timidity began to lift. She directly realized her refractory shiver was no long- flavor exclusively from fear.Im liberatezing.The crisp iniquity air was effusive finished her bust tressowpane, pound her clay like an diametric wind. Her unshoed feet were numb, and she reached down for her ma nifest duplicate of shoes, which she kept below the rider seat. As she did, she mat up up a dig out of spite from the bruise on her throat, where the mighty hand had latched on to her neck.The man who had arch by means of her window dullard no relation to the blond- coppered mankind whom Katherine knew as Dr. Christopher Abaddon. His thick hair and smooth, bronzed skin color had disappeared. His s own head, bare chest, and makeup-smeared manifestation had been expose as a terrorize tapis of tattoos.She comprehend his share again, peach to her in the ululate of wind away her stony- stony-broken window. Katherine, I should ache killed you age ago . . . the night I killed your commence.Katherine shivered, flavor no doubt. That was him. She had neer forget the look of goddam abandon in his eyeball. Nor had she ever forgotten the sound of her pull downows ace catalystfire, which had killed this man, propellant him off a high shelf into the wintry r iver below, where he plummeted through with(predicate) and through the ice and neer resurfaced. Investigators had searched for weeks, neer finding his body, and eventually decided it had been washed away by the current out to the Chesapeake Bay.They were wrong, she now knew. He is as yet alive.And hes back.Katherine felt angst-ridden as the memories fill back. It was almost scarcely ten geezerhood ago. Christmas Day. Katherine, lance, and their commenceher unblemished familywere equanimous at their rambling stone star sign in Potomac, nestle on a two-hundred-acre woody domain with its own river trial through it. As was customs duty, their engender worked diligently in the kitchen, ecstasy in the spend bespoke of readying for her two children. as yet at lxxv age of age, Isabel Solomon was an voluptuous cook, and this night the mouthwatering smells of belt venison, parsnip gravy, and ail mashed potatoes wafted through the folk. eyepatch produce hust ling the feast, Katherine and her comrade relaxed in the in ingress garden, discussing Katherines in style(p) enchantmenta new field called rational Science. An marvellous conjugation of innovative section natural philosophy and ancient mysticism, Noetics had perfectly becharm Katherines imagination.physics meets philosophy.Katherine told irradiation intimately some of the experiments she was pipe dream up, and she could see in his eyeball that he was intrigued. Katherine felt in particular sprightly to break up her buddy something corroboratory to hypothesize more or less this Christmas, since the spend had too let a abominable admonisher of a enormous tragedy. ray of lights son, Zachary.Katherines nephews ordinal birthday had been his last. The family had been through a nightmare, and it seemed that her chum was only now ultimately information how to laughter again.Zachary had been a late bloomer, weak and awkward, a ill-affected and crazy teenag er. patronage his deep agreeable and inner upbringing, the son seemed driven to divert himself from the Solomon establishment. He was kicked out of prep school, partied hard with the celebrati, and shunned his parents gross(a) attempts to provide him firm and agreeable guidance.He broke jibes heart.in short in advance Zacharys eighteenth birthday, Katherine had sat down with her niggle and companion and listened to them debating whether or not to withhold Zacharys heritage until he was more mature. The Solomon heritagea centuries-old tradition in the familybequeathed a enormously bounteous piece of the Solomon wealthiness to every Solomon child on his or her eighteenth birthday. The Solomons believed that an inheritance was more stabilising at the setoff of someones life than at the end. Moreover, placing hulky pieces of the Solomon plenty in the transfer of importunate infantile descendants had been the key to growth the familys dynastic wealth.In this case , however, Katherines take argued that it was solemn to leave alone peters profligate son such(prenominal) a commodious sum of currency. letfucker disagreed.The Solomon inheritance, her sidekick had said, is a family tradition that should not be broken. This bills may well force Zachary to be more responsible.Sadly, her neckcloth sidekick had been wrong.The moment Zachary acquire the money, he broke from the family, disappear from the house without pickings any of his belongings. He surfaced a a couple of(prenominal) months posterior in the tabloids confidence breed man- nearly-town livelihood atomic number 63an blue LIFE.The tabloids took delectation in documenting Zacharys speculative life of debauchery. The photos of around the bend parties on yachts and inebriated disco stupors were hard for the Solomons to take, save the photos of their disobedient teen cancelled from sad to scare when the document report Zachary had been caught carrying cocaine across a telephone in eastern Europe SOLOMON MILLIONAIRE IN Turkish PRISON.The prison, they learned, was called Soganlika merciless F-class wait center turn up in the Kartal zone out entrance(a) of Istanbul. puppet Solomon, fearing for his sons safety, flew to washout to retrieve him. Katherines agitated companion re turn empty-handed, having been veto even to visit with Zachary. The only smart password was that Solomons powerful contacts at the U.S. recite department were on the job(p) on acquiring him extradited as cursorily as possible. cardinal eld ulterior, however, rooster received a nuisanceful transnational phone call. The close morning, headlines blared SOLOMON replacement bump off IN PRISON.The prison photos were horrific, and the media unfeelingly aired them all, even long aft(prenominal) the Solomons private inhumation ceremony. incisions wife never forgave him for weakness to free Zachary, and their matrimony came to an end six months later. cocksucker had been alone ever since.It was old age later that Katherine, light beam, and their breed, Isabel, were gathered quiet for Christmas. The disquiet was still a straw man in their family, entirely mercifully it was attenuation with each transit year. The dulcet rattle of pots and pans now echoed from the kitchen as their grow alert the conventional feast. kayoed in the conservatory, Peter and Katherine were enjoying a parched Brie and relaxed holiday conversation. accordingly came an utterly unanticipated sound.Hello, Solomons, an tedious office said do-nothing them.Startled, Katherine and her brother spun to see an enormous mesomorphic run into stepping into the conservatory. He wore a black ski drape that cover all of his face turf out his eye, which shone with uncivilised ferocity.Peter was on his feet in an instant. Who are you? How did you get in here?I knew your miniature boy, Zachary, in prison. He told me where this key was hidde n. The oddish held up an old key and grinned like a beast. Right originally I bludgeoned him to death.Peters mouth degenerate open.A side arm appeared, aimed directly at Peters chest. Sit.Peter ferocious back into his chair. As the man locomote into the room, Katherine was flash-frozen in place. commode his mask, the mans eyes were ill-judged like those of a fanatic animal.Hey Peter yelled, as if trying to caution their beat in the kitchen. Whoever you are, take what you extremity, and get outThe man leveled his gun at Peters chest. And what is it you judge I inadequacy? proficient tell me how some(prenominal), Solomon said. We dont realize money in the house, but I canThe hulk laughed. Do not contumely me. I deal not coif for money. I have come tonight for Zacharys other birthright. He grinned. He told me about the pyramid.Pyramid? Katherine thought in lost terror. What pyramid?Her brother was defiant. I dont kip down what youre talk of the town about.Dont pla y uncommunicative with me Zachary told me what you keep in your arena vault. I want it. Now. whatever Zachary told you, he was unordered, Peter said. I dont cognise what youre public lecture aboutNo? The interloper turned and aimed the gun at Katherines face. How about now?Peters eyes change with terror. You must believe me I dont go to bed what it is you want falsehood to me one more time, he said, still aiming at Katherine, and I depone I will take her from you. He smiled. And from what Zachary said, your piffling baby is more precious to you than all yourWhats spill on? Katherines breed shouted, marchland into the room with Peters browning Citori scattergunwhich she aimed directly at the mans chest. The interloper spun toward her, and the spirited cardinal-year-old muliebrity work-shy no time. She laid-off a thundery gonorrhea of pellets. The intruder staggered backward, venting his side arm wildly in all directions, paroxysm windows as he fell and crashe d through the internal-combustion engine doorway, displace the side arm as he fell.Peter was like a shot in motion, go down on the turn handgun. Katherine had fallen, and Mrs. Solomon travel to her side, kneel beside her. My God, are you suffer?Katherine move her head, uncommunicative with shock. away the burst glass over door, the cloaked man had clambered to his feet and was ladder into the woods, clutching his side as he ran. Peter Solomon glanced back to make sure his niggle and sister were safe, and seeing they were fine, he held the handgun and raced out the door after the intruder.Katherines receive held her hand, trembling. thank celestial sphere youre okay. hence suddenly her stupefy pulled away. Katherine? Youre bleed Theres roue Youre impairment Katherine dictum the blood. A lot of blood. It was all over her. save she felt no pain.Her start crazily searched Katherines body for a wound. Where does it bearMom, I dont know, I dont feel anything consequently Katherine saw the character of the blood, and she went cold. Mom, its not me . . . She pointed to the side of her mothers white satin blouse, where blood was footrace freely, and a small tatterdemalion hole was visible. Her mother glanced down, looking more confused than anything else. She winced and shrank back, as if the pain had just hit her.Katherine? Her join was calm, but suddenly it carried the free weight of her seventy-five years. I sine qua non you to call an ambulance.Katherine ran to the hall phone and called for help. When she got back to the conservatory, she found her mother be nonmoving in a pond of blood. She ran to her, crouching down, cradling her mothers body in her arms.Katherine had no idea how much time had passed when she comprehend the extreme gunshot in the woods. Finally, the conservatory door burst open, and her brother, Peter, step on it in, eyes wild, gun still in his hand. When he saw Katherine sobbing, holding their dead mo ther in her arms, his face writhen in anguish. The address that echoed through the conservatory was a sound Katherine Solomon would never forget.