Chapter – 4 The Code of Genius
The Code of Genius
Chapter 4, Captain Bezu Fache carried himself with the presence of a furious ox, his broad shoulders squared and his chin firmly tucked into his chest. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing a distinctive widow’s peak that divided his prominent brow, resembling the prow of a battleship. His intense gaze seemed to scorch the ground ahead, radiating a fierce clarity that foreshadowed his reputation for unwavering severity in all matters.
Langdon trailed behind the captain as they descended the renowned marble staircase into the sunken atrium beneath the glass pyramid. Passing between two armed guards from the Judicial Police, they made it clear that no one could enter or exit without Captain Fache’s approval.
As they descended further underground, Langdon felt a growing sense of unease. Fache’s presence wasn’t welcoming, and the Louvre had an eerie atmosphere at this hour. The staircase was lit by subtle tread-lights on each step, and Langdon’s footsteps echoed in the space. Through the glass roof, he could see the fading mist from the fountains outside.
“Do you find it impressive?” Fache asked, nodding towards the pyramid with his wide chin.
Langdon sighed, too tired for pleasantries. “Yes, your pyramid is truly remarkable.”
Fache grunted. “To some, it’s a blemish on Paris.”
That’s one strike, Langdon thought, sensing Fache’s difficulty to impress. He wondered if Fache knew that this pyramid, following President Mitterrand’s request, had been constructed using exactly 666 glass panes, a fact often discussed among conspiracy enthusiasts who linked 666 to Satan.
Langdon decided to avoid the topic. As they continued descending, the grand underground lobby of the Louvre emerged from the shadows. Located fifty-seven feet beneath the ground, the 70,000-square-foot space was usually bright with sunlight and tourists, constructed from warm ocher marble to harmonize with the stone façade above. However, tonight it was empty and dimly lit, exuding a cold and crypt-like ambiance.
“And what about the regular museum security staff?” Langdon inquired.
“In quarantine,” Fache replied, as though Langdon was doubting the competence of his team. “Clearly, someone gained unauthorized entry tonight. All the Louvre night guards are being questioned in the Sully Wing. My agents are handling museum security for now.”
Nodding, Langdon hastened to keep up with Fache’s pace.
“Did you have a close relationship with Jacques Saunière?” Fache asked.
“No, not at all. We had never met before.”
Fache appeared surprised. “Your first meeting was scheduled for tonight?”
“Yes, that was the plan. We were supposed to meet at the American University reception after my lecture, but he never appeared.”
Fache jotted down some notes. As they walked, Langdon caught a glimpse of the lesser-known pyramid at the Louvre—the La Pyramide Inversée—a large inverted skylight that hung like a stalactite from the ceiling. Fache led Langdon up a short flight of stairs to the entrance of a tunnel labeled “DENON.” The Denon Wing was the most famous section of the Louvre’s three main parts.
“Who initiated tonight’s meeting?” Fache suddenly asked. “You or him?”
The question was peculiar. “Mr. Saunière did. His secretary contacted me by email a few weeks ago. She mentioned that the curator had heard about my lecture in Paris this month and wanted to discuss something with me.”
“What was the topic of discussion?”
“I’m not sure. Probably art-related. We have shared interests.”
Fache seemed skeptical. “You have no idea what the meeting was about?”
Langdon felt uneasy with the directness of the question. “I honestly can’t guess. I didn’t inquire. I was honored to have been contacted. I admire Mr. Saunière’s work, and I often use his texts in my classes.”
Fache made a note in his book. As they continued, Langdon caught sight of the iconic ascending escalators in the distance, both motionless.
“You shared common interests with him?” Fache queried.
“Yes, indeed. I’ve spent much of the past year working on a manuscript about Mr. Saunière’s primary field of expertise. I was looking forward to gaining insight from him.”
Fache looked up. “What is the subject of your manuscript?”
Langdon hesitated, struggling to articulate. “In essence, the manuscript explores the iconography of goddess worship—concepts of female sanctity, associated art, and symbols.”
Fache ran his hand through his hair. “And Saunière was knowledgeable about this?”
“No one more so.”
“I see.”
Langdon sensed Fache’s lack of understanding. Jacques Saunière was renowned as the foremost goddess iconographer globally. He had a personal passion for fertility relics, goddess cults, Wicca, and the sacred feminine. During his two decades as curator, Saunière had contributed to the Louvre’s vast collection of goddess art—items such as labrys axes from the ancient Greek shrine in Delphi, gold caducei wands, Tjet ankhs resembling small standing angels, sistrum rattles from ancient Egypt, and numerous statues portraying Horus nursed by the goddess Isis.
“Perhaps Saunière was aware of your manuscript?” Fache suggested. “And he planned the meeting to assist with your book.”
Langdon shook his head. “Actually, no one knows about my manuscript yet. It’s still a draft, and only my editor has seen it.”
Fache fell silent.
Langdon didn’t mention why he hadn’t shared the manuscript with others. The three-hundred-page draft, tentatively titled “Symbols of the Lost Sacred Feminine,” proposed unconventional interpretations of established religious iconography, which could generate controversy.
Now, as Langdon halted near the stationary escalators, he realized Fache wasn’t by his side anymore. Turning around, Langdon spotted Fache standing a few yards back near a service elevator.
“We’ll use the elevator,” Fache said as the doors opened. “Considering the distance to the gallery, it’s a wise choice.”
Although Langdon knew the elevator would save time during the ascent to the Denon Wing, he hesitated.
“Is there a problem?” Fache asked impatiently, holding the door.
Langdon exhaled
The Code of Genius
Status: Ongoing
Author:
Native Language: English
