New York editor Jonas Faukman had just climbed into bed for the night when the telephone rang.

　　A little late for callers, he grumbled, picking up the receiver.

　　An operator's voice asked him, "Will you accept charges for a collect call from Robert Langdon?"Puzzled, Jonas turned on the light. "Uh... sure, okay."The line clicked. "Jonas?""Robert? You wake me up and you charge me for it?""Jonas, forgive me," Langdon said. "I'll keep this very short. I really need to know. The manuscriptI gave you. Have you—""Robert, I'm sorry, I know I said I'd send the edits out to you this week, but I'm swamped. NextMonday. I promise.""I'm not worried about the edits. I need to know if you sent any copies out for blurbs withouttelling me?"Faukman hesitated. Langdon's newest manuscript—an exploration of the history of goddessworship—included several sections about Mary Magdalene that were going to raise someeyebrows. Although the material was well documented and had been covered by others, Faukmanhad no intention of printing Advance Reading Copies of Langdon's book without at least a fewendorsements from serious historians and art luminaries. Jonas had chosen ten big names in the artworld and sent them all sections of the manuscript along with a polite letter asking if they would bewilling to write a short endorsement for the jacket. In Faukman's experience, most people jumpedat the opportunity to see their name in print.

　　"Jonas?" Langdon pressed. "You sent out my manuscript, didn't you?"Faukman frowned, sensing Langdon was not happy about it. "The manuscript was clean, Robert,and I wanted to surprise you with some terrific blurbs."A pause. "Did you send one to the curator of the Paris Louvre?""What do you think? Your manuscript referenced his Louvre collection several times, his books arein your bibliography, and the guy has some serious clout for foreign sales. Saunière was a no-brainer."The silence on the other end lasted a long time. "When did you send it?""About a month ago. I also mentioned you would be in Paris soon and suggested you two chat. Didhe ever call you to meet?" Faukman paused, rubbing his eyes. "Hold on, aren't you supposed to bein Paris this week?""I am in Paris."Faukman sat upright. "You called me collect from Paris?""Take it out of my royalties, Jonas. Did you ever hear back from Saunière? Did he like themanuscript?""I don't know. I haven't yet heard from him.""Well, don't hold your breath. I've got to run, but this explains a lot Thanks.""Robert—"But Langdon was gone.

　　Faukman hung up the phone, shaking his head in disbelief Authors, he thought. Even the sane onesare nuts.

　　Inside the Range Rover, Leigh Teabing let out a guffaw. "Robert, you're saying you wrote amanuscript that delves into a secret society, and your editor sent a copy to that secret society?"Langdon slumped. "Evidently.""A cruel coincidence, my friend."Coincidence has nothing to do with it, Langdon knew. Asking Jacques Saunière to endorse amanuscript on goddess worship was as obvious ............