The Da Vinci Code

They are not. The chief inspector turned and aimed at Teabing's back. "Stop! I will fire!"
"Go ahead," Teabing said without breaking stride or glancing back. "My lawyers will fricassee 
your testicles for breakfast. And if you dare board my plane without a warrant, your spleen will 
follow."

---

No stranger to power plays, the chief inspector was unimpressed. Technically, Teabing was correct 
and the police needed a warrant to board his jet, but because the flight had originated in France, 
and because the powerful Bezu Fache had given his authority, the Kent chief inspector felt certain 
his career would be far better served by finding out what it was on this plane that Teabing seemed 
so intent on hiding.
"Stop them," the inspector ordered. "I'm searching the plane."
His men raced over, guns leveled, and physically blocked Teabing and his servant from reaching 
the limousine.
Now Teabing turned. "Inspector, this is your last warning. Do not even think of boarding that 
plane. You will regret it."
Ignoring the threat, the chief inspector gripped his sidearm and marched up the plane's gangway. 
Arriving at the hatch, he peered inside. After a moment, he stepped into the cabin. What the devil?
With the exception of the frightened-looking pilot in the cockpit, the aircraft was empty. Entirely 
devoid of human life. Quickly checking the bathroom, the chairs, and the luggage areas, the 
inspector found no traces of anyone hiding... much less multiple individuals.
What the hell was Bezu Fache thinking? It seemed Leigh Teabing had been telling the truth.
The Kent chief inspector stood alone in the deserted cabin and swallowed hard. Shit. His face 
flushed, he stepped back onto the gangway, gazing across the hangar at Leigh Teabing and his 
servant, who were now under gunpoint near the limousine. "Let them go," the inspector ordered. 
"We received a bad tip."
Teabing's eyes were menacing even across the hangar. "You can expect a call from my lawyers. 
And for future reference, the French police cannot be trusted."
With that, Teabing's manservant opened the door at the rear of the stretch limousine and helped his 
crippled master into the back seat. Then the servant walked the length of the car, climbed in behind 
the wheel, and gunned the engine. Policemen scattered as the Jaguar peeled out of the hangar.
"Well played, my good man," Teabing chimed from the rear seat as the limousine accelerated out 
of the airport. He turned his eyes now to the dimly lit front recesses of the spacious interior. 
"Everyone comfy?"
Langdon gave a weak nod. He and Sophie were still crouched on the floor beside the bound and 
gagged albino.

---

Moments earlier, as the Hawker taxied into the deserted hangar, Rémy had popped the hatch as the 
plane jolted to a stop halfway through its turn. With the police closing in fast, Langdon and Sophie 
dragged the monk down the gangway to ground level and out of sight behind the limousine. Then 
the jet engines had roared again, rotating the plane and completing its turn as the police cars came 
skidding into the hangar.
Now, as the limousine raced toward Kent, Langdon and Sophie clambered toward the rear of the 
limo's long interior, leaving the monk bound on the floor. They settled onto the long seat facing 
Teabing. The Brit gave them both a roguish smile and opened the cabinet on the limo's bar. "Could 
I offer you a drink? Some nibblies? Crisps? Nuts? Seltzer?"
Sophie and Langdon both shook their heads.
Teabing grinned and closed the bar. "So then, about this knight's tomb..."