The perimeter patrolman gains access to Pod 5 through the open specimen bay door, and Mal’akh grabs him, punching him in the sternum. Mal’akh drops an open flame into a pool of fuel and walks away. The patrolman dies in the resulting fireball. Katherine sees the explosion, but she is so focused on what has happened and in finding Langdon that she does not initially understand what has happened.

Warren makes multiple phone calls, trying to reach an unknown person. At the same time, Langdon asks him many questions about the pyramid. Warren tells Langdon that the pyramid leads to a spiral staircase that is hidden by a massive stone. Warren surprises Langdon by telling him that he must not open the package or remove the capstone, and that he should forget about saving Peter and should strive instead to keep the secret of the capstone safe at all costs. Katherine arrives at the Library of Congress and bangs on the doors to get Langdon’s attention.

Langdon lets Katherine into the building and tries to comfort her. Warren shoves the pyramid into Langdon’s bag just as their makeshift alarm system goes off. Warren takes Langdon and Katherine to a cupboard and orders them both inside.