An unnamed 34-year-old man is initiated as a fifth-degree Mason. The man accepts the rules that govern the members of the organization even though he is aware that he comes into this ritual as a liar. He worries briefly that the wine he is required to drink will, as the ritual states, bring about his immediate death, but it does not.

Robert Langdon heads to Washington, DC, on a private jet. As the plane lands, Langdon reflects on his former mentor, Peter Solomon, the man who brought him to Washington. The private jet is met by a chauffeured car that will take Langdon to the US Capitol Building. Langdon overhears the chauffeur calling someone to announce Langdon’s arrival. Knowing Peter’s intense attention to detail, Langdon assumes that the driver is reporting to Peter in accordance with his mentor’s wishes.

Mal’akh finishes tattooing a spot on his head, careful to leave a small section on the top of his head clean for a special tattoo. He goes into the bathroom to admire his body and all the tattoos that cover every inch of his torso. Mal’akh is satisfied with how well his plan is progressing so far.