The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

by Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code: Chapter 81 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
At the airport, Executive Services Officer Simon Edwards watches Teabing’s plane land, disturbed at the prospect of overseeing the knight’s arrest. Edwards often looks the other way for Teabing’s minor customs violations because he is wealthy, but he is apparently in trouble with the French authorities. He and armed Kent policemen watch as Teabing’s plane lands then swerves unexpectedly towards his private hangar. Alarmed, Edwards and the officers follow the plane, arriving as the plane completes its turn inside the hangar, pointing outward in preparation for a departure. Teabing descends the stairs, looking bewildered at the police escort waiting for him.
Edwards’s special treatment of Teabing confirms that at least some of the knight’s self-perception is accurate: his wealth and status let him get away with otherwise prohibited behaviors. In this case, however, even Teabing’s substantial privilege can’t shield him from the consequences of breaking international law. The plane’s unexpected diversion suggests the knight has concocted an alternative plan of escape. 
Themes
Conspiracies and Secrets Theme Icon
Power and Manipulation Theme Icon
Teabing tells Edwards he ignored the order to pull into the terminal because he’s late for a medical appointment. The Kent chief inspector tells Teabing he’s wanted for transporting fugitives from France. Rémy appears, corroborating Teabing’s story that they are late. Teabing will allow Edwards to board the plane and check but insists the police get a warrant. The inspector detains Teabing and boards the plane, finding no one but the pilot. Teabing tells the furious inspector he’ll be hearing from his lawyers and not to trust the French police. He and Rémy drive off in his limousine, where Langdon and Sophie dragged Silas during the plane’s turnaround in the hangar.
Themes
Conspiracies and Secrets Theme Icon
Power and Manipulation Theme Icon