Davidson saw the look they shared. He sat up straight. “You’ve discovered this language, haven’t you?”

“No,” King said.

“We’re just researching the idea,” Alexander added quickly.

“For a movie.”

This last statement totally deflated Davidson’s excitement. He was about to ask them to leave when King’s phone rang. He answered the phone, “I’m here.”

“We found Ridley,” Duncan said on the other end.

“Where?”

“London. Security camera caught a glimpse of him at Heathrow Airport.”

“Was Fiona with him?”

“She’s not in the shot, but that doesn’t mean—”

“I know. And it doesn’t matter. We’re going to London.”

“I have every available resource tracking him. Call me when you land.”

“Will do.” King hung up the phone and looked at Alexander. “He’s in London.”

Both men stood. Alexander opened the door to leave. Davidson stopped them with a clearing of his throat. “Who’s in London?”

“Brad Pitt. Thanks for your help,” King said, then exited the room.

The professor, who now wore a broad smile, said, “If you see the press on your way down, send them up.”

King stopped and leaned back into the office. Something about Davidson expecting press coverage put him on edge. “You never did mention why the press was coming to see you today.”

“I published my theory. Null physics and the Spoken Creation. Technion put out a press release yesterday. I’m giving a speech on the topic in”—he looked at his watch, his eyes widening—“forty-five minutes.”

King tensed. If Davidson had made his theory public and Ridley discovered it, he would instantly see where the research would eventually lead. He had already wiped out every ancient language that might be used to reproduce the so-called language of God. But if modern science were to uncover the language again by studying the effects of sound on the environment, then …

Davidson saw King’s sour expression. “What? What’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid you may have painted a very large target on your—”

Movement outside the large office window caught King’s attention. The metal obelisk that had been standing outside was hurtling toward the office like a spear.

“Get down!” King shouted, diving for the professor.

A second later the obelisk crashed through the window with the force of a wrecking ball.

Chapter Forty-Two

FORTY-ONE

Washington, D.C.