DanBrown.DigitalFortress文献.doc

For my parents... my mentors and heroes A debt of gratitude: to my editors at St. Martins Press, Thomas Dunne and the exceptionally talented Melissa Jacobs. To my agents in New York, George Wieser, Olga Wieser, and Jake Elwell. To all those who read and contributed to the manuscript along the way. And especially to my wife, Blythe, for her enthusiasm and patience. Also... a quiet thank you to the two faceless ex-NSA cryptographers who made invaluable contributions via anonymous remailers. Without them this book would not have been written. ? PROLOGUE PLAZA DE ESPAСA SEVILLE, SPAIN 11:00 A.M. It is said that in death, all things become clear; Ensei Tankado now knew it was true. As he clutched his chest and fell to the ground in pain, he realized the horror of his mistake. People appeared, hovering over him, trying to help. But Tankado did not want help--it was too late for that. Trembling, he raised his left hand and held his fingers outward. Look at my hand! The faces around him stared, but he could tell they did not understand. On his finger was an engraved golden ring. For an instant, the markings glimmered in the Andalusian sun. Ensei Tankado knew it was the last light he would ever see. CHAPTER?1 They were in the smoky mountains at their favorite bed-and-breakfast. David was smiling down at her. What do you say, gorgeous? Marry me? Looking up from their canopy bed, she knew he was the one. Forever. As she stared into his deep-green eyes, somewhere in the distance a deafening bell began to ring. It was pulling him away. She reached for him, but her arms clutched empty air. It was the sound of the phone that fully awoke Susan Fletcher from her dream. She gasped, sat up in bed, and fumbled for the receiver. Hello? Susan, its David. Did I wake you? She smiled, rolling over in bed. I was just dreaming of you. Come over and play. He laughed. Its still dark out. Mmm. She moaned sensuously. Then definitely come over and play. We can sleep in before we head north. David