At Petschek Villa, Ambassador Heide Nagel leads Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon through the house to a secluded, wood-paneled library, explaining it is her most private room for calls. She sits opposite them, places papers facedown on the table, and says she will be direct.

Nagel apologizes on behalf of the U.S. government and admits she was ordered to place an audio surveillance device in their hotel room. Nagel insists the bugging was justified as national security, claims she did not realize the information would endanger them, and presses them to cooperate because time is short.

Nagel says Katherine Solomon’s upcoming book is viewed by “powerful entities” as a potential national security risk, though Nagel claims she has not been told why. She warns that a man arriving soon—who calls himself Mr. Finch—will speak with them and likely interrogate them, and she says her own power is limited against the permanent forces making these decisions.

Forbidden to share more without authorization, Nagel slides each of them a one-page nondisclosure agreement and a pen, stating she can brief them only after they sign. Langdon stops Katherine from signing, asks to contact a lawyer or editor, and is refused; he then says they should leave. Nagel says she will not detain them but suggests it is unsafe outside, while Langdon states they do not feel safe inside either.

When Nagel receives a message on her phone, her expression turns to horror and she abruptly leaves, asking for ten minutes. Alone, Langdon explains to Katherine that the NDA is a trap that would instantly classify anything Mr. Finch mentions, potentially preventing her from ever publishing the book; Katherine realizes this is why enemies focused on destroying the manuscript rather than fearing she would rewrite it. Concluding they need a phone and to check on Jonas’s safety, Langdon searches the library, finds a hidden hardwired landline inside a hinged octagonal side table, and begins dialing, believing it is the safest line available.