The Secret of Secrets: A Novel
by Dan Brown
Contents
Chapter 54
Overview
Dana Danbk is summoned by Ambassador Heide Nagel after Dana’s unauthorized Four Seasons visit and ties to Michael Harris. Nagel compels Dana to sign an NDA and makes clear Dana’s employment is in jeopardy. Rather than let Dana forget what happened, Nagel prepares to reveal the real context behind what Dana witnessed.
Summary
Dana Danbk climbs to the U.S. ambassador’s office convinced the summons will end her job, after Ambassador Heide Nagel angrily confronted her about going to the Four Seasons and her personal relationship with Michael Harris.
Inside the office, Nagel asserts control immediately, ordering Dana to turn off her phone and place it on the desk. When Dana asks if she is being fired, Nagel answers that Dana should be and implies the decision is not yet final.
Nagel then slides a document across the desk: a nondisclosure agreement. Dana hesitates, but when Nagel pointedly offers to have Michael review it, Dana realizes her relationship is leverage and signs.
With the NDA in place, Nagel calls Dana’s Four Seasons visit reckless and says Dana was never supposed to witness what she saw. Nagel makes clear Dana cannot simply forget it; instead, Dana’s mistake forces Nagel to explain the true meaning of what Dana witnessed.
Who Appears
- Dana DanbkEmbassy staffer; summoned, pressured to sign an NDA, and warned about what she witnessed.
- Ambassador Heide NagelU.S. ambassador; intimidates Dana, threatens her job, and prepares to disclose sensitive context.
- Michael HarrisDana’s personal connection; used by Nagel as leverage during the NDA signing.