Robert Langdon, a professor of religious iconography at Harvard University, is awoken by his phone ringing. The caller introduces himself as Maximilian Kohler, a discrete particle physicist, and he urgently needs Langdon’s assistance on a confidential matter. Langdon, angry at being called so early, hangs up, assuming that the caller is a religious zealot. Kohler faxes Langdon an image of a naked and tortured corpse emblazoned with the word “Illuminati.” Langdon is shocked and amazed. He sees that Kohler is still on the line, so he picks up the receiver.

Kohler insists that Langdon, as an Illuminati expert, must help them solve the mystery of the murdered man. Kohler tells Langdon that he has sent a plane to bring him to his facility, which is only an hour from Boston. Langdon, intrigued by the symbol on the man’s chest, agrees.

Two men meet in a dark chamber. One of the men—a killer—confirms that a task was completed successfully and hands over a heavy electronic device to the other man.