Paradox by Douglas Preston – Chapter 40 (Chapter 39) Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Late at night, Agent Cash arrives unannounced at the home of Bart Romanski and his husband, Nick Wu. Despite the late hour and initial reluctance, Romanski invites her in after learning no new body has been found. Cash requests a dirty martini, signaling the unusual nature of the visit. She explains that she needs Romanski to perform a secret DNA analysis on the relic of Saint John the Baptist recovered from Castillo’s apartment. CBI Director Holmes denied her request through official channels, concerned about scandal and the relic’s sacred status. Cash reveals that the money trail from Grooms through Brooksfield and Castillo leads to a nonprofit called Paradox, then to offshore accounts controlled by a man named Khachatryan in Portugal. Khachatryan contacted Cash, insisting the relic’s DNA must be sequenced and warning that members of an organization called Devotio were killing them. Cash believes the DNA holds the key to the case but cannot explain why. Romanski initially objects, citing job risk, potential press backlash, and the involvement of his colleague Reno. However, after Cash appeals to their history of saving each other’s lives, he turns to Wu for advice. Wu, intrigued by the mystery, urges Romanski to agree.
Key Events
- Agent Cash visits Romanski’s home at 9 p.m. and requests a dirty martini.
- Cash reveals her request for a secret DNA analysis of the Saint John the Baptist relic.
- Holmes rejected the request through official channels to avoid scandal.
- Cash explains the money laundering trail: Grooms → Brooksfield → Castillo → Paradox → Khachatryan.
- Khachatryan contacted Cash, urging DNA testing and mentioning the Devotio organization.
- Romanski initially refuses, citing professional risk and the need to involve Reno.
- Cash reminds Romanski that they have saved each other’s lives in the past.
- Romanski asks Wu for his opinion, and Wu encourages him to proceed.
Character Development
Agent Cash demonstrates persistence and vulnerability. She bypasses protocol, showing her willingness to take risks based on instinct. Her admission that she cannot logically explain why the DNA test matters reveals her reliance on gut feelings and trust in her team. Cash’s decision to share personal history with Romanski—referring to the Neander case where they saved each other—deepens their bond and shows humility.
Bart Romanski is torn between his professional responsibilities and loyalty to Cash. His initial reluctance stems from fear of losing his job and harming the CBI’s reputation. Yet, his eventual turn to Wu for advice shows his respect for his partner’s judgment and his own internal conflict.
Nick Wu starts as a passive observer but becomes decisive. His earlier teasing (“he doesn’t have any of his own”) gives way to a thoughtful endorsement of the risky plan, driven by curiosity rather than fear.
Key Relationships: The chapter highlights the trust between Cash, Romanski, and Wu. Cash’s request hinges on mutual history, not just professional respect, reinforcing that this investigation has become personal.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Risk and Trust: The chapter explores the tension between institutional caution and personal loyalty. Cash asks Romanski to risk his career on a hunch, and the decision rests on whether their past bond justifies present danger.
Secrecy and Inquiry: The relic symbolizes forbidden knowledge. Both the church and Holmes want it preserved untouched, but Cash and Khachatryan push for its scientific examination. This mirrors the broader conflict between faith and evidence—a motif present throughout the novel.
Money and Mystery: The offshore financial trail is a symbol of opacity. Every layer (Grooms, Brooksfield, Castillo, Paradox, Khachatryan) represents a system designed to obscure truth. Cash’s pursuit of DNA is an attempt to cut through that obscurity.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the investigation. It transforms the relic from a religious artifact into potential scientific evidence, shifting the plot toward a biotechnological reveal. By securing Romanski’s help, Cash overcomes the first institutional barrier, signaling that she will operate outside official channels to solve the case. The reference to Devotio and Khachatryan’s warning escalates the stakes: the murders are not random but linked to a group actively trying to prevent the DNA sequence from being discovered. The chapter also solidifies the personal stakes for the forensic team, foreshadowing that the truth may come at a high professional cost.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Holmes refuse to allow DNA testing on the relic through official channels?
Holmes prioritizes returning the relic intact to the Catholic Church to avoid scandal and maintain the CBI’s relationship with religious authorities. She views the relic as sacred and untouchable, not as evidence.
2. How does Cash convince Romanski to agree to the secret analysis?
Cash appeals to their shared history, reminding him that they saved each other’s lives during the Neander case. She also cites Khachatryan’s insistence and the money laundering pattern, arguing that the DNA is crucial even if she cannot yet explain why.
3. What does Nick Wu’s advice reveal about his character and the themes of the chapter?
Wu’s advice to proceed shows his curiosity and willingness to embrace risk for knowledge. It reinforces the theme that trust and personal bonds can override institutional caution, and that scientific inquiry—even when secret—is sometimes necessary.