Chapter summaries Paradox Douglas Preston

Chapter 40: Secret DNA Analysis and a Threat in the Dark

⚠️ 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

At three in the morning, Romanski works off the clock in a shadowy lab, sequencing the DNA of a small bone fragment that allegedly comes from Saint John the Baptist’s skull. He brings in Reno, a savant at reading genome sequences, to help interpret the results. Romanski explains that victim Castillo stole the relic from a church in Rome and that Cash wants the DNA analyzed without official authorization. Holmes blocked the request, so they are doing it secretly. Reno runs the alignment data through specialized software and discovers that the sample is heavily contaminated—partly a human male but mostly other organisms from centuries of handling and bacterial invasion. He concludes that a standard lab cannot separate the ancient DNA and recommends using an ancient DNA (aDNA) facility. Reno’s friend Greg Strickland runs such a lab at the CU School of Medicine, and Reno agrees to take the sample there tomorrow. After Romanski leaves, Reno shuts down the lab, pockets the sample vial, and walks to his car in the empty parking lot. As he starts the engine, a cold object presses against the back of his neck, and a voice demands that he retrieve something for them from the CBI.

Key Events

  • Romansky reveals he is testing a relic bone for Cash, without official permission.
  • Reno examines the sequenced DNA and identifies contamination, not a pure human genome.
  • Reno explains the need for an ancient DNA lab because of centuries of handling and microbial DNA.
  • Romansky and Reno agree to send the sample to Reno’s contact Dr. Greg Strickland.
  • Reno takes possession of the relic vial and completes lab shutdown.
  • In the parking lot, Reno is ambushed by an unknown person who threatens him and demands action from the CBI.

Character Development

  • Romanski: Shows both professional dedication (working late off the clock) and vulnerability (his frustration with the contamination, his reliance on Reno’s expertise). He trusts Reno enough to involve him in a covert operation.
  • Reno: Demonstrates technical skill, humor (“Avon calling!”), and practical knowledge of aDNA extraction. He is willing to help Romanski despite the ethical gray area, but his confidence is undercut by the sudden ambush.
  • Cash (mentioned): Remains offstage but drives the secret investigation; his vague instructions hint at deeper motivations.
  • The Ambusher: Introduced as a calm, cold-voiced antagonist who knows about the CBI’s possession of something desirable. This figure operates with precision, suggesting a professional or insider.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Contamination vs. Purity: Both the relic’s DNA and the secrecy of the investigation are “contaminated” by outside forces—microbial invaders and institutional restrictions. The motif reflects the novel’s broader concern with truth buried under layers of history and corruption.
  • Relics and Faith: The bone fragment symbolizes the tension between religious belief and scientific inquiry. The attempt to sequence its DNA represents a desire for empirical proof, yet the contamination prevents clear answers.
  • Secrecy and Trust: The entire chapter operates off the books, highlighting how trust between characters (Romanski and Reno) can override official protocols. The ambush at the end suggests that such secrecy attracts dangerous attention.
  • Darkness and Isolation: The late hour, the empty lab, and the deserted parking lot create a visual of isolation. The sudden threat in the dark underscores how vulnerable the characters are when they work outside the system.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 40 advances the forensic subplot by revealing that the relic’s DNA is too contaminated for standard analysis, redirecting the investigation to a specialized aDNA lab. It deepens the mystery of why Castillo stole the bone and what the DNA might reveal. The chapter also escalates personal risk: Reno, a supportive side character, becomes a target. The ambush introduces a new threat that ties directly to the CBI’s holdings, suggesting that the plot is closing in on the protagonists. This turning point transforms a technical laboratory scene into a moment of suspense and danger, raising the stakes for the remainder of the novel.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Question: Why does Romanski sequence the relic’s DNA without official authorization? Answer: Cash wanted the analysis done despite Agent Holmes’s refusal, and Romanski agreed to work off the clock to avoid a scandal with the Vatican priest. He needed to determine if the bone is human or animal and what genetic secrets it holds.

  2. Question: What key problem does Reno identify in the DNA sample, and how does he propose to solve it? Answer: Reno finds the sample is heavily contaminated by DNA from centuries of handling and microbial decay, masking the original human genome. He recommends using an ancient DNA (aDNA) lab, such as the one run by his friend Greg Strickland at CU School of Medicine, which specializes in teasing out degraded ancient DNA.

  3. Question: How does the ending of the chapter change the reader’s understanding of the plot? Answer: The ambush reveals that someone is aware of the secret DNA analysis and is willing to threaten Reno to get something from the CBI. This suggests that the relic’s DNA is connected to a larger conspiracy or a valuable secret that multiple parties are willing to use violence to obtain.

Navigation

(Note: The previous chapter URL points to chapter 40 summary, which corresponds to Chapter 39 in the book indexing.)