“Moi aussi,” said Jean Pierre, purposely speaking... “Moi aussi,” said Jean Pierre, purposely speaking French, which evidently had an effect on the
stranger“Toujours le médecin à notre age, n’est-ce pas?”
“All too true,” replied the old man with the bony legs, nodding and making the gesture of a
wave as he turned and walked rapidly up the path
Fontaine stood motionless watching the receding figure, waiting, knowing it would happenThe old man stopped and slowly turned aroundFrom a distance their eyes locked; it
was enoughJean Pierre smiled, then proceeded down the concrete path toward his villa
It was another warning, he mused, and a far more deadly oneFor three things were apparent:
first, the elderly guest in the foolish white cap spoke French; second, he knew that “Jean Pierre
Fontaine” was in reality someone else—sent to Montserrat by someone else; third he had the
mark of the Jackal in his eyesMon Dieu, how like the monseigneur! Engineer the kill, make sure it
is done, then remove
louis vuitton kabelky all physical traces that could lead back to his methods of operation, in
particular his private army of old menNo wonder the nurse had said that after his orders were
carried out they could remain here in this paradise until his woman died, a date that was imprecise
at bestThe Jackal’s generosity was not so grand as it appeared; his woman’s death, as well as his
own, had been scheduledJacques picked up the phone in his office“Yes?”
“They have met, sir!” said the excited assistant manager at the front desk
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
85
“Who have met?”
“The great man and his illustrious relative from Boston, MassachusettsI would have called you
at once, but there was a mix-up concerning a box of Belgian chocolates—”
“What are you talking about?”
“Several minutes ago, sir, I saw them through the windowsThey were conferring on the path
My esteemed uncle, the deputy director, was right in all things!”
“That’s nice
“The Crown
gucci clearance governor’s office will be most pleased, and I’m certain we shall be commended, as
will, of course, my brilliant uncle
“Good for all of us,” said St“Now we don’t have to concern ourselves about
them any longer, do we?”
“Offhand I would say not, sirExcept that as we speak the honored judge is walking down the
path in hasteI believe he’s coming inside
“I don’t think he’ll bite you; he probably wants to thank youThere’s a
storm coming up from Basse-Terre and we’ll need the CG’s input if the phones go out
“I myself shall perform whatever service he requires, sir!”
“Well, there are limitsDon’t brush his teeth
Brendan Prefontaine hurried through the door of the circular glass-walled lobbyHe had waited
until the old Frenchman had turned into the first villa before reversing direction and heading
straight for the main complexAs he had done so many times over the past thirty years, he was
forced to think quickly on his feet—usually running
louis vuitton purses feet—building plausible explanations that
would support a number of obvious possibilities as well as others not so obviousHe had just
committed an unavoidable yet stupid error, unavoidable because he was not prepared to give
Tranquility Inn’s desk a false name in case identification was required, and stupid because he had
given a false name to the hero of FranceWell, not stupid; the similarity of their surnames might
have led to unwanted complications where the purpose of his trip to Montserrat was concerned,
which was quite simply extortion—to learn what so frightened Randolph Gates that he would part
with fifteen thousand dollars, and having learned it perhaps collect a great deal moreNo, the
stupidity was in not taking the precautionary step he was about to takeHe approached the front
desk and the tall, slender clerk behind it
“Good evening, sir,” fairly yelled the inn’s employee, causing the judge to look around, grateful
that there
omega speedmaster replica were very few guests in the lobby“However I may assist you, be assured of my
perfection!”
“I’d rather be assured of your keeping your voice down, young man
“I shall whisper,” said the clerk inaudibly
“What did you say?”
“How may I help you?” intoned the man, now sotto voce
“Let’s just talk quietly, all right?”
“CertainlyI am so very privileged
“You are?”
“Of course
“Very well,” said Prefontaine“I have a favor to ask of you—”
“Anything!”
“Shhh!”
“Naturally
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
86
“Like many men of advanced age I frequently forget things, you can understand that, can’t
you?”
“A man of your wisdom I doubt forgets anythingI’m traveling incognito, you do know what I mean
“Most assuredly, sir
“I registered under my name, Prefontaine—”
“You certainly did,” interrupted the clerkMy office and those I’ve told to reach me expect to ask for a ‘MrPatrick,’
my middle nameIt’s harmless subterfuge to allow me some much needed
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