Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM 73 “I...
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
73
“I assume you’re talking about your wife
“All of ’em! They don’t know when to keep their traps shut
“It sounds like they’re starved for conversationI’ve got a car down the blockAre you up to a drive?”
“I damn well better beWe’ll stop at the drugstore down the streetThey’ve got my prescription
on fileWho the hell are you?”
“I told you,” answered Bourne
“Oh, Jesus!” whispered Albert Armbruster
The pharmacist complied rapidly, and Jason quickly drove to a neighborhood bar he had chosen
an hour before should one be necessaryIt was dark and full of shadows, the booths deep, the
banquettes high, isolating those meeting one another from curious glancesThe ambience was
important, for it was vital that he hermes wallet stare into the eyes of the chairman when he asked questions, his
own eyes ice-cold, demanding Delta was back, Cain had returned; Jason Bourne was
in full command, David Webb forgotten
“We have to cover ourselves,” said the Cobra quietly after their drinks arrived“In terms of
damage control that means we have to know how much harm each of us could do under the
Amytals
“What the hell does that mean?” asked Armbruster swallowing most of his gin and tonic while
wincing and holding his stomach
“Drugs, chemicals, truth serums
“What?”
“This isn’t your normal ball game,” said Bourne, remembering Conklin’s words“We’ve got to
cover all of the bases because there aren’t any constitutional rights in this series
“So who are you?” The chairman of the Federal miu miu coffer Trade Commission belched and brought his
glass briefly to his lips, his hand trembling“Some kind of one-man hit team? John Doe knows
something, so he’s shot in an alley?”
“Don’t be ridiculousAnything like that would be totally counterproductiveIt would only fuel
those trying to find us, leave a trail—”
“Then what are you talking about?”
“Saving our lives, which includes our reputations and our life-styles
“You’re one cold prickHow do we do that?”
“Let’s take your case, shall we? You’re not a well man by your own admissionYou could
resign under doctor’s orders and we take care of you—Medusa takes care of you Jason’s
imagination floated, making quick sharp forays into reality and fantasy, swiftly searching for the
words that might be found in the tiffany heart tag necklace gospel according to St“You’re known to be a wealthy man,
so a villa might be purchased in your name, or perhaps a Caribbean island, where you’d be
completely secureNo one can reach you; no one can talk to you unless you agree, which would
mean predetermined interviews, harmless and even favorable results guaranteedSuch things are
not impossible
“Pretty sterile existence in my opinion,” said Armbruster“Me and the yapper all by ourselves?
I’d kill her
“Not at all,” went on the Cobra“There’d be constant distractionsGuests of your choosing
could be flown to wherever you areOther women also—either of your choice or selected by those
who respect your tastesLife goes on much as before, some inconveniences, some pleasant
surprisesThe point is that chanel sac you’d be protected, inaccessible and therefore we’re also protected, the
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
74
rest of usBut, as I say, that option is merely hypothetical at this junctureIn my case, frankly,
it’s a necessity because there’s little I don’t knowI leave in a matter of daysUntil then I’m
determining who goes and who staysHow much do you know, MrArmbruster?”
“I’m not involved with the day-to-day operations, naturallyI deal with the big pictureLike the
others, I get a monthly coded telex from the banks in Zurich listing the deposits and the companies
we’re gaining control of—that’s about it
“So far you don’t get a villa
“I’ll be damned if I want one, and if I do I’ll buy it myselfI’ve got close to a hundred million,
American, in chanel 2.55 Zuric