Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Time	Event
3:19a	@@@@@Jacques and his brother-in-law, the American @@@@@Jacques and his brother-in-law, the American MrFurther, your nephew Buckingham Pritchard here, freely, even enthusiastically, admits calling you with certain information contained in that conversation and that you in turn emphatically stated that you had to reach Paris immediatelyIs this true?” “It is all completely true, Sir Henry “Whom did you reach in Paris? What’s the telephone number?” “With respect, sir, I am sworn to secrecy At that succinct and totally unexpected reply, Jonathan Lemuel had lifted his astonished eyes to the ceiling Sykes, regaining his composure, put an end to the brief pause of amazementPritchard?” “My nephew and I are part of an international organization involving the great leaders of the world, and we have been sworn to secrecy “Good God, he believes it,” muttered Sir Henry “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” said Lemuel, lowering his head“Our telephone service here is not the most sophisticated, especially where pay phones are concerned, which I presume you were instructed to use, but within a day or so that number can be tracedWhy not simply give it to Sir Henry nowHe obviously needs to know quickly, so where is the harm?” “The harm, sir, is to our superiors in the organization—that was made explicitly clear to me personally “What’s the name of this international organization?” “I don’t know, Sir HenryThat is part of the confidensheeality, do you not see?” “I’m afraid you’re the one who doesn’t see, MrPritchard,” said Sykes, his voice clipped, his anger surfacing “Oh, but I do, Sir Henry, and I shall prove it to you!” interrupted the deputy, looking at each man as if to draw the skeptical Sykes and the astonished attorney, as well as his adoring nephew, into his confidence“A large sum of money was wired from a private banking institution in Switzerland directly to my own account here in MontserratThe instructions were clear, if flexible Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM 362 The funds were to be used liberally in pursuit of the assignments delegated to me Transportation, entertainment, lodgings—I was told I had complete discretion, but, of course, I keep a record of all expenditures, as I do as the second highest officer of immigrationWho but vastly superior people would put such trust in a man they knew only by an enviable reputation and position?” Henry Sykes and Jonathan Lemuel again looked at each other, astonishment and disbelief now joined by total fascinationSir Henry leaned forward over the desk“Beyond this—shall we say— in-depth observation of John StJacques requiring the obvious services of your nephew, have you been given other assignments?” “Actually not, sir, but I’m sure that as soon as the leaders see how expeditiously I have performed, others will follow Lemuel raised his hand calmly a few inches off the arm of his chair to inhibit a red-faced Syk (Comment on this)
3:19a	@@@@@ “Tell me,” he said quickly, gently“This @@@@@ “Tell me,” he said quickly, gently“This large sum of money sent from Switzerland, just how large was it? The amount doesn’t matter legally, and Sir Henry can always call your bank under the laws of the Crown, so please tell us “Three hundred pounds!” replied the elder Pritchard, the pride of his value in his voice?” The solicitor’s words trailed off “Not exactly staggering, eh?” mumbled Sir Henry, leaning back, speechless “Roughly,” continued Lemuel, “what’s been your expenses?” “Not roughly, but precisely,” affirmed the deputy director of immigration, removing a small notebook from the breast pocket of his uniform “My brilliant uncle is always precise,” offered Buckingham Pritchard “How much?” insisted the attorney “Precisely twenty-six pounds, five shillings, English, or the equivalent of one hundred thirty-two East Caribbean dollars, the EC’s rounded off to the nearest double zero at the latest rate of exchange—in this case I absorbed forty-seven cents, so entered “Amazing,” intoned Sykes, numbed “I’ve scrupulously kept every receipt,” went on the deputy, gathering steam as he continued reading“They’re locked in a strongbox at my flat on Old Road Bay, and include the following: a total of seven dollars and eighteen cents for local calls to Tranquility—I would not use my official phone; twenty-three dollars and sixty-five cents for the long-distance call to Paris; sixty-eight dollars and eighty cents dinner for myself and my nephew at Vue Point, a business conference, naturally—” “That will do,” interrupted Jonathan Lemuel, wiping his perspiring black brow with a handkerchief, although the tropical fan was perfectly adequate for the room “I am prepared to submit everything at the proper time—” “I said that will do, Cyril “You should know that I refused a taxi driver when he offered to inflate the price of a receipt and soundly criticized him in my official position “Enough!” thundered Sykes, the veins in his neck pronounced“You both have been damn fools of the first magnitude! To have even considered John StJacques a criminal of any sort is preposterous!” “Sir Henry,” broke in the younger Pritchard“I myself saw what happened at Tranquility Inn! It was so horribleCoffins on the dock, the chapel blown up, government boats around our peaceful isle—gunshots, sir! It will be months before we’re back in full operation Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM 363 “Exactly!” roared Sykes“And do you believe Johnny StJay would willingly destroy his own property, his own business?” “Stranger things have happened in the outside criminal world, Sir Henry,” said Cyril Sylvester Pritchard knowingly“In my official capacity I’ve heard many, many storiesThe incidents my nephew described are called diversionary tactics employed to create the illusion that the scoundrels are victim (Comment on this)

<< Previous Day

2011/01/03 [Calendar]

Next Day >>