| 2:47a |
@@@@@ Krupkin turned to Bourne“I shall write out
@@@@@ Krupkin turned to Bourne“I shall write out the name of a bank and the number of an
account in Geneva The Soviet reached into his pocket for a pen as he pulled a paper napkin in
front of himHe was not able to use either, for a man in his early thirties, dressed in a tight-fitting
suit, walked rapidly up to the table
“What is it, Sergei?” asked Krupkin
“Not you, sir,” replied the Soviet aide“Him,” he added, nodding at Bourne
“What is it?” repeated Jason
“You have been followedAt first we were not sure, for it is an old man with a urinary problem
He rapidly left the car twice to relieve himself, but once settled he used the car telephone and
squinted through the windscreen to read the name of the restaurantThat was barely minutes ago
“How do you know he was following me?”
“Because he arrived shortly after you did, and we were here a half hour before that securing the
area
“Securing the area!” erupted Conklin, looking at Krupkin“I thought this conference was strictly
between us
“Dear Aleksei, benevolent Aleksei, who would save me from myselfCan you really believe I’d
meet with you without considering my own protectionNot you personally, old friend, but your
aggressors in WashingtonCan you imagine? A deputy director of the CIA negotiates with me over
a man he pretends to think I do not know
“Goddamn you, I never told him!”
“Oh, dear me, then the error’s mine
“Don’t,” interrupted Jason firmly“That old man’s from the Jackal—”
“Carlos!” cried Krupkin, his face flushed, his alert blue eyes now intense, angry“The Jackal’s
after you, Aleksei?”
“No, him,” answered Conklin
“Good God! With what we’ve picked up, it’s all falling into placeSo I have the distinct honor
to meet the infamous Jason Bourn |