@@@@@ “What?” “This isn’t your normal ball
@@@@@
“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 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 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 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