rl.thebourneidentity-第44章

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　'I　have　always　been　accurate。　I　will　go　to　my　death　being　accurate　now。'
　'Die　in　peace；　old　friend。　It's　easier。。。　You　will　go　to　the　Vietnamese　Embassy　and　ask　for　an　attaché　named　Phan　Loc。　When　you　are　alone；　say　the　following　words　to　him：　〃Late　March；　1968　Medusa；　the　Tam　Quan　sector。　Cain　was　there。　Another　also。〃　Have　you　got　that？〃
　'〃Late　March；　1968　Medusa；　the　Tam　Quan　sector。　Cain　was　there。　Another　also。〃'
　'He'll　tell　you　when　to　return。　It　will　be　in　a　matter　of　hours。〃
　'I　think　it's　time　we　talked　about　une　fiche　plus　confidentielle　out　of　Zurich。〃
　'My　God。。。！'
　'I'm　not　the　man　you're　looking　for。〃
　Bourne　gripped　the　woman's　hand；　holding　her　in　place；　preventing　her　from　running　into　the　aisles　of　the　crowded；　elegant　restaurant　in　Argenteuil；　twenty　miles　outside　Paris。　The　pavane　was　over；　the　gavotte　finished。　They　were　alone；　the　velvet　booth　a　cage。
　'Who　are　you？〃　The　Lavier　woman　grimaced；　trying　to　pull　her　hand　away；　the　veins　in　the　cosmeticized　neck　pronounced。
　'A　rich　American　who　lives　in　the　Bahamas。　Don't　you　believe　that？〃
　'I　should　have　known；〃　she　said；　'no　charges；　no　cheque。。。　only　cash。　You　didn't　even　look　at　the　bill。'
　'Or　the　prices　before　that。　It's　what　brought　you　over　to　me。〃
　'I　was　a　fool。　The　rich　always　look　at　prices；　if　only　for　the　pleasure　of　dismissing　them。〃　Lavier　spoke　while　glancing　round；　looking　for　a　space　in　the　aisles；　a　waiter　she　might　summon。　Escape。
　'Don't；'　said　Jason；　watching　her　eyes。　'It'd　be　foolish。　We'd　both　be　better　off　if　we　talked。'
　The　woman　stared　at　him；　the　bridge　of　hostile　silence　accentuated　by　the　hum　of　the　large；　dimly…lit；　candelabra'd　room　and　the　intermittent　eruptions　of　quiet　laughter　from　the　nearby　tables。　'I　ask　you　again；'　she　said。　'Who　are　you？'
　'My　name　isn't　important。　Settle　for　the　one　I　gave　you。'
　'Briggs？　It's　false。'
　'So's　Larousse　and　that's　on　the　lease　of　a　hired　car　that　picked　up　three　killers　at　the　Valois　bank。　They　missed　there。　They　also　missed　this　afternoon　at　the　Pont　Neuf。　He　got　away。'
　'Oh；　Corf！'　she　cried；　trying　to　break　away。
　'I　said　don't'。'　Bourne　held　her　firmly；　pulling　her　back。
　'If　I　scream。　Monsieur？'　The　powdered　mask　was　cracked　with　lines　of　venom　now；　the　bright　red　lipstick　defining　the　snarl　of　an　ageing；　cornered　rodent。
　'I'll　scream　louder；'　replied　Jason。　'We'd　both　be　thrown　out；　and　once　outside　I　don't　think　you'll　be　unmanageable。　Why　not　talk？　We　might　learn　something　from　each　other。　After　all；　we're　employees；　not　employers。'
　'I　have　nothing　to　say　to　you。'
　'Then　I'll　start。　Maybe　you'll　change　your　mind。'　He　lessened　his　grip　cautiously。　The　tension　remained　on　her　white；　powdered　face；　but　it；　too；　was　lessened　as　the　pressure　of　his　fingers　was　reduced。　She　was　ready　to　listen。　'You　paid　a　price　in　Zurich。　We　paid；　too。　Obviously　more　than　you　did。　We're　after　the　same　man；　we　know　why　we　want　him。'　He　released　her。　'Why　do　you？'
　She　did　not　speak　for　nearly　half　a　minute；　instead；　studying　him　in　silence；　her　eyes　angry　yet　frightened。　Bourne　knew　he　had　phrased　the　question　accurately；　for　Jacqueline　Lavier　not　to　talk　to　him　would　be　a　dangerous　mistake。　It　could　cost　her　her　life　if　subsequent　questions　were　raised。
　'Who　is　〃we〃？'　she　asked。
　'A　pany　that　wants　its　money。　A　great　deal　of　money。　He　has　it。'
　'He　did　not　earn　it；　then？'
　Jason　knew　he　had　to　be　careful；　he　was　expected　to　know　far　more　than　he　did。　'Let's　say　there's　a　dispute；'
　'How　could　there　be？　Either　he　did　or　he　did　not；　there's　hardly　a　middle　ground。'
　'It's　my　turn；'　said　Bourne。　'You　answered　a　question　with　a　question　and　I　didn't　avoid　you。　Now；　let's　go　back。　Why　do　you　want　him？　Why　is　the　private　telephone　of　one　of　the　better　shops　in　Saint…Honoree　put　on　a　fiche　in　Zurich？'　'It　was　an　acmodation；　Monsieur。'
　'For　whom？'
　'Are　you　mad？'
　'All　right；　I'll　pass　on　that　for　now。　We　think　we　know　anyway。'
　'Impossible！
　'Maybe；　maybe　not。　So　it　was　an　acmodation；。；　To　kill　a　man？'
　'I　have　nothing　to　say。'
　'Yet　a　minute　ago　when　I　mentioned　the　car；　you　tried　to　run。　That's　saying　something。'
　'A　perfectly　natural　reaction。'　Jacqueline　Lavier　touched　the　stem　of　her　wine　glass。　'I　arranged　for　the　rental。　I　don't　mind　telling　you　that　because　there's　no　evidence　that　I　did　so。　Beyond　that　I　know　nothing　of　what　happened。'　Suddenly　she　gripped　the　glass；　her　mask　of　a　face　a　mixture　of　controlled　fury　and　fear。　'Who　are　you　people？〃
　'I　told　you。　A　pany　that　wants　its　money　back。'
　'You're　interfering！　Get　out　of　Paris！　Leave　this　alone！'
　'Why　should　we？　We're　the　injured　party；　we　want　the　balance　sheet　corrected。　We're　entitled　to　that。'
　'You're　entitled　to　nothing！'　spat　Mme　Lavier。　The　error　was　yours　and　you'll　pay　for　it！'
　'Error？'　He　had　to　be　very　careful。　It　was　here　…　right　below　the　hard　surface　…　the　eyes　of　the　truth　could　be　seen　beneath　the　ice。　'e　off　it。　Theft　isn't　an　error　mitted　by　the　victim。'
　'The　error　was　in　your　choice；　Monsieur。　You　chose　the　wrong　man。'
　'He　stole　millions　from　Zurich；'　said　Jason。　'But　you　know　that。　He　took　millions；　and　if　you　think　you're　going　to　take　them　from　him　…　which　is　the　same　as　taking　them　from　us　you're　very　much　mistaken。'
　'We　want　no　money！'
　'I'm　glad　to　know　it。　Who's　〃we〃？'
　'I　thought　you　said　you　knew。〃
　'I　said　we　had　an　idea。　Enough　to　expose　a　man　named　Koenig　in　Zurich；　d'Amacourt　here　in　Paris。　If　we　decide　to
　do　that；　it　could　prove　to　be　a　major　embarrassment；　couldn't　it？'
　'Money？　Embarrassment？　These　are　not　issues。　You　are　consumed　with　stupidity；　all　of　you！　I'll　say　it　again。　Get　out　of　Paris。　Leave　this　alone！　It　is　not　your　concern　any　longer。'
　'We　don't　think　it's　yours。　Frankly；　we　don't　think　you're　petent。〃
　'petent？'　repeated　Lavier；　as　if　she　did　not　believe　what　she　had　heard。
　'That's　right。'
　'Have　you　any　idea　what　you're　saying！　Whom　you're　talking　about？'
　'It　doesn't　matter。　Unless　you　back　off；　my　remendation　is　that　we　e　out　loud　and　clear。　Mock　up　charges　…　not　traceable　to　us；　of　course。　Expose　Zurich；　the　Valois。　Call　in　the　Surete；　Interpol。。。　anyone　and　anything　to　create　a　manhunt　…　a　massive　manhunt。'
　'You　are　mad。　And　a　fool！'
　'Not　at　all。　We　have　friends　in　very　important　positions；　we'll　get　the　information　first。　We'll　be　waiting　at　the　right　place　at　the　right　time。　We'll　take　him。'
　'You　won't　take　him。　He'll　disappear　again！　Can't　you　see　that？　He's　in　Paris　and　a　network　of　people　he　cannot　know　are　looking　for　him。　He　may　have　escaped　once；　twice；　but　not　a　third　time！　He's　trapped　now。　We've　trapped　him！'
　'We　don't　want　you　to　trap　him。　That's　not　in　our　interests。'　It　was　almost　the　moment；　thought　Bourne。　Almost；　but　not　quite；　her　fear　had　to　match　her　anger。　She　had　to　be　detonated　into　revealing　the　truth。　'Here's　our　ultimatum；　and　we're　holding　you　responsible　for　conveying　it　…　otherwise　you'll　join　Koenig　and　d'Amacourt。　Call　off　your　hunt　tonight。　If　you　don't　we'll　move　first　thing　in　the　morning；　we'll　start　shouting　Les　Classiques'll　be　the　most　popular　store　in　Saint…Honoree'；　but　I　don't　think　it'll　be　the　right　people。'
　The　powdered　face　cracked。　'You　wouldn't　dare！　How　dare　you？　Who　are　you　to　say　this？！'
　He　paused；　then　struck。　'A　group　of　people　who　don't　care　much　for　your　Carlos。'
　The　Lavier　woman　froze；　her　eyes　wide；　stretching　the　taut　skin　into　scar　tissue。　'You　do　know；'　she　whispered。　'And　you　think　you　can　oppose　him？　You　think　you're　a　match　for　Carlos？'
　'In　a　word；　yes。'
　'You're　insane！　You　don't　give　ultimatums　to　Carlos！'
　'I　just　did。'
　'Then　you're　dead。　You　raise　your　voice　to　anyone　and　you　won't　last　the　day。　He　has　men　everywhere；　they'll　cut　you　down　in　the　street。'
　'They　might　if　they　knew　who　to　cut　down；'　said　Jason。　'You　forget。　No　one　does。　But　they　know　who　you　are。　And　Koenig；　and　d'Amacourt。　The　minute　we　expose　you　you'd　be　eliminated。　Carlos　couldn't　afford　you　any　longer。　But　no　one　knows　me。'
　'You　forget；　Monsieur。　I　do。'
　'The　least　of　my　worries'。　Find　me。。。　after　the　damage　is　done　and　before　the　decision　is　made　regarding　your　own　future。　It　won't　be　long。'
　'This　is　madness。　You　e　out　of　nowhere　and　talk　like　a　madman！　You　cannot　do　this！'
　'Are　you　suggesting　a　promise？'
　'It's　conceivable；'　said　Jacqueline　Lavier。　'Anything　is　possible。'
　'Are　you　in　a　position　to　negotiate　it？'
　'I'm　in　a　position　to　convey　it。。。　far　better　than　I　can　an　ultimatum。　Others　will　relay　it　to　the　one　who　decides。'
　'What　you're　saying　is　what　I　said　a　few　minutes　ago；　we　can　talk。'
　'We　can　talk；　Monsieur；'　agreed　Mme　Lavier；　her　eyes　fighting　for　her　life。
　〃Then　let's　start　with　the　obvious。'
　'Which　is？'
　Now。　The　truth。
　'What's　Bourne　to　Carlos？　Why　does　he　want　him？'
　'What's　Bourne？。。。'　The　woman　stopped；　venom　and　fear　replaced　by　an　expression　of　absolute　shock。　'You　can　ask　that
　'I'll　ask　it　again；'　said　Jason；　hearing　the　pounding　echoes　in　his　chest。　'What's　Bourne　to　Carlos？'
　'He's　Cain！　You　know　it　as　well　as　we　do。　He　was　your　error；　your　choice。　You　chose　the　wrong　man！'
　Cain。　He　heard　the　name　and　the　echoes　erupted　into　cracks　of　deafening　thunder。　And　with　each　crack；　pain　jolted　him；　bolts　searing　one　after　another　through　his　head；　his　mind　and　body　recoiling　under　the　onslaught　of　the　name。　Cain。　Cain！　The　mists　were　there　again。　The　darkness；　the　wind；　the　explosions。
　Alpha；　Bravo；　Cain；　Delta；　Echo；　Foxtrot。。。　Cain；　Delta。　Delta；　Cain。　Delta。。。　Cain。
　Cain　is　for　Charlie。
　Delta　is　for　Cain！
　'What　is　it？　What's　wrong　with　you？'
　'Nothing。。'　Bourne　had　slipped　his　right　hand　over　his　left　wrist；　gripping　it；　his　fingers　pressed　into　his　flesh　with　such　pressure　he　thought　his　skin　might　break。　He　had　to　do　something；　he　had　to　stop　the　trembling；　lessen　the　noise；　repulse　the　pain。　He　had　to　clear　his　mind。　The　eyes　of　the　truth　were　staring　at　him；　he　could　not　look　away。　He　was　there；　he　was　home；　and　the　cold　made　him　shiver。　'Go　on；'　he　said；　imposing　a　control　on　his　voice　that　resulted　in　a　whisper；　he　could　not　help　himself。
　'Are　you　ill？　You're　very　pale　and　you're。。。'
　'I'm　fine；'　he　interrupted　curtly。　'I　said；　go　on。'
　'What's〃　there　to　tell　you？'
　'Say　it　all。　I　want　to　hear　it　from　you。'
　'Why？　There's　nothing　you　don't　know。　You　chose　Cain。　You　dismissed　Carlos；　you　think　you　can　dismiss　him　now。　You　were　wrong　then　and　you　are　wrong　now。'
　I　will　kill　you。　I　will　grab　your　throat　and　choke　the　breath　out　of　you。　Tell　me！　For　Christ's　sake；　tell　me！　At　the　end；　there　is　only　my　beginning！　I　must；　know　it。
　'That　doesn't　matter；'　he　said。　'If　you're　looking　for　a　promise　…　if　only　to　save　your　life　…　tell　me　why　we　should　listen。　Why　is　Carlos　so　adamant。。。　so　paranoid。。。　about　Bourne？　Explain　it　to　me　as　if　I　hadn't　heard　it　before。　If　you　don't；　those　names　that　shouldn't　be　mentioned　will　be　spread　all　over　Paris；　and　you'll　be　dead　by　the　afternoon。'
　Lavier　was　rigid；　her　alabaster　mask　set。　'Carlos　will　follow　Cain　to　the　ends　of　the　earth　and　kill　him。'　'We　know　that。　We　want　to　know　why？'　'He　has　to。　Look　to　yourself。　To　people　like　you。'　'That's　meaningless。　You　don't　know　who　we　are。