My God, I’ve been a pearl to be flushed from one...
My God, I’ve been a pearl to be flushed from one oyster to another, always the bigger fool!
Make no more calls from that telephone!”
?? ?? ??
It was 3:30 in the afternoon, Moscow time, and the elderly man in the uniform of a Soviet army
officer walked as rapidly as his age permitted down the hallway on the fifth floor of KGB
headquarters in Dzerzhinsky SquareIt was a hot day, and as usual the air conditioning was only
barely and erratically adequate, so General Grigorie Rodchenko permitted himself a privilege of
rank: his collar was openIt did not stop the occasional rivulet of sweat from sliding in and out of
the crevices of his deeply lined face on its way down to his neck, but the absence of the tight, redbordered
band of cloth around his throat was a minor relief
He reached the bank of elevators, pressed the button and waited, gripping a key in his handThe
doors to his right opened, and he was pleased to see that there was no one insideIt was easier than
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
330
having to order everyone out—at least, far less awkwardHe prada handbag entered, inserted the key in the
uppermost lock-release above the panel, and again waited while the mechanism performed its
functionIt did so quickly, and the elevator shot directly down to the lowest underground levels of
the building
The doors opened and the general walked out, instantly aware of the pervasive silence that filled
the corridors both left and rightIn moments, that would change, he thoughtHe proceeded down
the left hallway to a large steel door with a metal sign riveted in the center
ENTRANCE FORBIDDEN
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
It was a foolish admonition, he thought, as he took out a thin plastic card from his pocket and
shoved it slowly, carefully, into a slot on the rightWithout the pass card—and sometimes even
with it if inserted too quickly—the door would not openThere were two clicks, and Rodchenko
removed his card as the heavy, knobless door swung back, a television monitor recording his entry
The hum of activity was pronounced from dozens of lighted cubicles within the huge, dark lowceilinged
complex the size of a czar’s grand ballroom but without the discount cartier watches slightest attempt at decorA
thousand pieces of equipment in black and gray, several hundred personnel in pristine white
coveralls within white-walled cubiclesAnd, thankfully, the air was cool, almost cold, in factThe
machinery demanded it, for this was the KGB’s communications centerInformation poured in
twenty-four hours a day from all over the world
The old soldier trudged up a familiar path to the farthest aisle on the right, then left to the last
cubicle at the far end of the enormous roomIt was a long walk, and the general’s breath was short,
his legs were tiredHe entered the small enclosure, nodding at the middle-aged operator who
looked up at his visitor and removed the cushioned headset from his earsOn the white counter in
front of him was a large electronic console with myriad switches, dials and a keyboardRodchenko
sat down in a steel chair next to the man; catching his breath, he spoke
“You have word from Colonel Krupkin in Paris?”
“I have words concerning Colonel Krupkin, GeneralIn line with your instructions to monitor
the colonel’s telephone speedy louis vuitton conversations, including those international lines authorized by him, I
received a tape from Paris several minutes ago that I thought you should listen to
“As usual, you are most efficient and I am most grateful; and as always, I’m sure Colonel
Krupkin will inform us of events, but as you know, he’s so terribly busy
“No explanations are necessary, sirThe conversations you are about to hear were recorded
within the past half hourThe earphones, please?”
Rodchenko slipped on the headset and noddedThe operator placed a pad and a container of
sharpened pencils in front of the general; he touched a number on the keyboard and sat back as the
powerful third direktor of the Komitet leaned forward listeningIn moments the general began
taking notes; minutes later he was writing furiouslyThe tape came to an end and Rodchenko
removed the headsetHe looked sternly at the operator, his narrow Slavic eyes rigid between the
folds of lined flesh, the crevices in his face seemingly more pronounced than before
“Erase the tape, then destroy the reel,” he ordered, getting out of the chair“As usual, replica tiffany you have
heard nothing
“And, as usual, you will be rewarded
It was 4:17 when Rodchenko returned to his office and sat down at his desk, studying his notes
It was incredible! It was beyond belief, yet there it was—he had heard for himself the words and
the voices saying those words! Not those concerning the monseigneur in Paris; he was secondary
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
331
now and could be reached in minutes, if it was necessaryThat could wait, but the other could not
wait, not an instant longer! The general picked up his phone and rang his secretary
“I want an immediate satellite transmission to our consulate in New YorkAll maximum
scramblers in place and operational
How could it happen?
Medusa!
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
332
32
Frowning, Marie listened to her husband’s voice over the telephone, nodding at Mo Panov across
the hotel room“Where are you now?” she asked
“At a pay phone in the Plaza-Athénée,” answered Bourne“I’ll be back in a couple of hours
“What’s happening?”
“Complications, but also some progress
“That doesn’t tell me cheap chanel jewelry anyth