@@@@@ “What about your wife? Don’t you think you
@@@@@
“What about your wife? Don’t you think you should reach her first, before the civilized world
learns that Jason Bourne is dead?”
“NoI don’t even want the slightest risk of a leak
“Jesus!” exploded Alex, coughing“That’s Marie you’re talking aboutShe’ll fall apart!”
“It’s a risk I’ll accept,” said Delta coldly
“You son of a bitch!”
“So be it,” agreed the ChameleonJacques, tears welling in his eyes, walked into the bright, sunlit room at the sterile house
in the Maryland countryside; in his hand was a page of computer printoutHis sister was on the
floor in front of the couch playing with an exuberant Jamie, she having put the infant Alison back
into the crib upstairsShe looked worn and haggard, her face pale with dark circles under her eyes;
she was exhausted from the tension and the jet lag of the long, idiotically routed flights from Paris
to WashingtonIn spite of arriving late last night, she had gotten up early to be with the children—
no amount of friendly persuasion on the part of the motherly MrsCooper could dissuade her from
doing soThe brother would have given years of his life not to do what had to be done during the
next few minutes, but he could not risk the alternativesHe had to be with her when she found outCooper, will you please? I think she’s in the
kitchen
“Why, Uncle John?”
“I want to talk to your mother for a few minutes
“Johnny, please,” objected Marie?”
The child left, and as children often do, he obviously sensed something serious that was beyond
his understanding; he stared at his uncle before heading to the doorMarie got to her feet and
looked hard at her brother, at the tears that began to roll down his cheeksThe terrible message was
conveyed!” she whispered, her pallid face growing paler“Dear God, no, she cried, her
hands and then her shoulders starting to trembleI wanted you to hear it from me, not over a radio or a TV setI want to be with
you
“You’re wrong, wrong!” screamed Marie, rushing toward him, grabbing his shirt and clenching
the fabric in her fistsHe promised me he was protected!”
“This just came from Langley,” said the younger brother, holding up the page of computer
printou