Did one of my law clerks make an error? If so,...
Did one of my law clerks make an error? If so, I’ll fly the whole
group down to apologize
“Oh, not at all, sir—Judge,” replied the uniformed wide-girthed black man with a distinct British
accent as he rose from the chair and extended his hand over the desk“Actually, it is I who may
have made the error
“Come now, Colonel, we all do occasionally Brendan gripped the official’s hand“Then
perhaps I may be on my way? There’s someone here I must meet
“That’s what he said!”
Brendan released the hand“I beg your pardon?”
“I may have to beg yours… The confidentiality, of course
“The what? Could we get to the point, please?”
“I realize that privacy,” continued the official, pronouncing the word as privvissy, “is of utmost
importance—that’s been explained to us—but whenever we can be of assistance, we try to oblige
the Crown
“Extremely commendable, Brigadier, but I’m afraid I don’t understand
The official needlessly lowered his voice“A great man arrived here this morning, are you aware
of that?”
“I’m wholesale tiffany sure many men of stature come to your beautiful islandIt was highly recommended to me,
in fact
“Ah, yes, the privvissy!”
“Yes, of course, the privvissy,” agreed the ex-convict judge, wondering if the official had both
his oars in the water“Could you be clearer?”
“Well, he said he was to meet someone, an associate he had to consult with, but after the very
private reception line—no press, of course—he was taken directly to the charter that flew him to
the out island, and obviously never met the person he was to confidentially meetNow, am I
clearer?”
“Like Boston harbor in a squall, GeneralSo all our personnel are alerted to the fact that the great
man’s friend might be seeking him here at the airport—confidentially, of course Not even a paddle, thought Brendan
“Then I considered another possibility,” said the official in minor triumph“Suppose the great
man’s friend was also flying to our island for a rendezvous with the great man?”
“BrilliantThen it struck me to obtain the passenger manifests of all omega seamaster fake the incoming
flights, concentrating, of course, on those in first class, which would be proper for the great man’s
associate
“Clairvoyance,” mumbled the once and former judge“And you selected me?”
“The name, my good man! Pierre Prefontaine!”
“My pious, departed mother would no doubt take offense at your omitting the ‘Brendan Patrick
Like the French, the Irish are quite sensitive in such matters
“But it was the familyI understood that immediately!”
“You did?”
“Pierre Prefontaine! I am an expert on immigration procedures, having
studied the methods in many countriesYour own name is a fascinating example, most honored
JudgeWave after wave of immigrants flocked to the United States, the melting pot of nations,
races and languagesIn the process names were altered, combined or simply misunderstood by
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
70
armies of confused, overworked clerksBut roots frequently survived and thus it was for youThe
family Fontaine became Prefontaine in America and the great man’s coco chanel jewelry associate was in reality an
esteemed member of the American branch!”
“Positively awesome,” muttered Brendan, eyeing the official as if he expected several male
nurses to barge into the room with restraining equipment“But isn’t it possible that this is merely
coincidence? Fontaine is a common name throughout France, but, as I understand it, the
Prefontaines were distinctly centered around Alsace-Lorraine
“Yes, of course,” said the deputy, again, lowering his voice rather than conceivably winking
“Yet without any prior word whatsoever, the Quai d’Orsay in Paris calls, then the UK’s Foreign
Office follows with instructions—a great man is soon to drop out of the skyAcknowledge him,
honor him, spirit him off to a remote resort known for its confidentiality—for that, too, is
paramountThe great one is to have total privvissyYet that same great warrior is anxious; he is
to confidentially meet with an associate he does not findPerhaps the great man has secrets—all
great men do, you know
Suddenly, the white prada bag thousands of dollars in Prefontaine’s pockets felt very heavyWashington’s Four
Zero clearance in Boston, the Quai d’Orsay in Paris, the Foreign Office in London—Randolph
Gates needlessly parting with an extraordinary amount of money out of sheer panicThere was a
pattern of strange convergence, the strangest being the inclusion of a frightened, unscrupulous
attorney named GatesWas he an inclusion or an aberration? What did it all mean? “You are an
extraordinary man,” said Brendan quickly, covering his thoughts with rapid words“Your
perceptions are nothing short of brilliant, but you do understand that confidentiality is paramount
“I will hear no more, honored Judge!” exclaimed the deputy“Except to add that your appraisal
of my abilities might not be lost on my superiors
“They will be made clear, I assure youPrecisely where did my not too distant and
distinguished cousin go?”
“A small out island where the seaplanes must land on the waterIts name is Tranquility Isle and
the resort is called Tranquility chanel cambon handbag