@@@@@It was quiet, thorough—and
@@@@@It was quiet, thorough—and nonexistent
Bourne behaved far worse on the pier of Tranquility Inn, striking his own brother, the amiable
Saint Jay, until the younger man subdued him and had him carried up the steps to the nearest villa
Servants came and went bringing trays of food and drink to the porchSelected visitors were
permitted to pay their condolences, including the chief aide to the Crown governor who wore his
full military regalia, a symbol of the Crown’s concernAnd an old man who knew death from the
brutalities of war and who insisted on seeing the bereaved husband and father—he was
accompanied by a woman in a nurse’s uniform, properly topped by a hat and a dark mourning veil
And two Canadian guests of the hotel, close friends of the owner, both of whom had met the
disconsolate man when Tranquility Inn opened with great fireworks several years ago—they asked
to pay their respects and offer whatever support or comfort they couldJacques agreed,
suggesting that their visit be brief and to understand that his brother-in-law remained in a corner of
the darkened living room, the drapes having been drawn
“It’s all so horrible, so meaningless!” said the visitor from Toronto softly to the shadowed figure
in a chair across the room“I hope you’re a religious man, DavidFaith helps in such times as
theseYour loved ones are in the arms of Christ now A momentary breeze off the water rustled the drapes, permitting a narrow shaft of
sunlight to flash across the room
“Wait a minute,” said the second Canadian“You’re not—good Lord, you’re not Dave Webb!
Dave has—”
“Be quiet,” ordered StJacques, standing at the door behind the two visitors
“Johnny, I spent seven hours in a fishing boat with Dave and I damn well know him when I see
him!”
“Shut up,” said the owner of Tranquility Inn
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
144
“Oh, dear God!” cried the aide to the Crown governor of Montserrat in a clipped British accent
“Listen to me, both of you,” said StJacques, rushing forward between the two Canadians and
turning to stand in front of the armchair“I wish I’d never let you in here, but there’s nothing we
can do about that nowI thought you’d add weight, two more observers, if anyone asked you
questions, which they will, and that’s exactly what you’re going to doYou’ve been talking to
David Webb, consoling David WebbDo you understand that?”
“I don’t understand a damn thing,” objected the bewildered visitor who had spoken of the
comfort of faith“Who the hell is he?”
“He’s the senior aide to the Crown governor,” answered St“I’m telling you this so you
will understand—”
“You mean the army brass who showed up in full uniform with a squad of black soldiers?”
asked the guest who had fished with David W