@@@@@ “That’s it!” shouted Alexander Conklin,
@@@@@
“That’s it!” shouted Alexander Conklin, yelling over his shoulder as floodlights suddenly lit up
the Smithsonian grounds around the deserted path, revealing the two startled old men to be
OrientalsNine personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency walked rapidly into the glare of
light from all directions, their hands under their jacketsSince there was no apparent need for them,
their weapons remained hidden
Suddenly the need was there, but the realization came too lateTwo high-powered rifle shots
exploded from the outer darkness, the bullets ripping open the throats of the two Oriental
messengersThe CIA men lunged to the ground, rolling for cover as Conklin grabbed Panov,
pulling him down to the path in front of the bench for protectionThe unit from Langley lurched to
their feet and, like the combat veterans they were, including the former commando Director Peter
Holland, they started scrambling, zigzagging one after another toward the source of the gunfire,
weapons extended, shadows soughtIn moments, an angry cry split the silence
“Goddamn it!” shouted Holland, the beam of his flashlight angled down between tree trunks
“They made their break!”
“How can you tell?”
“The grass, son, the heel imprintsThose bastards were overqualifiedThey dug in for one shot
apiece and got out—look at the slip marks on the lawnThose shoes were runningForget it! No
use nowIf they stopped for a second position, they’d blow us into the Smithsonian
“A field man,” said Alex, getting up with his cane, the frightened, bewildered Panov beside him
Then the doctor spun around, his eyes wide, rushing toward the two fallen Orientals
“Oh, my God, they’re dead,” he cried, kneeling beside the corpses, seeing their blown-apart
throats“Jesus, the amusement park! It’s the same!”
“A message,” agreed Conklin, nodding, wincing“Put rock salt on the trail,” he added
enigmatically
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
28
“What do you mean?” asked the psychiatrist, snapping his head around at the former intelligence
officer
“We weren’t careful enough
“Alex!” roared the gray-haired Holland, running to the bench“I heard you, but this neuters the
hotel,” he said breathlessly“You can’t go there