Yes, he owed Cactus, thought DrJax as he swung...
Yes, he owed Cactus, thought DrJax as he swung his station wagon around the curve to the
front of the house, and when the old man had asked him to “consult” with a few “friends over in
Langley” seven years ago, he had obligedSome consultation! Still, there were further perks
forthcoming in Ivan’s silent association with the intelligence agencyWhen his island home threw
out Manley, and Seaga came to power, among the first of the “appropriated” properties to be
returned to their rightful owners were the Jax family’s holdings in Montego Bay and Port Antonio
That had been Alex Conklin’s doing, but without Cactus there would have been no Conklin, not in
Ivan’s circle of friendsBut why did Alex have to call tonight? Tonight was his twelfth wedding
anniversary, and he had sent the kids on an overnight with the neighbors’ children so that he and
his gucci purses wife could be alone, alone with grilled Jamaic’ ribs on the patio—prepared by the only one who
knew how, namely, Chef Ivan—a lot of good dark Overton rum, and some highly erotic skinnydipping
in the poolDamn Alex! Double damn the son-of-a-bitch bachelor who could only respond
to the event of a wedding anniversary by saying, “What the hell? You made the year, so what’s a
day count? Get your jollies tomorrow, I need you tonight
So he had lied to his wife, the former head nurse at MassHe told her that a patient’s
life was in the balance—it was, but it had already tipped the wrong wayShe had replied that
perhaps her next husband would be more considerate of her life, but her sad smile and her
understanding eyes denied her wordsHurry, my darling!
Jax turned off the engine, grabbed his medical bag and got out of the carHe walked around the
hood as hermes wallet the front door opened and a tall man in what appeared to be dark skintight clothing stood
silhouetted in the frame“I’m your doctor,” said Ivan, walking up the steps“Our mutual friend
didn’t give me your name, but I guess I’m not supposed to have it
“I guess not,” agreed Bourne, extending a hand in a surgical glove as Jax approached
“And I guess we’re both right,” said Jax, shaking hands with the stranger“The mitt you’re
wearing is pretty familiar to me
“Our mutual friend didn’t tell me you were black
“Is that a problem for you?”
“Good Christ, noI like our friend even moreIt probably never occurred to him to say
anything
“I think we’ll get along
Bourne stood ten feet to the right of the desk as Jax swiftly, expertly tended to the corpse,
mercifully wrapping the head in gauzeWithout explaining, he had cut away sections of the
general’s vuitton gold bag clothing, examining those parts of the body beneath the fabricFinally, he carefully rolled
the hooded body off the chair and onto the floor“Are you finished in here?” he asked, looking
over at Jason
“I’ve swept it clean, Doctor, if that’s what you meanI want this room sealedNo one’s to enter it after we leave until our mutual
friend gives the word
“I certainly can’t guarantee that,” said Bourne
“Why?”
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
109
“Your general didn’t commit suicide, no-name
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
110
12
“The woman,” said Alex Conklin over the line“From everything you told me it had to be
Swayne’s wifeJesus!”
“It doesn’t change anything, but it looks that way,” agreed Bourne halfheartedly“She had
reason enough to do it, God knows—still, if she did, she didn’t tell Flannagan, and that doesn’t
make senseConklin black gucci bags paused, then spoke quickly
“Ivan? Your doctor? His name is Ivan?”
“So?”
“Nothing‘packing the merchandise’ was the way he put it
“In his wagon?”
“That’s rightWe carried the body—”
“What makes him so sure it wasn’t suicide?” broke in AlexHe said he’d call you later and explainHe wants to get out of here and
no one’s to come into this room after we leave—after I leave—until you give the word for the
policeHe’ll tell you that, too
“Christ, it must be a mess in thereWhat do you want me to do?”
“Pull the curtains, if there are any; check the windows and, if possible, lock the doorIf there’s
no way to lock it, look around for—”
“I found a set of keys in Swayne’s pocket,” interrupted Jason“I checked; one of them fitsWhen you leave, wipe the door down cleanFind some furniture polish or a dusting
spray
“That’s not going to keep out anyone who wants to chanel pearl necklace get