Robert Ludlum - The Bourne Supremacy

'In your defence, you frequently have to. You can't be caught with a smoking gun. '

That's such a trite expression,' said the analyst with a derisive laugh. 'What does it mean? That you were led or misled into an error? Policy doesn't revolve around a single man's embarrassment, or it shouldn't. I'm constantly appalled by the people's cries for righteousness when they have no idea, no concept, of how we have to deal. '

'Maybe the people every now and then want a straight answer. '

They can't have one,' said McAllister as they approached the door of the coffee shop, 'because they couldn't understand. '

Bourne stood in front of the door without opening it . 'You're blind,' he said, his eyes locked with the undersecretary's. 'I wasn't given a straight answer, either, much less an explanation. You've been in Washington too long. You should try a couple of weeks in Cleveland or Bangor, Maine. It might broaden that perspective of yours. '

'Don't lecture me, Mr Bourne. Less than forty-six per cent of our population care enough to cast a vote – which determines the directions we take. It's all left to us – the performers and the professional bureaucrats. We're all you've got ... May we go inside, please? Your friend, Mr Wong, said we were to spend only a few minutes being seen having coffee and then go out on the street. He said he'd meet us there in exactly twenty-five minutes and twelve have already elapsed. '

Twelve? Not ten or fifteen, but twelve?"

'Precisely. '

'What do we do if he's two minutes late? Shoot him?'

'Very funny,' said the analyst, pushing the door open.

They walked out of the coffee shop and on to the dark, bruised pavement of the run-down square fronting the Guangdong checkpoint. As it was a slow time at the gates, there were no more than a dozen people crossing the thoroughfare and disappearing into the darkness. Of the three streetlights in the immediate vicinity, only one was working, dimly. Visibility was poor. The 25-minute mark passed, and was stretched to 30, then approached 38.

Bourne spoke. 'Something's wrong. He should have made contact by now. '

Two minutes and we shoot him?" said McAllister, instantly disliking his own attempt at humour. 'I mean I gathered that staying calm was everything. '

'For two minutes, not close to fifteen,' replied Jason. 'It's not normal,' he added softly, as if to himself. 'On the other hand, it could be normally abnormal. He wants us to make contact with him. '

'I don't understand-'

'You don't have to. Just walk alongside me, as if we were strolling, passing the time until we're met. If she sees us, the lady wrestler won't be surprised. Chinese officials are notoriously late for conferences; they feel it gives them the advantage. '

'"Let them sweat"?

'Exactly. Only that's not who we're meeting now. Come on, let's go to the left; it's darker, away from the light. Be casual; talk about the weather, anything. Nod your head, shake it, shrug – just keep up steady, low-keyed movements. '

They had walked for about fifty feet when it happened. 'Kam Pek!' The name of the casino in Macao was whispered, shot out of the shadows beyond a deserted news-stand.

'Wong?'

'Stay where you are and make a show of conversation, but listen to me!'

'What's happened?

'You're being followed. '

'Two points for a brilliant bureaucrat,' said Jason. 'Any comment, Mr Undersecretary?'

'It's unexpected but not illogical,' answered McAllister. 'A safeguard, perhaps. False passports abound over here, as we happen to know. '

'Queen Kong checked us out. Strike one. '

Then, perhaps, to make sure we don't link up with the kind of people you suggested last night,' whispered the analyst, his words too low to be heard by the Chinese conduit.

That's possible. ' Bourne raised his voice slightly so that the conduit could hear him, his eyes on the border gate's entrance. There was no one. 'Who's following us?

The Pig. '

'Soo?'

'Ever so, sir. It is why I must stay out of sight. '

'Anyone else?'

'No one that I could see, but I don't know who is on the road to the hills. '

'I'll take him out,' said the man from Medusa called Delta.

Wo!' objected McAllister. 'His orders from Sheng may include confirming that we remain alone, that we don't meet others. You just agreed it was possible. '

The only way he could do that is to reach others himself. He can't do that ... if he can't do that. And your old friend wouldn't permit a radio transmission while he's in a plane or a chopper. It could be picked up. '

'Suppose there are specific signals – a flare or a powerful flashlight beamed up, telling the pilot everything's clear?'

Jason looked at the analyst . 'You do think things out. '

There is a way,' said Wong from the shadows, 'and it is a privilege I should like to reserve for myself, no additional charge. '

'What privilege?'

'I will kill the Pig. It will be done in such a way that cannot be compromised. '

'What? Astonished, Bourne started to turn his head.

''Please, sir! Look straight ahead. '

'Sorry. But why?'

'He fornicates indiscriminately, threatening the women he favours with loss of employment for themselves and their husbands, even brothers and cousins. Over the past four years he has brought shame to many families, including mine on my blessed mother's side. '

'Why hasn't he been killed before now?'

'He travels with armed guards, even in Macao. Yet in spite

of this, several attempts have been made by enraged men. They resulted in reprisals. ' 'Reprisals? asked McAllister quietly. 'People were chosen, again indiscriminately, and charged with stealing supplies and equipment from the garrison. The punishment for such crimes is death in the fields. '

'Jesus,' muttered Bourne. 'I won't ask questions. You've got reason enough. But how tonight?

'His guards are not with him now. They may be waiting for him on the road to the hills, but they are not with him now. You start out, and if he follows you I will follow him. If he does not follow you, I will know that your journey will not be interrupted and I will catch up with you. ' 'Catch up with us? Bourne frowned. 'After I kill the Pig and leave his pig body in its proper and, for him, disgraceful place. The female toilet. ' 'And if he does follow us? asked Jason. 'My opportunity will come, even as I serve as your eyes. I will see his guards, but they will not see me. No matter what he does, the moment will be there when he separates himself, if only by a few feet in the darkness. It will be enough, and it will be assumed he has brought shame to one of his own men. ' 'We'll get started. ' 'You know the way, sir. ' 'As if I had a road map. '

'I will meet you at the base of the first hill beyond the high grass. Do you remember it? 'It'd be hard to forget. I nearly bought a grave in China there. ' 'After seven kilometres, head into forest towards the fields. '

'I intend to. You taught me. Have a good hunt, Wong. ' 'I will, sir. I have reason enough. '

The two Americans walked across the ravaged old square, away from the dim light into complete darkness. An obese figure in civilian clothes watched them from the shadows of the concrete walkway. He looked at his watch and nodded, half smiling to himself in satisfaction. Colonel Soo Jiang then turned and walked back through the man-made tunnel into the stark immigration complex – iron gates and wooden booths and barbed wire in the distance – all bathed in dull grey light. He was greeted by the prefect of the Zhuhai Shi-Guangdong Province Control, who strode purposefully, martially, enthusiastically, towards him.

'They must be very important men, Colonel,' said the prefect, her eyes not at all hostile, but instead with a look that bordered on blind worship. And fear.