@@@@@ Again the Jackal paused, then spoke
@@@@@ Again the Jackal paused, then spoke suddenly, sharply“Positions of
responsibility but without the authority that should be yoursYour abilities are undervalued and
under-rewarded, for there is deadwood above you
The small crowd’s reaction was now somewhat more audible, definitely less constrained
“Compared to similar departments in the governments of our adversaries,” went on Carlos, “we
here in Moscow have lagged far behind when we should be ahead, and we are behind because your
talents have been suppressed by entrenched officeholders who care more for their office privileges
than they do for the functions of their departments!”
The response was immediate, even electric, with the three women openly if softly applauding
“It is for that reason, these reasons, that I and my associate comrades here in Moscow have sought
you outFurther, it is why I have sent you funds—to be used totally at your discretion—for the
money you’ve received is the approximate value of the privileges your superiors enjoyWhy
should you not receive them and enjoy them as they do?”
The rumble of why not? and he’s right rippled through the audience, now actually looking at one
another, eyes locked, and heads nodding firmlyThe Jackal then began to reel off the eight major
departments in question, and as each was named successively, there was an enthusiastic nodding of
heads“The ministries of Transport, Information, Finance, Import/Export, Legal Procedures,
Military Supply, Scientific Research and hardly the least, Presidium AppointmentsThese are
your domains, but you have been cut out from all final decisionsThat is no longer acceptable—
changes must be made!”
The assembled listeners rose almost as one, no longer strangers but, instead, people united in a
causeThen one, the obviously cautious bureaucrat who had closed the door, spoke“You appear to
know our situations well, sir, but what can change them?”
“These,” announced Carlos, gesturing dramatically at the file folders spread out across the low
tableSlowly the small group sat down, singly and in couples, looking at one another when not
staring at the folders“On this table are secretly gathered confidential dossiers of your superiors in
each of the departments represented hereThey contain such injurious information that when
presented by you individually will guarantee your immediate promotions, and in several cases your
succession to those high officesYour superiors will have no choice, for these files are daggers
aimed at their throats—exposure would result in disgrace and execution
“Sir?” A middle-aged woman in a neat but nondescript plain blue dress cautiously stood upHer
blond-gray hair was swept back into a stern bun; she touched it briefly, self-consciously, as she
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
383
spoke“I evaluate personnel files on a daily basis and frequently discover errors how can you
be certain these dossiers are accurate? For if they are not accurate, we could be placed in extremely
dangerous situations, is that not so?”
“That you should even question their accuracy is an affront, madame,” replied the Jackal coldly
“I am the monseigneur from Pari