Above all, it was vital for him to keep a low...
Above all, it was vital for him to keep a low profile to the point of
insignificanceHe had to insignificantly ask significant questions around the airport regarding a
woman and two small children who had arrived on a private aircraft the previous afternoon
Which was why to his astonishment and alarm he heard the absolutely adorable black female
immigration clerk say to him after hanging up a telephone, “Would you be so kind, sir, as to come
with me, please?”
Her lovely face, lilting voice and perfect smile did nothing to allay the former judge’s fearsFar
too many extremely guilty criminals had such assets“Is there something wrong with my passport,
young lady?”
“Not that I can see, sir
“Then why the delay? Why not simply stamp it and allow me to proceed?”
“Oh, it is stamped and entry is permitted, sir?”
“Please come with me, sir
They approached a large glass-enclosed cubicle with a sign on the left window, the gold letters
announcing the occupant: DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION SERVICESThe attractive
clerk opened the door and, again smiling, gestured for the discount chanel quilted handbag elderly visitor to go insidePrefontaine
did so, suddenly terrified that he would be searched, the money found, and all manner of charges
leveled against himHe did not know which islands were involved in narcotics, but if this was one
of them the thousands of dollars in his pockets would be instantly suspectExplanations raced
through his mind as the clerk crossed to the desk handing his passport to the short, heavyset deputy
of immigrationThe woman gave Brendan a last bright smile and went out the door, closing it
behind herBrendan Patrick Pierre Prefontaine,” intoned the immigration official reading the passport
“Not that it matters,” said Brendan kindly but with summoned authority“However, the ‘Mister’
is usually replaced with ‘Judge’—as I say, I don’t believe it’s relevant under the circumstances, or
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
69
perhaps it is, I really don’t knowDid one of my law clerks make an error? If so, I’ll fly the whole
group down to apologize
“Oh, not at all, sir—Judge,” replied the uniformed wide-girthed black man with a distinct British
accent imitation rolex watch as he rose from the chair and extended his hand over the desk“Actually, it is I who may
have made the error
“Come now, Colonel, we all do occasionally Brendan gripped the official’s hand“Then
perhaps I may be on my way? There’s someone here I must meet
“That’s what he said!”
Brendan released the hand“I beg your pardon?”
“I may have to beg yours… The confidentiality, of course
“The what? Could we get to the point, please?”
“I realize that privacy,” continued the official, pronouncing the word as privvissy, “is of utmost
importance—that’s been explained to us—but whenever we can be of assistance, we try to oblige
the Crown
“Extremely commendable, Brigadier, but I’m afraid I don’t understand
The official needlessly lowered his voice“A great man arrived here this morning, are you aware
of that?”
“I’m sure many men of stature come to your beautiful islandIt was highly recommended to me,
in fact
“Ah, yes, the privvissy!”
“Yes, of course, the privvissy,” agreed the ex-convict judge, wondering if the official had both
his oars in the water“Could you be fake rolex clearer?”
“Well, he said he was to meet someone, an associate he had to consult with, but after the very
private reception line—no press, of course—he was taken directly to the charter that flew him to
the out island, and obviously never met the person he was to confidentially meetNow, am I
clearer?”
“Like Boston harbor in a squall, GeneralSo all our personnel are alerted to the fact that the great
man’s friend might be seeking him here at the airport—confidentially, of course Not even a paddle, thought Brendan
“Then I considered another possibility,” said the official in minor triumph“Suppose the great
man’s friend was also flying to our island for a rendezvous with the great man?”
“BrilliantThen it struck me to obtain the passenger manifests of all the incoming
flights, concentrating, of course, on those in first class, which would be proper for the great man’s
associate
“Clairvoyance,” mumbled the once and former judge“And you selected me?”
“The name, my good man! Pierre Prefontaine!”
“My pious, departed mother would no doubt take offense at your omitting the ‘Brendan prada fringe Patrick
Like the French, the Irish are quite sensitive in such matters
“But it was the familyI understood that immediately!”
“You did?”
“Pierre Prefontaine! I am an expert on immigration procedures, having
studied the methods in many countriesYour own name is a fascinating example, most honored
JudgeWave after wave of immigrants flocked to the United States, the melting pot of nations,
races and languagesIn the process names were altered, combined or simply misunderstood by
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
70
armies of confused, overworked clerksBut roots frequently survived and thus it was for youThe
family Fontaine became Prefontaine in America and the great man’s associate was in reality an
esteemed member of the American branch!”
“Positively awesome,” muttered Brendan, eyeing the official as if he expected several male
nurses to barge into the room with restraining equipment“But isn’t it possible that this is merely
coincidence? Fontaine is a common name throughout France, but, as I understand it, the
Prefontaines were distinctly centered around rolex quartz watch Alsace-Lorrai