Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Initiative (Jason Bourne series)(89)

Fulmer stared at the screen, transfixed by the ramifications of the ingenious trap the Russians had devised for him. The realization suddenly swept through him that the honey trap was merely a way to gain his attention while the real trap closed around him. Good God, Fran?oise was a Russian spy. Through his disgust and humiliation he felt a vague sense of admiration that they had found him deserving of such meticulous attention and planning.

Konstantin, who seemed to be following Fulmer’s thought process via his changing expressions, now said: “You will take the Unit 309 file and run with it, Marshall, convincing the administration to forget all about the Bourne Initiative, giving us time to find out just what the hell that sonuvabitch General Karpov had in mind.”

“Why?”

Konstantin’s voice was hard as iron. “Because I told you to.” Then his tone softened a bit. “But just this once, since you’re new to the game, I’ll tell you. You’re going to help us discredit and destabilize elements within your government and clandestine agencies.”

Fulmer went bone-white, as if his flesh had melted away, leaving only his skull. “I can’t—I won’t do that.”

“Oh, you most certainly will.” Konstantin smiled with his teeth. “You see, Marshall, you are completely compromised. You have no choice. No choice at all.” He raised his eyebrows. “Don’t look so downcast, Marshall. We know you harbor great ambitions. Am I on target? Bull’s-eye, I’d say. We can and will help you with that, Marshall. In four years you want to run for president. Capital idea, say I! We can imagine nothing better for you. We’re patient, you see, very patient. We can wait while you consolidate your power base—with our help, of course. And once you win the nomination, if you continue to play by our rules, we’ll win you the election. Triumphant, you will be swept into office like a conquering Caesar. What joy, no?”

He drank more vodka. “In the meantime, there’s another service you will do me. And this one is as urgent as the first. Perhaps more so. What I want from you are the Treadstone files on Jason Bourne.”

At Bourne’s name, Fulmer shook his head. “Impossible. All the Treadstone files were incinerated, as dictated by protocol.”

Konstantin sighed. “Marshall, the files weren’t destroyed. You know it and I know it. They were ferreted away from prying eyes.” He took another sip of the chilled vodka. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” He shrugged again. “Ah, well. Onward. Find the files, copy them, and send them to me via Mr. Hornden.” He leaned forward, tapped Fulmer on the knee. “All the files. I want to know everything there is to know about Bourne’s training, what he was subjected to, how well he stood up under interrogation techniques.”

Fulmer shook his head. “Why?”

“Because when I know what he resisted, I’ll be able to find that one, single method that will break him.”

Finally, Fulmer had something to laugh at.

Konstantin cocked his head. “You find this funny?”

“I do.” Fulmer could not stop laughing. He seemed to have lost all control of his emotions, just as he had lost control of his life, which was now in the hands of the enemy. “Do you know how many years it’s been we’ve been trying to catch that bastard, only to have him slip through our fingers time and time again?”

“Just today, as well. So?”

“So what good will the files do you when he can’t be caught?”

Konstantin finished off his vodka. “Oh, he can be caught, Marshall, I assure you.”

Fulmer shot him a sideways glance; the fog that was blurring his brain anew began to lift once more. “Really?”

“There were three partners in the cyber Initiative. Two of them are dead. The one who is left is named Dima. Dima Vladimirovich Orlov. It just so happens that I have a mole inside Dima’s organization. I know that’s where Bourne must be headed. To Dima. To find out about the Initiative set up by his friend, that sonuvabitch Karpov.”

Konstantin stood. “And when he arrives, you will have already handed over the Treadstone files. I will know how to deal with Jason Bourne, and I will accomplish what has eluded everyone else who has tried and failed to find and trap him.”

“Why do you want Bourne, anyway? What’s he to you?”

Konstantin peered down at Fulmer as if from Olympian heights. “Just get me the files, Marshall, and all will be well with you, your reputation, and your illegally amassed fortune.”





34



Can I help you, sir? Is there something wrong?” The flight attendant, well trained to keep any negative emotion off her face, smiled her plastic smile. “Something I can do for you, sir?” She pointed. “This toilet is free, if you—”

Bourne robed himself in his blandest smile. Move along. Nothing to see here. “It’s all good, thank you. My wife’s a bit indisposed. She needs a bit of help. I know exactly what to do.”

“Are you sure, sir? We have—”

“Absolutely sure.” His smile brightened. “Happens from time to time.” He shrugged. “What can you do.”

She nodded, then turned away, returning to the galley area where she and the other first class attendants were chatting, their rest period having begun.