@@@@@ “Come on, Judge, what money? I don’t want
@@@@@
“Come on, Judge, what money? I don’t want to appear intrusive, but Washington gave me a
pretty complete rundown on youYou’ve been living off the streets for years
“Ah, yes, Washington,” pronounced Prefontaine, raising his glass to the orange-and-azure sky
“As usual, it is twelve steps behind the crime—twenty steps where its own criminality is
concerned
“What are you talking about?”
“Randolph Gates, that’s what I’m talking about—who I’m talking about
“That bastard from Boston? The one who put the Jackal on David’s trail?”
“The touchingly reformed Randolph Gates, JohnnyReformed in all ways but monetary
restitution, I might addStill, nevertheless, with the mind and the conscience that I knew at
Harvard years agoNot the brightest, not the best, but with the literary and oratorical skills that
camouflaged a brilliance that was never really there
“Now what the hell are you talking about?”
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
437
“I visited him the other day at his rehabilitation center in Minnesota, or Michigan, I can’t
actually remember which, for I flew first class and the drinks were delivered on request
Regardless, we met and our arrangement was concludedHe’s changing sides, JohnnyHe’s now
going to fight—legally—for the people, not for the conglomerates who buy and sell on paperHe
told me he’s going after the raiders and the merger brokers who make billions in the markets and
cost thousands upon thousands in jobs
“How can he do that?”
“Because he was thereHe did it all; he knows all the tricks and is willing to commit his
considerable talents to the cause
“Why would he do it?”
“Because he’s got Edith back
“Who in God’s name is Edith?”
“His wifeActually, I’m still in love with herI was from the time we first met, but in those
days a distinguished judge with a wife and a child, regardless of how repulsive both might be, did
not pursue such longingsRandy the Grand never deserved her; perhaps now he’ll make up for all
the lost years
“That’s very interesting, but what’s it got to do with your arrangement?”
“Did I mention that Lord Randolph of Gates made great sums of money during those lost but
productive years?”
“Several timesSo?”
“Well, in recognition of the services I rendered that undoubtedly contributed to the removal of a
life-threatening situation in which he found himself, said threat emanating from Paris, he saw
clearly the validity of compensating meEspecially in light of the knowledge I possessYou
know, after a number of bloodletting courtroom battles, I think he’s going after a judgeshi