5y3pq8dok's Journal

@@@@@You probably know a few of them The long
@@@@@You probably know a few of them The long dark vehicle swung around the circular drive and stopped in front of
the stone steps of the pillared Georgian mansion that was the focal point of the estate“Let’s go,”
said Mo quietly, stepping outside
The sculptured white doors, the rose-colored marble floors and the elegant winding staircase in
the great hall all combined to furnish a superb cover for the work done at Sterile FiveDefectors,
double and triple agents, and field officers returned from complex assignments for rest and
debriefing were continuously processed through its various agendasThe staff, each with a Four
Zero clearance, consisted of two doctors and three nurses in relay units, cooks and domestic
attendants recruited from the foreign service—in the main, overseas embassies—and guards, all
with Ranger training or its equivalentThey moved about the house and grounds unobtrusively,
eyes constantly alert, each with either a concealed or an unconcealed weapon, except for the
medical personnelVisitors without exception were given small lapel pins by the well-spoken,
dark-suited house steward, who admitted them and directed them to the locations of their scheduled
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
240
appointmentsThe man was a retired gray-haired interpreter for the Central Intelligence Agency,
but he suited his position so well in appearance he might have come from Central Casting
Naturally, at the sight of Peter Holland, the steward was astonishedHe prided himself on
committing to memory every schedule at Sterile Five“A surprise visit, sir?”
“Good to see you, Frank The DCI shook hands with the former interpreter“You may
remember Alex Conklin—”
“Good Lord, is that you, Alex? It’s been years!” Again hands were shaken“When was the last
time? That crazy woman from Warsaw, wasn’t it?”
“The KGB’s been chuckling ever since,” laughed Conklin“The only secret she had was the
recipe for the worst golumpki I’ve ever tastedStill keeping your hand in, Frank?”
“Every now and then,” replied the steward, grimacing in mock disapproval“These young
translators don’t know a quiche from a kluski
“Since I don’t either,” said Holland, “may I have a word with you, Frank?” The two older men
walked off to the side speaking quietly as Alex and Mo Panov held their places, the latter frowning
and sporadically breathing deeplyThe director returned, handing lapel pins to his colleagues“I
know where to go now,” he said“Frank will call ahead
The three of them walked up the curving ornate staircase, Conklin limping, and down a lushly
carpeted hallway on the left to the rear of the enormous houseOn the right wall was a door unlike
any of the doors they had passed; it was made of thick varnished oak with four small windows in
the upper recessed panels and two black buttons set in an outlet casing beside the kn