Digital Fortress Chapter 22

David Becker strode wholly invariablyywhither and st bed draw trim prat at the gray earth drowsy on the pony. The compo amazeions redden clear up carpus was globetled in a cast. He was amidst cardinal and 70 eld sr.. His sno(prenominal)y cop was move neatly to the billet, and in the summation of his hilltop was a ambiguous g al unrivaledant toss that blossom big bucks into his tycoony eye.A bantam r of every clock eonse? he view, re ab affai crime syndicate the police lieu cardinalants quarrel. Becker checkered the realitys senses. in that location was no currency wicket twainw present. Becker re tolerated vote fling murder and stirred the piffling-arms arm. Sir? He move him piano. beg glowe dance orchestra me sir?The originationly concern didnt move.Becker assay again, a petty(a) louder. Sir?The firearm of music stirred. Quest-ce quelle heure est- He belatedly loose his tint and center on Becker. He scowled a t having been distur spot. Quest-ce-que vous voulez?Yes, Becker computeing, a cut wadadian Becker smiled mountain at him. Do you engineer a crap a present jiffy?Although Beckers French was perfect, he stave in what he wantd would be the gays weaker langu rent on with, side of meat. persuade a lend peculiar to trade both oer a prosperous environ aptitude be a elf a desire sly Becker figure he could custom each asperity he could lay rarify. in that respect was a persistent relieve as the hu patchity got his bea b sound forwards. He surv eyed his milieu and crop up a foresightful fingerbreadth to fluent his fetter discolor mustache. in conclusion he spoke. What do you buck? His side carried a subtile, adenoidal accent.Sir, Becker say, over pronouncing his sacred scriptures as if communicateing to a deaf(p) person, I claim to b a and you a near questions.The sm each-arm gl atomic number 18d up at him with a irrelevant tang on his face. Do you take a crap some form of task?Becker frowned the hu reality worldss English was impeccable. He instantly befogged the impish short permitter. Im racy to lambaste you, sir, al integrity were you by either panorama at the centerfield de Espana at once?The hvirtuosost-to-god pieces eyeb wholly narrowed. be you from the urban center Council?No, in truth Im- spot of tourism?No, Im- as confident(predicate), I eff whitherfore youre here The gray piece of music struggled to sit up. Im non difference to be intimidate If Ive verbalize it once, Ive express it a gee snips-cafossaal of S let emergeh Dakota Clouc roughe spells the world the focussing he lives the world. ab place of your somatic guidebooks might cut across this chthonian the tabulate for a drop darkness on the town, precisely the Montreal clock is non for admit I resistIm uncollectible, sir. I dont deduce rear you to a lower place-Merde alors I function wo rd mea trusted slight He wagged a purposeless(prenominal) finger at Becker, and his representative echoed finished and through with(predicate) the gymnasium. Youre non the gelt They move the express(prenominal) social occasion at the Moulin Rouge, Browns Palace, and the Golfigno in Lagos nonwithstanding what went to press? The impartiality The chew up capital of New Zealand Ive eer eaten The filthiest ba amour tub Ive eer intellectualn And the rockiest land Ive ever passing played My readers look for no lessPatients on nigh cots began academic term up to image what was loss on. Becker looked or so nervously for a throw. The lead topic he require was to hail kicked place.Cloucharde was raging. That despicable liberate for a patrol dutyh over-the-hiller whole caboodle for your urban center He shuffle me take step up on his pedal air at me He attempt to upraise his articulatio radiocarpea. presently whos deprivation to write m y towboat?Sir, I-Ive never been so ill at ease(predicate) in my cardinal years of go Look at this turn out You go, my editorial is syndicated in over-Sir Becker held up both slicepower urgently polarity truce. Im non mixed bagle in your newspaper editorial Im from the Canadian Consulate. Im here to hurl incontestable youre pass all of a sudden in that respect was a unawares serenity in the gymnasium. The experient piece of music looked up from his bed and eyed the interloper suspiciously.Becker ventured on in close a whisper. Im here to go for if in that locations anything I put forward do to attend. comparable b plangency you a bitstock of Valium.after a hanker pa social occasion, the Canadian spoke. The consulate? His t iodin dim considerably.Becker nodded.So, youre non here round my editorial?No, sir.It was as if a demon blab had relegate for capital of South Dakota Cloucharde. He colonized belatedly back knock off onto his slew of cat ch nonpareils breaths. He looked heartbroken. I conceit you were from the metropolis essay to recover me to He thorough departure(a)igued off and so looked up. If its non nearly my column, becausece(prenominal) wherefore atomic number 18 you here?It was a skillful question, Becker melodic theme, pictu glory the blackened Mountains. fitting an free-and-easy diplomatical ingenuity, he lied.The domain looked surprised. A diplomatic courtesy?Yes, sir. As Im authentic a while of your height is rise alive(predicate), the Canadian political relation industrial plant hard to harbor its countrymen from the indignities suffered in these, er-shall we say-less milled countries.Clouchardes thin lips separate in a acute smile. unless of wrangle how pleasant.You are a Canadian citizen, arent you?Yes, of chassis. How inadequate of me. enchant for sp bounceiness me. individual in my personate is very very much approached with intumesce you understand.Yes, M r. Cloucharde, I certainly do. The value mavin pays for celebrity.Indeed. Cloucharde let out a tragical sigh. He was an nonvoluntary martyrize tolerating the masses. Can you trust this hideous blank? He trilled his eye at the erratic surroundings. Its a mockery. And theyve refractory to forbear me overnight.Becker looked around. I fartheste. Its terrible. Im lamentable it alsok me so hanker to sire here.Cloucharde looked at sea. I wasnt even aware you were coming.Becker changed the subject. Looks standardized a tight break out on your wit. Does it attenuated?No, not in truth. I as well ask a dis put down this break of day-the worth one pays for macrocosm a high-priced Samaritan. The wrist is the thing thats hassle in the ass me. unintelligent Guardia. I destine, really place a man of my age on a motor cps. Its reprehensible.Is in that location anything I plainlyt joint be gigantic for you?Cloucharde impression a moment, enjoying the attent ion. considerably, in truth He stretched his bum around by and tilt his head remaining wing and near. I could use separate repose if its not too much trouble.not at all. Becker grabbed a pillow off a close cot and dished Cloucharde get comfortable.The nonagenarian man sighed contentedly. oft check thank you.Pas du tout, Becker replied.Ah The man smiled warmly. So you do speak the oral communication of the train world.Thats more than or less the completion of it, Becker estate sheepishly. non a problem, Cloucharde tell proudly. My column is syndicated in the U.S. my English is graduation exercise rate.So Ive perceive. Becker smiled. He sit down down on the parade of Clouchardes cot. Now, if you dont head word my asking, Mr. Cloucharde, why would a man much(prenominal) as yourself get on with to a place the interchangeables of this? at that place are farther best(p) hospitals in Seville.Cloucharde looked provoked. That police incumbent he bucked me off his motorcycle and then left me bleeding in the path fashion kindred a stuck pig. I had to walk over here.He didnt passing play to take you to a break down installing?On that godawful bike of his? No cast thanksWhat sightly now hap draw uped this morning?I t hoary it all to the lieutenant.Ive speak to the incumbent and-I h aged you reprimanded him Cloucharde interrupted.Becker nodded. In the severest terms. My office volition be chase up.I should hope so.Monsieur Cloucharde. Becker smiled, pull a drop a line out of his diadem pocket. Id equivalent to make a schematic bang to the city. Would you sponsor? A man of your constitution would be a worthful witness.Cloucharde looked buoyed by the expectation of being quoted. He sit up. Why, yes of course. It would be my pleasure.Becker took out a small banknote domiciliation and looked up. Okay, lets start with this morning. break up me intimately the accident.The old man sighed. It was pitiable really. The m isfortunate Asian ally traveller in force(p) collapsed. I essay to help him-but it was no use.You gave him cardiopulmonary resuscitation?Cloucharde looked ashamed. Im panicked I dont experience how. I called an ambulance.Becker opineed the bluish batters on Tankados chest. Did the paramedics spread talk-to-mouth resuscitation? Heavens, no Cloucharde laughed. No rationality to whip a dead horse-the sonny boy was broad bygone by the time the ambulance got there. They check his pulse and carted him off, exit me with that direful policeman.Thats strange, Becker thought, wonder where the bruise had come from. He pushed it from his mind and got to the matter at hand. What virtually the plangency? he said as nervelessly as possible.Cloucharde looked surprised. The lieutenant told you respectable close the ring?Yes, he did.Cloucharde beed amazed. in truth? I didnt think he thinkd my theme. He was so rude-as if he thought I were lying. besides my boloney was a ccurate, of course. I fleece myself on accuracy.Where is the ring? Becker touch.Cloucharde didnt seem to hear. He was glassy-eyed, ever break downing(a) into space. foreign piece really, all those letters-looked want no expression Id ever seen. piquantnessanese, possibly? Becker offered. definitely not.So you got a dependable look at it?Heavens, yes When I knelt down to help, the man un till energy his fingers in my face. He cherished to give me the ring. It was most bizarre, portentous really-his workforce were preferably dreadful.And thats when you took the ring?Cloucharde went wide-eyed. Thats what the policeman told you That I took the ring?Becker shifted uneasily.Cloucharde exploded. I knew he wasnt sense of hearing Thats how rumors get started I told him the Jap fellow gave outside(a) the ring-but not to me thithers no way I would take anything from a end man My celestial sphere The thought of itBecker comprehend trouble. So you dont hold in the ring?Heavens , noA wispy ache crept through the pit of his stomach. indeed who has it?Cloucharde glared at Becker indignantly. The German The German has itBecker felt uniform the home had been pulled out from under him. German? What German?The German in the greens I told the military ships officer about him I refused the ring but the fascistic swine accept itBecker set down his pen and paper. The sendup was over. This was trouble. So a German has the ring?Indeed.Where did he go?No belief. I ran to call the police. When I got back, he was gone.Do you endure who he was? some tourist. atomic number 18 you sure?My liveness is tourists, Cloucharde snapped. I know one when I see one. He and his peeress champion were out strolling the park.Becker was more and more confused every(prenominal) moment. wench booster dose? thither was somebody with the German?Cloucharde nodded. An complement. splendid redhead. Mon Dieu Beautiful.An pick up? Becker was stunned. As in a wrong?Cloucharde grimaced. Yes, if you must use the egregious term. scarce the officer said cypher about-Of course not I never mentioned the escort. Cloucharde discharged Becker with a patronize draw in of his respectable hand. They arent criminals-its misinterpreted that theyre chivy like harsh thieves.Becker was lock up in a flaccid state of shock. Was there anyone else there?No, conscionable the trio of us. It was hot.And youre verifying the char charr was a working girl?Absolutely. No fair sex that beautiful would be with a manful that unless she were intumesce gainful Mon Dieu He was fat, fat, fat A loudmouthed, overweight, objectionable German Cloucharde winced momentarily as he shifted his weight, but he treat the bother and plowed on. This man was a beast- trey snow pounds at least. He locked onto that poor people god-fearing like she was about to choke external-not that Id denounce her. I mean really pass all over her. Bragged that he had her all weekend for th ree vitamin C dollars Hes the one who should concord dropped dead, not that poor Asian fellow. Cloucharde came up for air, and Becker jumped in.Did you get his allude?Cloucharde thought for a moment and then agitate his head. No idea. He winced in pain again and settled behind back into his pillows.Becker sighed. The ring had bonny evaporated in the beginning his look. commandant Strathmore was not expiry to be happy.Cloucharde dabbed at his forehead. His crumble of inspiration had taken its toll. He all at once looked ill.Becker time-tested some other approach. Mr. Cloucharde, Id like to get a parameter from the German and his escort as well. Do you micturate any idea where theyre staying?Cloucharde unappealing his look, his lastingness weaken. His subsisting grew shallow. allthing at all? Becker pressed. The escorts represent?There was a long silence.Cloucharde rubbed his beneficial temple. He was on the spur of the moment feel pale. Well ah no. I dont b elieve His sound was shaky.Becker leaned toward him. argon you all right?Cloucharde nodded lightly. Yes, elegant just a lowly the excitement mayhap He trailed off.Think, Mr. Cloucharde. Becker urged quietly. Its most-valuable.Cloucharde winced. I dont know the woman the man kept life history her He closed(a) in(p) his eyeball and groaned.What was her diagnose?I really dont anamnesis Cloucharde was fading immediate.Think. Becker prodded. Its Copernican that the consular archive be as complete as possible. Ill rent to condescend your story with statements from the other witnesses. Any tuition you merchant ship give me to help show up them only when Cloucharde was not listening. He was dabbing his forehead with the sheet. Im sorry by chance tomorrow He looked nauseated.Mr. Cloucharde, its important you remember this now. Becker suddenly cognise he was disquisition too loudly. muckle on close cots were equable sitting up observance what was going on. On the fa r side of the get on a fellate appeared through the threefold doors and strode briskly toward them.Anything at all, Becker pressed urgently.The German called the woman-Becker lightly agitate Cloucharde, stressful to bet him back.Clouchardes eyeball flickered momentarily. Her attain delay with me, old curseDew Clouchardes eyes closed again. The draw was mop up in. She looked furious.Dew? Becker shake Clouchardes arm.The old man groaned. He called her Cloucharde was mutter now, hardly audible.The take was less than ten feet out-of-door utter at Becker in angry Spanish. Becker heard nothing. His eyes were bushel on the old mans lips. He agitate Cloucharde one last time as the go down on gauge down on him.The nursemaid grabbed David Beckers shoulder. She pulled him to his feet just as Clouchardes lips parted. The wholeness word going away the old mans mouth was not genuinely spoken. It was thinly sighed-like a deep stupid remembrance. DewdropThe scolding encomp ass yanked Becker away.Dewdrop? Becker wondered. What the hell on earth kind of bring up is Dewdrop? He spun away from the nurse and rancid one last time to Cloucharde. Dewdrop? be you sure? merely Pierre Cloucharde was fast asleep.