He could not do what you say he did."
"He's mentally deranged?"
"My God, no! He's one of the most lucid men
I've ever met. You have to understand. He went
through a prolonged period of extreme physical
stress and mental anguish. He endured punishment,
to both his body and his mind. There was no
permanent damage but there are indelible
memories. Like so many men who've been subjected
to such treatment, he avoids all forms of physical
confrontation or abuse. It is repugnant to him. He
can't inflict punishment because too much was
inflicted on him."
THE AQUITAINE PROGRESSION 111
"You mean he would not defend himself, his
own? He would turn the other cheek if he, or his
wife, or his children were attacked?"
"Of course not, but that's not what you described.
You said 'a particularly vicious assault, implying
something quite different. And if it were
otherwise if he were threatened or attacked and
defended himself he most certainly would not have
left the scene. He's too fine a lawyer." Mattilon
paused. "Was that the case? Is that what you're
saying? Is the injured man known to you from the
police files? Is he "
"A limousine chauffeur," interrupted Prudhomme.
"An unarmed man who was waiting for his assigned
passenger of the evening."
"In the cellars?"
"Apparently it is a customary service and not an
unfamiliar one. These firms are discreet. This one
sent another driver to cover before inquiring as to
their employee's condition. The client would not
know."
"Very chic, I'm sure. What do they say happened?"
"According to a witness, a guard who's been with
the hotel for eighteen years, this Simon approached
in a loud voice, speaking English the guard thinks
angrily, although he does not understand the
language and forced the man outside."
"The guard is wrong! It had to be someone else."
"Simon identified himself. The concierge had
cleared his departure. The description fits; it was the
one who called himself Simon."
"But why? There has to be a reason!"
"We should like to hear it, monsieur."
Rene shook his head in bewilderment; nothing
made sense. A man could register at any hotel under
any name he wished, of course, but there were
charges, credit cards, people calling; a false name
served no purpose. Especially at a hotel where one
was presumably known, and if one was known and
chose to travel incogmto, that status would not be
protected if a front desk was questioned by the
Surete. "I must ask you again, Inspector, have you
checked thoroughly with the hotel?"
"Not personally, monsieur," replied Prudhomme,
looking at his associate. "My time was taken up
interrogating those in the vicinity of the assault."
"I checked with the concierge myself, monsieur," said
112 ROBERT LUDLUM
the younger, taller man, speaking like a
programmed robot. ' Naturally, the hotel is not
anxious for the incident to receive attention, was
cooperative. The night concierge is newly employed
from the Hotel Meurice and wished to minimize the
incident, but he himself showed me the registration
form. '
I see." And Matfflon did see, at least insofar as
Joel's identity was concerned. Hundreds of guests at
a large hotel and a nervous concierge protecting his
new employer's image. The obvious source was
accepted as truth, another truth no doubt
forthcoming in the morning from more knowl-
edgeable men. But that was all Rene
understood nothing else. He needed a few
moments to think, to try to understand.
`I'm curious," he said, reaching for words. '`At
worst, this is an assault with severe results, but
nevertheless an assault. Why isn't it a simple police
matter? Why the Surete?"
`My first question, monsieur," said the
plainspoken Prudhomme. The reason given us was
that the incident involved a foreigner, obviously a
wealthy foreigner. One does not know these days
where such things may lead. We have certain
controls not available to the arrond~ssement police.
'
PI see.
Ado you?" asked the man from the Surete. May
I remind you that as an attorney you have an
obligation to uphold the courts and the law? You
have been offered our credentials and I have
suggested you call my station for any further
verification you might wish. Please, monsieur, who
is Henry Simon?"
PI have other obligations, as well, Inspector. To
my word, to a client, to an old friendship "
You put these above the law?"
Only because I know you're wrong"
.Then where is the harm? If we are wrong, we
shall find this Simon undoubtedly at an airport and
he will tell us himself. But if we are not, we may
find a very sick man who needs help. Before he
harms others. I am no psychiatrist, monsieur, but
you have described a troubled man a once
troubled man, in any event. '
Matfflon was uncomfortable with the blunt
official's logic . . . and also something else he could
not define. Was it Joel? Was it the clouds in his old
friend's eyes, the unconscious verbal slip about a
blemished rock in the dirt? Rene looked again at
the clock on the mantel; a thought occurred to him.
It was only eight-forty-two in New York.
THE AQUITAINE PROGRESSION 113
"Inspector, I'm going to ask you to wait here
while I go into my study and make a phone call on
my private line. The line, incidentally, is not
connected to the telephone on the table."
"That was unnecessary, monsieur."
"Then I apologise."
Mattilon walked rapidly to a door on the
opposite side of the room, opened it and went inside.
He crossed to his desk, where he sat down and
opened a red-leather telephone index. He flipped the
pages to the letter T. scanning the names until he
reached Talbot, Lawrence. He had both the office
and the house number; the latter was necessary
because the courts in Paris were in operation before
the East Coast of America was out of bed. If Talbot
was not there, he would try Nathan Simon, then
Brooks, if he had to. Neither alternative was nec-
essary. Lawrence Talbot answered the phone.
"I'll be damned, how are you, Rene? You in New
York?" "No, Paris."
"Sounds like you're down the block."
"So do you. It's always startling."
"It's also late where you are, if I'm not mistaken."
"It's very late, Larry. We may have a problem,
that's why I'm calling."
"A problem? I didn't even know we had any
business going. What is it?"
"Your missionary work."
"Our what?"
/>
"Bertholdier. His friends."
"W7lo?"
"Jacques-Louis Bertholdier."
"Who is he? I've heard the name but I can't place
him." "You can't . . . place him?"
"Sorry."
"I've been with Joel. I arranged the meeting."
"Joel? How is he? Is he in Paris now?"
"You weren't aware of it?"
"Last time I spoke with him was two days ago in
Geneva after that awful business with Halliday. He
told me he was all right, but he wasn't. He was
shaken up."
"Let me understand you, Larry. Joel is not in
Paris on business for Talbot, Brooks and Simon, is
that what you're saying?"
114 ROBERT LUDLUM
Lawrence Talbot paused before answering. "No,
he's not," said the senior partner softly. "Did he say
he was?"
"Perhaps I just assumed it."
Again Talbot paused. "I don't think you'd do
that. But I do think you should tell Joel to call me."
"That's part of the problem, Larry. I don't know
where he is. He said he was taking the five o'clock
plane for London, but he didn't. He checked out of
the George Cinq quite a bit later under very odd
circumstances."
'What do you mean?"
His hotel registration was altered, changed to
another name a name I suggested, incidentally, as
he didn't wish to use his own at lunch. Then he
insisted on leaving by way of some basement
delivery entrance."
"That's strange."
"I'm afraid it's the least of the oddities. They say
he assaulted a man. He may have killed him."
'lesus!"
41 don t believe it, of course," said Mattilon
quickly. `He wouldn't, he couldn't ,
"I hope not."
4Certainly you don't think "
1 don't know what to think," interrupted
Talbot. When he was in Ceneva and we talked, I
asked him if there was any connection between
llalliday's death and what he was doing. He said
there wasn't, but he was so remote, so distant; his
voice sounded hollow."
`What he's doing . . . ? What is he doing?"
-1 don't know. I'm not even sure I can find out,
but I'll do my damnedest. I tell you, I'm worried.
Something's happened to him. His voice was like an
echo chamber, do you know what I mean?',
Byes, I do," said Mattilon quietly. 41 heard him,
I saw hirn. I'm worried too."
'Find him, Rene. Do whatever you can. Give me
the word and I'll drop everything and By over. He's
hurting somewhere, somehow."
"I'll do what I can.',
Mattilon walked out of his study and faced the
two men from the police.
His name is Converse, Joel Converse," he began.
* * *
THE AQUITAINE PROGRESSION 115
"His name is Converse, first nameJoel," said the
younger, taller man from the Surete, speaking into
the mouthpiece of a pay phone on the Boulevard
Raspail, as the rain pounded the booth. "He's
employed by a law firm in New York: Talbot, Brooks
and Simon; the address is on Fifth Avenue. The as-
sumed name, Simon, however, was apparently a
convenience, and not related to the firm."
"I don't understand."
"Whatever this Converse is involved with has
nothing to do with his employers. Mattilon reached
one of the partners in New York and it was made
clear to him. Also both men are concerned, worried;
they wish to be kept informed. If Converse is found,
Mattilon insists on immediate access to him as the
attorney of record. He may be holding back, but in
my judgment he's genuinely bewildered. In shock,
might be more accurate. He knows nothing of
consequence. I could tell if he did."
"Nevertheless, he is holding back. The name
Simon was used for my benefit so I would not learn
the identity of this Converse. Mattilon knows that; he
was there and they are friends and he brought him
to Luboque."
"Then he was manipulated, General. He did not
mention
you."
"He might if he's questioned further. I cannot be
involved in any way."
"Of course not," agreed the man from the SCrete
with quiet emphasis.
"Your superior, what's his name? The one
assigned to the incident."
"Prudhomme. Inspector First Grade Prudhomme."
"Is he frank with you?"
"Yes. He thinks I'm something of a mechanical
ex-soldier whose instincts may outdistance his
intellect, but he sees that I'm willing. He talks to
me."
"You'll be kept with him for a while. Should he
decide to go back and see Mattilon, let me know
immediately. Paris may lose a respected attorney. My
name must not surface."
"He would go back to Mattilon only if Converse
was found. And if word came to the Surete as to his
whereabouts, I'd reach you instantly."
"There could be another reason, Colonel. One
that might provoke a persistent man into
reexamining his progress or lack of it in spite of
orders to the contrary."
116 ROBERT LUDLUM
' Orders to the contrary, sir?"
"They will be issued. This Converse is solely our
concern now. All we needed was a name. We know
where he's heading. We'll find him."
"I don't understand, General."
"News has come from the hospital. Our
chauffeur has taken a turn for the better."
"Good news, indeed."
"I wish it were. The sacrifice of a single soldier
is abhorrent to any field commander, but the
broader tactics must be kept in view, they must be
served. Do you agree?"
"Yes, of course."
"Our chauffeur must not recover. The larger
strategy Colonel."
"If he dies, the efforts to find Converse will be
intensified. And you're right, Prudhomme will
reexamine everything, including the lawyer,
Mattilon."
"Orders to the contrary will be issued. But watch
him."
"Yes, sir."
"And now we need your expertise, Colonel. The
talents you developed so proficiently while in the
service of the Legion before we brought you back to
a more civilized life."
"My gratitude isn't shallow. Whatever I can do."
"Can you get inside the Hospital of Saint Jerome
with as little notice as possible?"
"With no notice. There are fire escapes on all
sides of the building and it's a dark night, heavy
with rain. Even the police stay in doorways. It's
child's play."
"But man's work. It has to be done."
"I don't question such decisions."
"A blockage in the windpipe, a convulsion in the
throat."
"Pressure applied through cloth, sir. Gradually
and with no marks, a patient's self-induced
trauma.... But I would be derelict if I didn't repeat
what I said, General. There'll be a search of Paris,<
br />
then a large-scale manhunt. The killer will be
presumed to be a rich American, an inviting target
for the Surete."
"There'll be no search, no manhunt. Not yet. If
it is to be it will come later, and if it does, a
convicted corpse will be trapped in the net.... Go
into the field, my young friend. The chauffeur,
Colonel; the broader strategy must be served."
"He's dead," said the man in the telephone
booth, and hung up.
5
Erich Leifhelm . . . born March 15,1912, in Mu-
nich to Dr. Heinrich Leifhelm and his mistress,
Marta Stoessel. Although the stigma of his illegiti-
macy precluded a normal childhood in the
upper-middle-class, morality-conscious Cermany of
those years, it was the single most important factor in
his later preeminence in the National Socialist
movement. At birth he was denied the name of Leif-
helm; until 1931 he was known as Erich Stoessel.
Joel sat at a table in the open cafe in
Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport, trying to concentrate.
It was his second attempt within the past twenty
Robert Ludlum - Aquatain Progression.txt Page 18
