it was not a killer explosive. It was something else, and be could not
figare ft out at the moment. It was an eyegrabber, a camouflage-not meant
to kill, but to deflect all concentration. A huge firecracker.
Screams of panic could now be heard mounting from all parts of the
building. The sounds of rushing feet pounded on the floor above his
apartment
And then a single screech of terror from outside Matlocles front door. It
would not stop. The horror of ft caused Matlock and Greenberg to struggle
to their feet and race to the source. Matlock pulled the door open and
looked down upon a sight no human being should ever see more than once in
a lifetime, if his life must continue beyond that instant
On his front step was Patricia Ballantyne wrapped in a bloodsoaked sheet.
Holes were cut in the areas of her naked breasts, blood flowing from gashes
beneath the nipples. The front of her head was shaved; blood poured out of
lacerations where once had been the soft brown hair. Blood, too, came from
the half-open mouth, her lips bruised and split. The eyes were blackened
into deep crevasses of sore flesh-but they movedl The eyes movedl
Saliva began forming at the comers of her lips. The half-dead corpse was
trying to speaL
TEE MATLOCK PAPER 155
‘Jamie was the only word she managed and then her head slipped to one
side.
Greenberg threw his whole weight against Matlock, sending him sprawling
into the gathering crowd. He roared orders of “Policel’ and “Ambulancel”
until he saw enough people running to execute his commands. He put his
mouth to the girls mouth, to force air into the collapsing lungs, but he
knew it wasnI really necessary. Patricia Ballantyne wasnI dead; shed been
tortured by experts, and the experts knew their business well. Every slash,
every crack, every bruise meant utmost pain but did not mean death.
He started to pick the girl up but Matlock stopped him. The English
professoes eyes were swollen with tears of hate. He gently removed
Greenberg’s hands and lifted Pat into his arms. He carried her inside and
stretched her out on the half-destroyed sofa. Greenberg went into the
bedroom and returned with a blanket. Then he brought a bowl of warm water
from the kitchen and several towels. He lifted the blanket and held a towel
beneath the bleeding breasts. Matlock, staring in horror at the brutally
beaten face, then took the edge of another towel and began wiping away the
blood around the shaven head and the mouth.
“Shell be all right, Jim. rve seen this before. Shell be all right.”
And as Greenberg heard the sounds of the sirens in the near distance, he
wondered, really, if this girl would ever be right again.
Matlock, helpless, continued to wipe the girrs face, his tears now
streaming down his cheeks, his eyes unblinking. He spoke through his
controlled sobs.
“You know what this means, don t you? No one
156 Robert Ludlum
pulls me out now. They try, III kill them.”
“I won’t let them,” said Greenberg simply.
The screeching of brakes could be heard outside and the flashing lights
of the police cars and the ambulances whipped in circles through the
windows.
Matlocles face fell into the cushion beside the unconscious girl and he
wept.
14
Matlock awoke in the antiseptic whiteness of a hospital room. The shade was
up, and the sun reflected harshly on the three walls he could see. At his
feet a nurse was writing efficiently, emphatically, on top of a clipboard
attached to the base of the bed by a thin keychain. He stretched his arms,
then quickly brought his left back, aware of a sharp pain in his forearm.
“You feel those the next morning, Mr. MatlocV droned the nurse without
looking up from the clipboard. “Heavy intravenous sedations are murder, I
can tell you. Not that I’ve ever had one, but Lord knows, I’ve seen enough
who have.”
“Is Pat … Miss Ballantyne here?”
Mlell, not lu the same roond Lord, you campus type
‘St.
“She’s here?*
“Of course. Next room. Which I intend to keep lockedl Lord, you people from
the hill] . . . Therel You’re all accounted for.” The nurse let the clip.
board crash down and vibrate back and forth. “Now. You’ve got special
privileges. You’re allowed breakfast even though it’s past breakfast
time-way pastl That’s probably because they want you to pay your bill. …
You can be discharged any time after twelve.”
158 Robert Ludlum
‘What time is it? Someone took my watch.~
‘Ifs eight minutes to nine,” said the nurse, glancIng at her wrist “And no
one took your watch. 16 with any other valuables you had when you were ad-
mitted.0
“How is Miss Ballantyner
‘We don’t discuss other patients, Mr. Matlock.!
OWheWs her doctor?”
“Hes the same as yours, I understand. Not one of ours.” The nurse made sure
the statement was hardly complimentary. “According to your chart, hell be
here at nine thirty unless we phone for an emergency.”
“Call him. I want him here as soon as possible.”
‘Now, really. There’s no emergency….’
ar,oddamn it, get him herel”
As Matlock raised his voice the door of his room opened. Jason Greenberg
came in quickly. “I could hear you in the corridor. Thats a good sign.”
“Hov/s Pat?1”
‘Just a minute, sir. We have regulations. . .
Greenberg took out his identification and showed ft to the nurse. “This man
is in my custody, Miss. Check the front desk if you like, but leave us
alone.”
The nurse, ever professional, scrutinized the identification and walked
rapidly out the door.
“How’s Pat?”
‘A mess, but with it. She had a bad night; sbes going to have a worse
morning when she asks for a mirror.”
‘Me hell with thatl Is she all rightr
“Twenty-seven stitches-body, head, mouth, and, for variety, one on her left
foot. But she’s going to be fine. X-rays show only bone bruises. No
fractures, no raptures, no internal bleeding. The bastards did their usual
professional job.”
THE MATLOCK PAP= JL59
O’Sas she able to talk?”
Not really. And the doctor didnt advise it She needs sleep more than
anything else. . . . You need a little rest, too. That!s why we put you
here last night.*
“Anyone hurt at the apartment?”
“Nope. It was a crazy bombing. We doet think it was intended to kill
anyone. The first was a short twoinch stick taped below the window
exterior; the seeond-activated by the first-wasn’t much more than a July
Fourth rocket. You expected the second blast, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I guess I did…. Terror tactics, waset itr
“That’s what we figure.”
“Can I see Pat?”
‘Rather you waited. The doctor thinks she’ll sleep into the afternoon.
There’s a nurse in there with ice packs and stuff if localized pain bothers
her. Let her rest.”
Matlock cautiously sat up on the edge of the bed. He began flexing his
legs, arms, neck, and hands, and found that be waset much below par. “I
feel sort of like a hangover without the headache.”
“The doctor gave you a heavy dose. You were … understandably … very
emotional.”
“I remember everything. I’m calmer, but I don’t retract one goddamned word.
. . . I have two classes today. One at ten and the other at two. I want to
make them.”
“You don’t have to. Sealfont wants to see you.”
“I’ll talk to him after my last class. . . . Then IM see Pat.” Matlock
stood on his feet and walked slowly to the large hospital window. It was a
bright, sunlit morning; Connecticut had had a string of beautiful days. As
he stared outside, Matlock remembered that he!d looked out another window
five days ago
3L6o Robert Ludlum
when he’d first met Jason Greenberg. Wd made a decision then as he was
making one now. “Last night you said you wouldnt let them pull me out. I
hope you haven’t changed your mind. I’m not going to be on that Pan Am
flight tomorrow.”
‘You won’t be arrested. I promised you that”
‘Can you prevent it? You also said you were going to be replace&-
“I can prevent it. I can morally object, an enigmatic phrase which is
translated to mean I can embarrass people. However, I don’t want to mislead
you. If you create problems, you could be taken into protective custody.’
“They can if they can find me.”
‘That’s a condition I don’t like.”
‘Forget you heard it. Where are my clothes?” Matlock walked to the single
closet door and opened it. His slac3m, jacket, and shirt were hung on
hangers; his loafers were on the floor with his socks carefully inserted.
The lone bureau held his undershorts and a hospital-furnished toothbrush.
‘Vill you go down and see whoever you~ve got to see to get me out of here?
Also, IT need my wallet, cash, and watch. Will you do that, please?”