” Wisterl is fine.”
“My identification. Name~s Greenberg, Jason Greenberg. Federal Bureau of
Investigation. I had to confirm your situation…. It’s a bell of a note,
isn1 it?”
“‘A bell of a note? Is that all you can say?”
Ile agent looked at Matlock quizzically. “It’s all I care to share,” he
said quietly. “If Ralph Loring had completed his call, he would have
reached me.”
54 Robert Ludlum
“I’m sorry.”
Forget it I’m out-briefed-that is, I know something but not much about the
Nimrod situation; I’ll get filled in before morning. Incidentally, this
fellow Kressel is on his way over. He knows I’m here.”
-Does this change anything? … That sounds Stupid, doesn’t it? A man is
killed and I ask you if it changes anything. I apologize again.”
“No need to; yoxfve had a terrible experience…. Any change is up to you.
We accept the fact that Ralpys death could alter tonights decision. We ask
only that you keep your own counsel in what was revealed to you.”
“Yoxere offering me a chance to renege?’
“Of course. You’re under no obligation to us.0
Matlock walked to * the small, rectangular window with the wire-enclosed
glass. The police station was at the south end of the town of Carlyle,
about a half a mile from the campus, the section of town considered
industrialized. Still, there were trees along the streets. Carlyle was a
very clean town, a neat town. The trees by the station house were pruned
and shaped.
And Carlyle was also something else.
“Let me ask you a question,” he said. “Does the fact that I found Loring’s
body associate me with him? I mean, would I be considered a part of
whatever he was doing?”
we don~t think so. The way you behaved tends to remove you from any
association.”
-What do you mean?” Matlock turned to face the agent.
“Frankly, you panicked. You didn’t run, you didn’t take yourself out of the
area; you flipped out and started shouting your head off. Someone who’s
progirammed for an assignment wouldn’t react like that.”
THE MATLOCX PAPER 55
“I wasn’t programmed for this.”
“Same results. You just found him and lost your head. If this Nimrod even
wspects we’re involved…”
“Suspectsl” interrupted Matlock. “They killed himl”
‘Sonwone killed him. 16 unlikely that it’s any part of Nimrod. Other
factions, maybe. No covees absolutely foolproof, even Loring’s. But his was
the closest”
“I doet understand you.~’
Greenberg leaned against the wall and folded his arms, his large, sad eyes
reflective. “RalpYs field cover was the best at justice. For damn near
fifteen years.” The agent looked down at the floor. His voice was deep,
with faint bitterness. “The kind of goddamn cover that works best when it
doesn’t matter to a man anymore. When its finally used, it throws everyone
off balance. And insults his fm-dly.-
Greenberg looked up and tried to smile, but no smile would come.
“I still don~t understand you.’
“It’s not necessary. The main point is that you simply stumbled on the
scene, went into panic, and had the scare of your life. You’re dismissible,
Mr. Matlock.
I So?”
Before Matlock could respond, the door swung open and Sam Kressel entered,
his expression nervous and frightened.
~Oh, Christl This is terriblef Simply terrible. Yolere Greenberg?’
“And you’re Mr. Kressel.”
“Yes. What!s going to happen?” Kressel turned to Matlock, speaking in the
same breath. “Are you all right, Jim?-
“Sure.”
“Well, Greenberg, whaes happeningl? They told
56 Robert Ludlum
me in Washington that you!d let us know.”
“I’ve been talking to Mr. Matlock and … 7
‘Listen to me,” interrupted Kressel suddenly. *1 called Sealfont and were
of the same opinion. What happened was terrible … tragic. We express our
sympathies to the man’s family, but were most anxious that any use of the
Carlyle name be cleared with us. We assume this puts everything in a
different light and, therefore, we insist we be kept out of it I think
thaes understandable.”
Greenberes face betrayed his distaste. “You race in here, ask me whaes
happening, and before you give me a chance to answer, you tell me what must
happen. Now, how do you want it? Do I can Washington and let them have your
version or do you want to listen first? Doeset make a particle of
difference, to me.
‘Theres no reason for antagonism. We never asked to be involved.”
“Nobody does.” Greenberg smiled. “Just please let me finish. rve offered
Matlock his out He hasn’t given me his answer, so I can’t give you mine,
However, if he says what I think hes going to say, Lorines cover will be
activated immediately. Iell be activated anyway, but if the professor’s in,
we’ll blow it up a bit.”
“What the hell are you talking about?’ Kressel stared at the agent
“For years Ralph was a partner in just about the most disreputable law firm
in Washington. Its clients read like a cross section of a Mafia index….
Early this morning, there was the first of two vehicle transfers. It took
place in a Hartford suburb, Elmwood. Loring’s car with the D.C. plates was
left near the home of a well-advertised capo. A rented automobile
TBE MATLOCK PAPER 57
was waiting for him a couple of blocks away. He used that to drive to
Carlyle and parked it in front of 217 Crescent Street, five blocks from
Sealfont’s place. 217 Crescent is the residence of a Dr. Ralston. . . ”
“I’ve met him6″ interjected Matlock. ‘Tve heard he’s … ”
.. an abortioni< completed Greenberg. 'He's in no way associated with this universityl" said Kressel emphatically. 'Yoeve had worse," countered Greenberg quietly. "And the doctor is still a Mafia referral. At any rate, Ralph positioned the car and walked into town for the second transfer. I covered him; this briefcase is prime material. He was picked up by a Bell Telephone truck which made routine stops-including one at a restaurant called the Cheshire Cat-and finally delivered him to Sealfont's. No one could have known he was there. If they had, they would have intercepted him outside; they were watching the car on Crescent." 'Jrhat!s what he told me," said Matlock. "He knew it was possible; the trace to Crescent was intentionally left open. When he confirmed it, to his satistaction, he acted fast. I don!t know what he did, but he probably used whatever stragglers he could find until he spotted yoe OThales what he did." "He wasn't fast enough." "What in Go&s name does this have to do with us? What possible bearing can it have?' Kressel was close to shouting. "If Mr. Matlock wants to go on, Lorines death will be publicized as an underworld killing. Disreputable lawyer, maybe a bag man; undesirable clients. The capo and the doctor will be hauled in; they're 58 Robert Ludlum expendable. The smoke screen7s so thick everyone's off balance. Even the killers. Matlocks forgotten. ItIl. work; ies worked before." Kressel seemed astonished at Greenberg's assured glibness, his confidence, his calm professionalism "You talk awfully fast, don~t you?" "I'm very bright." Matlock coul(&t help but smile. He liked Greenberg; even in-perhaps because of-the sadly disagreeable circumstances. The agent used the language well; his mind was fast. He was, indeed, bright. 'And if Jim says he washes his hands of it?" Greenberg shrugged. "I don't like to waste words. Lees hear him say it." Both the men looked at Matlock Tm afraid I'm not going to, Sam. Im still in.' 'You can~t be serioust That man was killedl' 'I know. I found him." Kressel put his hand on Matlock's arm. It was the gesture of a friend. "I'm not an hysterical shepherd watching over a flock. Im concerned. I'm Mghtened. I see a man being manipulated into a situation he's not qualified to handle." 'Ibales subjective," broke in Greenberg quietly. 'We!re concerned, too. If we didet think be was capable, we never would have approached him." "I think you would," said Kressel. "I don't for a minute believe such a consideration would stop you. You use the word expendable too easily, Mr. Greenberg. Tm sorry you think so. Because I don't. We don't. ... I haven't gotten the detailed briefing, Kressel, but areet you supposed to act as liaison? Because if thaes true, I suggest you remove yourself. Well have someone else assigned to the job." TIM MATLOCK PAPM 59 "And give you a clear fleld? Let you run roughshod over this campus? Not on your life." "Then we work together. As disagreeable as that may be for both of us . . . You're hostile; perhaps that's good. Youll keep me on my toes. You protest too much." Matlock was startled by Greenberg's statement. It was one thing to form an antagonistic coalition, quite another to make veiled accusations; insulting to use a fiterary clich6. "That remark requires an explanation," said Kressel, his face flushed with anger. When Greenberg replied, his voice was soft and reasonable, belying the