The Matlock Paper by Robert Ludlum

Author:Robert Ludlum [Ludlum, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Espionage, Fiction, Thrillers
ISBN: 9781409122098
Publisher: Hachette UK
Published: 2010-02-24T13:30:00+00:00

Ile man behind the grill stared at Matlock, frisking him with his eyes.

"You'd better check the front desk sir. Right over there."

Matlock walked back to the counter, to be greeted

by a middle-aged, slightly paunchy desk clerk who had not been there when he

first came in.

"May I help you?"

~You may. I'm fairly new in the area. rd like tD become a member."

'We're sorry. Membership's full right now. However, if youll fill out an

application, well be glad to can you if there's an opening.... Would that

be a family application or individual, sir?" The clerk very professionally,

reached below the counter and brought up two application forms.

"Individual. I'm not married.... I was told to ask for Mr. Bartolozzi. I

was told specifically to ask for him. Jacopo Bartolozzi."

The clerk gave the name only the slightest indication of recognition.

"Here, fill out an application and IT put it on Mr. Bartolozzi's desk.

He'll see it in the morning. Perhaps he'll call you, but I don~t know what

he can do. Membership's full and theres a waiting list"

"Iset he here now? On such a busy night?" Matlock said the words with a

degree of incredulity.

"I doubt it, sir."

'Why don't you find out? Tell him we have mutual friends in San Juan."

Matlock withdrew his money clip and removed a fifty-dollar bill. He placed

it in front of the clerk, who looked at him sharply and slowly picked up

the money.

194 Robert Ludlum

'San Juan?"

San Juan.-

Matlock leaned against the white marble counter and saw the man behind the

wrought-iron gate watching him. If the San Juan story worked and he got

through the gate, he realized that he would have to part with another

large-sized bill. The San Juan story should work thought Matlock. It was

logical to the point of innocence. He had spent a winter vacation In Puerto

Rico two years ago, and although no gambler, he'd traveled with a

crowd--and a girl-who made the nightly rounds of the casinos. Hed met a

number of people from the Hartford vicinity, although he couldWt for the

life of hini remember a single name.

A foursome emerged from inside the grilled entrance, the girls giggling,

the men laughing resignedly. The women had probably won twenty or thirty

dollars, thought Matlock, while the men had probably lost several hundred.

Fair exchange for the evening. The gate closed behind them; Matlock could

hear the electric click of the latch. It was a very welllocked iron gate.

'Excuse me, sir?" It was the paunchy desk clerk, and Matlock turned around.

"Yes?"

'If youT step inside, Mr. Bartolozzi will see you.'

'Where? How?' There was no door except the wrought-iron gate and the clerk

had gestured with his left hand, away from the gate.

*~Over here, sir."

Suddenly a knobless, frameless panel to the right of the counter swung

open. The outline was barely discermble when the panel was Rush against the

damask wall, when shu4 no border was in evidence. Mat-

THE MATLOCK PAPER 195

lock walked In and was taken by the clerk to the office of Jacopo

Bartolozzi.

'We got mutual friends?" The obese Italian spoke hoarsely as he leaned back

in his chair behind the desk. He made no attempt to rise, gave no gesture

of welcome.

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