Digital Fortress Chapter 20

La Clinica de Salud Publica was in truth a converted elementary school and didnt often resemble a hospital at all. It was a long, wiz-story brick building with huge windows and a rusted go around set out concealment. Becker headed up the crumbling steps.Inside, it was dark and noisy. The postponement fashion was a line of folding metal chairs that ran the entire length of a long designate corridor. A cardboard sign on a sawhorse read oficina with an arrow pointing pot the hall.Becker walked the palely lit corridor. It was like some sort of supernatural set conjured up for a Hollywood repugnance flick. The air smelled of urine. The lights at the far decision were winded out, and the last forty or fifty feet revealed nothing but muted silhouettes. A bleeding fair sex a young couple crying a little girl praying Becker reached the end of the darkened hall. The accession to his left was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open. It was entirely inane except for an old, withere d fair sex naked on a cot struggling with her bedpan.Lovely. Becker groaned. He unkindly the door. Where the hell is the stumbleice?Around a polish uphearted dog-leg in the hall, Becker heard voices. He fol secondaryed the sound and arrived at a translucent glass door that sounded as if a brawl were going on screw it. Reluctantly, Becker pushed the door open. The office. Mayhem. Just as hed feared.The line was well-nigh ten people deep, everyone pushing and shouting. Spain was not know for its efficiency, and Becker knew he could be there all iniquity waiting for discharge info on the Canadian. on that point was lonesome(prenominal) one secretary behind the desk, and she was fending off disgruntled patients. Becker stood in the doorway a event and pondered his options. thither was a better way.Con permiso an full-strength shouted. A fast-rolling gurney sailed by.Becker spun out of the way and called after the orderly. ?Donde esta el telefono?Without breaking stride, the soldiery pointed to a set of doubly doors and disappeared around the corner. Becker walked over to the doors and pushed his way through.The room ahead him was enormous-an old gymnasium. The root word was a pale spurt and seemed to swim in and out of focus to a lower place the hum of the fluorescent lights. On the wall, a basketball game hoop hung limply from its backboard. Scattered across the floor were a few dozen patients on low cots. In the far corner, just beneath a burned-out scoreboard, was an old pay think. Becker hoped it worked.As he strode across the floor, he fumbled in his pocket for a coin. He found 75 pesetas in cinco-duros coins, throw from the taxi-just enough for two local calls. He smiled politely to an exiting nurse and made his way to the phone. Scooping up the telephone receiver, Becker dialed Directory Assistance. thirty seconds later he had the number for the clinics main office. careless(predicate) of the country, it seemed there was one universal truth when it came to offices nobody could stand the sound of an unanswered phone. It didnt matter how more customers were waiting to be helped, the secretary would always cut out what she was doing to pick up the phone.Becker punched the six-digit exchange. In a moment hed deliver the clinics office. There would undoubtedly be only one Canadian admitted today with a broken wrist joint and a concussion his file would be easy to find. Becker knew the office would be hesitant to take a leak out the mans name and discharge address to a total stranger, but he had a plan.The phone began to ring. Becker guessed five ring was all it would take. It took nineteen.Clinica de Salud Publica, barked the frantic secretary.Becker rundle in Spanish with a thick Franco-American accent. This is David Becker. Im with the Canadian Embassy. One of our citizens was treated by you today. Id like his learning such that the embassy can arrange to pay his fees.Fine, the woman said. Ill send it to th e embassy on Monday.Actually, Becker pressed, its important I recrudesce it immediately.Impossible, the woman snapped. Were very busy.Becker sounded as official as possible. It is an urgent matter. The man had a broken wrist and a head injury. He was treated erstwhile(prenominal) this morning. His file should be right on top.Becker inspissate the accent in his Spanish-just clear enough to ingest his needs, just confusing enough to be exasperating. tidy sum had a way of diversion the rules when they were exasperated.Instead of bending the rules, however, the woman cursed self-important North Americans and slammed down the phone. Becker frowned and hung up. Strikeout. The thought of waiting hours in line didnt vellicate him the clock was ticking-the old Canadian could be anywhere by now. Maybe he had decided to go back to Canada. Maybe he would sell the ring. Becker didnt have hours to wait in line. With renewed determination, Becker snatched up the receiver and redialed. He pr essed the phone to his ear and leaned back against the wall. It began to ring. Becker gazed out into the room. One ring two rings three A sudden surge of adrenaline coursed through his body.Becker wheeled and slammed the receiver back down into its cradle. Then he turned and stared back into the room in stunned silence. There on a cot, directly in front of him, propped up on a pile of old pillows, lay an decrepit man with a clean white flap on his right wrist.Chapter 21The American on Tokugen Numatakas private line sounded anxious.Mr. Numataka-I only have a moment.Fine. I trust you have both pass- exposes.There give be a small delay, the American answered.Unacceptable, Numataka hissed. You said I would have them by the end of todayThere is one loose end.Is Tankado assassinated?Yes, the voice said. My man killed Mr. Tankado, but he failed to start the pass-key. Tankado gave it away before he died. To a tourist. dire Numataka bellowed. Then how can you promise me exclusive-Rel ax, the American soothed. You get out have exclusive rights. That is my guarantee. As soon as the lacking(p) pass-key is found, digital Fortress will be yours.But the pass-key could be copiedAnyone who has seen the key will be eliminated.There was a long silence. Finally Numataka spoke. Where is the key now?All you need to know is that it will be found.How can you be so legitimate?Because I am not the only one looking for it. American Intelligence has caught wind of the missing key. For obvious reasons they would like to prevent the release of Digital Fortress. They have sent a man to point the key. His name is David Becker.How do you know this?That is irrelevant.Numataka paused. And if Mr. Becker locates the key?My man will take it from him.And after that?You neednt be concerned, the American said coldly. When Mr. Becker finds the key, he will be decently rewarded.