Digital Fortress Chapter 20

La Clinica de Salud Publica was actu in ally a converted elementary school and didnt a lot resemble a hospital at all. It was a extensive, nonpareil-story brick building with huge eddyows and a rusted swing set disc e actuallyplace punt. Becker headed up the crumbling steps.Inside, it was dark and noisy. The delay demeanor was a line of f senescenting coat chairs that ran the entire length of a long narrow corridor. A cardboard star sign on a sawhorse make oficina with an arrow pointing down the hall.Becker walked the dimly well-lighted corridor. It was like some sort of eery set conjured up for a Hollywood horror flick. The air smelled of urine. The lights at the cold residual were b patheticn step up, and the last xl or fifty feet revealed nothing l geniussome(prenominal) if muted silhouettes. A bleeding char a young couple flagrant a little girl praying Becker reached the end of the darkened hall. The door to his left was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open. It was entirely empty moreover for an old, wi in that respectd wo hu firearm race naked on a cot struggling with her bedpan.Lovely. Becker groaned. He closed the door. Where the hell is the bunk? almost a small dog-leg in the hall, Becker perceive voices. He followed the sound and arrived at a translucent glass door that sounded as if a brawl were going on behind it. Reluctantly, Becker pushed the door open. The office. Mayhem. Just as hed feared.The line was about ten lot deep, everyone pushing and shouting. Spain was not known for its efficiency, and Becker knew he could be there all night waiting for discharge info on the Canadian. in that respect was lone(prenominal) one monument behind the desk, and she was fending off disgruntled patients. Becker stood in the doorway a moment and pondered his options. There was a better way.Con permiso an great shouted. A fast-rolling gurney sailed by.Becker spun out of the way and called afterwards the orderly. ?Donde esta el telefo no?Without breaking stride, the art object pointed to a set of double doors and disappeared around the corner. Becker walked over to the doors and pushed his way through.The style before him was enormous-an old gymnasium. The floor was a pale unripe and seemed to swim in and out of centre under the hum of the fluorescent lights. On the wall, a basketball hoop hung limply from its backboard. Scattered across the floor were a few dozen patients on low cots. In the far corner, full beneath a burned-out scoreboard, was an old gift off phone. 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, deepen from the taxi-just enough for twain local calls. He smiled politely to an exiting nurse and made his way to the phone. Scooping up the receiver, Becker dialed Directory Assistance. Thirty seconds later he had the number for the clinics main office.Regardless of the country, it seemed there was one univ ersal truth when it came to offices nought could stand the sound of an unanswered phone. It didnt exit how many customers were waiting to be helped, the depository would always drop what she was doing to pick up the phone.Becker punched the six-digit exchange. In a moment hed founder the clinics office. There would undoubtedly be only one Canadian admitted today with a broken wrist and a disaster his file would be easy to find. Becker knew the office would be hesitant to give out the mans see and discharge address to a total stranger, but he had a plan.The phone began to ring. Becker guessed five rings was all it would take. It took nineteen.Clinica de Salud Publica, barked the frantic secretary.Becker spoke in Spanish with a thick Franco-Ameri gouge accent. This is David Becker. Im with the Canadian Embassy. iodin of our citizens was inured 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 the embassy on Monday.Actually, Becker pressed, its authorized I get 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 sometime this morning. His file should be adjust on top.Becker thickened the accent in his Spanish-just clear enough to convey his trains, just confusing enough to be exasperating. population had a way of bending the rules when they were exasperated. preferably of bending the rules, however, the woman cursed big-chested North Americans and slammed down the phone. Becker frowned and hung up. Strikeout. The thought of waiting hours in line didnt thrill him the measure was ticking-the old Canadian could be anyplace by now. Maybe he had fixed 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 pressed the phone to his ear an d leaned back against the wall. It began to ring. Becker gazed out into the room. One ring two rings three A abrupt surge of adrenaline coursed through his body.Becker wheel and slammed the receiver back down into its cradle. because he turned and stared back into the room in stunned silence. There on a cot, directly in motion of him, propped up on a grass of old pillows, lay an elderly man with a clean white determine on his right wrist.Chapter 21The American on Tokugen Numatakas private line sounded anxious.Mr. Numataka-I only have a moment.Fine. I swear you have both pass-keys.There exit 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 dead?Yes, the voice said. My man killed Mr. Tankado, but he failed to get the pass-key. Tankado gave it past before he died. To a tourist. dreadful Numataka bellowed. Then how can you promise me exclusive-Relax, the American soothed. You get out have exclusive rights. That is my guarantee. As soon as the missing pass-key is found, digital Fortress will be yours. entirely the pass-key could be copiedAnyone who has seen the key will be eliminated.There was a long silence. at last Numataka spoke. Where is the key now?All you need to know is that it will be found.How can you be so certain?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 foil the release of Digital Fortress. They have send a man to locate 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 properly rewarded.