Page 41 - Brokenclaw - John Gardner

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TROJAN HORSE

As he recounted the facts of yesterday’s unexpected sighting and observation of
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Brokenclaw Lee, Bond was almost anxiously aware that both M and
Commander Rushia listened to him with an intensity which he found disturbing.

The two men were very still, never moving a muscle, their faces blank, like a
pair of predators waiting for their target to come within range.
When Bond finished speaking there was a long silence. Involuntarily, images
came clearly into his mind – smoke from an old steam train, drifting away in a

long stream; the view from a powerful telescope, looking into space. Then M
spoke.
‘Why did you become so interested in Lee?’ His tone was unusually hostile.
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‘I read his lips; death seemed to enter into the conversation, but, above all,

he appeared to be an immensely powerful man. There was an aura about him,
something different, fascinating, even charismatic.’
‘And that’s the truth, Bond? The whole truth? You saw this man and he
struck you as being, shall we say “different”, not quite as other men? His

power and presence fascinated you?’
As he spoke, M raised his eyebrows, glanced at Rushia, who gave him a
noncommittal look.
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‘Exactly, sir. I’ve been a little in the doldrums in the past few weeks. Lee
and the story he told about himself somehow jerked me from my torpor. He
interested me! In fact I intended to do some kind of follow up, check the fellow
out. But your message arrived before I could even begin.’
There was another pause. More pictures in Bond’s mind, this time of the

man, Lee, his power and toughness tempered with charm.

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