Ok, I just got done reading all 532 pages of The Bourne Identity, only to be disappointed at the end because Carlos doesn’t die, and we don’t find out who Carlos is… although he’s someone important/notable because David Webb/Jason Bourne recognized him, and the end of the book seems like a set-up for future books and more Carlos chasing.
The thing is, I didn’t really like the book, and I didn’t particularly care for Ludlum’s writing style, so I don’t plan on reading any more in the series.
Carlos the Jackal was a famous assassin, according to Ludlum. The reason Bourne/Webb was brainwashed was to claim kills that Carlos had done and draw Carlos out when he came to wreak his revenge. The character of Carlos is based on a real person and googling should come up with info on the real Carlos. The one in the book was trained by the Russians and listed as a possibility for the shooter on the grassy knoll.
The next couple of books are a lot of Carlos chasing. I like Ludlum’s style and enjoyed the books but I can see why you might not.
When Webb sees Carlos at the very end, he recognizes him, but can’t remember from where. Iron Ass tells Marie that Webb is now the only person who can identify Carlos, and therefore he must be protected. The implication is that Carlos is someone the reader would recognize. So, who is he in the book?
Webb is the only person who can recognize this dangerous assassin/terrorist so he must be protected. Carlos isn’t really recognizable because the only people who know who he is are his employees or are killed after they find out. The gov’t wants to use Webb to bring out Carlos so they can trap/kill him. It’s been a while since I read them so I’m a little rusty on the names.
Webb recognizes Carlos but doesn’t remember from where. If he did remember, there would be some way for the gov’t to track down Carlos or some clue for them to pursue.
FWIW, the second book had nothing to do with Carlos. It was more Webb/Caine angst and basically a repeat of the action sequences from the first one (although in SE Asia). I gave up on the series after that and don’t know who Carlos actually is, although the back of the third book hints that it too solves the mystery.