condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
that embarrassing moment Will, with Gerald not far behind, retired to the back
room. Both men were feeling much better now and Will did not want to waste any
time in getting the conversation underway, to lose the advantage of a congenial
atmosphere. But before he could speak it was Gerald who took the initiative.
"They told me that you managed to see your way through some awkward
situations. If you could do that for me I would be forever in your debt."
Will paused before answering. "You must understand Gerald that everything
I did centred on getting myself out of trouble, and there was only myself involved,
just me to worry about, no one else. I can't predict what will happen until the time
arrives." Will carried on explaining to Gerald what he had in mind. "We must get
into the grounds without being seen. Your contact must meet us at a prearranged
place in the grounds to hand over the documents, and then we leave via the same
route."
Gerald shook his head. "My contact won't agree to that."
"He'll have to or the whole things off. We're not going to stick our necks out
any more than is necessary, just to keep him out of trouble. In any case, I want to
see him before anything goes ahead. Just tell him what I have said and if he doesn't
agree to either bringing the documents out into the grounds, or arranging to see
me, I'm not interested, whatever the repercussions might be."
Gerald gestured as though to speak but Will continued, "Believe me, it's the
best for both of us. To get caught inside that military building is a far different cry
to being discovered in the grounds. We can give any old excuse for that but inside
the building we're dead ducks!"
"I know you're right. I'll talk to my contact tonight and if it's convenient we can
arrange a meeting. Is that all we need to talk about?"
"No, there are a couple of things. The first is the matter of the negative from
my photo. Do you have it?"
"No."
"Then we'll have to go and get it, preferably before I see your contact, but
don't tell him about the negative and don't contact the shop."
Will knew that the men at the shop were rough characters, and they could
expect the worst, but he wouldn't say anything about that until later when they
parted at the dock gates. Dusk fell during the journey back to the ship, and the
twinkling of lights scattered amongst the trees and shrubs, highlighted the natural
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