condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
out into the corridor he expected to see a young, blue suited individual with an
attache case, but was surprised to be confronted by a middle-aged man in casual
clothes, light tweed trousers and jacket, wearing brown golf shoes. In contrast,
he was wearing a white open neck shirt, which seemed to contradict the
conservative nature of the rest of his apparel. His dark hair was brushed back and
slightly thinning, and his cheeks which were podgy, contrasted a small sharp nose.
The eyes were round and big, and even during those first few moments Will
noticed that he had not blinked, but most noticeable of all was his stance.
It was hard to describe, but it was as though his body had been wound up like
a spring, ready to veer off in one direction or another, at any given moment. Will
stepped forward, and expecting an outstretched hand, was taken completely by
surprise as the man stepped backwards before speaking in a broad Australian
accent.
"I'm Edward Blake. I'm pleased to meet you Will Brenner."
"I don't know you, is there something I can do for you?"
The man stepped backwards again, at the same time looking over his shoulder
as if to check for a presence in the wide carpeted corridor. His actions were a
replica arising from the past, and Will felt his body tingling as he compared the
picture of the meeting with the correspondent in the alleyway of the ship he was
visiting with Wes Brampton, in Algiers. Yes, it was strikingly similar, and he
practically knew what was going to happen next.
"As a matter of fact there is, but could we talk about it elsewhere?"
"I'm in the middle of morning clinic."
"Yes I know, but could you manage, say half an hour for a chat?"
"I don't know, but I will check and see." Re-entering the waiting-room Will sat
in the nearest vacant chair, his elbows resting on his knees and head bent over
trying to reconcile the situation that had arisen and come to a decision. There was
not much point in putting things off, best to get it over with, and then he would
know how to deal with the predicament. Making the necessary arrangements Will
returned to Edward Blake and they descended in the elevator without engaging in
conversation. Walking out into the street and as though previously arranged, both
men ambled into Rumplemeyers restaurant next door, eventually finding a table in
a corner where they would not be overheard.
Rumplemeyers was one of the most well appointed restaurants in Melbourne.
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