condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
Picking up the phone Ed's voice came over loud and clear as though he was in the
same room. "Is it alright to talk Will, are you on your own?"
"No, but tell me what you want."
"I've got the device. When can you look at it?"
"Well, the work had better not be left, and it will have to be this weekend. I'm
committed for Saturday, but I could meet you here on Sunday morning, say
around 10 a.m." Will held the earpiece close to his ear as Ed's voice replied.
"I understand, you've got someone in the room with you. See you Sunday at
10 a.m. then."
He would also have to start lying to Dorothy and he didn't feel too good about
it. Sooner or later, if he was not careful, he would get caught.
A few minutes before 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, Will left the elevator and
stepped into the corridor. There was no one waiting at the clinic door, but as he
started walking, a noise from behind startled him and he pivoted around to find Ed
approaching, carrying a long suitcase. He had obviously been waiting at the other
end of the corridor.
The two men entered the deserted clinic without a word. Placing the suitcase
on the table in the reception Ed snapped open the latches and lifted the lid. Inside
was a second professional looking case, with studded, aluminium, strengthening
pieces along the edges, and on the corners. He had hidden it from view inside the
other suitcase for obvious reasons.
Instinctively locking the door, Will suggested they move to a treatment booth
with a window that overlooked the busy intersection below. Ed opened the second
case, revealing several engineered parts, each positioned in their own shaped
velvet compartment. "I know how to put it together, but we can't get it to work.
All the plugs fit and the batteries check out, but not a squeak."
It was a fine piece of engineering, resembling a small telescope on a tripod,
with integral mechanical and electronic controls. Within a few minutes it was
assembled and Ed turned to Will. "It's all yours now Will," and stood back, an
expectant look on his face.
"Take your jacket off Ed, you'll find some paint and brushes in a locker inside
the office. Place the paint cans around on the tables and look like a workman in
case someone comes. We're supposed to be doing some finishing work, apart
from that leave me alone, until I call you. I have to give the job my undivided
137