condensed master
Will Bonner As he sank into the mattress he could picture them probing Ed's leg for that piece of lead back at the hospital, but he was so tired he soon fell into a deep sleep, safe and secure back in the apartment. It had been over a month since Will left Ed in the hospital foyer that night. Was it possible that he had fallen sick? The following week however, he got the usual phone call. "It's Ed." "What a blow." "What do you mean?" "I was hoping that you'd died." Ed burst into laughter. "You're not going to get rid of me so easy, can we meet soon?" "Why? Have you got another job in the pipeline?" "No, I just want to talk to you." "Based on the last episode, why should I believe you?” "Trust me, I just want to talk to you about the device. I can't discuss it over the telephone." "Where can I meet you." " I know of a place, a small restaurant in Spring Street. You can name the day and time." Will thought for a moment or two, and came to the usual inevitable conclusion, that it would be better to get it over and done with. "Will tomorrow evening be okay?" Will could hear the sigh of relief over the phone. "I'll pick you up in the usual place, say around 7 p.m." "Just one thing Ed." "What's that?" "Bring your own car this time." Ed's laughter was echoing over the line as the conversation ended. What a relief not having to lie to Dorothy. He would be able to tell her where he was going this time. But not about Ed. The next evening Will used up the time travelling to Spring Street to get some answers from Ed about the surveillance. "What happened with Gerry?" "One of them caught up with him, but Gerry's such a big guy, he overpowered him, but not before he caught some blows himself about the head, and a fractured arm. He was able to finally get away. I won't be able to use him anymore, not for 146
The Reluctant Agent A Compelling Story of Espionage a while anyway. The fool never uses his brains, he took off when he was sighted, instead of bluffing it out, especially as he was well away from the building." "What was the meeting about anyway? On second thoughts I don't want to know." By this time the car was passing Parliament House, heading north on Spring Street, and within minutes Ed pulled into an alleyway and parked. The restaurant was small and cozy, Ed obviously knew his way around, and one or two people, who seemed connected with the place, acknowledged him with a nod of the head or wave of the hand as they both got seated at a small table, in the corner, at the back of the room. After ordering, Ed seemed eager to get on with the conversation, which suited Will. "I've been taking a closer look at the listening device, and discover that it has provision for attaching some form of sound recorder. I've searched everywhere, but all the recorders are big reel to reel types, and they would be too cumbersome to take on site. I've spent a lot of time trying to sort out the problem but I'm at a dead-end. It would be the desirable combination to be able to listen and record, but the device must be small. Can you make one up for me - a miniature one?" Will looked at him in amazement. "You've got no idea what you're asking of me, have you? I would need the backing of a small electronic's laboratory at the least, and someone also who has a design background." "I can't have anyone else involved, but I could find you the facility, at a pinch." Both men gazed into space, the discussion seemingly at an end. Ed broke the silence. "I need this extra device badly, no matter what it takes, and you're the only one I can turn to." Will looked him straight in the eye. "Are you telling me that the organization, which I know is worldwide, can't provide you with what you want?" Ed seemed reluctant to answer. He shifted around nervously on his chair, and stuffed his mouth with food to give him some thinking time. It was obvious after awhile he was not going to answer Will's question. "You're not going to answer me are you?" Ed looked even more uncomfortable, he glanced up briefly. "I can't." "Well, if that's the case and you're going to get devious, why should I do anything for you?" "Because you have to." 147
- Page 96 and 97: Will Bonner response, there surely
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Will Bonner<br />
As he sank into the mattress he could picture them probing Ed's leg for that<br />
piece of lead back at the hospital, but he was so tired he soon fell into a deep<br />
sleep, safe and secure back in the apartment.<br />
It had been over a month since Will left Ed in the hospital foyer that night. Was<br />
it possible that he had fallen sick? The following week however, he got the usual<br />
phone call. "It's Ed."<br />
"What a blow."<br />
"What do you mean?"<br />
"I was hoping that you'd died." Ed burst into laughter.<br />
"You're not going to get rid of me so easy, can we meet soon?"<br />
"Why? Have you got another job in the pipeline?"<br />
"No, I just want to talk to you."<br />
"Based on the last episode, why should I believe you?”<br />
"Trust me, I just want to talk to you about the device. I can't discuss it over the<br />
telephone."<br />
"Where can I meet you."<br />
" I know of a place, a small restaurant in Spring Street. You can name the day<br />
and time."<br />
Will thought for a moment or two, and came to the usual inevitable conclusion,<br />
that it would be better to get it over and done with. "Will tomorrow evening be<br />
okay?"<br />
Will could hear the sigh of relief over the phone. "I'll pick you up in the usual<br />
place, say around 7 p.m."<br />
"Just one thing Ed."<br />
"What's that?"<br />
"Bring your own car this time." Ed's laughter was echoing over the line as the<br />
conversation ended. What a relief not having to lie to Dorothy. He would be able<br />
to tell her where he was going this time. But not about Ed.<br />
The next evening Will used up the time travelling to Spring Street to get some<br />
answers from Ed about the surveillance.<br />
"What happened with Gerry?"<br />
"One of them caught up with him, but Gerry's such a big guy, he overpowered<br />
him, but not before he caught some blows himself about the head, and a fractured<br />
arm. He was able to finally get away. I won't be able to use him anymore, not for<br />
146