condensed master

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."
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