condensed master
Will Bonner Don looked at it. "It's a Melbourne number, it should be easy. I know just the person wiv the "know how" to do it. I fink I can get him now - actually he's in the office down below." Will didn't have long to wait before Don thrust a piece of paper in his hand as he passed. It had an address in Donvale written on it. "Thanks Don, I owe you one." "Don't fink anyfink of it." During the course of the day Will applied for a sick day off on Monday. There was never any problem getting a day off in a government establishment that was officially due. It was Friday, giving him the weekend to sort himself out. On Saturday Will bought a street guide, and during the quiet of Sunday morning drove out to Donvale and located the address. He remained in his car some distance away and observed, not wanting to be recognized. What appeared to be an office, with the front window partially painted, to prevent anyone from looking directly inside, was nestled amongst a small group of rural type shops. The name painted in the centre of the white section matched the address on the envelope. There was plenty of places he could park on Monday out of sight, but still close to the office. If it was just somewhere to take phone calls Will would have wasted his time, but he had to take the chance. On Monday morning Dorothy left as usual around 8 o'clock to catch a train into the city, and Will wasted no time in getting underway with the thought that Ed would more than likely be either at the address or perhaps collecting messages during the early part of the morning. As he drove past the shop he couldn't believe his eyes. There was Ed's car parked outside! Will's heart started pounding, and after parking, he contemplated sitting for awhile to gain his composure, but the thought of missing Ed galvanized him into action. The car was still there thank heavens! Hesitating for a second, Will pushed open the front door. The office was of medium size with a large old-fashioned desk in the centre of the room and sundry upright chairs placed around in no particular order. A corridor leading to the rear and a small telephone exchange console, indicated that there could be other offices in the building. Seated at the console, engaged in conversation on the telephone, was an old man dressed in a khaki shirt with rolled up sleeves and braces, which were holding up a pair of well worn, heavy duty, belted trousers. His hair was completely grey, and his face and arms, tanned and wrinkled. He placed the telephone back on it's 158
The Reluctant Agent A Compelling Story of Espionage cradle and turned around. He must be 70 years of age Will guessed, probably more, and he could see right away that he had a pleasant, easy-going manner. "How can I help you?” "I've called to see Ed Blake." Will spoke in no more than a loud whisper, hoping not to be heard if Ed was in one of the back rooms. The man stepped forward his hand cupping his right ear. "Did you say Ed Blake?" "Yes." Will waited, but he didn't ask for his name, and going back to the console rang a number and turning his head smiled at Will. "There's someone in the office to see you Ed," and turning his head to Will again, continued. "Go down the corridor, it's the door at the end marked "Blake Security Consultants." One thing was certain, Ed had told him the truth when he said that the person taking messages was not part of the organization, the old man would have been much more cautious otherwise. Will knocked sharply on the door several times and Ed's muffled voice could just be distinguished. "Come in." Will pushed the door open wide to see Ed sitting at a desk no more than ten feet away from him. His hands appeared to be covered by the morning newspaper which was opened out flat on the surface of the desk. A look of disbelief came over his face and those eyes were popping out again. "You bloody fool! What are you doing here?" He was visibly shaken. This was just the effect Will wanted. Will entered the room and closed the door behind him and as he turned Ed was removing the newspaper to reveal a small pistol clutched in his right hand. "You could have got yourself killed! What are you doing here, and how did you find me?" Will walked over to the desk and placing his hands on it for support leaned over to make his point. "I've come to show you how vulnerable you are. If I wanted to do you harm I wouldn't go to the front desk and ask for you, would I?" Ed swallowed hard, not knowing what was coming next. "It's no good asking how I found you, because no matter where you are, I'll be able to find you. That's the point I want to make. Having that gun at the ready indicates that you're involved with dangerous people. I'm glad I came." Ed opened the drawer in the desk and putting the gun away looked up at Will, 159
- Page 108 and 109: Will Bonner Will was beginning to l
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- Page 136 and 137: Will Bonner "The least you know the
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- Page 140 and 141: Will Bonner Ed was waiting on Toora
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- Page 146 and 147: Will Bonner As he sank into the mat
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- Page 150 and 151: Will Bonner Will sat in the rear of
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- Page 168 and 169: Will Bonner The clerk tore a number
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The Reluctant Agent<br />
A Compelling Story of Espionage<br />
cradle and turned around. He must be 70 years of age Will guessed, probably<br />
more, and he could see right away that he had a pleasant, easy-going manner.<br />
"How can I help you?”<br />
"I've called to see Ed Blake." Will spoke in no more than a loud whisper,<br />
hoping not to be heard if Ed was in one of the back rooms. The man stepped<br />
forward his hand cupping his right ear.<br />
"Did you say Ed Blake?"<br />
"Yes."<br />
Will waited, but he didn't ask for his name, and going back to the console rang<br />
a number and turning his head smiled at Will. "There's someone in the office to see<br />
you Ed," and turning his head to Will again, continued. "Go down the corridor, it's<br />
the door at the end marked "Blake Security Consultants."<br />
One thing was certain, Ed had told him the truth when he said that the person<br />
taking messages was not part of the organization, the old man would have been<br />
much more cautious otherwise. Will knocked sharply on the door several times<br />
and Ed's muffled voice could just be distinguished. "Come in." Will pushed the<br />
door open wide to see Ed sitting at a desk no more than ten feet away from him.<br />
His hands appeared to be covered by the morning newspaper which was opened<br />
out flat on the surface of the desk.<br />
A look of disbelief came over his face and those eyes were popping out again.<br />
"You bloody fool! What are you doing here?" He was visibly shaken. This was just<br />
the effect Will wanted.<br />
Will entered the room and closed the door behind him and as he turned Ed<br />
was removing the newspaper to reveal a small pistol clutched in his right hand.<br />
"You could have got yourself killed! What are you doing here, and how did you<br />
find me?"<br />
Will walked over to the desk and placing his hands on it for support leaned<br />
over to make his point. "I've come to show you how vulnerable you are. If I<br />
wanted to do you harm I wouldn't go to the front desk and ask for you, would I?"<br />
Ed swallowed hard, not knowing what was coming next. "It's no good asking how<br />
I found you, because no matter where you are, I'll be able to find you. That's the<br />
point I want to make. Having that gun at the ready indicates that you're involved<br />
with dangerous people. I'm glad I came."<br />
Ed opened the drawer in the desk and putting the gun away looked up at Will,<br />
159
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