condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
with Margaret.
Arriving at the company workshops early, it was his intention to be at
Margaret's office around 9 a.m. Leaving his service vehicle in the company garage
around 8.45 a.m. he took the short walk to the top of Collins Street.
The office was easy to find and he waited until 9.10 a.m. anticipating that by
then everyone would have arrived. Stepping into the outer office he was striving
to come up with an approach because he didn't know Margaret's surname. It was
given to him on a platter.
The girl sitting at the reception desk was on the phone but next to her was a
notice which read "Colonial Import/Export Agency, Margaret Collins Proprietor."
The girl put down the phone but before she had time to speak the door behind her
opened and Margaret stepped out.
For the very first time he witnessed a rare reaction. She looked completely
shocked, and for a second or two was obviously floundering with what to do next.
Turning on her heel she disappeared back into her office.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I'd like to see Margaret Collins if it's convenient."
"Have you an appointment?"
"No, but if you let her know I'm here I think she'll see me. I won't take up
much of her time."
She pressed the buzzer and picked up the phone. "Who shall I say is calling?"
"Will Brenner."
Will looked around whilst he was waiting. The office was extremely well
appointed and his mind once again wandered into the realms of working for the
organization. All he had to do was suggest to her that he could act as her technical
manager, or similar title, and she would jump at the chance. He had gone over this
line of thinking a dozen times before and always came to the same conclusion. The
door opened, breaking his line of thought.
Margaret was standing there now completely composed. She was dressed in
business attire, a tailored blue jacket with lapel's and knee high skirt of the same
material. A white blouse under the jacket terminated in ruffles around her neck.
For a moment he was taken off guard. This looked an entirely different woman that
he had become used to meeting.
She beckoned him into her office and then into one behind that, which was as
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