condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
be too difficult. We'll have to forget that."
"Could I rely on you not to panic if things turn bad?"
"Don't treat me like a rookie Will, it doesn't become you."
"I'm sorry Margaret, you're no doubt an expert, but there's no way I could
arrange to get you in. Adam maybe, but not you."
"Leave that up to me, I'll find a way."
Will had talked enough. Basically, he knew what had to be done but he didn't
want any part of it. The complexities worried him, even simple solutions had the
habit of backfiring. He was rejecting the thought of being involved and just wanted
to get out into the fresh air and back home. Walking towards the door he was
aware of the tone in his voice, abrupt and callous. "I'm going home." Margaret
followed him down the stairs and across to his car.
"You're angry with me Will?"
"No, just with myself, you're not to blame."
"Is there something I can do?"
"No, it rests with me. I always get to the stage where I start thinking that this
time things will go drastically wrong."
Margaret moved closer to the car and bent down to look through the open
window. "I won't let that happen Will. Can I pick you up in Vermont tomorrow
evening at 7 o'clock?"
Will nodded and drove away, his mind in a turmoil. By the time he arrived
home it would be bedtime, thank heavens. His ability as a conversationalist would
have had a zero rating.
It was easy to qualify having to return to the residence in Toorak. The mere
fact that Mrs. Byer had expressed her desire to have the equipment in excellent
working order was enough for the manager. "Do whatever is necessary to see that
everything goes smoothly," he had said.
"It might be a good idea if I stayed during the evening, just in case."
"Whatever it takes. It would be embarrassing if the equipment faulted, the
other managers would never let me forget it."
Arriving early, he was let into the house by one of the cleaning women. He
could hear the vacuum cleaner start up as he made his own way to the study. The
lady of the house would be out for most of the morning he had been informed. He
couldn't believe his luck, but his activities would nevertheless still have to be
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