condensed master
Will Bonner confined to his work, in case questions were asked. Opening up all the equipment drawers and cupboards he set up his test gear in readiness to get started. It would only take fifteen minutes or so, thirty at the most to run the tests, assuming no problems. Everything had to look normal, so it was essential that he left after that time span. It was his policy always to leave doors open in the areas where he was working, and he could faintly hear the hum of the vacuum way over on the other side of the house. Now was the time to find the tapes and slides. The conditions could not be better, but that did not prevent a feeling of anxiety from creeping over him. A quick look in all the cupboards and drawers revealed nothing, and the thought of having to look elsewhere in the house temporarily pressed his panic button. The fact that time was slipping by was ever present, but he kept telling himself over and over again to slow down, and start to think logically. These were private tapes taken by a business man, they've got to be around here somewhere! He scanned the whole room again to check that he had not missed a drawer or cupboard and the only place left was the projection room. It was natural to only think in terms of film in such a room - but just maybe? The door opened outwards. Had it been otherwise, it would have been impossible to get inside, the room was so small. Only enough space for two men to stand, one on each side of the projector, which was mounted on a bench top with drawers below. No room existed for cupboards on the walls. The two top drawers contained everything he was looking for and his heart rate doubled. Even though he had a perfect right to be in there, his ulterior motive compelled him to go back to the study door to listen for activity in the near vicinity. But there was nothing. Returning with a notepad he jotted down the inscriptions on the individual pieces, and after a cursory glance around at the projection equipment, he left and closed the door behind him. Switching on the test tapes he filled the study and auditorium with music and sat down to wait for his pulse rate to return to normal. After the customary time period had elapsed, Will packed up his gear, and finding the cleaning lady, left a message to the effect that he would call again tomorrow. Concentrating on his other work during the course of the day proved to be exasperating, invariably leading him into error and costing him valuable time. When 290
The Reluctant Agent A Compelling Story of Espionage he did eventually arrive home there was precious time left before his meeting with Margaret. Fortunately, he had already told Dorothy that the next few days were going to be chaotic and the reasons why, but not the full story of course. Margaret was walking up and down in front of the General Store as he approached out of breath from running up the hill. "Thank heavens you've arrived, I was beginning to think the worst!" "I've had such a bad day, I got home late." They both got into the car. "You're not in trouble with regard to getting the information are you?" "No, that was easy." Will passed her the pad with the tape and slide inventory written on it. She breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Would you mind driving while I read it?" During the drive to the city her conversation was spirited, especially after she had read the notes. She had obviously been planning and organizing for the forthcoming event and it was still theory to her, for Will it was different. He was already in the thick of it, waiting for the first thing to go wrong! "Was it difficult finding the tapes?" "It's always difficult, but the worst is to come." "Oh! and when will that be?" "When all those politicians assemble. Security will be everywhere." "You've managed to arrange to be there on the night then?" "Yes." "That's marvellous! I suppose you have your own ideas about how we should proceed?" "Yes, but I'll wait until I've heard what you've come up with first, before I say anything. Incidentally, do your counterparts in Sydney know what's going on?" "No, and there's only you and I that know all the details. Tony has helped me with certain facets and Adam only the procurement of equipment." Tony and Adam were waiting at the door when they arrived, and everyone retired to the seclusion of the inner office. Adam, as enthusiastic as ever, was opening up a small suitcase that he had been carrying, eager to display it's contents. Will picked up the high speed dubber turning it over to inspect it. "This is excellent, a fine piece of equipment, exactly what's required, you're to be commended." Adam's face lit up and after a minute or two of technical discussion his job was finished and he left. 291
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The Reluctant Agent<br />
A Compelling Story of Espionage<br />
he did eventually arrive home there was precious time left before his meeting with<br />
Margaret. Fortunately, he had already told Dorothy that the next few days were<br />
going to be chaotic and the reasons why, but not the full story of course.<br />
Margaret was walking up and down in front of the General Store as he<br />
approached out of breath from running up the hill. "Thank heavens you've arrived,<br />
I was beginning to think the worst!"<br />
"I've had such a bad day, I got home late." They both got into the car.<br />
"You're not in trouble with regard to getting the information are you?"<br />
"No, that was easy." Will passed her the pad with the tape and slide inventory<br />
written on it. She breathed an audible sigh of relief.<br />
"Would you mind driving while I read it?"<br />
During the drive to the city her conversation was spirited, especially after she<br />
had read the notes. She had obviously been planning and organizing for the<br />
forthcoming event and it was still theory to her, for Will it was different. He was<br />
already in the thick of it, waiting for the first thing to go wrong!<br />
"Was it difficult finding the tapes?"<br />
"It's always difficult, but the worst is to come."<br />
"Oh! and when will that be?"<br />
"When all those politicians assemble. Security will be everywhere."<br />
"You've managed to arrange to be there on the night then?"<br />
"Yes."<br />
"That's marvellous! I suppose you have your own ideas about how we should<br />
proceed?"<br />
"Yes, but I'll wait until I've heard what you've come up with first, before I say<br />
anything. Incidentally, do your counterparts in Sydney know what's going on?"<br />
"No, and there's only you and I that know all the details. Tony has helped me<br />
with certain facets and Adam only the procurement of equipment."<br />
Tony and Adam were waiting at the door when they arrived, and everyone<br />
retired to the seclusion of the inner office. Adam, as enthusiastic as ever, was<br />
opening up a small suitcase that he had been carrying, eager to display it's<br />
contents. Will picked up the high speed dubber turning it over to inspect it.<br />
"This is excellent, a fine piece of equipment, exactly what's required, you're to<br />
be commended." Adam's face lit up and after a minute or two of technical<br />
discussion his job was finished and he left.<br />
291
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