condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
remained was for it to perform, and the thought of it caused him to momentarily
cross his fingers.
The study was deserted and Will's anxieties halved, but rose again hearing a
noise coming from the projection room. Opening the door Mr. Byer was obviously
getting set up to do the commentary from there. This was something he had not
anticipated, thinking he would be out in the auditorium during the event.
"You're Brenner?"
"Yes Mr. Byer."
"My wife told me that you would be here in case we had trouble."
"Is everything functioning?"
"Yes, you've done a good job, thank you."
Will backed out into the study and closed the projection room door. He
pictured the temporary connector he had fitted down below in the projector
cabinet. There seemed no way that he would have the opportunity to attach the
recorder. Mr. Byer would probably slip away to see his guests before starting, but
it would be too risky without a genuine reason for being in the room should he get
caught.
He looked at his watch discovering that he still had a good thirty minutes
before the show started. Margaret suddenly appeared, dressed like a model again,
and he felt like a hobo standing next to her. She beckoned him into a small anteroom
that was deserted and closed the door.
"Is everything set up?"
"No, we have a problem." Her face fell.
"What sort of problem?"
"The room's occupied by Mr. Byer. I can't get in to plant the recorder." Her
facial expression changed again, this time to one of panic.
"I've got to have that commentary, you'll have to do something and quick!"
The tone of her voice was demanding and Will didn't like it.
Taking the recorder from his pocket he thrust it towards her. "If you want it
so badly, you do it!" She recoiled, realizing that she'd done the wrong thing.
"I'm sorry Will, the pressure is getting to me again, I know you'll do your best.
Can I be of any help?"
"No you can't, but I'll find a way. Be up at your house afterwards." She
nodded and left the room.
297