condensed master
Will Bonner Mr. Byer was still in the projection room, and the available time left to plant the recorder was getting critical. Some of the politicians were already seated in the auditorium. He stood gripping the mini recorder in his pocket so tightly, that he had to force himself to relax, thinking the pressure could crack the case. The loud speaker sprang to life. It was Mr. Byer testing the microphone in preparation for starting the commentary. Only five minutes remained and he had no other choice but to enact a last resort. Opening one of the equipment drawers he took out his wire cutters and cut the supply to the amplifier in the projection room. Mr. Byer's voice fell dead in the middle of his sentence. He could hear him frantically tapping the microphone to try and get it started again. Quickly retiring back to the small ante-room he waited for the panic stations to begin and he didn't have to wait long. Raised voices could be heard in the corridor outside, calling out his name. Stepping out, the first person he saw was Margaret. "Thank God you're here Will, the sound has gone dead in the auditorium and everybody's getting frantic!" Will stood for a second savouring the moment and then couldn't help but let a broad grin appear on his face. "Well, fancy that happening!" Margaret's mouth fell open. "You crafty devil, you've engineered it!" Will headed for the projection room leaving her with a look of amazement on her face. Mr. Byer was frantically pulling and pushing every plug in sight. "What's wrong Brenner, everything's gone dead!" "Might I suggest that you go and see your guests in the auditorium and tell them that you're nearly ready to start. By the time you've done that I'll probably have things fixed." The instant he had left the room Will dropped to his knees and attached the recorder, switching it on manually, there would be no need for the transmitter. He was back in the study splicing the cut wires when Mr. Byer returned. "Is the news good or bad?" "It's all good Mr. Byer. I've effected a temporary repair, but after you've finished in the projection room later, I'll have to do a permanent job before I leave." This would give him an excuse for being there later, to retrieve the recorder. 298
The Reluctant Agent A Compelling Story of Espionage With a look of relief on his face Mr Byer rushed back into the projection room. The auditorium doors closed and the commentary started. Walking back to the dining-room area Will stood just inside the doorway, watching as the caterer's were putting the final touches to the buffet. Margaret was bending over one of the tables. She looked across the room at Will, an enquiring look on her face. He nodded once and Margaret removed a small handkerchief from her jacket and proceeded to mop her brow with it, acting out a motion of relief. It was now only a matter of waiting until he could pick up the recorder later. During the drive back to Margaret's place he had plenty of time to reflect on the happenings of the last few days. Apart from the excitement, prior to the show getting started that evening, everything else had gone without incident. But what could arise now that the information had been gathered? If ever it was leaked out and traced back to him, he would be in severe trouble, so would Margaret, consequently, she would have to handle the information with kid gloves. This line of thinking sent a shiver down his spine. She had arrived back and changed into more casual clothes. Will passed over the recorder. "It was a close call tonight Will." "It's always a close call. Every minute is a close call when you're waiting for something adverse to happen." "I know that only too well now." "You'll keep a tight rein on that information won't you? I don't want to find myself in trouble later on." "I can assure you that won't happen, I wouldn't want to be implicated either." "Now that it's over and you've got what you want, perhaps you can leave me alone for awhile." "It all depends, but I won't bother you unless it's urgent." Will knew that he could now rely on her and he left it at that. At 2 a.m. he crept quietly into the house via the back kitchen door, stopping by to see Mark and Louise before going to bed. He looked down at them fast asleep. The whole weight of what he was doing became painfully evident. He knew that when the organization were placing demands, they were not getting his full attention. Totally exhausted mentally, he slipped into bed hoping beyond all his dreams 299
- Page 248 and 249: Will Bonner Tensions rose another n
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Will Bonner<br />
Mr. Byer was still in the projection room, and the available time left to plant<br />
the recorder was getting critical. Some of the politicians were already seated in the<br />
auditorium. He stood gripping the mini recorder in his pocket so tightly, that he had<br />
to force himself to relax, thinking the pressure could crack the case. The loud<br />
speaker sprang to life. It was Mr. Byer testing the microphone in preparation for<br />
starting the commentary. Only five minutes remained and he had no other choice<br />
but to enact a last resort.<br />
Opening one of the equipment drawers he took out his wire cutters and cut the<br />
supply to the amplifier in the projection room. Mr. Byer's voice fell dead in the<br />
middle of his sentence. He could hear him frantically tapping the microphone to try<br />
and get it started again.<br />
Quickly retiring back to the small ante-room he waited for the panic stations<br />
to begin and he didn't have to wait long. Raised voices could be heard in the<br />
corridor outside, calling out his name. Stepping out, the first person he saw was<br />
Margaret.<br />
"Thank God you're here Will, the sound has gone dead in the auditorium and<br />
everybody's getting frantic!"<br />
Will stood for a second savouring the moment and then couldn't help but let<br />
a broad grin appear on his face. "Well, fancy that happening!"<br />
Margaret's mouth fell open. "You crafty devil, you've engineered it!"<br />
Will headed for the projection room leaving her with a look of amazement on<br />
her face. Mr. Byer was frantically pulling and pushing every plug in sight.<br />
"What's wrong Brenner, everything's gone dead!"<br />
"Might I suggest that you go and see your guests in the auditorium and tell them<br />
that you're nearly ready to start. By the time you've done that I'll probably have<br />
things fixed."<br />
The instant he had left the room Will dropped to his knees and attached the<br />
recorder, switching it on manually, there would be no need for the transmitter. He<br />
was back in the study splicing the cut wires when Mr. Byer returned. "Is the news<br />
good or bad?"<br />
"It's all good Mr. Byer. I've effected a temporary repair, but after you've<br />
finished in the projection room later, I'll have to do a permanent job before I<br />
leave." This would give him an excuse for being there later, to retrieve the<br />
recorder.<br />
298