condensed master

Will Bonner
Will had not heard from Bart since Ed was killed, but it was too naive to
assume that the Yugoslavs had given up their individual vendettas. They would be
passed down from one family member to another. The organization was still
refraining from putting any surveillance on them, much to Will's relief. Instead of
the narrow confines of the work during the early days associated with Ed, their
scope of subjects had gradually broadened out as the aftermath of World War 2
receded into the past.
Industrial espionage was now becoming more prevalent amongst some major
companies that were vying for government contracts, or just stealing the
technology, to circumvent the cost involved in developing similar products. All
companies had to go through the usual bureaucratic vetting channels to enable
them to tender, consequently, it was easy for Margaret to get their particulars on
to her files, and start looking into their activities. Where big money was at stake,
the larger companies would hire individuals to do their spying, and gradually, they
were becoming known to the organization.
Arranging his schedule for the day turned up a service call from Margaret. It
was duly marked "last call" Will would never get used to these unexpected
contacts, and his stomach muscles tightened, wondering what next lay in store for
him.
It had been teeming down with rain for most of the day as he drove up the
steep incline to Margaret's house. Water was cascading down the driveway,
splashing up on to the windshield as the car wheels dropped intermittently into the
ruts and potholes. Her chevrolet was parked in it's usual place, but a second car
which he didn't recognize was pulled across the front of the building. His heart
skipped a beat at the thought of meeting someone new, it was probably
coincidental that she had a visitor there.
Quickly running to the foot of the stairway to get out of the rain he stood for
a moment to catch his breath, and at the same time, try to quell the apprehension
that was rising inside. You're probably reading too much into the situation, he was
telling himself, but as if to counter the thought, a feeling of cautious anticipation was
creeping over him as he ascended the second flight leading to the living-room
door. Hesitating, he prepared to knock, but before he could do so it opened, and
Margaret greeted him.
"I thought it would be you Will, come in."
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