condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
that's been discarded and want me to install them."
"That shouldn't be a problem for you Will."
"That's true, but I want to see that the installation conforms to your colour
coding and for obvious security reasons you don't issue circuit diagrams."
Maxwell sauntered over to one of his test benches and taking a piece of paper
from a tray quickly scribbled the information on it. "Is this what you need?"
Will looked at the sketch. "Yes, everything is there. Thanks Maxwell."
Maxwell furtively glanced into his design bay. "I've got a circuit cooking. I
must get back to it."
"I'll leave you to it then."
Will found himself back out on the street. The encounter had only taken a few
minutes and he had all the information he'd come for. There was only one snag.
The devices at the Minister's house may not have been installed by Maxwell, and
there was no way he could have asked. The thought of cutting into those wires to
bypass the system brought an uncontrollable shiver, and he tried unsuccessfully to
put it out of his mind.
Alec was always early whenever a meeting was arranged. He seemed to
quietly relish the thought of getting back into the fray. One would have assumed
that his spell in prison would have made him cautious.
He was there with Margaret when Will arrived at the Import/Export agency
in the city. His body language seemed to give the conflicting impression that he was
keeping the lid on a turmoil that was going on inside him. The fleeting looks of
expectation in Will's direction however, were a dead giveaway. Will had watched
him before sitting on the edge of his seat, like a sprinter on the starting block. The
ball was in Will's court and he knew that Alec was only interested in bare facts. He
quickly got bored with inconsequential detail.
Margaret had already heard most of what he was about to divulge, but her
concentration was also brought to bear and the two just stared across the room,
waiting in silence for Will to start.
"Everything is about ready to go except for a couple of items." The corners of
Alec's mouth lifted slightly, his interpretation of a smile. "I know my way through
the house to the safe and how to uncover it. It's well hidden." He turned to Alec.
"You'll have to break in via the rear door but it's secluded and covered by
shrubbery. It mustn't be discovered that doors were left open, or Paul will come
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