condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
Billy turned, he had some canned food in his hand. His whole body jumped
with fright and the can dropped to the floor rolling under the curtain that covered
the shelves beneath the kitchen sink. He then dived towards the drawer, yanking
it open.
Will stood up with his back to the door and drew the gun, pointing it at arm's
length at Billy's back. "Is this what you're looking for, Billy Boyd?"
Billy whirled around, this time with a look of despair on his face, it looked as
though the end of his world had arrived. He stood with his hands raised and Will
gestured with the revolver for him to sit on the bed.
"How did you find out where I lived so soon?" Will didn't answer. "You must
be from Central Intelligence, an experienced operator."
Will lowered the revolver, walked over to the drawer and dropped it inside.
Billy watched as he emptied his pocket of bullets. He still had his hands in the air,
a look of amazement on his face. "No, I'm not from Central Intelligence, you can
drop your hands now Billy."
Billy stuttered. "The gun wasn't loaded."
"I didn't want to make a mistake and shoot you. You wouldn't have liked it."
"No! What do you want?"
"I've visited you to demonstrate that I can get to you anytime I want. You're
a courier with the Australian Embassy." Billy nodded. "I know all about you and
I can use the information against you if I want, but that should not be necessary,
should it?" A painful look appeared on Billy's face.
"What are you trying to say?"
"You'll get no phone calls from me to deliver information. The organization will
keep the tapes to blackmail me. I won't do it."
"But those are my instructions, I can't change them. I only pass on information,
what do you want from me?"
"It's simple. I can't refuse to spy for the organization but I can refuse to do
things that jeopardize my future, so when I have information to pass on, no matter
how small, it will be to you personally by word of mouth. Nothing written down
or delivered by phone, the number you've given me will only be used to say that
I want to see you. You will then get in touch to arrange a meeting."
Billy's face took on the pained look again. "They won't go for it. It's not the
way they wanted it."
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