condensed master

Will Bonner
thin mirror, hanging on one wall was tilted slightly, indicating that it had been
positioned to allow whoever was sitting at the desk to see into the yard - through
the doorway.
Will stepped forward and glancing at himself in the mirror, got the shock of
his life. There were signs of blood everywhere, mixed with dirt, and it had run
down the side of his face from a cut on his head. He didn't feel too bad, but the
sight took him by surprise. Will took a grip of himself, there were so many things
going on in his mind at that moment, but one thing for certain, he must not start
feeling sorry for himself, as he would probably need all the strength he could
muster, for what may lie ahead.
Seated behind a desk with his back to the wall, was a man wearing the same
uniform as the two policemen, but showing a higher rank, possibly an Inspector.
He was a military looking type, sporting a short moustache. One of the policemen
threw Will's wallet on to the desk. It had been taken when he was searched, and
immediately animated conversation took place. The two policemen stood back
and the Inspector opened it, removing the contents for inspection.
The room remained silent while he meticulously looked at each piece of paper,
placing them in a square pattern on his desk. Will could feel the salty sweat running
down his body from the still, hot air in the room, and it was getting into the various
cuts, causing stinging sensations.
The Inspector looked up after completing his inspection of Will's wallet, and
spoke in quite good English. "Your name is Brenner, and you are on a ship in the
convoy?"
"Yes, could you take these handcuffs off?"
"No, not until we have finished talking to you. What were you doing north of
the Queen of Sheba's Wells so late?"
"I was lost."
"Did you know that the area was under curfew?"
"No, I didn't."
The Inspector's last question solved why the area had been so deserted, and
also the reason for the shooting before his capture. They had been warning shots,
and that's why they have brought me in!
"Shots were heard in the vicinity and you were seen running away. What do
you know about that?"
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