condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
"These officials are bloody hopeless, they have no guts to deal with a situation
when it arises, but those buggers at the police station will think twice before they
maltreat another British citizen!"
With all that had gone on in the last half-hour, Will didn't have the courage to
tell him that they had not mistreated him. It would only require further explanations
and he was just glad to be out of that jail.
"You stink like a pig Will," Wes remarked "Let's get you back for a shower
and a change of clothes, and you had better go up to the ship's doctor and be
checked out."
"Stop fussing about like an old hen Wes, but I'm in your debt for bailing me
out."
Once back on board he had to encounter one more surprise that he had not
envisaged. Everyone who knew him, had crowded around the entrance to his
cabin. They had obviously heard everything via the galley wireless, which was a
shipboard term for the passage of information by mouth, and like any rumour, it
had quickly circulated around the ship.
Cheers and clapping broke out as he approached with Wes, and they all
parted, giving him sufficient room to enter the cabin. The contrast of his ordeal,
and now the concerns of all these men for his welfare, pushed Will to the edge and
he felt as though he would breakdown, but Wes as usual came to his rescue.
"Thanks fella's," he called out, "shall we leave him alone now, he's had a bit of
trouble and needs a rest." Without hesitation, everyone quickly came by, each with
a word of encouragement, leaving him alone in the cabin with Wes.
"I owe you an explanation Wes."
"No you don't, I know what you've been through. Just take it easy and get
your strength back before we sail."
After a shower and a visit to the ship's dispensary to get his cuts treated, Will
began to feel his old self again.
It was evening mealtime and going to the dinner table he devoured everything
in sight, as if he had been on a hunger strike. During the meal he considered the
aftermath of the recent happenings, and concluded that with the way things had
worked out, there appeared to be no loose ends to worry about in the near future.
Once at sea, he would be out of the local jurisdiction anyway.
The convoy would sail the next day, making the release from jail, a close call.
45