As the door to the apartment closed, he was perilously aware of the game he was playing...six weeks ago he'd been in his home country, not knowing what his next assignment held...
***
"Good morning director," he said as he entered the office of the most secretive person in the country.
"Good morning Jacobsen," was the reply. "As I'm a bit pressed for time I'll fill you in on this next assignment quickly..."
The director had outlined the goal...intelligence gathering, but not a surveillance assignment.
"This will be a honey trap," he said, "and you're the bait..."
"Who's my subject?" Jacobsen had asked.
"A key player in UMC..." he replied. "Antony Mortlock. 35, single, lives in an apartment in the mid city to allow him to indulge his preferences. You will be set up in your own apartment in town, wired for sound and video. Get him to your place, seduce him and have sex with him on a regular basis. When the relationship is established, you will begin to blackmail him."
He sat stunned for a moment or two...a honey trap, but with another man...he was stunned.
"I'm not gay, sir," said Jacobsen quietly.
"I'm well aware of that Agent Jacobsen. I also know that you've been trained to know that your own sexuality has little to do with the assignment. Your country needs you, and it needs you to be interested in men. You will do this...but not unprepared. Report to level 5 in an hour; here are your orders. As always, please incinerate the folder once you have memorised the content."
The director handed a manila folder to Jacobsen, sealed and labelled "Eyes Only". Jacobsen stood, acknowledged the director and headed to his office to research the file.
***
As he waited for his visitor he relived those first moments in his office. The file gave some detail, though not too much. There was a picture of a man with regular features -- at least he wasn't bad to look at. There was some detail about his life, and a reminder of the country's attitude to homosexuality -- if he was caught, he was likely to wind up with a knife under his ribs.
The hour rolled by then he reported to level 5 -- he'd never been down here and didn't have any idea what he'd find. As he exited the elevator, he entered a stylishly decorated reception room. Not knowing what to expect, he remained standing. After a moment or two a tidily dressed young man came into the room. "Agent Jacobsen?" he asked
"Yes," Jacobsen replied.
"I'm Specialist Jason Goldberg, I'll be assisting you with preparation for your first meeting with Mortlock. Follow me please."
He turned and walked down the corridor; Jacobsen followed quietly.
***
Jacobsen heard footsteps approaching the door of his flat. Involuntarily he glanced up to one of the cameras...
***
Goldberg led you into a room in what appeared to be a hotel suite. They walked into the living area and he directed Jacobsen to take a seat at the dining table. Coffee organised Goldberg began outlining more information -- unverifiable, but still useful -- about Mortlock, his preferences, his career thus far with UMC and reasons for his importance to the organisation.
"On a personal level, he values intimacy. Our reports are that he is a tender lover, not rough, not forceful. He likes equality in bed, and though he tends to take the male role within the couple he does so in a gentle manner. Any questions so far?"
"None," Jacobsen replied.
"Good. Now, time for some practical training. Please move over to the sofa," Goldberg requested -- though in the tone of one who was used to being obeyed.
***
"Who is it?" Jacobsen asked in a firm voice.
"Antony," came the reply, "May I come in?"
Jacobsen moved to open the door.