Informants: ... the Most Interesting Question Surrounding Espionage Isn't "What" But "Who"‪.‬

TOD HOFFMAN is a former intelligence officer. His latest book is Homicide: Life on the Screen (ECW Press). He is currently at work on a book about John le Carre. HE looked most distinguished in his regulation dark blue suit and muted red - but still undeniably power - tie. He might have been there to sell insurance, but we knew he wasn't. He strode to the front of the windowless classroom noiselessly; what you could imagine as stealthily, if you wished. The television and VCR were already set up beside the lectern. He inserted a cassette and, on his discreet nod, the lights were dimmed. With a click and a whir, the tape began playing. It was black-and-white and grainy, like the playback of a convenience store's video surveillance camera, except that the angle of focus was extremely narrow. The sound was muffled beyond understanding.