Satan's Spy (The Steve Church saga Book 2), André Gallo [ebook reader color screen .txt] 📗

Like at an Inquisition trial, the committee cardinals sat exalted above the accused, in this case in a semicircular arrangement with positions for about twenty people, each with its own microphone, chair, and a contiguous desk surface that they shared.

Looking down at the witnesses, Dorothea Langdon, her long gray hair hanging down below her shoulders, said, “Good morning to all of you. This session will focus on Iran, and we look forward to your report. This morning session will be very informal. Since Thérèse is here, I also conclude that we’ll be discussing HUMINT.” Her thin smile reminded Thérèse of a strict teacher addressing students whom she knows have transgressed—they just haven’t been caught yet.

Both LaFont and Deuel disliked these meetings. Fortunately, this was a closed-door session, which tended to minimize the pontificating of the committee members.

“Good morning Walter,” Fred Werner said. “Thérèse, you’re looking fine.”

“This won’t take long,” Deuel said. “It’s a heads-up to keep you fully apprised of our activities. We briefed the chair and vice chair of Senate Intelligence yesterday. Since, as you guessed correctly, this is a HUMINT issue, I’d like Thérèse to take the lead.”

Looking up from her seat toward the congressional dais, Thérèse began, “Iran is a hard target that is difficult to work against, because, in part, we have no permanent presence there, no station. The lack of diplomatic relations and diplomatic cover has made the existence of an in-country station problematic. However, we do have Iran platforms in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Not the same, of course.”

Langdon, who had not worn make-up since her teens and looked pale under unflattering lights, said, “When we lack the normal reporting from an embassy, that’s the time for the CIA to step in. We now have an interest section there with our own diplomats, and we already have a better perspective.” She looked closely at Fred Werner for a reaction, her minority colleague, as she asked Thérèse, “I understand that you have no one there under State cover. Is that still correct?”

“Yes, I’d like Radu, who heads our Near East Division, to brief you on a new operation.”

Radu wiped his forehead with a large white handkerchief which he put away as he retrieved his worry beads. “It’s indeed a privilege to be here,” he began but felt the stare from his supervisors and cut his fawning short. “We recently recruited an Iranian official who is now back in Tehran. We’re not sure what he’ll have access to, but we just sent in a case officer to see what is possible for exploiting this asset.”

Langdon fairly exploded. “I don’t like this ‘see what’s possible’ approach. See what’s possible? Is this amateur hour? I see you now agree with those who have called the CIA inept. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but you have recruited Iranian officials before and have never felt the need for a permanent case officer on the ground before. You seemed to be able to handle them from your stations bordering on Iran.”

Thérèse spoke up. “This is a highly placed individual with direct access to al Quds activities. We know what’s possible, to borrow Mr. Radu’s inaccurate phrase. This is not a trial run. We have a good understanding of the operational environment in Iran. The case officer involved has experience and has proven his mettle in the past. We are confident that he understands the operational environment as well and will be able to run this operation securely. Of course, none of our operations are without risk. He’s been successful in making the initial contact, and we are going over the reporting as we speak. It looks very promising.”

Fred Warner stood up in his standard dark suit and blue tie. “That’s good news, and I’m happy to learn of the progress. Will this new source be able to fill in the blanks on Iran’s nuclear program?”

“We have had only one meeting with him, but we’re optimistic. He is not involved in the nuclear program directly, but his seniority puts him in touch with people who are in or associated with the nuclear program.”

“And what is the case officer’s cover exactly?” Langdon asked.

“He’s a businessman,” Thérèse replied.

“American businessmen are not permitted to deal with Iran, even less to travel there for business.”

“That’s correct. He’s carrying third country documentation.”

“Given that our relations with Iran are warming up, and we have a dialogue. Is this really necessary?” Langdon asked.

Deuel took the baton from LaFont. “Unless you tell us that we are no longer responsible to collect otherwise unobtainable information, yes, the operation is necessary.”

“It’s a good question, Dorothea, but Walter is right,” Warner said. “This operation is necessary. Iran will not tell us what we need to know regardless of the temperature of the dialogue.”

“We have promised resettlement in the U.S. to this asset, and we’ll be using one of our immigration slots when the time comes,” Deuel said.

“What can you tell us about other progress on the HUMINT front?” Langdon asked.

Thérèse took the lead again. “We have a number of developing cases in several countries. Recruiting a human agent is a time-consuming enterprise. Convincing people to steal information from their government, after all, is an unnatural act. We have promising contacts with twenty-five Iranians, internationally. Of these, perhaps twelve are in an advanced developmental stage.”

“Last time, you said that you had ten in a so-called advanced stage,” Langdon said, referring to her notes.

“Yes, and now we have two more. Of course, these are not necessarily from the same batch. Some drop out because they prove not to have the information we seek, or they prove to be unrecruitable.”

“Because of the agency’s poor track record in the days leading to the Iraq War,” Langdon said, “it’s more important than ever that intelligence be timely and accurate and relevant in order for our country’s foreign policy to