this investigation. You have another month, at the most,
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before those peacocks on the Hill start screaming for hearings, and when that happens, they’ll make the people in my profession look like a bunch of crazed killers.”
“Admiral, I don’t give a crap about what the politicians want.”
McMahon’s voice grew louder. “I’m trying to find out who in the hell is behind these murders. We have a very strong reason to believe the assassins are American commandos. General Heaney, will you back me up on this?”
“He’s telling the truth, Bob.” Kennedy placed a hand on her hip.
“Admiral, why did Commander Coleman ask for an early discharge?”
“Is this conversation being taped?”
“No,” answered McMahon.
“I’ll tell you why, but this is completely off-the-record. If this thing turns into a circus trial, I’ll deny I ever said it.”
“It’s off-the-record, sir,” said Kennedy. McMahon looked up at Kennedy and mouthed the word no. Kennedy shushed him with a wave of her hand.
“Are you familiar with the objective of Operation Snatch Back?” They answered yes and Devoe continued, “We sent in a SEAL team. Coleman was the commander. He took half the team and went in first. They were inserted about two miles out from the camp, and they moved in and set up perimeter positions. They were to take out the sentries and provide cover for the second group that was to be vertically inserted by helicopter into the camp. The second group’s responsibility was to take the terrorists alive if possible.
“Coleman moved into position and then ordered the second group in. The choppers came in low and quiet. Right before they reached the camp, Coleman’s men took out the sentries as planned. The Black Hawk stopped above the camp, and before the second group could rappel to the ground, the chopper was blown out of the sky by a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades. “Eight men and the two pilots, just like that …. Coleman and his team were extracted, and during their debriefing, every one of them stated that they thought the Libyans were waiting for them. They said everything looked good, and then within the blink of an eye a dozen rag heads appeared with RPGS.
Coleman took it harder than the rest of us because he ordered the second team in …
he blamed himself for their deaths. “We weren’t convinced the mission had been blown until several weeks later when I received word that the FBI had discovered a leak. I told
Coleman the news, thinking it would help him put the blame elsewhere, but it didn’t work.
He wanted to know where the leak came from, and I told him I didn’t know. A couple weeks later he came to me and said he wanted out. I asked why, and he said he’d lost
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faith. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen. Scott was a good officer. He’d been a SEAL for almost fifteen years. I figured he’d given more than enough to the Navy, so I got him the early discharge.”
“Admiral, who told you that the FBI found a leak?” asked McMahon. “I would rather not say.”
“Did this person say where the leak came from?”
“They said it was a prominent politician.”
“Did they tell you who that politician was?”
“No.”
“Did you tell Commander Coleman that the leak came from a politician?”
There was a moment of silence, then the admiral answered, “Yes.”
McMahon and Kennedy looked at each other. Both were thinking the same thing.
McMahon looked back at the phone. “How did Coleman react to the information?”
“Like all of us did. He was pissed, but, gentlemen, I can assure you Commander
Coleman is not your man.” Kennedy raised her eyebrows in a doubtful manner and
McMahon said, “Admiral, that’s all the questions we have for now. I’m going to ask that you not tell anyone about our conversation, especially Mr. Coleman. I promise that either myself or General Heaney will keep you informed about any part of the investigation that may involve you. General Heaney, we have a meeting with Director Roach that should last an hour or so. Could you meet Irene and me in my office around ten A.M.?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, gentlemen.” McMahon hit the speaker button and disconnected the line.
He looked up at Kennedy, who was still standing, and asked, “How many prominent politicians would have known about Operation Snatch Back beforehand?” Kennedy shrugged her shoulders. “The way those guys gossip, you can never be sure, but according to law, the President and a ranking member of the Senate Intelligence
Committee must be informed before we run a covert operation.”
“Who were the two ranking members of the Senate Intelligence Committee a year and a half ago?”
“Erik Olson and Daniel Fitzgerald.”
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