Corps and went to work for Naval Intelligence back in Washington. Several years later, when the CIA was formed, I was hired and sent to work at our Paris embassy. I spent my first fifteen years in Europe and then was brought back to Langley, where I became kind of a roving analyst on Russo-European intelligence issues. During my time at Langley, I
was also part of a special group that planned covert operations.” Jackson took several deep puffs. “I think I might have some information that could help you, but before I go any further, I’d like to ask a few questions.” Michael nodded his head and said, “Shoot.”
“Where did you hear that there is a second group responsible for the murders of Olson and Turnquist?”
“I really can’t say.”
“You mean you won’t.” Jackson exhaled a puff of smoke and kept his eyes fixed on
Michael’s. “Why are you talking to me and not the FBI?”
“The FBI has this information. I’d like to do a little searching on my own.” Augie thought about the answer over several puffs of his pipe and then asked, “Why?”
“Erik Olson was a good friend.”
“That’s the only reason?” Jackson stared into Michael’s eyes and waited for an answer. Michael looked to Seamus for a moment and then back at Augie. “Yes.”
“You’re a bad liar, Michael. Just like your grandfather.” Augie looked at Seamus and smiled.
Then, looking down at the ground, he said, “I suppose neither of you have any idea who is behind the first four assassinations?” Michael shook his head. In a cynical tone
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Augie said, “I didn’t think you would.” Augie bobbed his chin up and down. “Well, I
have a hunch who might have been involved, but before we get to that, I have some information that I think you will find interesting. I’m going to tell you a story about something I took part in while I was at the Agency, but first I have to give you a little background information. “In the late fifties and early sixties I was the CIA’s station chief at our Paris embassy. Tensions between us and the Soviet Union were running hot. There was a very real threat that the Soviets might wage a conventional war and try to take
Western Europe. All along the Iron Curtain, NATO forces were outgunned almost five to one in tanks, artillery, and troop strength. Our military planners thought the best way to deter the Soviet Union from any aggressive action was to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Western Europe. Our NATO allies agreed, and the missiles were moved into place.
The message to the Soviet Union was simple. If you initiate any military action towards
Western Europe, we will retaliate with a tactical nuclear strike. This policy worked perfectly until the early sixties, when France started to get goofy on us. “There was a group of politicians in the French parliament who wanted all U.S. nuclear missiles removed from French soil. There were even a few who wanted all U.S. military personnel removed. These ingrates started to attract quite a following, holding protests outside the gates of our military bases we had over there and making more and more speeches demanding that we leave. The writing on the wall was clear. France had a history of being one of our most fickle allies—never mind that fifteen years earlier we had kicked the Nazis out of their country for them. From the President down, our political leadership was furious that France could be so ungrateful.
We were given the go-ahead by Langley to initiate clandestine action against the leaders of this anti-U.S, movement. Our orders were to find a way to make them change their minds. Over a period of about six months we managed to bribe several of them and blackmail a few more.
We were not successful, however, with the core leaders of the movement.
After exhausting all efforts, Langley sent a man to Paris who was a specialist of sorts.
But, before I get to that, are you familiar with the French Algerian conflict?”
“A little,” answered Michael. Augie took several puffs on his pipe.
“Well, back in the late fifties the French military was immersed in a war with revolutionary Algerian forces who wanted independence from France. This war waged on for several years, and although they suffered some high casualties early on, the French military eventually put down the uprising. Throughout the war there were certain fringe members of the French parliament who were demanding Algeria be granted independence.” Augie paused and raised his eyebrows.
“These politicians also happened to be the same ones protesting against U.S. nuclear weapons on French soil. “Well, the French military had done their job. They had suffered significant casualties and fought a bloody war with the rebels. With the conflict all but over and the rebels on the run, the French parliament and President de Gaulle did
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something that shocked everyone. They granted Algeria independence and ordered the
French military out. At the time there were over a quarter of a million French nationals living in Algeria. “This decision completely alienated the French military from the country’s political leadership. And it so infuriated a group of commanders who had fought in Algeria that they deserted and formed a paramilitary group called the OAS.”
Augie paused to see if Michael was with him and then continued. “The OAS went underground in Algeria and France and initiated a violent commando war with the French political leadership and the leaders of the Algerian liberation movement. They started blowing up bombs and assassinating politicians left and right. They even made several attempts on President de Gaulle.
“Just after the first OAS attempt on de Gaulle’s life, this specialist arrived from
Washington. I was instructed to give him whatever assistance he needed. I met him at a safe house that we had in Paris and found out he was a covert-operations expert. This man had a brilliant but simple plan. The two most vocal critics of our nuclear weapons being on French soil were also two of the most vocal proponents of Algerian independence. This covert-operations specialist’s plan was to assassinate them and make it look like it was the work of the OAS. It took us about two months to plan the whole thing, and then we got the green light
