operation from the embassy, which can cause problems. So Aden will be our operational base. From there, we’ll go where we think we have to go. Also, Aden is where Al Qaeda has many eyes and ears.” He looked at me and said, “You remember that, and it hasn’t changed much. Point is, if we’re at the Sheraton in Aden, The Panther will know it. Also, Aden is where you’re supposed to be for the Cole investigation.”
“Got it.”
So we spent the next ten minutes talking this out, and I was alert despite the lack of sleep. Maybe it was the mocha coffee. Maybe the subject matter. War and talk of war focuses your mind and body like nothing else can do except maybe sex.
It occurred to me that Buck and Brenner, via the CIA, knew something I didn’t know-like hard information from a radio or satellite phone intercept, or a paid informant, or a vigorously interrogated detainee-that indeed Al Qaeda already knew Kate and I were here, and that The Panther would strike.
It also occurred to me that the State Department’s application for our visa-before we even knew we were coming to Yemen-was the trigger that set Al Qaeda in motion, long before we landed at Sana’a Airport. In any case, whatever information the CIA had was not necessarily going to be shared with Mr. and Mrs. Corey at this time. And whatever information The Panther had would be shared with us at a time and place of his choosing.
Buck and Brenner wrapped it up and Buck said, “You must be exhausted. So I thank you for your attention.” He smiled and said, “I hope this was more interesting than my class in New York.”
I assured him it was, except for the info on khat.
Before we retired to our rooms, I said, “One thing that’s bugging me-Bulus ibn al-Darwish. We haven’t focused on him, and I’m trying to figure out why an American-born Muslim would defect
Brenner replied, “I don’t know, and I’m not sure I care. But when we get him into an interrogation room, you can ask him.”
I replied, “At that point I don’t care either. But if we knew
Buck informed us, “In fact, the CIA has a psychological profile on him that we’ll see shortly, and that might be helpful.”
“Good.” It takes crazy to know crazy. Not that I meant the CIA was crazy. Or did I?
Buck asked me, “Are you aware that the suspect’s parents are bringing suit in Federal court to have their son removed from the CIA kill list?”
“I am.”
Mr. Brenner said, “That’s one reason why we need to make every effort to take him alive.”
Actually, it was a good reason to whack him quickly, before some Federal judge intervened.
I looked at Brenner, who motioned toward the ceiling to remind me that we were being recorded. Then Paul Brenner made a cutting motion across his throat.
Great minds think alike. I was starting to like this guy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Brenner said the guest house in the embassy was full, but we could get a few hours’ sleep in the chancery building before going to the Sheraton, and he showed us to a bedroom on the second floor where our luggage had been delivered.
He informed us, “We had to convert a few offices here in the chancery into sleeping quarters.” He explained, “If the threat level goes up, embassy personnel who live outside the compound are required to move into the compound, so it gets crowded inside the fort until it blows over.”
I asked him, “Is that why the guest house is full?”
“It is.”
Well, I was glad we were getting out of Sana’a. Unfortunately, we were going to Aden.
Anyway, the room looked comfortable enough for an embassy staffer on the lam from psychotic jihadists. Two stars.
Brenner informed us, “The bathroom is down the hall.”
One star.
Brenner told us, “You’ll check in at the Sana’a Sheraton this afternoon.” He assured us, “It’s heavily guarded, and more comfortable than here.”
“Also,” I added, “you’d like us out there to see if we come to the attention of the person we’re looking for.”
“That is correct.” He also told us, “I’ll have satellite phones for you later, but meanwhile feel free to use the room phone, though as I remind everyone, we record everything for security purposes, and the PSO records for their own purposes. And in answer to your next question, there are no electronic bugs in your room-only real bugs.” He smiled.
I believed him, because if Kate and I found a listening device in our bedroom, we all knew that would be the end of our Yemen visit.
Kate asked him, “Do you live in the embassy?”
“No. I have an apartment not far from here.”
“And are you staying there even though the alert level is elevated?”
He smiled. “I’d rather take my chances with terrorists than living with State Department people.”
Me, too.
Kate also asked him, “Are you alone here?”
He looked at her and replied, “I am.”
“Sorry… I didn’t mean to ask a personal question.”
He assured her, “Over the next few weeks or months we’ll learn a lot about each other.” He let us know, “There’s someone back in the States.”
He changed the subject and said, “I’d like us to meet in the lobby at, let’s say, eleven A.M. Is that good?”
Kate and I said it was.
He informed us, “There is a non-denominational church service at eleven in the parlor if you’d like to attend.”
Kate thought that would be nice, and I was trying to think of a reason why it wasn’t.
Brenner said, “You can decide when you come down.” He advised us, “Bring your luggage down and we’ll go over to the Sheraton, then if you’d like we’ll take a walk around town.” He smiled. “Hopefully someone will try to kill or kidnap us.”
Especially if Mohammed dropped a dime on us. Maybe we should go to church instead.
He reminded us, “Sana’a is relatively safe. But bring your guns.”
Goes without saying.
He also advised us, “If you hear a siren, move immediately to the basement.”
“Wine tasting?” I asked.
He thought that was funny. I think I was one up on him.
He said, “There is a safe room down there. Blastproof. Use the stairs, not the elevator, and come as you are.” He reminded us, “Take your guns with you.”
He gave us instructions on how to find the safe room-follow everyone else-and he wished us a good sleep and left.
Kate said, “I didn’t know what to expect here, but I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Meaning?”
“I don’t know… I guess I didn’t understand the security situation.”
“Sure you did.”
