Chapter 32 Opportunity Calling

Opportunity Calling

The top phone message didn’t need a return number; it was a simple message: White House, noon meeting, lunch, and COS. I didn’t need a cryptologist to decipher that message. I had a luncheon meeting with the President’s Chief of Staff, Howard Baker, at the White House at noon. There was no way to determine who else would be at that meeting. Washington was a city that ran on face-to-face meetings; a telephone’s only purpose was to ask questions, confirm, and reply. My noon was already committed, so I blocked it out in my appointment book. I called and left a message for Robert saying that I needed a driver for a noon meeting at the White House. There was no need for him to call me back unless there was a conflict.

The remaining calls took about half an hour to complete; most of them were regarding future meetings where the caller wanted me present. I wrote them into my appointment book to remind me. With everyone else in the office, I decided to have an impromptu meeting to see what was on the calendar. We could prioritize completion dates if needed.

Molly said that I had a call from a number she didn’t recognize as I gathered everyone to join me in the conference room. She mentioned it was that person with the heavily accented English again. It was the Russian Ambassador and I hoped I could keep the call short. I picked up my extension and greeted the Ambassador. Being polite, I asked him how his day was. He informed me that he was out shopping with his wife and didn’t sound in the best of moods. That made me smile. Shopping with the wife is a torture shared by all married men to maintain marital bliss. He then asked me if we had already moved back to our home. That question caught me by surprise. I wondered why he was asking. He quickly covered by saying that he and his wife had wanted to visit us and see our twin daughters. He claimed that his wife had been pestering him to see the girls and visit with Karen. I replied that tonight would be our first night back. He ended the call by telling me he needed to talk to a shipping company about sending three packages instead of the two we had originally discussed. The Ambassador told me to enjoy my day and that he would soon be calling about visiting us at home. I wasn’t sure, but it sounded to me like he emphasized his last comment. I thought that was strange.

I barely had enough time after my unscheduled office meeting to rush out the door and climb into Robert’s town car to make my noon White House appointment. My status must have changed to that of a regular visitor, as passing through the security checkpoints took much less time than it had in the past. The same assistant who had greeted me every other time met me again and led me directly to the West Wing dining room. The others were already seated when I walked in. Those in attendance were the President’s Chief of Staff, the Vice President, and two individuals I wasn’t acquainted with. I quickly made my way to the unoccupied seat after being introduced to the unfamiliar faces. I knew the President was on an official trip to the Gulf of Mexico for the dedication of a new oil refinery in Louisiana, so I wasn’t surprised the Vice President was covering for him.

The stewards brought the lunch selections into the executive dining room and departed, closing the door behind themselves. That was when I learned the true reason for my invitation to this luncheon. The two individuals I had just met were senior directors of two directorates of the ‘agency’. The purpose of the meeting was to assess my computer modeling skills and my department’s analysis of field data. I suggested they drop off some non-top-secret data so we could demonstrate what we were capable of. When they asked about the security we had in place, I explained how we incorporated weekly bug sweeps in the office and monthly ones in our private residences. I also explained that, for extra security, we used Bernoulli Box technology; And that those platters were locked up in a secure safe at night. That earned me a few nods of approval from the Directors and the Vice President, who had headed the CIA at one time.

After lunch, we made small talk, and I mentioned my posting to the UK. They had all served there at one time or another. None of the others had ever been to the Manor house where we had lived for a year.

I walked out with the CIA Directors after the lunchtime meeting, and promised them that we would be ready to receive their test data any time next week. I shook hands with my new acquaintances and said I was looking forward to demonstrating my group’s abilities before heading to Robert’s car to drive back to the office. Robert had me back at the State Department Building in short order. I called another office meeting that afternoon, and told everyone about my lunch with the CIA Directors. Everyone was excited about the challenge offered by the CIA. Everything we had done had been child’s play until now; we would now show Washington what we were capable of. The rest of the afternoon quickly went by, and it soon was time to head home. Getting home was a real dilemma that night. The street traffic was terrible, and it took an hour to make it home—about the same amount of time it would have taken to use the Metro.

It was a delight to eat in the dining room surrounded by our extended family and friends again. Grandma and Karen must have worked all day preparing our first meal at home. I came away from the evening meal feeling stuffed, having eaten too much. We all pitched in to help clean up and then adjourned to the back patio to enjoy the autumn evening. I lit a fire in the fire pit, and we all sat around laughing and sharing stories about the UK. The subject of David Smythe came up, but I thought it best to let it be and not add anything. It was getting late, and our guests decided it was time to head home. We said our goodbyes at the door, and I told those I worked with that I would see them in the morning. I helped Karen get the twins ready for bed. Grandma had knocked herself out preparing the evening meal and deserved an early bedtime. I would miss her terribly when she could no longer help around the house. She was a gem to have living with us.

The dogs were out in the backyard doing their late-night routine of inspecting all the trees and bushes, and checking for intruders. I brought the dogs in, and they assumed their guard position at the door to the nursery. The dogs would sleep in front of the nursery door. They would get up every so often, and patrol around the house, checking on things.

The ‘Twin Mountains’ were temporarily staying with us until they found an apartment. Grandma had grown fond of them and was always baking things for them. I admit that I like them a whole lot better now than when I first met and was intimidated by them. They do leave an impression on you. I heard them going up the stairs to the third floor, where we had set up temporary quarters for them. It consisted of cots and cheap chests of drawers for them to store their clothing. They had to come to the second floor to use the bathroom and shower.

I wasn’t sure how late it was when someone banging on the front door created a commotion that aroused the dogs. They rushed down to the front entrance. The ruckus woke me from a sound sleep. I got my Walther from the drawer and went downstairs to investigate. The ‘Mountains’ joined me; each had his 1911 at the ready. I made my way to the door after pushing Beast out of the way. I looked through the peephole to see who was there. The outside light I insisted on provided enough light to see who was pounding on our door. I looked and was surprised to see who it was. I looked again to confirm that it was the Russian Ambassador with a worried expression on his face.

I had given the dogs the ‘down’ and ‘stay’ commands to prevent them from attacking anyone when I opened the door. I motioned for the ‘Twin Mountains’ to be ready in case something was off. I slowly unbolted and opened the door. The Ambassador turned toward a car parked in front of the house and motioned to whoever was in the car. Two figures exited the car: one was his wife, and the other was his driver. I opened the door wider and allowed them to pass by me. I looked around outside after they were inside. I didn’t see anyone else and went about shutting and bolting the door.

I directed our guests to follow me into the living room. The dogs and the ‘Twin Mountains’ followed closely behind. Karen was awake now and had come down the stairs to see what had caused the commotion. She entered the living room and stood behind me, anxious to hear why we had company so late at night. I was curious myself, waiting to hear what the Ambassador had to say.

The Ambassador looked me in the eye and formally requested asylum for his wife, his driver, and himself. I wasn’t expecting this and didn’t know how to respond to his request. Then I remembered our conversation from a few months back when he asked about shipping packages. I knew what he meant, but I thought he was referring to someone else when he made his inquiry.

This was way beyond my pay grade; I needed to consult on how to handle this with someone. Something was seriously wrong for a man of the Ambassador’s stature to ask for asylum. I looked at the Ambassador, who gave me the impression that he saw me as his last hope. His wife wasn’t much better; I was sure that she would have a breakdown at any moment. Karen saw the same thing and had the Ambassador’s wife go with her to the kitchen. They would make tea and break out some of Grandma Jorgenson’s cookies.

I released the dogs from their down position after the women had left the room, and Beast went over to sniff at our company. The driver looked petrified when Beast sniffed at him. I had to laugh at the poor driver. The dogs terrified the man. There was no need to fear any threat from him. Beast then went over to the Ambassador and did the same thing, inspecting him. The Ambassador reached over and gave Beast a scratch between the ears, and now had a lifelong friend.

I patiently waited for the Ambassador to give me a reason for his request for asylum. He finally realized that I was waiting for him to explain why they wanted asylum. The reason given was a common excuse used by others in the past. The Ambassador had become too Westernized and friendly with the Americans. This upset the senior conservative hardliners of the Communist Party, and they ordered his recall. A new Ambassador was chosen who conformed to party lines. The current Ambassador would return to the Soviet Republic in disgrace. The former Ambassador would end up in Siberian exile in the past, or he and his family would be lined up in front of a wall and shot. I was informed that his driver was his wife’s nephew and would be subject to the same punishment. That was why he was included in the asylum appeal.

Having a defecting Ambassador come over to our side would be a great political victory for the U.S. government. However, it was at a bad time as the U.S. and the Soviets had come to an agreement on a major treaty. This could derail the peace process and set negotiations back to step one. I had no idea who to call. I would call the President about simple things in the past, and I now felt leery of doing so when I should. I suspected that I knew who I should call but was hesitant. I asked the ‘Twins’ to escort the Ambassador and the nephew/driver to the kitchen for tea and cookies; I had a phone call to make.

I decided to call Howard Baker, the President’s Chief of Staff, instead of the President. It would be his Chief of Staff who would notify the President if he needed to be involved. I called the number I had for the Chief of Staff; the phone was answered on the third ring. I could tell from the voice that it was an aide to the COS who had answered. I kept my message short and clear. I gave the aide my name, phone number, and a brief message that the newly negotiated treaty was in jeopardy and that the COS should call me back immediately.

A rather sleepy and grumpy COS called me back a few minutes later, asking why the treaty was in jeopardy. After explaining the current situation, a now fully awake COS told me to expect a black SUV to pull up in front of my house within the next forty-five minutes. I said that I would be waiting and the call ended. I went to join our guests in the kitchen, have a cup of tea, and tell Karen that we were expecting more company soon. She nodded her head and went back to serving tea to the Ambassador. I wanted to go upstairs and get dressed, but I didn’t want the SUV and the Ambassador’s limousine drawing attention from the neighbors. I suggested that one of the two ‘Mountains’ go with the driver and move the car into the carriage house where it would not be seen. The two left and went to do as I suggested. Karen took the Ambassador’s wife up to the nursery to see the twins to keep her occupied. That only left the Ambassador and me. I was sure that Grandma Jorgenson would keep him occupied by feeding him more of her cookies. I then went upstairs to get dressed; our company would shortly be here.

I hadn’t been downstairs long before a knock at the front door alerted the dogs. I went to the front door to open it, but only after I looked through the peephole. There stood the President’s Assistant Security Advisor, an older man I had earlier met at a Washington function. I recalled that he had a connection to the FBI, CIA, and several other intelligence agencies, along with several younger men who I didn’t recognize. I unbolted the door just as someone tried to force their way in and move me aside. Beast didn’t care for that and growled, showing his teeth to the group assembled on my front porch. My two Dobermans copied Beast’s actions. I suggested that they come in one at a time with their hands away from their bodies. Beast didn’t give ground, and the men came into the house one at a time in single file. The Assistant Security Advisor blanched when Beast turned and faced him, showing his teeth. I commanded Beast to heel and come sit beside me. The Dobermans barked, continuing their aggressive behavior until I gave them the same command.

I asked the men to follow me when the dogs were settled, and I led them into our living room, asking them to have a seat. I did ask who had tried to push his way into the house past me; everyone looked over at a junior staffer who had the sense to look sheepish. I said that was a stupid thing to do with guard dogs around, and it could have gotten someone severely injured.

I then informed the President’s Assistant Security Advisor of what the Ambassador had said less than two hours earlier. I reported that I didn’t know who else to call and that I wasn’t high enough in the food chain to make these sorts of decisions. That was why I called the COS. The older man, who I remembered being with the FBI, asked where the Ambassador was now. I responded that he was out in the kitchen with my wife’s grandmother keeping him entertained. The older FBI Agent asked if I would have the Ambassador join us, as they would like to speak with him. I went to the kitchen to find Grandma Jorgenson and the Ambassador in a deep conversation about which country brewed better tea. What a night this had turned out to be.

A quick plan for the safekeeping of the Ambassador and his party came together. They would stay with us until a more permanent location was found. Someone would go shopping for them and get more western, casual clothing for them to change into. I was to stay home for a couple of days, call into the office, and tell them that I was working on a special project. I would be calling in for my messages. Now, what to do with the Ambassador’s Mercedes limousine? Leaving it in Washington, DC, would only cause more of an international incident. Running the car through a shredder and turning it into scrap metal would just implicate us in some conspiracy. Nothing we could think of would get us off the hook with the Soviets, and this would need more thought. The sun was just starting to come up, and everyone was running on fumes. The Assistant Security Advisor said he would run through tonight’s events with the President and would get back to me. Someone would stop by to drop off some appropriate casual clothes for the Soviet Ambassador and his party later today. He suggested not discussing this with anyone unless I wanted a whole assortment of problems to arise from this unexpected event. That was the last thing I wanted.

The Security Advisor and his assistants got up to leave, but not before thanking Grandma Jorgenson and Karen for supplying them with coffee and excellent cookies. I escorted them to the front entrance, and just before they left, the Assistant Security Advisor asked where I got my trained dogs. I simply said, “The Israelis.” He laughed as he went out the door. I’m sure that I’d be getting a call about working with the White House to procure dogs like mine in the future.

I shut and locked the front door and walked back to the kitchen. I asked Karen to show our guests to a guest room while I let the dogs out to do their business, and then I was coming up to bed as well. I asked the ‘Twin Mountains’ to allow the driver to bunk with them for the night. It was just before 6 AM when I finally got to sleep. I didn’t wake until just after 11. The twins had woken earlier, and poor Karen didn’t wake me up to help her with them. I got up, took a quick shower, shaved, and went downstairs for coffee and to start making some phone calls. The Ambassador and his wife were already up when I came down. They were sitting at the table with Grandma Jorgenson, eating one of her typical breakfasts. She had one waiting for me, staying warm in the oven. I quickly ate and excused myself as I had work to do.

I went into the study and called the office. Molly answered, and I explained that I would be working on a special project for the White House. I wouldn’t be in for a couple of days but would call in for my messages. I would leave Andi in charge In the interim. Molly wished me luck, and I ended the call.

I needed to find a solution to make it appear as though the Ambassador left the country without U.S. involvement. I decided to approach this like a mathematical equation, applying logic and universally sound mathematical principles. I needed to solve for X—the solution to making it appear as if the Ambassador left the United States by unknown means.

The first part was the easiest: use logic to find a solution. How would he get out of the USA? He and his party would attract attention if they tried to leave by commercial flights. The airports would be covered by Russian intelligence services, so that wasn’t a solution.

That would leave going by ship. The immigration services, customs, and the Coast Guard would make it more difficult to monitor U.S. ports. By sea would be the most practical means of traveling out of the USA, but where could one easily slip on board a ship? I got my gazetteer out and started looking at the map of the United States. It didn’t take long for me to figure this out. The Great Lakes would work, but where on the Great Lakes could one do this without drawing attention? It took me longer to come up with a solution here, but I found it. The Saint Marie Locks were perfect for my scenario. There was also a point of entry there. A car could be driven from Washington, DC, and be across the border into Canada at Sault Sainte Marie in as little as twelve hours by my calculations. This would work—getting the car into Canada would take as little as 12 hours for us. I made notes on my plan so far. Whoever drove the car into Canada would need a way to come back into the USA, so a chase car was required. A license plate from a state other than Washington, DC, could cover the diplomat plates. Once removed, the diplomatic plates would be displayed. I was sure the CIA had a solution for that situation.

We would need a ship that was friendly to the Ambassador’s plight for him to escape on. There had to be some sort of printout or list of ships waiting to pass through the locks. I had no idea where to find a printout of ships waiting to pass through Great Lakes locks. Someone would eventually learn of it if I called around Washington, DC, asking for assistance. The Russians would accuse the U.S. government of being involved in the Ambassador’s disappearance. That was when I thought of Lawrence, my old friend, who was always a wealth of information.

I called Lawrence, making small talk with him for a bit, and filled him in on what life in Washington was like. He asked how the twins were. Karen regularly called Camilla, and the two would keep each other up to date on the latest baby news, so he knew things from Karen’s perspective. I told him that I needed to find a way to learn about ships passing through the Sault Ste. Marie locks on their way to the ocean. I asked if such a record or database existed, and if so, who maintained it. My friend came through for me again: the Coast Guard kept such information. A call from the CIA to the Coast Guard would carry more influence than a call from some crackpot mathematician. I would call the COS as soon as I got off the phone with Lawrence. I told Lawrence I wanted to visit friends in the Midwest soon before ending the call. I needed to get out of the stress of Washington before I lost it. He laughed, wished me well, and ended the call.