Chapter 371

As soon as the girls and Cindy were seated, I handed out the report so everyone would be up to speed when Frank arrived and a serious conversation could be had.

As they were reading I watched facial expressions and eye contact, there were no changes I could detect. I guessed I would have to wait until Frank got here and we started talking.

“Sorry I am late; there was a stalled car on the bridge jamming up everything,” Frank said as he sat down.

I started the conversation to bring the girls up to speed. “As you know with the new state contract JBG has all of Africa and the Middle East. When I learned that, I had the EIT team expand the surveillance to all the embassies affected,” I said then continued.

“What you have read is about a planned attack on the Kampala Embassy that originated from a contact in the Prince’s computer. I turned this information to State, NSA, DHS and the Agency,” I said.

“I did not want another Morocco incident or for JBG to have to go in and reestablish security from the ground up. Since Morocco, there have been changes in policy and procedures when an imminent attack is suspected. Victor is here to fill us in with the latest update,” I said.

“When JBG forwarded this folder to us last week it was the first we had heard of an attack in the planning for Kampala. The CIA and NSA verified the information on Friday,” Victor said.

“In the past we would have closed the embassy and reopened it in six months, but now it could take years to get it reopened. The department feels BJ was right in the initial discussion that the terrorist would take over the building and use it for a propaganda bonanza and recruiting windfall. That would be totally unacceptable,” Eric explained.

“The administration is adamant that there be no more Benghazi type losses and wants all the state department people out but also does not want to close the embassy,” Victor said.

“After intense sessions, the Secretary and President arrived at this deal. The upgraded security contract for Kampala will go into effect immediately as soon as you can get your best people on site,” Eric explained.

“The next part of the deal is crucial and may be the hardest part for you to accept. The ambassador and staff are coming out; to keep the embassy official with an ambassador the Secretary wants to appoint you, BJ, to a 40 day term as an ambassador. They are going to say it is cross training as part of your contract expansion so you can see all the things that go into running an embassy,” Victor explained.

I thought Jenny and Marcy were going to fall into the floor. Everyone else was apparently too stunned to speak.

“You know I am not much of a politician and I doubt any better of a diplomat,” I replied.

“Then you should be able to learn a lot in 40 days then,” Victor said before he laughed.

“The Agency and the DOD has been directed to assist with any request you have. Lt. General DeMarcus has been assigned as your liaison from the DOD; he will accompany you back from the swearing in and news conference tomorrow at 2 PM at the State Department. He will be with you until leave for Kampala. You do have office space he can use until then?” Victor said.

“You seem to assume that I am going to accept this proposal,” I said.

“We knew you would. You have never backed away from a challenge; this is no different,” Victor replied.

“Andy received this file this morning; it was hand delivered. He and I think a lot alike so I think the plan will call for the truck being stopped as soon as it crosses the property line; the further away from the building the better. They may have armored it so I think Andy will want Stingers and Javelin shoulder fired weapons to make that happen and a few 50 cal with full armor piercing belts,” I said. Then I added “I want military grade full body armor for the entire team.”