it, Washington would like to take this guy alive, but it’s easier to kill him. So maybe if the opportunity to capture him presents itself, then that’s what we’ll try to do. But if that seems impossible—or too dangerous—then we fix his location and call in the drones and Hellfires.”
I nodded, and added, “Then we Ziploc some pieces for ID.”
“Right. We have the suspect’s prints on file—and also DNA from his family.”
Kate commented, “Maybe I don’t need my arrest warrant.”
Brenner assured her, “We need you and your arrest warrant in case we have the opportunity to apprehend the suspect.”
Kate nodded tentatively. Actually, Kate and her arrest warrant were cover for what was most likely the assassination of an American citizen. I had no problem with that, and I was happy to have the cover in case this thing came back to bite us in the ass vis-à-vis Mr. and Mrs. al-Darwish’s lawsuit, or some other silly legality. Fucked-up war.
Kate also asked, “If we do apprehend the suspect, do we turn him over to the Yemeni authorities, then ask for extradition, or do we attempt to get the suspect out of the country?” She added, “In other words, extradition or rendition?”
Brenner shrugged again and replied, “This is all beyond my pay grade.”
“Why,” I asked, “is State Department Intelligence involved?”
Brenner replied, “First, keep in mind that Buck Harris is officially a diplomat, attached to the economic assistance mission, which is why he travels around the country. Forget SDI. Second, we want a diplomatic component to our operation.” He stressed, “We want to involve the State Department.”
“Right.” Meaning that if things went wrong—or even if things went right—the State Department could do what they do best: apologize to the host government for violating their sovereignty and offer them a few million bucks to forget it. That’s what diplomats are for.
Brenner reminded me, “Buck is an invaluable asset. He knows the country, the people, and the language.”
“Right. We love Buck. But he knows more than he’s sharing.”
Brenner said, “Let’s take it a step at a time and see how it plays out.” He also suggested, “We’ll get some clarification from our Agency guy.”
Paul Brenner had apparently not worked with the CIA before.
Our food came and it was served family style in big bowls, and everyone around us was eating directly out of the bowls with their fingers. We, however, had plates, serving spoons, and utensils. The food actually tasted good, whatever it was. Did I take my Cipro this morning?
I said to Brenner, “Tell me about this wounded Al Qaeda guy that we’re seeing in the slammer.”
Brenner told us, “We got this appointment because we told the PSO that we think this attack could have been planned by one of the Cole plotters. Therefore, Mr. John Corey of the FBI Evidence Response Team would like to speak to the prisoner.” He added, “We have an understanding with the Yemeni government, based on cash and other good and valuable considerations, that they will cooperate in anything having to do with the Cole.” He concluded, “I have no idea if this prisoner knows anything about the Cole or The Panther, but we’ll certainly ask.”
“Can we torture him?”
“I’m sure that’s been done.” He added, “But the PSO was probably focusing more on the oil installation attack than on The Panther.”
“Right. But when we ask this guy about The Panther, the PSO guys who are present will know what our focus is.”
Brenner replied, “That’s okay.” He explained, “Assuming someone in the prison is reporting to Al Qaeda, then this is one way of getting the message to The Panther that John Corey is in town looking for him.” He reminded me, “That’s the point.”
“Right. Why do I keep forgetting I’m bait?”
“Not bait,” Brenner corrected. “That’s such a negative word. I like to think of you as a lure.”
Funny? Maybe not.
Kate asked, “Will Colonel Hakim be at the prison?”
Brenner replied, “Probably.” He explained, “He seems to be the PSO guy who is assigned to keep an eye on the American Embassy.”
I asked, “Whose side is he on?”
Brenner replied, “The CIA thinks he’s loyal to the Yemeni government—but what does that mean? It doesn’t mean he’s pro-American, or anti–Al Qaeda. Like most people here, his first loyalty is to himself, then to his faith—or vice versa. His next loyalty is to his ancestral tribe, his clan, and his family, followed by a loose loyalty to the concept of being a Yemeni. His last loyalty, if it exists at all, is