Today’s excerpt is from Back
To China, a standalone book featuring Jim Scott and some other old
friends. After the new President fires
the CIA Director, Homeland Security Secretary, and the FBI Director left over
from the last administration, Jim Scott has suggestions for replacements. Enjoy and have a wonderful day.
m.j.
“Thank you, but
now I not only have to worry about how to get our two men back—and do it
soon—but I also have to replace the three blind mice.”
Jim raised his
hand and asked, “If I may, sir?”
“You may.”
“I have two
suggestions on replacements. CIA
first: Glenn Burgess is a retired
Assistant Director of The National Clandestine Service. While still with CIA, he worked closely with
Tony, and is top-flight. I know if you have
a political appointment in mind, Glenn may not be the right guy. However, he knows where all the skeletons are
buried, and would be able to clean up the mess the CIA has become in the past
eight years. I know him well, consider
him a close friend, and know he wouldn’t be interested in running the agency
for an extended period of time, but I’m sure he would be willing to handle it
for a year or two. For now, at least, he
could be a big help to us, with the plan I’ve conceived to get our people back.
A plus is he’s close by, in southeastern
Pennsylvania.”
Tony cut Jim off
at that point and sang the praises of Glenn Burgess. He pointed out that, in his opinion, Glenn
could “think outside the box” and was fearless.
He also told the President one of the best things about Glenn was his
willingness to listen—especially to those in the field, who worked for him.
When Tony
finished, the ex-President chimed in with a strong endorsement.
When those two
finished, the President immediately decided to move forward and asked Jim to
call him. When Jim called, he explained
the current situation with the two physicists, and the firing of the current
CIA Director. Then he added, “What I’m
leading up to, Glenn, is if you’d be willing to take charge at CIA—at least
until this current mess is resolved?”
Glenn had
noticed the White House exchange when the call came in. He laughed.
“Let me guess—you’re sitting there with our new President, and this call
is on speaker phone?”
The President
identified himself and added, “I was told you were very perceptive, Mr.
Burgess. You want the job?”
“On one
condition. When Jim has come home with
the two taken by the Chinese, he has to agree to give me a hand at weeding out
the deadwood at the agency.”
Jim shook his
head and sighed. “Okay, Glenn—turnabout
is fair play. I’m in…but only for six
months or so.”
“Yeah, we’ll see
about that. Mr. President, I’m ready to
start when you want me.”
“Good. We’ll send a chopper to round you up. I’ll have someone call you on another phone,
so you can tell us how to find you. Want
you to come straight to the White House.”
After Glenn
agreed, the President nodded to Ken Alexander.
Jim hastily wrote down Glenn’s phone number and handed it to him. When Ken left the room, the President looked
at Jim. “Okay, he’ll have an ‘interim’
label, until I can get his name up on the Hill for approval. Now, since you’re on a roll, your other
suggestion?”
“Homeland
Security would be in good hands if you selected John Engle. He’s a former FBI Director.”
Before Jim could
go any further, the ex-President butted in and told the President he could find
no better man in America for the job. He
gave a brief outline of John’s service to the country while he was President.
When he
finished, the President smiled.
“Sold. In this case, I’m familiar
with Mr. Engle. He’s even on my list of
‘possibles’ for the Attorney General slot.
Ken, in fact, contacted him. Mr.
Engle was, at best, lukewarm to the idea.
Give him a call, Jim.”
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