Chapter 15 A New Development

1700 Zulu, Tuesday, June 26, 1984, The Agency Director’s Office

“Ah, Jackson, thanks for coming so quickly. I just got a message from my contact at MI6 you and the Fox Trot team need to know. The Brits got a message earlier today from their agent in West Berlin. The agent says his informant got the planned order from the leather goods salesman. The salesman told him his trip to Poland is back on schedule. He said the Polish military officer told him the planned exercises were canceled. No reason was given.”

“That’s a curious turn of events Sir. Do you want us to see if we can confirm this new intel via the young Israeli Levi Meissner?”

“Yes, if you can do it quickly. I have to report to the NSC on Friday and I’d like to have more than just the MI6 story to report.”

“Ok, I’ll convene the Fox Trot team and develop a plan.”

“Thanks, Jackson, and please keep me up to date on this.”

“Will do Sir.”

1730 Zulu, Tuesday, June 26, 1984, CID SCIF

Jackson begins the meeting: “I just got some new intel from the Director. The Brits contacted him this morning and told him they have information from their agent in West Berlin the military exercises planned by Poland and East Germany have been canceled. That is all they know. The Director wants us to see if we can confirm the cancellation. We have to act fast as he meets with the NSC on Friday and wants our results for the meeting. Any ideas?”

David speaks up: “I think the best chance is to see if Levi Meissner can confirm if the exercises are canceled or not. Jason, any thoughts on how to approach Meissner?”

“Well, the quickest way is for Sarah Jacobs to call him again. Let me think, ah, she can say the Ast. Sec. wants her to thank him for his help. Then she can casually ask if his uncle is still planning to visit. Or maybe she can ask if he has learned any more about the exercises.”

David answers: “Yeah, that may well work. I’ll contact Sarah this afternoon and set up a meeting with her tomorrow. If we learn anything it will give us a day to evaluate what we learn before we have to report to the Director. You good with this plan Jackson?”

“Yes, and you have until tomorrow morning to think of any better questions Sarah can ask Meissner. Let’s convene again tomorrow afternoon after Sarah has talked to Meissner. I’ll let the Director know what we have planned. He wants to be kept informed on this.”

2000 Zulu, Wednesday, June 27, 1984, CID SCIF

The team gathers after David’s meeting with Sarah Jacobs. Jackson opens with, “What did you learn from Ms. Jacobs’ call to Meissner David?”

“Not as much as we wanted Jackson. He seemed to buy Sarah’s story she was calling at the request of the Ast. Sec. to thank him for his help. After thanking him she used both of the questions we suggested. Meissner said he had not learned any more about the exercises but he said his uncle called him the day before and told him his trip to Israel is back on the original schedule. Sarah pushed and asked if that meant the military exercises had been canceled but Meissner said he didn't know. So she closed off the conversation. She said she didn't want to abuse the use of the State Department phone and she would write Levi a letter soon.”

“I guess that’s the best we can do David. Thanks. Let’s mull this all over until after lunch tomorrow. If no one has any thoughts on how we can get more info then I’ll report what we have to the Director in the early afternoon. If everyone is ok with that let’s adjourn until tomorrow.”