The Pentagon Brank

By Harry Jacobs

An Army counterintelligence agent, Kevin Keefer, receives a mysterious letter alleging espionage in the Pentagon. He and his superiors believe the organization involved is the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). There is speculation that the letters writer is somehow connected with his fathers military service in World War II. An investigation is ordered by the JCS. The FBI, CIA, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service become engaged in the plot. Keefer suspects there is a connection between the Pentagon case and a concurrent FBI investigation in Europe. He uncovers damaging information involving his own organization. After several trips to Europe, he discovers the author of the letter, leading to the solution of both his and the FBIs cases.

Harry Jacobs graduated from Georgetown University and American University. During World War II, he served in Army Intelligence. His awards and decorations include five battle stars, a Bronze Star for Heroism, and the Croix de Guerre. He attended the Army Intelligence Training Center, Camp Ritchie, Maryland, and the British Order of Battle School in London.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 14, 2008
• ISBN: 9781440100505

Harry Jacobs

Harry Jacobs graduated from Georgetown University and American University. During World War II he was assigned to SHAEF and attached to the Fourth Armored Division. His awards and decorations include five battle stars, the Bronze Star for Heroism, the Croix de Guerre, and the Diplme, Conseil Rgional de Basse Normandie.

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Contents

Foreword

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

APPENDIX

Cast of Characters in

The Pentagon Brank

Index of Acronyms in The Pentagon Brank

Foreword

A BRANK is a mouthpiece used in the Middle Ages to restrain abusive talkers.

The writing of this novel was encouraged by an old friend, Major General John E. Murray, U.S. Army, Retired. John and I worked together in the 1950’s, and he has assisted with the development of the novel and provided constructive critiques. I served in all campaigns with the Fourth Armored Division in World War II, from Normandy to Czechoslovakia.

My wife, Selma Jacobs, was very supportive in the preparation, research, and the processing of this book. Another key contributor was Ed Elkes, who reviewed and edited. A friend, Lalo Trujillo, my daughter-in-law, Daisy Rosen-Jacobs, Sue Kamenar, Charles Stein, and Bonnie Richards were most supportive and very helpful in getting the book into print. There were many others who contributed and provided valuable suggestions.

An index of the acronyms and a listing of the characters, their organizations, and functions are in the last pages of the book.

CHAPTER 1

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Early in the morning my phone rang. I threw a towel around myself as I rushed out of the shower. It was Bob MacMerial, my boss, the Executive Officer of the Army’s Military Intelligence Service (MIS) detachment at Fort Meade, Maryland. He wanted to know how I had made out on yesterday’s visit to the Pentagon.

I was a little annoyed. Couldn’t he wait until I got to the office? He and I kid around a lot, so I decided to throw him off track by spinning a little story.

Bob, I am trying out something which is just coming into use in Europe. It is sort of a substitute for a sponge bath, but you don’t get out of bed. You wheel this overhead contraption to your bed. After pushing a button, a fine spray will envelop your body. By guiding the nozzle directly onto your posterior, the bed itself remains completely dry. Then you press another button. This one activates a mild drying airflow.

This sounds incredible! It seems like a great expense for a shower substitute. What is the point?

Bob, this gadget sells like hotcakes to young couples over there. It provides an intermission between sex. This way they both get a break and renewed energy for another round!

Using my nickname, Keef, Bob interrupted. At first I thought you were really on the level! But you are just up to your old tricks, serving slices of baloney.

Well, Bob you can’t blame me for introducing some humor once in a while!

Employing a more serious tone, Bob asked how I enjoyed the visit of my daughter Jennifer, who lives in Atlanta. He was also curious about my encounter with the Navy, referring to a message I had left on our secretary’s answering machine before leaving for the Pentagon. However, the main reason for his call was our attending a meeting at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) this morning. He would come by my house in about 30 minutes.

His last words were, Keef, I hope you have some fresh coffee ready by then!

By the time Bob arrived, I had put on a pair of navy slacks, a short sleeve sport shirt, and a gray blazer. Jennifer had bought the outfit for me. Bob looked me over carefully as he walked in the door. My goodness, you are finally decently dressed!

I had to put these on. Jennifer gave me hell for keeping them hanging in the closet. Besides, perhaps there will be some cute chicks at the CIA. I hear that nowadays they judge a guy by what he wears. How come you are not in uniform today?

Bob responded with a straight face. You are stealing my thunder. My wife tells me I look most impressive in my new summer suit. Perhaps I am ready for a little romance myself.

While we were sipping the freshly brewed coffee, I gave Bob a rundown of Jennifer’s visit. He seemed pleased to hear that we got along so well.

Next, I described my calling on the Navy Logistics outfit at the Pentagon. I had checked with that office to determine whether the activities of Franz von Licksaborg, then an Austrian diplomat, with a Navy civilian employee was a matter of interest to us. Bob concurred with my conclusion that there were no espionage implications in this relationship. When I mentioned the tidbit I heard at the Pentagon about the luncheons of our commanding officer, Lt. Colonel Alicia Gouperz, and a female Navy Lieutenant Commander, Bob made an interesting observation.

Alicia keeps her fingers in lots of pies. She must figure knowing people in key spots in the Pentagon gives her access to information that she can use to further her career. I am sure the Major, her friend in the Army Chief of Staff’s office, values her input on what goes on in other parts of the Pentagon. For her, getting the eagles is but a flight toward the stars.

Well, I said, We can’t all be as content with our career status as you and I.

With a twinkle in his eye, he said, Speak for yourself, Keef.

It was about time to leave. Bob volunteered to drive, claiming that his air conditioner was much more effective then the one in my jalopy. Bob related that he had heard on the radio of a multi-car accident between Silver Spring and Bethesda. So we avoided the Beltway until we got through Bethesda, crossed on the American Legion Bridge, and hit the parkway on the Virginia side.

I told Bob he could become a great limousine driver upon retirement. Working for a VIP, he could make some good money chauffeuring people all over the place, listening in on their conversations.

Keef, you must be kidding. Why would I retire to become a glorified car jockey?

But Bob, use your noodle! Driving for a VIP is one way to get a foot in the door. The millionaire boss of your company would soon recognize your capabilities. You could easily end up as his executive assistant with a six figure salary.

Dream on, Keef. But who knows what could happen?

The guard at the CIA entrance had us on the list of visitors. We parked and headed for the conference room near the office of our previous visit. Apparently we were the last to arrive. Jonathan Kenolly, who headed the Agency’s Liaison Office, introduced us to some of the people we had not met before. There was the nameless character from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) who had examined the mysterious letter I had received from Germany. Sitting next to him was Francis Kalmans of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the NCIS. Kenolly presented two other CIA officials. One was Joe, the Vienna Station Chief, the other was Frank of the headquarters counterintelligence unit. Barbara Sheralds, an FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) agent, completed the roundup.

Jonathan Kenolly opened the meeting. "We called this gathering rather suddenly to take advantage of the presence of Joe, our Station Chief in Vienna, who is here to attend a conference. We are very concerned about the leaks of the U.S. classified data we discovered in the Mideast. We are convinced the information came out of Washington, probably the Defense Department.

"The Defense Intelligence Agency is conducting an intensive internal review to determine the origin of this material. They are also assisting other Defense agencies. The NCIS is involved because of a suspicious relationship between a Navy civilian logistician and a former Austrian diplomat who had been stationed in the Mideast.

Frank is engaged in an internal review of certain CIA headquarters elements. Bob MacMerial and Kevin Keefer represent Army Counterintelligence. Kevin is investigating whether any Army personnel, military or civilian, may be involved. The Army’s Munich office is also checking into it. Barbara Sheralds, of the FBI, has already initiated action. Air Force intelligence is participating, as well. I am in touch with them. The FBI will be the lead player in this.

Now I want each one of you to briefly describe your current efforts to find the origin of the leaks. Let’s start with Joe.

The Vienna Station Chief summarized how he got involved in what he called this mess. The CIA agent in that Mideastern country, upon learning of the surfacing of U.S. military information, discovered that the recipient was a highly placed official in the country’s defense establishment. A covert investigation revealed his proclivity of contacts in the international community. He is an ardent tennis player. While he was stationed there, von Licksaborg, the Austrian diplomat, was his regular partner. The diplomat, although happily married to an Austrian of a prominent family, had a playboy reputation. His tennis partner apparently introduced him to several young ladies. Tennis was not the only game these girls played.

In the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that the suspected Defense official maintained a close relationship with a ranking bureaucrat at the Russian Embassy. This man was the local GRU agent. The GRU is one of the outgrowth organizations of the old KGB when it was abolished with the demise of the Soviet Union. We strongly believe that he was the recipient of the U.S. military information. While one never can be 100% sure in this game, the CIA has eliminated von Licksaborg as a conduit of the leaks.

Kenolly opened the floor to questions. I raised my hand, announcing that I had two.

Joe, just what kind of data are we talking about?

I am glad you asked this one. We had been puzzled about what this Mideastern country would do with the kind of information received. It consisted mainly of data on research and development regarding new major military hardware as well as potential application of proposed modifications to existing equipment. The category of these items falls into the bailiwick of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, including the Marine Corps.

Joe, I am not surprised. This leads me to my second question. Why would a second or third grade country want experimental tools of warfare?

Kevin, a brief response would be ‘money’. We are virtually certain that funds exchanged hands. The GRU agent is working on his retirement nest egg. The recipient of the data would not buy for his country’s use. There is a cash market for this information, a very profitable one at that. In fact, that was how we got onto this. Some of this top secret stuff was offered to one of our sources. We paid dearly, just to get it off the market.

Kenolly requested Frank, the other Agency participant, to take the floor. Frank explained his role as determining whether any of the leakage originated or was in any way processed within his agency. He said there was a headquarters unit that keeps tabs of advanced weaponry, its goal is to keep informed of what was going on abroad. Although there is general knowledge of U.S. research proposals, none of the information uncovered in that country originated in the Agency or was transmitted by it.

Next to speak was the individual from the Defense Intelligence Agency. On the basis of a survey, they found that none of the various intelligence units at the Departmental level had been directly involved in any of this. He said the DIA emphasizes analysis of the intelligence gathered by the military services. On the basis of these data, briefings of the Secretary of Defense and his principal deputies are conducted. Some of these are special reports. Of course DIA agents are also sometimes involved in intelligence gatherings.

Francis Kalmans, representing the Navy, spoke next. We got into this at the request of the CIA. Franz von Licksaborg, the Austrian diplomat, had become friendly with a civilian employee in the Naval Logistics Office in the Pentagon. I interviewed her. In my opinion, no exchange of classified data was involved. It was purely a romantic relationship. Kevin Keefer, of Army Counterintelligence, also covered this. I am sure he will include it in his presentation.

After Kenolly introduced Bob MacMerial and me, Bob asked me to present the Army’s input. We got involved as a result of a report from our Munich office regarding an affair between the Austrian diplomat and a Pentagon employee. I was in Europe to interview the diplomat. But, I was not successful in getting an identification of the woman involved. Subsequently, upon my return here, we contacted the CIA, namely Jonathan Kenolly. Through Jonathan, I got in touch with Francis Kalmans who suggested that I re-interview the Navy employee in the Pentagon. I agree with Francis that the relationship appears to have been strictly on the social level.

When nobody had any questions, Kenolly announced that he had arranged for lunch. Soon a couple of carts loaded with sandwiches and salad selections were rolled in, plus hot and cold drinks. Pointing toward an open box, Kenolly mentioned the cost to be four dollars. With a broad grin he emphasized that there were no freebees at the CIA. We don’t want to be accused of bribes.

After lunch, the meeting was reconvened. The very last presentation was made by the FBI agent. When she stood in front of us, I finally had a good look at her. Barbara Sheralds was in her 30’s, medium height, with an athletic body and an attractive face crowned by brown curls. She must have noticed my appraising eyes. Turning toward me, she expressed her hope that she was in compliance with the Pentagon dress code. That brought out nodding smiles from around the table. Barbara noted she was going to be brief and to the point.

"Through our sources we heard rumors about top secret Pentagon data finding its way overseas. We recognize your direct concerns. We don’t want to interfere or take over.

At this point we do want to assist wherever and whenever we can. Please contact me without hesitation. I am in the Washington Regional Office. I would like to add that I suspect some of the factual developments that might be important were held back.

However, in my experience, I have found that ignoring minor points may delay solution of the real problem. For instance, I find it inexcusable that Kevin did not reveal the request by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Defense Intelligence Agency to analyze a document received by Army Counterintelligence. We recently got wind of this. My boss was furious about the paranoid climate prevailing among our sister agencies. We were all convened here because of national security. We are not here to play games.

Kenolly nodded to me, Keef, what is your comment?

I regret the FBI feels we have withheld information. The fact is that the paper screened by the DIA was a personal communication to me, the significance of which I did not and still do not consider more than a prank being pulled on me by a personal friend or foe. Naturally, I am curious as to the authorship of this paper. I knew that the DIA has a reputable document analysis section. Prior to this I have had no contact with DIA. Bob MacMerial suggested that we call on someone he knows at JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff) who could get the DIA to review the paper in question. I may add that the analysis only revealed the make of the computer used. I am still puzzled as to who sent me the Letter. Unless I find out otherwise, I do not consider this of earthshaking import. Perhaps the DIA may want to add something.

The DIA representative broke in. I will be glad to clear up Barbara Sheralds’ contention about not sharing intelligence. What she describes and names as parochial attitudes are par for the course before 9/11. As you all know, the President has since then insisted and, I may add, enforced close coordination between the agencies. As I have previously stated, we are not primarily an operating agency at the headquarters level. We gather the fruits of your harvest, digest and analyze them for our purposes. It is not exceptional that we are called upon to provide special analyses such as document interpretation. In this particular case, an individual we deal with in the JCS asked us for our opinion on a personal document received by an Army intelligence officer. We are called upon for such tasks ever so often. So why should this be brought up here? If Keefer had covered it in his presentation, I would be puzzled why he included it.

Before I close this forum, Kenolly said, Let me put in my five cents worth. First of all, as you know the President has designated the CIA the lead agency for intelligence coordination. Thus, when Bob and Keef conferred with me a few days ago, the subject of the personal document never came up. I am not the slightest bit upset that it didn’t. I urge you all not to nitpick. Let’s make sure we cooperate fully on the developments that concern all of us. Please don’t wait for another meeting I may call in the future. Coordinate among yourselves. Talk to each other, exchange specialties, visit each other!

After we left the building, I asked Bob to pull into the next rest stop on the Parkway. We agreed that the most significant news at the meeting was the CIA’s revelation about the type and nature of the U.S. security data in the hand of this Mideastern country. As they were traced to the Pentagon, was there a connection with the Letter I had received, the origin of which the JCS was so concerned about? If that was the case, were we not over our heads in continuing with our efforts to find its author and perpetrator in the JCS? We agreed to contact John Mosen, the JCS Security Officer, immediately and toss this hot potato into his lap.

Bob used his cell phone. According to John’s answering machine he was on vacation. Bob then dialed the number of the Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the JCS, Brig. General Alois Hepsterall. He was in. When Bob briefed him on the CIA meeting, the General agreed that we get together with John as soon as possible. He asked that we stand by as he or John would call us right back. After a few minutes, the phone rang. It was John on the line, speaking from home. He asked that we stop by as it was just minutes away.

John lived in a modest 3-bedroom rambler in a pleasant neighborhood. He was waiting for us on the porch. He persuaded us to try a pie his wife had just baked.

Once we settled down, Bob filled him in on the CIA meeting. When he came to the classified materials described by the CIA’s Vienna Station Chief, John raised his eyebrows. Bob expressed our feeling that this threw a monkey wrench in our plan to confine the investigation in-house.

After some deep thinking, John stated his personal belief. "While I cannot be 100% certain, the purloined data ordinarily would not be available in or ever be a subject of discussion within the JCS. We usually do not get into R&D (research and development) at an early stage. I don’t believe that leakage on this subject can be traced to us.

On the other hand this represents a serious problem for the entire Defense establishment. I agree that the culprit must be in the Pentagon. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force R&D activities appear to be involved, so the data most likely originated within the Services. It looks like they have to ride herd on this. They must work with the FBI. Let me get a reading from General Hepsterall on this. He is standing by for my call. I have a secure line to his office.

John came back out to the porch after a drawn-out conversation with his boss. He told us that the General agreed that the CIA revelations did not appear to have anything to do with my Letter. Therefore, he saw no reason for us to discontinue our internal investigation. He was distressed when I told him about the FBI woman’s comments on the analysis of the Letter. He wondered how she found out. He suggested I should get on a friendly footing with her. Perhaps she will spill the beans as to who was leaking this.

The General also instructed me to contact the Army Chief of Staff’s office and brief the General’s aide on the CIA meeting, just to cover the slight possibility that there is some connection with the Letter. Your counterintelligence unit should also pursue this aspect. For appearances sake you, Bob, should take the lead on this. The Chief of Staff’s office will handle it with the G-2 (Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence). Bob, is it too much for your small unit to take on?

As Keef is doing all the footwork, I will let him respond.

I don’t think that this will be a problem for us, at least from the workload point of view. I am sure neither the Navy, Air Force, nor the Army will have much input on this. My feeling is that the FBI will make this investigation its own preserve. They will probably draw upon CIA agents abroad to assist. I predict that Barbara Sheralds will personally take this assignment on. She is a comer, in her early 30’s and already deputy chief of a key unit in the second largest FBI office in the country. My idea is if I keep out of her hair, she will keep out of mine. So I don’t think that this part of the investigation will take much of our time.

John chimed in, I tend to agree with you. If, however, this mushrooms, we will get the Army to give you more help.

By the time we got back to my house it was almost time for the evening news. After enticing Bob to join me in a bottle of beer, we settled down in the living room. I flicked on the tube, but soon turned it off. There were more ads than anything newsworthy. I persuaded him to call his wife and tell her that he and I would be going out to dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant.

While we were leisurely digesting a meal of lasagna with a salad on the side, we reviewed the events of the day. We came to the critical question of what we should do, if anything, regarding uncovering the source of the top secret data which had surfaced in the Mideastern country. We agreed that the FBI would be gung ho on this. But, inasmuch as the Department of the Army was involved, should we not at least make a serious effort ourselves?

Bob agreed. We can’t just turn our backs on this. I am going to the Department tomorrow and contact a few R&D types. I may be able to pick up leads. My snooping will be sort of hush-hush. I won’t relate the real reason for my curiosity.

What are we going to say to Alicia?

Well, I will call her tomorrow. She will be curious about the CIA meeting. I will tell her I will be doing some checking in the Pentagon, primarily to show that we take these events seriously. But I will urge her not to put anything about my proposed probing into her reports. Otherwise, the news will spread like wildfire. This will be contrary to our agreement with JCS. I am sure she will concur. I will also mention to her that you will be busy for the next few days tying up loose ends regarding the Austrian diplomat’s affairs.

You don’t want to mention our visit to John Mosen?

Of course, I will tell her. I will explain our desire to close down the Letter investigation. She should be aware that we proposed it. I will emphasize that JCS nixed it, being convinced that the activities mentioned in the Letter were almost certainly not related to the R&D equipment espionage. I will also urge her to keep this to herself. We must protect the Army, if any leaks develop, let the others be guilty. I am certain she will appreciate our retaining JCS’ confidence.

On the way home I told Bob I had to attend to some personal things in the morning. In the afternoon I would give the FBI woman a call.

Oh, Keef, you are taking Hepsterall’s suggestion seriously!

You know Bob, that when a General hints at something, it is always a good idea to comply! Besides, when she gave me that look, I immediately felt that this was a come-on!

My, my, how you can twist things around.

The next morning, while I was having breakfast the phone rang. It was Bob.

Guess who called me just a few minutes ago?

Yes, I know. It was Alicia. She spoke to her friend in the Chief of Staff’s office who told her about the CIA meeting.

You are dead wrong. Alicia has not bugged me yet, but she will, I am sure. No, it was your favorite FBI agent. She wanted to talk to you. So you better buzz her at the FBI Washington office and be nice to her!

Well, I thought to myself, I wonder what she wants. I finished all my chores, including cutting the grass, when my curiosity got the better of me. I called Barbara Sheralds.

Thanks for returning my call, Mr. Keefer. My comments yesterday about withholding information were spoken in the heat of the moment. I really had no business bringing this up, not knowing what was behind it. I had assumed that since the DIA got into the act, it must have been something of pertinence to the overseas leakage business. Another factor was that I was the only female participant. My natural reaction was to let you all know not to trifle with the FBI. Please accept my apology.

I appreciate what you just told me. Please forget it! I hope, the next time we meet, we can begin working together like two professionals.

If you are not too busy today, how about joining me for lunch?

What do you have in mind, Barbara?

As the weather is so pleasant, how about meeting around one o’clock at that waterfront restaurant facing the Washington Channel? Do you know where it is Kevin?

Yes, isn’t it near the stalls where they sell seafood?

You got it. There is a parking lot in front. Just give the attendant your name. The FBI has a number of reserved spaces. The place is not far from our office and we go there quite often. I will be looking for you at one of the outdoor tables facing the water.

OK, see you later!

I left from home about 12:15, taking the road through Rock Creek Park that leads almost directly to the waterfront in Southwest Washington. As it was customary on a nice summer day, there were plenty of tourists around. Most of them were on foot, wandering from one monument to another. When I got to the parking lot, the attendant showed me where to park. As I reached the outside serving area, Barbara got up from her table to greet me.

She gave me a slight hug, saying, This is how I greet all my friends, I hope I can put you in that category. I hope you are ready to eat, I am starving.

After ordering lunch, she got right down to business. Barbara related that her office had been alerted about the data that had surfaced in the Middle East from the FBI Resident Agent in that area. She was asked by FBI headquarters to find the Pentagon source. When the CIA had called yesterday’s meeting, she probably knew as much about this case as the Agency did. She had been in the Pentagon several times. She knew people in the Defense Intelligence Agency. One of them had informed her about my document. She brought it up at the meeting, to see whether it might have a connection with what she was after. Much to my surprise, Barbara got into the subject of FBI office politics.

I do enjoy my work in the Washington Regional Office. As you know, it plays an important role in the FBI structure. While I have been successful in the career pattern, I am getting a little tired of it. You know, sometimes you get the feeling you need a change. Besides, my promotional prospects are limited. If I hang around long enough, I may eventually become chief of the office. Actually I am more interested in a relatively new organization at headquarters, the Counterterrorism Division. It is being staffed with the brightest comers in the FBI. I want to be one of them. I have some friends at headquarters. They tell me that this spy case at the Pentagon may win me some points!

Before we left, Barbara wanted my home phone number.

I said, It’s no secret, I am in the phonebook.

She told me she is also listed in the phonebook but under her husband’s name. I looked at her hand.

"No, I don’t wear a wedding ring. We are separated. We have had some domestic problems that I don’t want to go into. Last month, we started the divorce process. He is also an