be double agents dangled by foreign services. I assume that’s your paramount concern, that Reza is working for a foreign agency trying to fool us into attacking Iran.”
“Yes.”
“But walk-ins have been among the best assets in the CIA’s history. They have unique advantages. They are often spies themselves, so they understand tradecraft and don’t need hand-holding. They give up vitalinformation quickly, because it is the very
importance
of the information that has caused them to approach us. Put another way, they’re motivated. We don’t have to play games with them. I hope that makes sense.”
When you’re answering, don’t go on and on,
Carcetti said
. Pause halfway through. Get them to buy in.
“I suppose.”
“I believe the man who called himself Reza was one of these ultra-high-value walk-ins. Do I wish I knew his name? Yes. That we had him under our protection, in a safe house somewhere? Yes. Would I prefer someone else had seen him? Of course. At least then I wouldn’t be the only one in front of the firing squad.”
Taylor thought he was close to breaking through. But Frommer merely shook her head.
“Mr. Taylor. If a firing squad is required, you won’t be its only target. We’re going to hear much more testimony today. And, of course, we will discuss next steps.”
“That’s above my pay grade.”
Even as the words left his mouth Taylor knew he’d made a mistake. Frommer was in no mood for canned lines.
“You are correct. Far above. Let’s focus on the question that you are here to answer. Is the man who calls himself Reza who he claims to be? Is he real?”
Taylor’s life had shrunk to the microphone in front of him. He reached for it, cupped it toward him. His hands weren’t shaking. A small victory.
“Believe me, I understand what that question means for our country, Chairwoman. I’ve spent more hours than I can count thinking it through. And my answer is
yes
.”
“Why?”
Because no one could be that good an actor.
But Taylor knew Frommer didn’t want pronouncements. She wanted specifics.
“Because the truth is that no one betrays his country without goodreason. I saw Reza’s motivations up close and they were real, believable, and specific. I’ve outlined them today and I discussed them in detail in my reports, which I know the agency has made available to you. Nor do I fault Reza for his desire to keep his real name secret. He mentioned Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning when I promised to protect him and his identity. I can’t disagree with his assessment of our security flaws.”
“Is that all?”
“It is not, ma’am. I believe a foreign agency would have presented someone whose cover story didn’t raise as many questions as Reza’s. I repeatedly demanded more information from him. A would-be double agent would have answered at least some questions. Tried to ease my suspicions. His superiors would have insisted. Reza refused. He never gave me the impression that he was under anyone’s control.”
“So the holes in his story actually make him more plausible?”
“I know that’s counterintuitive, but yes. He told me repeatedly that the intelligence he provided would speak for itself. And that has proven to be correct.”
“Mr. Taylor, the agency sometimes uses the term
source capture
, does it not?”
Taylor hadn’t heard anyone at the CIA utter those words since his training at Camp Peary. But this was not the moment to argue. “Yes, Madam Chairwoman.”
“Can you define those words for me?”
“Source capture occurs when a CIA officer becomes so overly protective of an agent that he can no longer determine the agent’s value or reliability. It isn’t the same as being doubled, where the officer winds up becoming an active spy for the other side. It’s more subtle and insidious. It happens for any number of reasons. Sexual attraction, or even friendship over a long period. Usually, the officer doesn’t even recognize what’s
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