“I’m guessing that we don’t like this. The UAE is one of our strongest allies. We probably don’t want them getting cozier with Iran.”
“That’s partially true. Although the State Department has an interesting theory that it could actually help us in the long term. An economic beachhead that would spur on democracy in Tehran. I’m skeptical.”
“Me too.”
“But in the short term, the issue is over tracking funds. Iran supplies weapons and funding to several terrorist groups around the world. Mainly Hezbollah. We estimate that last year Iran gave the equivalent of almost two hundred million US dollars to Hezbollah.”
“That doesn’t sound like a recipe for peace.”
“Well, here’s where bitcoin comes into play. Today, the US and our allies can slow down and freeze many of Iran’s terrorist-funding transactions. But bitcoin is untraceable. We already believe that terrorist groups, and nations of ill repute, use bitcoin to transfer funds when they don’t want us to know about it. But with this new currency backed by bitcoin, and wider adoption of bitcoin, it could open the floodgates so that countries like Iran could start transferring much larger sums of money to some very bad people. And not only to Hezbollah, but also to terrorist cells around the world. Today, the US could stop Iran from funding a terrorist cell in New Jersey. But if this new currency system is set up and we can’t monitor transactions, it would be much easier to fund terrorists anywhere in the world, including the US. This could become a very real threat to our national security.”
“I see.”
Elliot said, “And lastly, the US doesn’t like the idea of China launching a competitor to the World Bank. That weakens us and empowers China. This is the AIIB’s first real move. So what do they do? They go and fund this new currency exchange between Iran and the UAE… I mean, they might as well be pissing in our rose garden.”
Chase leaned back in his seat. He cocked his head and said, “Well, I imagine that there are certain American entities in Dubai that are very busy keeping an eye on this Dubai Financial Summit.”
He gave Chase a knowing look. “I imagine that there are.”
“Elliot, if you’re so busy with all of that, why did you fly out here to see me?”
He sat back down and placed his hands on the coffee table. “Chase, have you ever been to the American consulate in Dubai?”
“That’s where your office is, right? For your State Department job?”
Elliot nodded. “Let me tell you something. There is no need for a US consulate in Dubai. We have an embassy in Abu Dhabi. The reason we have a consulate in Dubai is because we get more Iranian citizens in there asking for American green cards than any other location on the planet. Some are businessmen who oversee state-run organizations. Some are would-be defectors with military experience. I’ve got three interrogation rooms with two-way mirrors in that consulate, and a staff of ten managing daily interviews. It’s been a great source of human intelligence over the years.”
“Sounds like a good operation.”
“Consulates are often the best places to collect intelligence. And the best intelligence is what we get from human sources.”
“That’s what I was told during my training at the Farm.”
The CIA station chief smiled. “Two days ago a guy came into our consulate in Dubai. You know who it was?”
“Who?”
“You know that Iranian politician I just told you about? Ahmad Gorji? The one who’s spearheading the Iranian participation in the Dubai Financial Summit?”
“Yeah.”
“It was his personal assistant.”
“What did he want? He wants a green card too?”
“No. That wasn’t what he wanted.”
“What, then?”
Elliot Jackson narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. “Well, Chase, as it turns out, he wanted you.”
Chapter 3
Chase frowned in disbelief. “I don’t understand. I’ve never met any Iranian politician’s assistant.”
“I don’t expect that you have. But still, he used your name. He said it. Chase Manning. He waited until we were alone, of course. Even asked me to turn off any cameras. Said it would be in my best interests. I didn’t listen, but maybe I should have, knowing what I now know.”
“What do you now know?”
“So here this guy is, just flown in from Tehran. His boss is a big deal, so he’s probably pretty damn busy. He’s probably using his only hour of free time in between meetings to make his way through Dubai to the American consulate. God knows what kind of tricks he had to pull to get there without drawing attention. Hell… I hope he did, anyway. For his sake. Then he asks for one of my Special Operations Group rookies. You. A former US Navy SEAL who’s been off fighting ISIS in Iraq for most of your first year on the job.” Elliot paused. “I didn’t know what to make of it. The guy told me that he wouldn’t talk to anyone else. Then he told me that he had some very important information that he was to give to you.”
Chase shifted in his seat. He didn’t like the tone that Elliot was using. “Sir, are you suspecting me of anything?”
Elliot said, “No, of course not. But I generally like to be in the know about all of our human assets in the area. So if there is something you need to tell me, now’s the time.”
Chase’s palms were sweating. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He wasn’t sure why he felt nervous. Perhaps it was because he couldn’t prove that he hadn’t done anything wrong. He held out his hands. “Look, Mr. Jackson. I swear to God that I have no idea how this guy got my name.”
Elliot waited a moment. It was uncomfortable. “I asked this guy a lot of questions. At first he wouldn’t answer. He said he would only talk to you. I told him that you weren’t available, but that I would see if I could arrange a meeting soon. Then, he told me a story.”
“What did he say?”
“He told me about a CIA operation in Dubai that had been uncovered by the Iranians. He let me know that I have a leaky ship.”
“Could he prove it?”
“Yes, he could.”
“How do you know he was telling the truth?”
Jackson said, “You know the new bitcoin-backed currency we were discussing?”
“Yes.”
“Currencies need central banks. This new bitcoin-backed currency will have its own central bank located in the Dubai financial district… collocated within Dubai’s own bitcoin exchange market. The whole thing is about to go operational any day now. And the US is not invited to the party. I’ve been working on a project with Waleed Hajjar, UAE intelligence, for about a year. We have been able to place a reliable asset in the IT department of the bitcoin-backed currency’s central bank. He will also be linked in to the new bitcoin exchange once it starts trading next week.”
“Sounds like a damn good source.”
“That’s what I was hoping.”
“But?”
“But, it appears that the Iranians now know about him. Our new Iranian friend told me his name. Therefore, I have a leak.”
“You said that you were working with UAE intelligence. How do you know they aren’t the ones who have the leak? That seems more plausible.”
“Because the Iranian knew the CIA code name for our source. That was information which was never shared with Waleed.”
Chase raised his eyebrows. “I see. Any ideas on who the leak might be?”
“Honestly? No, I do not. That’s what scares the shit out of me. Langley is sending me a few counterespionage specialists. They arrive the day after tomorrow. They’ll help with plugging the hole. There’s a special place in Hell awaiting this person when we find them.”
Chase looked out the window. Another pair of jets was taking off. “So… I still don’t understand why this guy asked for me. Did he tell you?”