In Search of Enemies - A CIA Story - John Stockwell

CIA People Policies [85]
Potts quickly assured me that Foster would be the deputy chief. He
was looking thoughtful as I left, however, and I knew I had better
not slip even half a step in running the task force. My African
experience was too strong a temptation if they developed problems
in Kinshasa.
Then I braced Carl Bantam. When he began to repeat his plan to
make us co-chiefs I quickly interrupted. I reminded him that I had
extensive experience in Africa and was senior to Foster. If he and
Potts wanted me to run the program, I was interested. Otherwise I
could move on to another assignment. Bantam stood before me,
reflecting. Most of his career had been spent as officer-in-charge. He
hadn't recently served as anyone's deputy and he was realizing for
the first time the limitations of his present position. He didn't have
the authority to make the final decision. Reluctantly he acquiesced.
I would be the chief and Foster the deputy. Bantam smiled and we
headed out for staff meeting together. Of course, he would keep
trying and I would be under constant pressure from the ambitious
Foster, who had a strong supporter in the front office. But I could
handle that. Carl and I went into the conference room together,
talking about tennis.
After staff meeting I stopped in George Costello's office to drive
the last nail into Foster's position. George hadn't settled down to
work yet.
"George, I understand you're bringing a young hotshot in from
EA Division to run the task force for us." George was an old Africa
hand and would be inclined to resent Foster's intrusion.
"Well, Potts and Carl are in a little bit of a bind ... apparently
they had offered this fellow the job, but there was some mix-up."
"No problem." I said. "It's a bucket of worms anyway. I don't
know how much experience Potts and Carl and the man in Kinshasa
have in Africa. Or Foster. He makes it a new team. Anyway, he can
run the task force and I'll go back to Texas and do some more
fishing."
George Costello was a huge man. Standing, he towered over me,
and jammed a thick finger against my chest.
"You aren't going anywhere. You are the task force chief. They
need you more than they realize. Potts doesn't have any experience
in Africa. Carl never set foot on the continent. St. Martin hasn't been
in Kinshasa long. And Foster doesn't even know where it is on the
map. Now you get your ass out of here and get to work."