“You’ve got to do this the right way,” Venuti said with the pompousness I’ve never liked. “This is a Bureau interview, not a Paul Grale interview. Don’t fuck it up. Be the humble hero and don’t go anywhere you’ll regret.”
The director spoke first then introduced me. I stood at a temporary podium and faced reporters, some who I recognized from national TV. I picked Kelly Raley first. Her hair was ginned up and her makeup deft. It gave her face gravitas without looking somber.
“Special Agent Grale, I’m speaking as an American when I say we all want to thank you.”
“I was just one of many in law enforcement working together.”
“You had a special role. How did you know the drone attack was coming?”
“A former air force drone pilot, Lieutenant Jeremy Beatty, alerted me. He saw things at a private airfield that worried him. I’ve known him for years and trusted him, so I listened and followed up on what he gave us.”
“Let me get this straight, you’re saying the ex–drone pilot Beatty helped the FBI?”
“Yes. He did.”
“We’re hearing he was being investigated for espionage and possible collusion with the terrorists.”
“He stumbled into a DOD investigation by test-flying drones in Taiwan. I think the Department of Defense will acknowledge that he had no espionage role.”
“Could he have been among the plotters here, then changed his mind?”
“I’m not aware of any facts supporting that. Prior to the attack he raised concerns about the pilots and after he was fired from his instructor’s job, he continued to pass on information. From a position where he was camping, he observed that the pilots and drones were gone and called me. That proved to be critical, and you know what he did when he found out the drones were on the highway.”
“Some have called that a suicidal attempt at redemption.”
“Yeah, I heard that, but I was talking with him as he drove toward the drones.”
“Why does the Bureau account differ from yours?”
I paused and looked out at the expectant faces. Behind me, the director cleared his throat. When I didn’t answer fast enough, Kelly Raley moved on.
“We’re hearing from sources that a gun he owned was used to kill the security guards and the job broker Edward Bahn. He then discovered the bodies.”
“Your sources don’t have that information. They’re speculating.”
“One of those sources is well up in the Bureau.”
“Give me a name and I’ll brief that person.”
That elicited some nervous laughs, and I knew with that comment, I’d crossed a line. I should back down.
“What about the targeting of cities on the computers in his trailer?”
“That was training software for teaching drone pilots. You can find much worse things in video games your kids play.”
“Does your personal connection color your view?”
I nodded.
“Sure, it does. I had known Jeremy for years. He was the real deal and loved the air force but developed a problem with civilian casualties that came to a head with the drone strike that killed the American schoolteacher Hakim Salter. I remember you reporting that story, Kelly, after the family challenged the official version.”
She nodded.
“Lieutenant Beatty launched the missile that killed the Taliban in the courtyard and Hakim Salter. He had issues with that. It led to a breakdown and what’s called ‘kill inhibition.’ He struggled, no question Jeremy struggled, and continued to after his discharge, but look at what he did when he thought drones were targeting Creech Air Force Base.”
An audible murmur passed through the crowd, and I knew I was out on my own. I pointed at another reporter, though behind me feet shuffled. The signal was there. Cut it off.
“Sir, the Salter drone strike you’re referencing has been reviewed and validated,” the reporter said.
“I can’t comment on the validation process, but the pilot who participated in the strike with Lieutenant Beatty agrees with Beatty’s account of events. I’ve talked to him. But I’m getting off topic here. Any other questions?”
I nodded toward another reporter and took his question.
“Special Agent Grale, you’ve given us a very different version of Beatty’s role yesterday.”
“All I can do is tell you what I saw and what I know of the evidence. From what I know, from the leads I worked from, I’d call Jeremy Beatty a hero.”
That caused a buzz among the reporters.
“You said you were on the phone with him as he drove toward the drones. Can you tell us what he said?”
“You’ll have to wait for the phone transcripts to be released, but I can tell you I tried to get him to stop his truck and protect himself.”
“Sir, individuals at various law enforcement agencies, not just the FBI, have implied charges would come and that Jeremy Beatty was a co-conspirator.”
“Is that a question?”
“I guess the question is, how can your version be so different?”
“That I can answer. I was there.”