I had a retirement photo opportunity with then-CIA Director John Brennan. He greeted me with a CIA keepsake coin and a firm handshake. We posed for the photographer and chatted for a minute about favorite assignments over my 30 year career.

CIA Director keepsake coin

Front and back of Director Brennan’s keepsake challenge coin

 

He asked me what I was going to do in retirement. I told him that I would be a full-time mystery and thriller author.

It wasn’t a long meeting and I knew he was very busy. As the secretary ushered me out, Director Brennan stopped me. I turned around.

After a long pause he said, “Be kind to us.”

It was an awkward moment. I murmured something brilliant like “Of course,” and left.

Those were his parting words. At the time, I assumed he meant the CIA.

But now that he’s a talking head on MSNBC, I’m not so sure.

0 Comments

You may also like

CIA career

CARMEN AMATO

Mystery and thriller author. Retired Central Intelligence Agency intel officer. Dog mom to Hazel and Dutch. Recovering Italian handbag addict.

 

Author Carmen Amato

Top Secret(s) for You

The Mystery Ahead newsletter gives you exclusive news & behind-the-scenes content every other Sunday.

Thank you! Check your email inbox for the first secret. There's more where that came from.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This