Chapter 25: Revelations from the Past
It was a relatively quiet afternoon at the FBI office in New York, and the team decided to take advantage of the rare moment of calm to have lunch together in the cafeteria. Isobel, Jubal, Maggie, Kristen and OA were sitting around a table, talking about past cases and some curious stories from the field.
The conversation was lively until OA, thoughtful, decided to bring up something that had been hammering on his mind.
"Isobel," he began, looking at her curiously. "I've been thinking... When I was in Iraq, on my second tour, I remember we operated together with some special units. There was the 2nd Ranger Regiment, which was mine, the Red Squadron of DEVGRU, the 7th Green Beret Group and even some guys from the CIA. I was wondering... Grant, which squadron was he in at DEVGRU?"
Isobel stopped eating for a moment, surprised by the sudden question, but smiled slightly. "He was in Red Squadron," he replied casually, as if it were something commonplace.
OA's eyes widened and she nearly dropped her fork on her plate. "Wait, what? Red Squadron? Are you serious?"
"Yes," Isobel confirmed, taking a sip of her water. "Grant was in Red Squadron. He spent years there before he came to the FBI."
Jubal, Maggie, and Kristen stopped eating as well, looking at OA, waiting for him to explain his reaction.
"I can't believe it," OA said, shaking her head and laughing. "This is unreal. We were in the same place, operating on the same missions, and I didn't even know one of the guys in Red Squadron was him!"
"Do you remember seeing him?" Kristen asked curiously.
OA scratched her head, trying to remember. "I can't remember specifically, but Red Squadron was always known for being extremely efficient. They were the stars of the show. When we knew they were on an operation, it was a sure thing."
"Grant is good at what he does," Isobel said with a proud smile. "He doesn't talk much about those years, but the little he did tell me made me understand why he's so respected."
"For those of you who aren't familiar," OA began, turning to Maggie, Kristen, and Jubal, "DEVGRU is the Navy's Special Warfare Development Command. Also known as SEAL Team Six. But within DEVGRU, they have specialized squadrons. Gold, Blue, Silver, and Red are the assault squadrons, while Black Squadron is responsible for intelligence."
"So Red Squadron was one of the elite squadrons?" Maggie asked, intrigued.
"Exactly," OA replied. "They're the best of the best. Each squadron has its own specific missions, but they're all highly trained to operate in extreme scenarios. Red Squadron, in particular, is known for high-risk missions in the Middle East."
"I remember one mission," OA continued, clearly lost in memory. "We were in Baghdad, trying to rescue hostages from a building. Red Squadron was leading the operation. They were amazing, coming in and out like ghosts. Their precision was unbelievable. Now, to think Grant was there... It changes everything."
"Do you think he remembers you?" Jubal asked curiously.
"Probably not," OA admitted. "Back then, I was just another Ranger. They were focused on their job, and we were focused on ours. But still, it's amazing to know that our lives crossed paths somehow."
"Isobel," Kristen began, leaning forward, "did Grant ever mention any specific missions with Red Squadron?"
Isobel shook her head. "Not in detail. He's very secretive about that stuff. All I know is that he was involved in some of the most important operations at the time."
"That makes sense," Maggie said, considering. "These operators live such secret lives that even other military personnel don't know much about them. But now I understand why Grant seems so... prepared for any situation."
"He's definitely a man of many talents," Isobel commented with an enigmatic smile, earning curious glances from the others.
Later, as the group continued eating lunch, OA pulled out her cell phone and began searching for information on Red Squadron. "Did you know that Red Squadron has been involved in some of the biggest counterterrorism operations? Including missions in Iraq and Afghanistan?"
"That explains why Grant is so calm under pressure," Kristen commented. "He's been in much worse situations."
"And why he's so highly regarded by the FBI," Jubal added. "It's not every day you come across someone with that kind of experience."
"I've said it before and I'll say it again," Isobel said, looking around the table. "Grant is an extraordinary man. And I'm so lucky to have him in my life."
When lunch was over and everyone returned to work, OA was still thinking about the revelation. He made a mental note to ask Grant about that mission in Baghdad, but he knew the man would probably be as discreet as ever.
Even so, OA's respect for Grant grew even more, as did the admiration the entire team had for him. Grant Shawn was not only a man of exceptional abilities; he was a living legend, and the fact that he was attached to DEVGRU's Red Squadron was further proof of that.
Chapter 26: Uncovering Grant's Past
Kristen and Maggie sat side by side in the FBI's New York office, sharing a computer while doing some quick research. Their lunch conversation with Isobel and OA about Grant Shawn and his history with DEVGRU's Red Squadron had piqued their curiosity.
"Did you know that Red Squadron participated in some of the most iconic operations in military history?" Kristen asked as she typed on her keyboard.
"I've heard of Red Squadron, but I've never heard the details," Maggie replied, leaning in to get a better look at the screen. "After hearing OA talk, I got curious. Especially since Grant was in that squadron."
Kristen found a page with information about some of the missions carried out by DEVGRU, highlighting Red Squadron. The first one that caught her attention was the 2009 rescue mission of Captain Richard Phillips, when Somali pirates hijacked the Maersk Alabama.
"Look at this," Kristen said, pointing to the screen. "That was the rescue mission for Captain Phillips. Red Squadron was responsible for it. They neutralized the pirates with precision fire while the Captain was in the lifeboat."
"I remember that case," Maggie replied. "It was worldwide news. Do you think Grant was on that mission?"
"Considering he was still active in DEVGRU at the time, it's quite possible," Kristen replied thoughtfully.
Continuing their research, the two found another breathtaking mission: Operation Neptune Spear, in 2011, the operation that located and eliminated Osama bin Laden.
"Wait a minute," Maggie said, reading the details. "That happened in May 2011. And if I'm not mistaken, Isobel mentioned that Grant retired at the end of 2011. That means he was still with DEVGRU when it happened."
Kristen crossed her arms, puzzled. "Do you think he was on that mission?"
"If he was in Red Squadron, chances are good," Maggie replied, her eyes wide. "They were instrumental in this operation. This mission changed the world."
The two continued to research more about these missions. Each detail was more impressive than the last. They discovered that the rescue of Captain Phillips was one of the most precise operations ever conducted, with snipers landing perfect shots on a moving boat at sea.
Operation Neptune Spear, on the other hand, involved an extremely risky infiltration into Pakistan, where the team eliminated bin Laden and recovered valuable information for American intelligence.
"If Grant was on these missions, it explains a lot," Kristen commented, leaning back in her chair.
"Like what?" Maggie asked.
"Why he's so calm and strategic," Kristen replied. "He's been in situations where the slightest mistake meant death. He's been shaped by that."
"Not to mention why he's so respected by the FBI," Maggie added. "And why even the White House trusts him."
Later, during a break, Maggie and Kristen found OA and Jubal in the break room. Still intrigued, they shared their findings.
"Did you know that DEVGRU's Red Squadron did the rescue of Captain Phillips and Operation Neptune Spear?" Kristen asked.
OA nodded, sipping her coffee. "Of course. Those are two of DEVGRU's most famous missions. Why are you asking?"
"Because Grant was still active in Red Squadron during those missions," Maggie replied.
OA nearly choked on her coffee. "Wait a minute. Are you saying he might have been on those missions?"
"Exactly," Kristen replied. "And it makes perfect sense. He retired at the end of 2011, so he was there when those things happened."
"If he really did participate in those missions, that explains a lot about the respect he has," OA commented. "But it's hard to confirm. Those operations are highly classified. The names of the operators are rarely released."
"Do you think he'd tell Isobel?" Maggie asked.
"Probably," OA replied. "But I doubt she'll tell us. Grant seems like the kind of person who keeps those details to himself."
"Still," Kristen said thoughtfully. "If he was there, that means we're working with someone who literally helped change the course of history."
Later, Kristen and Maggie ran into Isobel in the hallway and decided to test their luck.
"Isobel," Kristen began casually. "We were reading about Red Squadron and some of the missions they did. Like the rescue of Captain Phillips and Operation Neptune Spear. Do you think Grant was on those missions?"
Isobel paused for a moment, surprised by the question, but her smile gave away more than she intended. "You two are very curious, you know?"
"It's hard not to be," Maggie replied with a smile.
"Look," Isobel said, choosing her words carefully. "Grant doesn't talk much about that stuff, but... he told me he was on some missions that changed the course of history. That's all I can say."
Kristen and Maggie exchanged glances, their smiles growing. It was the confirmation they needed. When the day ended, Kristen and Maggie went home still thinking about Grant's past.
Working alongside someone who had been on such iconic missions brought a new level of admiration and respect.
Meanwhile, Isobel arrived home to find Grant in the kitchen preparing dinner.
"You've been causing some curiosity among my team," she said, laughing as she approached him.
"Oh, really?" Grant asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They found out that Red Squadron was involved in the rescue of Captain Phillips and Operation Neptune Spear. They're wondering if you were there," she said, leaning against the counter.
Grant smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying. "Let them keep wondering. Some things are better left as a mystery."
Isobel laughed, knowing he would never reveal everything, but also knowing enough to be proud of the man beside her.
Chapter 27: Mysteries and Theories
At the FBI office in New York, Kristen and Maggie were still fascinated by the history of Red Squadron and the missions that possibly involved Grant Shawn.
During a break, they sat in a more private corner of the break room, sharing an article they had found about the aftermath of Operation Neptune Spear, the mission that resulted in the elimination of Osama bin Laden.
"Did you know about this?" Maggie asked Kristen, pointing to the screen of her tablet. "It seems like there was a lot of confusion and controversy after that mission. One of the operators, Matt Bissonette, wrote a book called No Easy Day and was kicked out of the community for revealing details without authorization."
Kristen leaned in to read more. "Yes, and there's another operator, Rob O'Neill, who claimed to be the man who shot bin Laden. But apparently that got him in trouble too, because they say he wasn't the real shooter."
Maggie crossed her arms in thought. "Do you think Grant could be the 'Red' they're talking about here?"
Kristen clicked on another article, which mentioned an anonymous operator named "Red," widely believed in the military community to be the one who actually killed bin Laden.
"Look at this," Kristen said, pointing to a paragraph. "They say 'Red' never revealed himself because he wanted to maintain his integrity and continue to operate quietly. There's a consensus among the operators that he was in Red Squadron, and Grant was in that squadron at the time."
"That makes sense," Maggie agreed. "Besides, he fits the bill. He's low-key, doesn't like to brag, and clearly has the skills."
Later, the two met OA in the break room and decided to share their findings.
"OA, did you know there was all this confusion about who actually killed bin Laden?" Kristen asked, handing him the tablet.
OA read the article for a few seconds before responding. "Oh, that was a big deal at the time. I was in the Army during that time, and the story spread quickly through the military community. Many believed that this 'Red' guy was the real shooter, but he never revealed himself."
"Why not?" Maggie asked.
"Integrity," OA replied. "In the military community, especially among tier one operators like those in DEVGRU, it's frowned upon to promote yourself at the expense of classified missions. Plus, exposing details can put other operators and future missions at risk. When Rob O'Neill revealed himself, there was a lot of criticism. Some said he wasn't the real shooter, but even if he was, the idea of bragging about it was frowned upon."
"So you think 'Red' is Grant?" Kristen asked directly.
OA hesitated, but then smiled enigmatically. "I can't say for sure, but... think about it. He was in Red Squadron at the time. He has all the experience and the decorations. Plus, he's exactly the kind of guy who would prefer to remain anonymous."
Maggie crossed her arms, thinking about what OA had said. "What about Matt Bissonette? Why was he banned from the community?"
"Because he wrote a book about the mission, revealing details without government permission," OA explained. "That goes against the code of conduct. He lost the respect of the community for it."
"What about Rob O'Neill?" Kristen asked.
OA sighed. "The O'Neill case is even more complicated. He went public in interviews and said he was the one who killed bin Laden. It caused a lot of controversy because the mission was supposed to be kept secret. Plus, many believe he wasn't the real shooter, but 'Red.' It was a huge scandal at the time, and O'Neill was banned too."
"So if Grant was 'Red,' he probably wouldn't talk about it," Maggie said.
"Exactly," OA agreed. "And that's what sets operators like him apart. They don't do it for fame or recognition. They do it because they believe in the mission."
Back in the workroom, Kristen and Maggie decided to continue researching "Red." They discovered that he was known for being exceptionally precise and cool in combat, traits that matched what they knew about Grant.
"Check this out," Kristen said, pointing to another passage. "They say 'Red' was so effective that he was called on missions where success depended on absolute precision. He was also described as someone who could stay calm in extreme situations."
"That definitely sounds like Grant," Maggie replied.
As they digested all this information, Kristen and Maggie couldn't help but look at Grant with new eyes. Despite his reserved and unassuming demeanor, he had an impressive story and had arguably been at the center of one of the most important operations in recent history.
"Do you think Isobel knows?" Kristen asked,lowering her voice.
"Probably," Maggie replied. "But like OA said, she'd never tell us."
"And that makes sense," Kristen added. "Grant's not the kind of guy who needs validation. He already knows what he's done and the impact he's made."
That night, after work, Kristen and Maggie left the office together. As they walked, they both reflected on the enigmatic man who was now part of their boss's life.
"If Grant really is 'Red,'" Maggie began, "it just proves he's even more incredible than we thought."
"I agree," Kristen replied. "And it just increases my respect for him. It's not every day you get to work with someone who made history and chose silence over fame."
With that, the two of them headed home, carrying with them the curiosity and admiration they felt for Grant Shawn's mysterious past.
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