Frank Gaad

Frank Gaad's History

Frank Gaad was the director of the FBI's Counter Intelligence Department, working closely with FBI secretary Martha Hanson and FBI agents Stan Beeman and Dennis Aderholt. Like his agents, he was dedicated to unmasking the Soviet spies operating on American soil.

Frank had a lengthy marriage to Linh Gaad, a woman he met while serving in Vietnam, and it is implied they had two sons together. Frank described his marriage as happy. Frank volunteered to serve in Vietnam although he was already employed at the FBI (and could have therefore been exempt from service). During his tour, he was injured, and spent some time recuperating at Walter Reed Medical Center.

He had a close call when he and Agent Aderholt tried to confront a disguised Elizabeth as she fled from meeting with a CIA informant. Gaad was punched in the nose and Aderholt was subdued shortly after. After Aderholt found a bug in Gaad's pen, the Office of Professional Responsibility is brought in to investigate. Realizing he's likely to be fired, Gaad takes his frustrations out on the Mail Robot. Martha was already working at the FBI when Gaad was transferred into his position. His old secretary wanted to come with him, but he felt bad "kicking Martha off the desk" and let her stay. He came to regret this decision as it ultimately led to his early retirement since Martha is the one who was tricked into planting the bug in Gaad's pen.

Gaad died in 1983 while vacationing in Thailand. He was preparing to leave his hotel room when three Soviets approached him with a proposal. Gaad didn't wait to hear them out, but turned and ran through a glass door, causing his death. This is clearly not the result the Russians were hoping for as the leader of the three men apologizes to a dead Gaad twice. Arkady Zotov is later shown feeling terrible when he gets word the mission went awry. Philip is also troubled when Stan Beeman tells him what happened to Gaad. He'd included Gaad's trip to Thailand in his report to The Center, based on a conversation he had with Stan while playing racquetball together.