“But at times,” said Charlie, “there was a variation on the theme. When some properties were purchased, the Russian buyers first siphoned off twenty-five percent of the price to be sent to Stokes’s offshore company and presumably never declared.”
“How do you know?” said Ed.
“Here,” said Charlie. “These are the records from the Russian company which Steve got in Moscow. In this case, you can see that the larger amount in rubles was paid to Stokes’s holding in Dallas. But you see on the next line, in brackets, the remainder in rubles, about twenty-five percent, was paid to Highflyer, Stokes’s Panamanian company.”
“Another damning tidbit,” said Steve. “In 2009, when Stokes was on the edge of bankruptcy, his ass was saved by loans from two offshore banks. One bank controlled by Kozlov loaned Stokes four hundred million. Another, owned by the Russian petroleum monopoly, provided five hundred million. Both loans unsecured.”
“Something else we learned from Kozlov’s offshore company files,” said Steve. “There’s a contract for a huge new port and railway facility in Colombo which Stokes and Kozlov’s companies cornered, thanks to a fifty-million-dollar kickback to the president of Sri Lanka.”
The briefing went on for another couple of hours. “Okay, enough,” said Diamond. “I’m convinced.” He put down the last document and raised his eyes to the ceiling. “This definitely calls for a drink.”
“As a matter of fact,” said Steve. “There are supposedly several bottles of Dom Pérignon in Pearlstein’s wine cellar. He told me we should feel free to help ourselves.” A few minutes later Mike Rourke emerged from the elevator with two bottles on ice, some chilled champagne glasses, and a tray of hors d’oeuvres.
“You do things in style,” said Ed, raising his glass. “Steve, I have to say at first I thought you might be a bullshit artist. But this stuff is a bombshell. It’ll blow Stokes and the Russians out of the water!”
“That’s the idea,” said Steve. He wished that somehow Maya could be here to share in the triumph.
“Before we go any further,” said Diamond, “I’ve got to make a call to our local bureau.”
Steve looked up abruptly.
“Don’t worry,” said Diamond. “I need a tape editor for this project. But you can calm down. I know the ropes.” He phoned the London bureau of the NBS network and was put through to Dave Turecamo, a very talented editor he’d worked with on several occasions. “Dave, I’m going to need your services. It’s for a crash report on-uh-the U.S. ambassador here.”
“Sounds interesting,” said the editor. “When and where?”
“Immediately. A man named Mike Rourke will arrive shortly with all the info. Pack whatever you need for a few days away. See you.”
Ed finished his champagne then turned back to Steve and the others. “Of course, we’re going to have to check out everything – every goddamned document and fact – to make sure there’s no mistake. We’ll be crucified if we fuck up.” He paused and looked fixedly at Steve, “And I have to know who your sources are, just for me. You understand.”
Steve slowly shook his head. “I can’t tell you our sources,” he said. “Their lives are literally on the line. They could be dead within a day after the broadcast. You say it’s just for you, but I have no idea what kind of pressure you might come under. I swore I’d tell no one. I’m keeping that promise. In any case, we’ve already shown you these documents are legitimate. They check out. The original purchase price of the properties, the price the Russians paid. It’s all there. It doesn’t matter who they came from; they’re the real thing.”
Ed paused. This was the biggest story of his career. Penn was right. Knowing the sources wasn’t key. He nodded. “Okay, but, like I said, we are going to check everything with a fine-tooth comb. We’re also going to want to interview you, Steve.”
“I don’t think so,” Steve grimaced.
“You’d better get used to the idea,” said Diamond. “I understand your face can’t be shown, but we can block it out digitally. You’re key to the report. We can’t get your sources. We need to have you. The story is as much about you as about Stokes.”
“Okay,” said Steve.
“We also have to go to the White House and the Kremlin and the oligarchs we name for comments.”
“Of course,” said Steve. “But once you do, they’ll know what’s up.”
“Can’t be helped,” said Diamond flatly. “We’re going to have work full-blast now. We’ve got three days. I want to feed the report in time for this Sunday’s broadcast.
“Just understand they’ll do everything they can to stop us,” said Steve. “They’ve already murdered one of my friends. Right now, they don’t know where we are. That may not last long.”
Executive Liaison Office (S Team) Operational Memo:
From: Captain Jean Swanson
To: George Ramos, Operations, Executive Liaison Office (S Team)
Cc: Cliff Dayton
File: 178/2506
Subject: Steve Penn & Associates Update: Sarah Levin--Something stirring?
It’s been more than a month since Steve Penn disappeared. Despite blanket surveillance by NSA and sister agencies in Europe, the U.K., Canada, and Australia, no indication whatsoever that Penn is still alive and operational. Absolutely nothing has been picked up by key words, voice, or facial recognition. Also no suspicious activity from any of Penn’s former close associates connected with the Russian hacking investigation. We were ready, in fact, as per instructions (see GR 320) to reduce to a minimum all further activities in that area.
That was until yesterday when we received word of several abnormal, possibly coordinated actions; though none involving Penn himself.
1. One of Penn’s former associates, Sarah Levin, went to the offices of Focus on 57th Street in Manhattan at 9:12 a.m. Do not know for certain whom she saw, but suspect it may have been Ed Diamond.
Levin was interviewed by Diamond almost twenty years ago on the subject of child prodigies, but it is doubtful this visit would have anything to do with that. (Checking further with our source at Focus.)
2. Diamond left the building at 3:47 p.m. in a Skywards limousine. After questioning the driver, we found he took Diamond to the United Terminal at JFK. Driver had no idea where Diamond was headed. There were flights departing around that time for several major European and Asian cities. Currently checking video from surveillance cameras at the terminal, as well as Security for all international departures.
No way of knowing if Levin’s visit to Focus had anything to do with Diamond’s late afternoon departure. Do know, however, that two days after Penn resigned from the CIA, Diamond phoned Penn in an attempt to set up an interview. At that time, Penn turned down Diamond’s request, but seemed to suggest there might be a possibility in the future (ref: ED 1597). We know of no contact they had after that. Currently retrieving the record of all communications to Focus for 24 hours before the Levin visit.
3. Charles Doyle, another of Penn’s former confederates, is known to be in London, where he moved shortly after Penn’s “death.” He apparently told friends there he was leaving town for a few days, but gave no indication where. He does have a girlfriend in Cornwall. Following up with GCHQ in London.
4. Viewing this fast-moving situation, request urgent permission to go to London myself to liaise with our local partners.
Executive Liaison Office (S Team) Operational Memo: