The Russian Deception

CHAPTER 33

Stephanie's husband was at his desk on the seventh floor of the old headquarters building at Langley, mulling over the latest communication from RED EAGLE. RED EAGLE was Langley's star Russian asset, a ranking officer on the staff of General Golovkin.

When RED EAGLE first approached the Agency in Moscow it had seemed too good to be true. Suspicion about his motivation and truthfulness had run high, but time had changed that. The information he passed along had proved accurate. Lucas had come to trust his reports, which was why this particular report was disturbing. It presented a serious problem.

RED EAGLE claimed that for some time large sums of foreign money had been transferred to Orlov's control through Russia's central bank, using Golovkin as a go-between. The money had financed Orlov's rise to power and was being used to pay for weapons. The sums were staggering, amounting to billions of euros.

Billions, Lucas thought. Who the hell has that kind of money and why funnel it to Orlov? Why would Golovkin be involved?

Another question came to mind. How can someone move that much money into Russia without us knowing about it? It has to be through a private bank.

This was something that needed Hood's attention. Enough money had found its way to Russia to give a huge boost to the production of key weapons like the SU-35 fighter and the T-14 Armata tank. The report would send shockwaves through the Pentagon. It meant that estimates of Russia's military capability and readiness would have to be revised upward.

Lucas picked up the folder with RED EAGLE's report and walked down the hall to Hood's office. The DCI's secretary was at her post outside his door.

"I need to see the big guy," Lucas said. "Is he free?"

"You're in luck. He just got off the phone. I'll let him know you're here."

She spoke into her intercom. "Sir, the DNCS is here and wants to see you."

She looked at him. Lucas was tapping his fingers on the file folder.

"He seems a little anxious."

Hood's light southern drawl sounded over the intercom. "Send him in."

Lucas went into the office. Hood looked at the folder Lucas carried.

"Something in there we need to talk about?"

"Director. There is. I don't think you're going to like it."

"I wish I had a dollar for every time I saw a folder like that and didn't like what was inside. Maybe you ought to sit down and tell me about it."

Lucas summarized the contents. When he was done he waited for Hood's response. Time enough to present his own analysis.

"May I see that?"

Lucas handed him the thin folder. Hood opened it and quickly scanned the two typewritten sheets inside.

"You believe this is accurate," Hood said.

"RED EAGLE is our prime asset in the Federation. He's never been wrong before."

"The Pentagon isn't going to like this. Or the president."

"No, I don't believe they will."

"We're going to have to upgrade our assessment of their capability."

"That was my conclusion also," Lucas said.

"Where's the money coming from?"

"We have to find out. What bothers me is that Golovkin is right in the middle of this. He's a rabid hawk and he has too much influence on Orlov."

"We always thought the oligarchs got Orlov elected." He held up the folder. "This paints a different picture."

"Someone wanted to be sure Orlov became Prime Minister," Lucas said. "Then Gorovsky has a convenient heart attack and Orlov is in control."

"With Golovkin whispering in his ear," Hood said. "It smells a lot like a conspiracy to put Orlov in charge."

"Whoever is providing the money has to have a hell of a lot of clout. The question is what do they want in return?"

"Sometimes a touch of bourbon helps stimulate my thinking," Hood said. "Join me?"

"I don't mind if I do."

Hood went over to an antique sideboard by the wall and poured bourbon from a crystal decanter into a pair of cut crystal glasses.

He handed one to Lucas. "Your health."

"Health," Lucas said.

They sipped.

"How's your arm holding up?"

Lucas had taken a bad hit in the ambush that had cost Stephanie her unborn child. A bullet had smashed through his shoulder and almost killed him.

"Pretty good. It's stiff and motion is still restricted but I'm working on it."

"How's Stephanie doing?"

"She's dealing with things," Lucas said. His face closed down.

Hood decided not to pursue it and went back to his desk. "What do you think is happening over there?"

"Orlov and Golovkin are old-school hardliners. They're using that money to build up their military. I'm worried that they'll make a mistake and underestimate us. You've seen the troop movements they're claiming are part of an exercise?"

"I have."

"What if it's not an exercise?"

"You're not the first person to wonder about that. I got a call from Elizabeth Harker this morning. She's of the opinion that Orlov intends to invade the Ukraine."

"That's what I mean about making a mistake," Lucas said.

"It would be a mistake if we decided to get involved."

"You don't think we would?"

"We're under no obligation to defend them. It's not like the Ukraine is part of NATO. Besides, we couldn't do it on our own. As far as the Europeans are concerned I'd say it's uncertain at best," Hood said. "Hell, you put all their forces together and it wouldn't be anywhere near enough if the Russians invade. The French and the Germans won't lift a finger without our full participation. Going to war with Russia over the Ukraine wouldn't be an easy sell with Congress."

"If Orlov thinks we won't respond he's liable to risk it."

"President Rice isn't going to abandon Kiev, whatever Congress decides. He has enough legal authority to respond in force. It would take time for Congress to block him. They can't do it right away. Rice wouldn't like sending troops and he's certain to open diplomatic channels but I know him. He's not going to wait for Moscow to gobble up the country. Once it's clear a real invasion is underway, he's going to respond."

"If I didn't know better I'd say someone was trying to set us up for a war," Lucas said.

"That doesn't make a lot of sense. What's happening in Albania is bad enough but NATO will handle that. War with Russia over the Ukraine is a different story. It could go nuclear and if that happens nobody comes out ahead. I think it was Einstein that said World War IV would be fought with rocks."

"If there was anyone left to throw them," Lucas said.

"See if you can track the source of the money paying for all those nice shiny weapons," Hood said. "I want to know who's making it easy for Orlov to play Napoleon."