The Russian Woman

Chapter 28

Rebecca Kramer and Scott Davidson were in Kramer's office, talking with Langley's Chief Operating Officer, Ed Bradford. As the man in charge of the money, Bradford was the third ranking officer in Langley's pecking order, with a security clearance one step below Kramer's and Davidson's.

He was a mousy-looking man, not very tall, with wispy brown hair combed over a growing bald spot. He wore a gray suit that failed to hide a tendency to hunch his shoulders forward, as if his chest was about to cave in on itself. His glasses had thin, gold frames. Thick lenses magnified watery, hazel eyes. The colors of his tie identified his alma mater as a large, Midwestern University. His shoes were impeccably shined. Bradford was the kind of man people forgot a moment after they had met him.

"I'm sorry to keep bringing this up, Director, but we can't keep ignoring these figures. These covert ops are costing way more than they should. I mean, look at this."

Bradford stabbed with his finger at an entry on a spreadsheet he was holding.

"This is a good example of what I'm talking about. This man, Thorne."

Davidson rolled his eyes at the mention of Thorne's name. Bradford continued.

"He comes back on Lufthansa from wherever he was by way of Frankfurt, and books a business class ticket. Do you know how much it costs to fly business class from Frankfurt to Dulles on Lufthansa?"

Kramer sighed. "No, Ed, I don't, but I'm sure you're about to tell me."

"Three thousand, five hundred and eighty-one dollars, that's how much. Why the hell didn't he fly economy?"

"I imagine there wasn't a seat available," Kramer said.

"Then he should have waited until he could book one," Bradford said.

"That might not have been possible."

"Director, I understand your reluctance to reign in these people. But we don't have unlimited funds in our black accounts, in spite of the fantasies of the media."

"So what you want us to do, Ed?" Davidson said.

"For a start, an agency-wide campaign to reduce costs. That will look good the next time Congress tries to tell us we're spending too much money. But the real difference will have to come from this office. The two of you have to make it clear that these excessive expenses won't be tolerated. Whatever you have to do."

Kramer sighed again. "All right, Ed. Message received. We'll pass the word. Is there anything else?"

"No, that's it, Director. I'm glad you understand."

They watched the door close behind him.

"He's really an annoying man," Davidson said.

"He can't help it. It's in his nature. You have to admit, he's good at keeping the money trails clean. Every time we have to go through the dog and pony show with Congress, he's got the right kinds of accounting records to show them. They never see what we're really doing, or where some of the money comes from. If he wasn't with us, he’d probably be working for the Mafia."

"I'll give him that," Davidson said. "But he's still annoying."

"Speaking of Congress and money, what's your take on the new appropriations bill? Do you see any problems there?"

"Campbell's election shook up the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The new chairman is Peterson. He doesn't like us. Fortunately, there are thirty senators on that committee. A majority of them are either friendly or can be convinced to see our point of view. I don't think there are going to be significant problems, but Peterson will try to cut our funding."

"Peterson is held up by the media as a paragon of virtue," Kramer said. "What have we got on him? Can we exert pressure?"

"I'll have to take a look," Davidson said, "but I seem to recall there was something early on in his career we might be able to use. An incident with a young woman working as a volunteer on his campaign."

"Those are always good," Kramer said.