Bridge of Lies by Greg Dinallo

Author:Greg Dinallo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Distribution
Published: 2021-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The fact that Levenger represented RZD in the GEFCO takeover, and that he was now connected to merger talks between CP and CSX—two North American railroads—convinced Katkov he was working for the Kremlin again. That, and the fact that he’d been spending most of his time at his office in Bethesda, a DC suburb, intensified Katkov’s itch to get there. But as Alexa had predicted, he spent the holidays in Moscow recuperating, commiserating with Vera and Mika, and applying for a visa, which meant collecting “The Required Documents”: A passport valid six months beyond period of stay. The online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. The Application Fee Receipt. The Photo. And the Verification of Employment. All in preparation for “The Interview”: At the U.S. embassy—a massive edifice that Katkov thought resembled a pile of terracotta and glass LEGOs topped by an American flag. “Did my damnedest to get you expedited,” the interviewing officer said. “An Agent Nichols at JTTF really went to bat for you, but these days, this is about as about good as it gets.”

During this time Katkov also: Rehabilitated his shoulder. Reunited with Vitaly, who had convinced his interrogators he couldn’t identify Grusha’s sources and was released from 38 Petrovka. Emailed Lana regarding the details of his itinerary and hotel preferences: a smoking room, hot shower, and Wi-Fi. And made an impromptu visit to Levenger’s Moscow office in one of the ultramodern towers in Moscow City, the new financial district where, due to the depressed economy, entire floors could be rented for a fraction of their worth.

A plaque proclaimed: Julian Levenger, International Business Consultant. The reception area had contemporary furnishings and a panoramic view of the city. The attractive young woman behind the desk explained that Levenger had been working out of his Bethesda and Montreal offices. She had no idea when he would return to Moscow.

As Katkov left the office, a man with faded military bearing emerged from the elevator. Katkov recognized him from photos in the Google hits that connected Levenger to the RZD/GEFCO deal, and identified him as an ex-KGB general—one of Putin’s werewolves in epaulets who provided liaison between the Kremlin and RZD during the takeover of the French freight company. The man strode past Levenger’s office and entered an unmarked door at the end of the corridor. It’s an FSB front! Katkov thought. Not only does Levenger have powerful connections in global financial circles but also in the Kremlin’s foreign and domestic intelligence agencies who, like the CIA and FBI, use legitimate businesses and their facilities as a cover.

Also during that time, Katkov pressed his search for the elusive cybercode. Having no access to Nadia’s office, apartment, or computer, he hired some geeks at an Internet café in Menezh Mall to hack into Yakunin and Levenger’s files, but state-of-the-art firewalls made them impenetrable. Undaunted, he met with individuals he trusted in government, the media, and the political opposition who might have worked with Nadia and had access to the code. He

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