The Kremlin's Candidate: A Novel

After a career of working the Russian target, Larson understood the depredatory worldview of Vladimir Putin, and knew that the Kremlin would stop misbehaving only when the costs of Putin’s delinquency exceeded the perceived gains. Then came the explosive report: COPPERFIN assets smuggled out documentary proof of massive fraud in the OAK aerospace consortium. OAK had been set up by President Putin as an open joint-stock company combining Russian private and State-owned assets, the lion’s share of which disappeared into the pockets of favored cronies. Supported by Benford, Larson pushed the White House and the hand-wringing Department of State to publicize the corruption (citing foreign sources to protect internal assets), to denounce Russia in the United Nations, to levy sanctions on companies selling Russian commercial airliners, and to block any reinstatement of Russia to the G7. Reluctant to antagonize the Kremlin, the White House dithered, but finally acted at the urging of a bumptious Congress that had been briefed by the DCIA. Alex Larson was everywhere in town, pressing official Washington to bestir itself.

Benford huddled with Alex in Larson’s office. “Finally. This is an opening to discommode these coarse Slav fuckers,” Benford said. “We’re collecting comprehensive technical and military intelligence, and the negative international publicity will cow Putin, at least for a while. I only wish we could more accurately predict his reaction. Handling a cornered snake and so on, if you follow the metaphor.”

“As I recall, your metaphors used to be markedly more erudite,” said Alex, deadpan. “Perhaps DIVA will soon have better access to Putin’s plans and intentions if she becomes Director of SVR, assuming, of course, that your handling of her is as inspired as you claim it to be.”

Benford did not smile. “You can be sure that even in the absence of your signature flamboyant rococo operational style, the DIVA case is being managed securely.”

Larson laughed. “Is the young officer still primary handler? What was his name?”

“Nash, Nathaniel,” said Benford. “He is possibly going to assist the Australians in the Hong Kong operation I briefed you on last week. Marty Gable will hold DIVA’s hand in the interim.”

Larson’s nose was too good. “Any trouble?”

Benford shrugged. “The recruiting case officer and DIVA have a relationship that falls slightly outside the usual parameters.”

“Meaning what?” asked Alex.

“They are in love and are intimate, whenever circumstances allow,” said Benford. “Until now I have stayed my hand from firing Nash. I assess his separation from the service would have a significant effect on DIVA’s production.”

“How significant?” said Alex.

“As in she would quit. With Nash in Hong Kong for a few weeks and Gable to steady the asset, there are no immediate concerns.” The two men thought alike and the matter—and Nash’s future—was shelved for now.

Larson opened the file on his desk that contained Benford’s script for tomorrow’s briefing of POTUS and the NSC Principals Committee on CIA’s continued covert-action campaign against the Kremlin. He was silent as he read. “One misses the field,” he said, looking up.

Benford opened his file too. “The organization needs you behind this desk. You’ve had your debauch overseas for thirty years. Now you have to turn this pig’s breakfast back into a spy service.”

“Run through your notes for me,” said Alex.

Benford spoke briefly and succinctly. This brief was a matter of reassuring the jittery US president, and ensuring continued Pentagon support. Jamming a stick into Putin’s spokes at this time was critical, given his brazen interference on the world stage. He was emboldened by confusion and anxiety among Western governments. Publicly embarrassing the Kremlin would disrupt multiple Russian active measures in the Baltics, Europe, and in places like Montenegro. Russia’s moribund economy would be trebly stung by any publicized malfeasance within OAK, scaring away investors, reducing customers for Russian military material, constraining the military budget, and complicating Kremlin adventurism in Africa, Latin America, and the resource-rich Arctic. Twisting the Russian bear’s tail abroad, moreover, would distract the Kremlin and thus protect valuable assets, such as COPPERFIN. The Russians would be driven frantic in the face of withering international disparagement. The DCIA would politely insist that POTUS could not ignore the opportunity and must not remain quiescent.

“We’ll see how it works on him,” said Alex. “At least the top brass will support me.”

“Don’t worry, this will stir the hornets’ nest,” said Benford. He was correct, but he would set in motion events no one could have even remotely predicted.