Chapter 321 - 104: Bound to the BND

Chapter 321: Chapter 104: Bound to the BND

A week later, Werner flew to Zurich.

Ostensibly, he was there to attend an international trade conference. In reality, he had more important business to attend to.

The November weather in Zurich was cold, damp, and gloomy, with a thin mist drifting over the lake.

Werner sat in a private room at a members-only club on the banks of the Limmat River, waiting for his guest.

At eight o’clock sharp, a middle-aged man pushed the door open and entered.

He wore a well-tailored, dark blue suit, his hair was impeccably styled, and he had the look of a shrewd businessman.

But Werner knew his true identity—a senior officer of the West German Federal Intelligence Agency, Wolf.

"Mr. Betelich," the man said, extending his hand. "Long time no see."

"Mr. Wolf," Werner replied, shaking his hand. "The usual place. It’s secure enough, I trust?"

"This club is indeed excellent," Wolf said, glancing around before sitting down across from Werner. "The Swiss certainly know how to protect their clients’ privacy."

A waiter brought two glasses of whiskey, then withdrew, closing the heavy oak door behind him. Only the two of them remained in the private room.

"I hear you’ve been very active in Poland recently," Wolf said, taking a sip of his drink. "Our people have noticed Koko making quite a few deals in Gdansk."

"Just normal business," Werner said calmly. "Taking advantage of the chaos to buy up food supplies."

"Betelich, you’re a smart man. You always see further than others."

"Thank you for the compliment," Werner said, lighting a cigarette. "But I’m sure you didn’t come all the way to Zurich just to praise me."

"Indeed," Wolf said, taking out a folder and pushing it to the center of the table. "I have a proposal. A mutually beneficial partnership."

Werner opened the folder. Inside were several company registration documents, all for legitimate West German companies.

He examined them closely, then looked up. "What do you want me to do?"

"It’s simple," Wolf said. "You continue doing your business in East Germany and Eastern Europe, but at the same time, you provide us with... valuable information. Economic data, trade flows, the movements of key figures. In return, we’ll help you establish these companies in West Germany to serve as a platform for transferring your assets."

Werner considered it for a moment.

’This really is a tempting offer. Through these companies, I can legally transfer the money I’ve earned in East Germany to the West. With official West German backing, moving the assets would be even easier.’

’And providing some economic intelligence isn’t too dangerous for me—Koko has to deal with the West anyway, and gathering this kind of information is part of the job.’

"Risk is proportional to reward," Werner said. "But Mr. Wolf, what if I’m discovered? What if the Stasi finds out I’m in contact with you?"

"That would be your problem," Wolf said with a shrug. "We can’t guarantee one hundred percent security. But I can tell you that the registration process for these companies is absolutely flawless. And..." He paused. "We will pay you. Five thousand Swiss francs a month, deposited into your account here."

Werner flicked the ash from his cigarette.

’Five thousand Swiss francs isn’t a lot, but the companies themselves are what’s important.’

’Margaret has already set up some companies for me in West Germany, just as I asked. But these are backed by West German officials; they’ll make things much more convenient. Through them, I can build a complete network of assets in the West.’

"I need more," Werner said, looking Wolf straight in the eye. "If I’m going to take this risk, this alone isn’t enough."

"What do you want?"

Werner pushed the file back. "I want to be a silent partner in these companies. Not just a name on a list, but real shares. Shares that pay annual dividends and generate actual income."

Wolf was taken aback for a second, then he smiled. "You have quite an appetite."

"My risk isn’t small either," Werner said calmly. "Mr. Wolf, you want a long-term partnership, right? Then you need to make it worth my while. Simple payment for intelligence isn’t enough of a draw for me. But if I’m one of the actual owners of these companies, that’s a different story."

"Besides, have you considered this? If I’m just getting paid, I can stop cooperating at any time. But if I’m a shareholder, then we become true partners. Our interests are tied together. I can’t betray you, because that would mean hurting myself."

Wolf stared at Werner for a long time, then nodded slowly. "You have a point. How much of a stake do you want?"

"Twenty percent of each company," Werner said, holding up two fingers. "It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to give me a tangible interest."

"Twenty percent..." Wolf mused. "I’ll need to run this by my superiors."

"Of course," Werner said, leaning back in his chair. "I’m in no rush."

Werner’s move was part of a much deeper plan.

’Once I become a partner, I’ll have control over all the company documents, shareholder agreements, and records of financial flows. If anything happens to me, I’ll make sure all of it gets exposed.’

’It will prove that the West German Federal Intelligence Agency has deep financial ties with an East German official—not just a simple intelligence exchange, but joint stock ownership and shared profits.’

’It would become a political scandal.’

’The West German opposition parties would ask: Why is the Federal Intelligence Agency allowing an East German spy to become a shareholder in West German companies?’

’Are these companies helping East German officials launder money? Is the intelligence agency using taxpayer money to enrich corrupt elements from an enemy state?’

’When East Germany eventually collapses, and people want to hold the old regime accountable, these documents would put West German judges in a very difficult position.’

’Exposing these documents would rip away the West German intelligence system’s fig leaf, revealing more shady dealings and damaging West Germany’s international reputation.’

After seeing Wolf off, Werner sat alone in the private room and ordered another drink.

Outside the window, the Zurich nightscape was ablaze with lights. The Limmat River flowed quietly, like a black silk ribbon weaving through the city.

He was weaving a vast web for himself.

’East German dissidents, the West German intelligence agency, the West German financial system... Every thread carries risk, but each one is also a guarantee for my future.’

’Simple bribery is no longer enough. I need to turn those West German officials into true accomplices, to tie them to the same boat as me. Only then, when the storm comes, will they not dare to abandon me.’

************

Moscow was cold and damp in November 1977.

Werner stood at the edge of Red Square, watching the red walls of the Kremlin appear and disappear in the rain and mist.

His wool overcoat was damp with rain, but he didn’t move, his gaze fixed on the towering spires.

"First time in Moscow?" a voice asked from beside him.

Werner turned to see a Soviet officer in his fifties. The man’s epaulets indicated the rank of colonel. His face was fleshy, and his small eyes glinted with shrewdness.

"My third," Werner replied calmly. "But every time I come, this city feels colder."

"Ha," the officer laughed, clapping Werner on the shoulder. "You get used to it, Comrade Schmidt. Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the minister waiting."

The two of them crossed Red Square and entered a gray office building.

The heating inside was turned up high, but the corridors still smelled of mildew and tobacco.

The officer led Werner to the third floor and knocked on a heavy wooden door.

Three men were seated in the room.

The man in the center was Sokolov, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union. He was in his early sixties, with a full head of white hair, but his back was ramrod straight. To his left sat a civilian official wearing thick glasses and holding a file. To his right was a young officer, likely the interpreter.

"Comrade Betelich," Sokolov said in German. His accent was thick with Russian, but his speech was still fluent. "Sit."