‘I want to fund a full-blown drilling campaign. I’m also working on a reverse merger of Al Haut Minerals into a US company that will be called American Empire Minerals. The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved it after a two-year review.’

‘What will it do?’

‘I expect it to create about two hundred million dollars market value. I can then pay bills with stock.’

‘You’ll base it in the States?’

‘Not sure,’ he chuckled. ‘I’m Al the nomad at the moment.’

42 THE RUSSIANS BEGIN THEIR PLAY

42

THE RUSSIANS BEGIN THEIR PLAY

Less than a week after the CIA-backed FEGIR report, Haut received a strange call from someone purporting to be from the office of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Haut realised the call was genuine when Putin came on the line.

‘I wish to put a proposition to you,’ Putin said.

‘Oh, what might that be?’

‘I would prefer to do it face to face.’

‘In Moscow?’

‘Yes.’

‘Sorry, I can’t go into Russia just now. I’m dealing with the US government.’

There was a pause before Putin said, ‘I understand. Would it be possible for you to fly to Hamburg to meet with my very good friend and adviser, Mr Anatoly Kisley? Do you know him, sir?’

‘I’m aware he is a Russian ambassador.’

‘That is the one.’

‘I haven’t met him.’

‘We shall pay your first-class airfares and hotel expenses. Could you see your way clear to make the trip?’

‘If I come I shall pay my own way, thank you.’

Putin had been polite yet to the point and Haut found himself drawn to say he would make the trip. But he diverted from a positive response. He thought it best to run it past Cavalier first.

*

Haut had spent nearly two months cooped up in the Roosevelt, which he saw now as a prison. He was keen to go anywhere.

‘I’m stir crazy,’ he told Cavalier in a phone call in which he divulged Putin’s approach. ‘Can’t go out after 8 p.m. Can’t go to a bar and chat up one of the endless charming women of New York.’ He chuckled. ‘Just for practice, you understand.’

‘You need more than practice, by the sound of it.’

‘You must know what I mean …’

‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

There was a pause, then they both laughed.

‘Have you run it past Mr X?’ Cavalier asked.

‘Had to. He is against it. Says I can go if I wish but he can’t protect me.’

‘But you want to go?’

‘Yes.’

‘Curiosity killed the cat. You can’t go to Hamburg without someone to guard you.’

‘What about you?’

‘I’m on an assignment. Can’t break from it.’ Cavalier paused. ‘I’ll see if I can persuade someone else to assist.’

‘Where from?’

‘Thailand.’

‘Wombat said you had good contacts in Russia.’