Luke LaManna

In it was a short list of KGB agents who'd volunteered to work for the US, and paperwork confirming his new job title as the CIA's new chief of Soviet counterintelligence. It was an unlikely position for a man whose career flamed out in Mexico. Rick's bond with Igor Shurigan produced lots of hangovers, but few results. His drinking had gotten worse.

Rick fought with Cuban diplomats and even got into a car accident. It got so bad that his superiors reported his drinking to CIA headquarters. Rick was sure that after his Mexico tour ended, his career would be over. The only bright spot was Rosario Casas Dupuy, a 30-year-old cultural attache at the Colombian embassy. She was beautiful, smart, and 10 years younger than Rick.

Rick fought with Cuban diplomats and even got into a car accident. It got so bad that his superiors reported his drinking to CIA headquarters. Rick was sure that after his Mexico tour ended, his career would be over. The only bright spot was Rosario Casas Dupuy, a 30-year-old cultural attache at the Colombian embassy. She was beautiful, smart, and 10 years younger than Rick.

Rick saw Rosario as his last chance at happiness. So when his job in Mexico ended in late 1983, he flew back to D.C., divorced his wife Nan, and moved in with Rosario. But furnishing their new apartment was pricey, and Rick's divorce was even pricier, especially since he had to pay Nan monthly spousal support. He was in the hole for over $50,000. It was all he could think about.

Rick saw Rosario as his last chance at happiness. So when his job in Mexico ended in late 1983, he flew back to D.C., divorced his wife Nan, and moved in with Rosario. But furnishing their new apartment was pricey, and Rick's divorce was even pricier, especially since he had to pay Nan monthly spousal support. He was in the hole for over $50,000. It was all he could think about.

Something had to change. Miraculously, he got the job offer for Chief of Soviet Counterintelligence from an old CIA buddy. It paid much more than Rick's last job. It was also a highly covert gig that put Rick in charge of supervising CIA assets working undercover at the KGB and hunting moles in the CIA. The job seemed like a solution to his problems, but for Rick, it was really a means to an end.

Something had to change. Miraculously, he got the job offer for Chief of Soviet Counterintelligence from an old CIA buddy. It paid much more than Rick's last job. It was also a highly covert gig that put Rick in charge of supervising CIA assets working undercover at the KGB and hunting moles in the CIA. The job seemed like a solution to his problems, but for Rick, it was really a means to an end.

In April 1985, Rick reached out to Sergei Shuvakin, an arms control expert at the Soviet embassy. He told Shuvakin that he wanted to discuss security concerns, but really, he wanted to let him know that he was willing to betray the CIA for a price. Rick stepped into the Soviet embassy and straight to Chewbacca's office. The men chatted for a while and Rick left.

In April 1985, Rick reached out to Sergei Shuvakin, an arms control expert at the Soviet embassy. He told Shuvakin that he wanted to discuss security concerns, but really, he wanted to let him know that he was willing to betray the CIA for a price. Rick stepped into the Soviet embassy and straight to Chewbacca's office. The men chatted for a while and Rick left.

What they talked about didn't really matter. What was important was the envelope Rick left behind. It was a list of CIA assets in the KGB and paperwork confirming Rick's new job as the head of Soviet counterintelligence. It was a clear message. Rick was willing to turn on his agency and his country to help the KGB.

What they talked about didn't really matter. What was important was the envelope Rick left behind. It was a list of CIA assets in the KGB and paperwork confirming Rick's new job as the head of Soviet counterintelligence. It was a clear message. Rick was willing to turn on his agency and his country to help the KGB.

The last document in the envelope was a request for $50,000, the equivalent to a year of his new CIA salary and exactly the amount he needed to survive after his divorce emptied his savings. A few days later, Rick met with Shevakin again. And this time, Shevakin brought Rick an envelope filled with money. Rick didn't feel too guilty.

The last document in the envelope was a request for $50,000, the equivalent to a year of his new CIA salary and exactly the amount he needed to survive after his divorce emptied his savings. A few days later, Rick met with Shevakin again. And this time, Shevakin brought Rick an envelope filled with money. Rick didn't feel too guilty.

He suspected that the informants that he'd ratted on were really double agents, so the Russians probably wouldn't hurt them. And if they did, well, he told himself that this was just a one-time thing. But Rick loved money just as much as alcohol. Soon, he was having regular lunches with Shuvakin.

He suspected that the informants that he'd ratted on were really double agents, so the Russians probably wouldn't hurt them. And if they did, well, he told himself that this was just a one-time thing. But Rick loved money just as much as alcohol. Soon, he was having regular lunches with Shuvakin.

These meetings were fully sanctioned by the CIA because Rick told his bosses he was developing Sergey as a CIA asset, just like he'd done with Igor Shurigan in Mexico. But the truth was, each time Rick met with Shuvakin, he was giving him intel on the CIA's anti-KGB operations. And in return, Shuvakin was rewarding Rick with tens of thousands of dollars in cash.

These meetings were fully sanctioned by the CIA because Rick told his bosses he was developing Sergey as a CIA asset, just like he'd done with Igor Shurigan in Mexico. But the truth was, each time Rick met with Shuvakin, he was giving him intel on the CIA's anti-KGB operations. And in return, Shuvakin was rewarding Rick with tens of thousands of dollars in cash.

At first, Rick's info drops were small and selective. Then, he gave them a full list of all KGB personnel who were secretly working with the U.S. government. The KGB thanked Rick over time by lining his pockets with millions of dollars. Sure, he was selling people out. He was endangering lives. But what he was getting back in return was worth it. He was buying himself and Rosario a new future.

At first, Rick's info drops were small and selective. Then, he gave them a full list of all KGB personnel who were secretly working with the U.S. government. The KGB thanked Rick over time by lining his pockets with millions of dollars. Sure, he was selling people out. He was endangering lives. But what he was getting back in return was worth it. He was buying himself and Rosario a new future.

They would never have to worry about money again. All they would have to worry about was how to spend it.