Luke LaManna

On a fall morning in 1992, Jean Vertife stared out at the counterintelligence parking lot at CIA headquarters. She'd gotten to work early and sat in her office, watching everyone else park, chat, and enter the building.

like so many bits of data coalescing into a complete picture gene heard tire screech it was rick ames late as usual he was driving a brand new red jaguar not her favorite sight in the morning but she always watched him with rick flaunting his money it wasn't hard for gene to open an investigation into his finances

like so many bits of data coalescing into a complete picture gene heard tire screech it was rick ames late as usual he was driving a brand new red jaguar not her favorite sight in the morning but she always watched him with rick flaunting his money it wasn't hard for gene to open an investigation into his finances

Over the course of the year, her investigator, Dan Payne, had found out that Rick and Rosario spent $30,000 a month on credit cards. Plus, they were traveling overseas without reporting it to superiors. And the clincher? Over the past few years, Rick had transferred over $1.5 million into his bank accounts. Jean knew she was close.

Over the course of the year, her investigator, Dan Payne, had found out that Rick and Rosario spent $30,000 a month on credit cards. Plus, they were traveling overseas without reporting it to superiors. And the clincher? Over the past few years, Rick had transferred over $1.5 million into his bank accounts. Jean knew she was close.

And later that day, when Payne scrambled in and slapped a printout on her desk... He confirmed it. It was a list of dates that Rick had met with KGB agent Sergei Shuvakin in the mid-80s. Then, next to the meeting dates, Dan showed her a dated list of Rick's bank statements. Dan didn't have to say anything because Jean's eyes lit up. She saw it instantly.

And later that day, when Payne scrambled in and slapped a printout on her desk... He confirmed it. It was a list of dates that Rick had met with KGB agent Sergei Shuvakin in the mid-80s. Then, next to the meeting dates, Dan showed her a dated list of Rick's bank statements. Dan didn't have to say anything because Jean's eyes lit up. She saw it instantly.

Usually, after Rick met up with Sergey, he'd deposit cash into his account the very next day. Gene almost cheered. They finally had enough to detain Rick and question him. But there was just one problem. the CIA didn't have the authority to arrest people. Jean's next step was clear. She'd have to transfer the case to the group who did have that power, the FBI.

Usually, after Rick met up with Sergey, he'd deposit cash into his account the very next day. Gene almost cheered. They finally had enough to detain Rick and question him. But there was just one problem. the CIA didn't have the authority to arrest people. Jean's next step was clear. She'd have to transfer the case to the group who did have that power, the FBI.

On the morning of February 21st, 1994, Rick walked out of his house and clicked his garage door open. As the door rolled up, the morning sun glinted off his cherry red Jaguar. Rick loved this car. It was his third Jaguar, and he was already starting to think about an upgrade. Over the last few years, Rick had gotten more ambitious.

On the morning of February 21st, 1994, Rick walked out of his house and clicked his garage door open. As the door rolled up, the morning sun glinted off his cherry red Jaguar. Rick loved this car. It was his third Jaguar, and he was already starting to think about an upgrade. Over the last few years, Rick had gotten more ambitious.

Besides the fancy cars and fine suits, he'd also bought oceanfront property in Colombia. That's where he went a few times a year to meet with his KGB handlers. But since Rosario's parents were from Colombia and Rick had told people her family was rich, nobody really questioned the trips or the purchases. his spy tactics were getting bolder too.

Besides the fancy cars and fine suits, he'd also bought oceanfront property in Colombia. That's where he went a few times a year to meet with his KGB handlers. But since Rosario's parents were from Colombia and Rick had told people her family was rich, nobody really questioned the trips or the purchases. his spy tactics were getting bolder too.

Thanks to advances in technology, he was able to siphon CIA data onto floppy disks and slip them to the KGB. He routinely left work in the middle of the day to drive to the suburbs, where he dead-dropped messages to the Soviets in suburban mailboxes. Afterwards, his KGB contacts would come and pick them up. He also had a new partner in crime.

Thanks to advances in technology, he was able to siphon CIA data onto floppy disks and slip them to the KGB. He routinely left work in the middle of the day to drive to the suburbs, where he dead-dropped messages to the Soviets in suburban mailboxes. Afterwards, his KGB contacts would come and pick them up. He also had a new partner in crime.

Rosario made good on her vow to help keep Rick spying a secret. She even helped him plan trips to Colombia. It seemed like once Rosario got used to the idea of Rick's secret job as a mole, she became a real accomplice. Now they talked about money laundering the way other couples might discuss weekend plans. As Rick kept the intel coming, the KGB got more generous.

Rosario made good on her vow to help keep Rick spying a secret. She even helped him plan trips to Colombia. It seemed like once Rosario got used to the idea of Rick's secret job as a mole, she became a real accomplice. Now they talked about money laundering the way other couples might discuss weekend plans. As Rick kept the intel coming, the KGB got more generous.

They had paid him over $2.7 million to date. Rick hopped in his Jaguar and headed to the office. It was President's Day, and Rick was supposed to have the day off, but he'd just gotten a call to come in. It was a little odd, but he didn't think much of it. Rick drove a few blocks and pulled up to a stop sign. He rolled down his window and lit a cigarette.

They had paid him over $2.7 million to date. Rick hopped in his Jaguar and headed to the office. It was President's Day, and Rick was supposed to have the day off, but he'd just gotten a call to come in. It was a little odd, but he didn't think much of it. Rick drove a few blocks and pulled up to a stop sign. He rolled down his window and lit a cigarette.

A car was idling in front of him, and Rick cursed under his breath. This guy was taking way too long. He thought about driving around the car and into the turn lane, until he saw that another vehicle was idling in that lane. He looked over his shoulder, aiming to back up and take a different route. That's when he saw two more cars come up behind him to box his Jaguar in.