March 20, 2024 • 30 mins
Gene helps the CIA and England's MI5 expose the largest security breach in British history, the Portland Spy Ring.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
History and tradition greet you at every turn in London,
yet it's also one of the most modern cities you
can find. First established by the Romans, it grew to
be the capital of one of the largest empires and
remains one of the largest cities in the world. Built
on the River Thames, London has always been an important
center for culture and trade, and is so diverse that
(00:31):
it is said over three hundred languages are spoken within
the city. If London contained only landmarks such as Westminster
Abbey and Big Ben, it would still rank as one
of the world's great destinations. But Britain's capital is so
much more. While the culture may be reserved built on
etiquette and comportment, beneath that stiff upper lip resides a
(00:54):
society that loves a good beer and a good time.
The lively pubs are just as large a part of
the culture of the city has Buckingham Palace.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Jean.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Gene, you can put your pen down. What take a
look out the window.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
We're here, ah, London. It's great to be back.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
I wouldn't have minded a little more notice.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Need I remind you, darling, this is what you wanted,
A big new publisher means that our schedule is no
longer in our own hands. The demands are larger, Yes, yes,
I know. Fortunately with larger demands come nicer accommodations. Martin
booked us a room at the Savoy.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
M Okay, I can live with that, I thought.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
So.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
See, some changes are going to be very positive. Some
well different, Like the new photographer just one of the
many ideas Martin has to modernize our guide books.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
But I'm fine with making the move to color photos.
But I don't love that we weren't allowed to find
someone to hire ourselves with what time?
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Anyway, Martin says this Rebecca is the cream of the crop,
a young talented freelancer right out of college who's eager
to impress us. She's meeting us at the train station
any minute now, So don't forget to be nice when
am I not? And keep in mind, while you may
not continue to snap every photo in our book, you
will have final say over what is printed. You are
(02:19):
the editor now, and we need to delegate so we
can allow the business to grow.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
All right, Bud. If her work is SuPAR, then she
won't be.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Back during cross station choring cross station.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
That's us mister and missus Podor.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Hello, you must be miss Ralston.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Oh, please call me Rebecca, and you must call us
Gina and Vlasta.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Is so so nice to meet you both.
Speaker 7 (03:06):
I was worried I'd miss your train with.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
All these clouds coming and going, and there really are
a whole lot of people in London.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
When did you arrive in dumb Oh?
Speaker 7 (03:13):
Last night?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I was so chatlied, but I was like, Rebecca, you
are in London.
Speaker 7 (03:17):
Go to the pub. Have you ever tried? Oh my god,
what do they call it?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Baker's and mash I can't say I have fun name
disgusting fair?
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Well, shall we get going?
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Hold on, I'd like to learn a little more about Rebecca.
Speaker 7 (03:42):
Sure thing.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
How did you meet Martin?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
I was interning at Time magazine and Martin was closing
a deal with my boss at the time. We got
to talking and he knew I was eager for more
road work.
Speaker 7 (03:52):
I'm not the most suitor to being in office, though.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I did learn a lot, so when he offered me
a job working with the best trials in the world,
I jumped at the chance.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
I see you and what do you shoot on?
Speaker 7 (04:05):
Well, I guess that depends on the subject matter.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
I use my hustle blot for landscape and portraiture if
I need a longer exposure. But if you like me
to lean more into the feeling of the city and
the action of the streets, I brought my leika. It
allows me to capture the intimate details and the candid action, or,
like Bresson likes to say, the decisive moment. And I
use a variety of film speeds depending on the movement
and time of day. But given how gloomy it is
(04:32):
in London right now, I'd say we start with four hundred.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Satisfied darling for now.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
Yes, let's see what you got awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
I'll take you to the hotel to drop your stuff.
Martin sent a list of sights to begin with for
Gina and I to visit and flast up. He sent
this briefcase for you. They are mock ups, writing samples
and budget spreadsheets. Man, I saw plenty of those during
my internship at Time Magazine, Like I have my work
cut outs for me.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
The Savoy will make a wonderful office.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
And gee, if it's not too much trouble, I would
love to make it to Big Ben by magic hour.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Then let's get a move on, and we'll meet you
back at the hotel later.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Darling, Yes, go capture those decisive moments.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Well, Plastic seems smart, beautiful and tough as nails. Satisfying
her might be harder than completing this mission.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
It'll get easier once she gets to know you. She's
always handled everything, so it's going to be an adjustment
for her to let go of the reins a bit.
Speaker 7 (05:37):
I get it.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
These books are her baby and you're her husband. Not
many women would want to share both. But now that
we are alone, are you carrying the microphone?
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Yes, it's in a hidden compartment in my coat.
Speaker 7 (05:48):
Good, then follow me. We're right on time.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Wait, Big Ben is the other direction.
Speaker 7 (05:54):
I shot it yesterday.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
We have a stop to make where we're going to
meet Roger Hollis for a drink. It will tends and
deliver the microfilm.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Roger Hollis. I worked with him during the war. At
the time, he was in MI five's f Division, which
was a secret organization focused on counter subversion tactics. Clever fellow,
but I'd hate to play poker with him.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Well, now he's Director General of m I five, so
I guess he's played his cards.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Right, and Wilton's is a perfect venue for such an exchange.
Speaker 7 (06:21):
And only a block away.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Wilton's isn't just any restaurant, It's a true London institution.
You can file Wilton's in your mental library under restaurants.
You can still acceptably take your grandfather to places where
round red men go to nap and things older than America.
It is that last point which is most telling. Wilton's
(06:45):
turned two hundred and seventy six this year, and it's
fair to say that its dining room has done a
fat lot more good for the world's cultural and economic
prosperity in those years than the teenage nation across the pond. Indeed,
it's a not very well kept secret that Wiltons was
for many years the proxy financial center for the real
(07:06):
deal makers of London, back in an age when due
diligence amounted to little more. Then we'll see a good
scrum at prep school. And where does he buy his shirts?
The correct answer to witches just across the street at
Turnbull and Asser. In fact, Michael Heseltine, the former Deputy
Prime Minister and co founder of the publishing behemoth Haymarket,
(07:27):
memorably described Wilton's as his company's work canteen. Jean, Hello,
well if it isn't Roger Hollis and Charles so good
to see you.
Speaker 8 (07:39):
Yes, and this is my wife Anne.
Speaker 7 (07:41):
I've heard so much about you.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Wonderful to meet you, Rebecca. Have you had the pleasure
of meeting Charles and ann elwell yet? Charles is another
one of my buddies from the war.
Speaker 8 (07:49):
Oh more than that, Jean saved my life. Not quiet,
don't be modest. Under orders from m I five, I
worked with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve to help smuggle
British agents into occupied to when I was captured and
placed as a pow in Colditz Castle.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
If you're not familiar with Colditz, it was one of
the most noted Nazi prisoner of war camps for enemy
officers during the war.
Speaker 8 (08:10):
More colloquially known as Oa Flag, it was a.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Thousand year old fortress right in the heart of Hitler's
Reich that was nearly impenetrable, with two meter thick walls
built on a cliff with a sheer drop of seventy
five meters to the river Mulda below.
Speaker 8 (08:23):
Gene, I missed you. Encyclopedic knowledge, and it was this
knowledge that helped Jane lead a team to liberate the castle,
finally framing me at the end.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Of the war.
Speaker 7 (08:30):
Very impressive.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Are you still with m I five, Charles, Yes, as
is n Really that's fascinating. I'm sure it makes for
a good dinner conversation.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
If it's not top secret altogether.
Speaker 9 (08:45):
As nice as it is to catch up on old times,
we have more pressing business to address. Please, let's take
a seat. Martin says, you have something to share with.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Us, Yes, of course, just here in my pocket.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Well see, the Soviets have created detailed pathfinder maps of
London and every major city in Western Europe. This came
from a source deep inside the Kremlin.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Lives were lost for this.
Speaker 9 (09:11):
We greatly appreciate you delivering this intelligence. We've been dealing
with some critical intelligence leaks of our own, which is
the real reason I had Martin arranged this meeting.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
What do you mean Since.
Speaker 9 (09:24):
The nineteen fifties, dozens of covert operations within MI five
have failed. In addition, KGB's spies have evaded capture both
in the UK and the US, and the only explanation
is that someone has been warning them. We believe there
is a spy ring working within mi I five.
Speaker 8 (09:45):
These KGB mulls have been crippling and corrupting our biggest
operations for decades. Hell, even the plans for the Manhattan
Project when hands of the Soviets before the nuclear bombers
even tested.
Speaker 9 (09:55):
And now we have our own Manhattan Project and we
fear the same results. The HMS Dreadnought is the UK's
first nuclear submarine and we can't afford for these plans
to end up in the hands of.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
The KGB nuclear submarines and bombs. All that sounds very
high stakes, but what does this have to do with me.
Speaker 8 (10:16):
M I five needs, Eugene. There is a mole within
the company and no one can be trusted, even in
the highest chambers of intelligence.
Speaker 9 (10:22):
So we need someone outside the intelligence apparatus to conduct
the investigation.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
I thought we were just delivering the film, that was it.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
The mission is an over yet, Gene.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
If we don't expose this mole and prevent these plans
from leaking, then recovering these maps would be useless.
Speaker 7 (10:40):
The Soviets will have both.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
The means and the method to attack.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
We believe it is this very mole who gave the
Soviets the information pathfinder used to make his maps.
Speaker 8 (10:50):
We've gotten close before that, the suspects escaped at the
last minute, or missions have been canceled in the minic
of time.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
So how are we supposed.
Speaker 9 (10:56):
To help strictly information gathering? We suspect the mole is
in the Admiralty, most likely the Naval Intelligence Division. You
will work directly with Charles and Anne to conduct surveillance
on the various suspects. They don't know who you are,
and no one else in MI I five will know
about this operation. When you find the traitor, you report
(11:18):
him directly to me.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Sounds straightforward enough.
Speaker 9 (11:23):
Good, then I must be off. I trust you will
handle this in both a discreet and timely fashion.
Speaker 8 (11:32):
What Rod I meant to say is we appreciate your
help with this.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
I'm sure just slipped his mind. So where do we
begin with the Vice admiral that high up the food chain.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
Here's our file on him and the surveillance vote has
collected so far.
Speaker 7 (11:48):
Who is this man standing beside him in most of
these pictures?
Speaker 8 (11:52):
Oh, that's John Vassel, local officer to the Vice.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Admiral, clerical officer. His suits are a touch too nice
for that station rests nicer than the admiral himself. I
know where these suits come from, and they cost more
than a government's salary would provide. Do you have any
more information on him?
Speaker 4 (12:08):
We'll pull his file immediately.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Good. In the meantime, since I know the tailor, perhaps
Rebecca and I will go try on a suit or two.
Savile Row is a street in central London, but it's
also much more than that. It is home to the
(12:32):
finest in suits and tailors in the world. In eighteen
forty six, Henry Pool, later credited as the creator of
the dinner jacket, opened an entrance to Savile Row from
his tailoring premises in Old Burlington Street. Other tailors followed,
and soon the bespoke movement was born. This is where
the first suits were cut and made by hand, and
(12:54):
the tradition lives on. This short street has been termed
the Golden Mile of tailor, where customers have included Charles
the Third, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, Laurence Olivier and Duke Ellington,
to name just a few. And tailors are much like
barber's they are the ears of a certain demographic within
(13:15):
a city.
Speaker 10 (13:20):
Hello Sir and madam, welcome to Huntsman and sons. How
may be of assistance?
Speaker 7 (13:24):
Yes, I yes, thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
My husband here is in desperate need of a new suit.
Speaker 7 (13:29):
His friends said you were the best in town.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
That is very kind, darling.
Speaker 7 (13:33):
How many suits did John say he had?
Speaker 11 (13:36):
No?
Speaker 1 (13:36):
I think he said dozens. But you know vassal always exaggerating, Vassal,
John vassal, He is, in fact telling the truth. I've
personally fitted him for more than three dozen of my
finest suits.
Speaker 7 (13:49):
Hu, no wonder he always looks so sharp.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
A suit like that must set him back a pretty penny.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Oh, honey, you cannot put a price on elegance.
Speaker 10 (13:58):
Your lovely wife is correct. Of course, it depends on
the cut and material that.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Is your preference.
Speaker 7 (14:03):
I just love that suit in the window and good taste.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
I've learned long ago not to argue with my wife.
Do you have time to take my measurements? Of course,
if you would just stand right here for.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
Me, fantastic.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
We're attending a wedding next week and I'm just desperate
to get him into something new. Man so resistant to
change sometimes. Can I write the delivery address down for
you while you finish the measurements.
Speaker 10 (14:29):
Yes, please leave it in the address book. It's on
the counter there, all right, very good and done.
Speaker 7 (14:38):
And how much do we owe you with this material?
Speaker 10 (14:41):
It'll be three hundred quid, madam. I can have it
finished top of the week.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Expensive, but worth every penny. I'm sure he will be
quite dashing.
Speaker 10 (14:51):
As they say, madam, the suit makes the mass.
Speaker 7 (14:54):
Oh, it certainly makes them better.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Then perhaps I should also order three dozen like John, I.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
Think we'll just stick with one for now.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Now, come along, dear, we have some more shopping to do.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Of course, darling right behind you. Thank you both, and
have a splendid evening.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Nice suit, too bad, Vlosta will never see you in it.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Three hundred pounds of suit and over three dozen suits,
that's like ten thousand pounds. There's no way he can
afford that on a government salary.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Why don't we swing by Vassal's house and check it out.
I pulled his address from the shop ledger when I
wrote down the fake.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Delivery smart what's the address?
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Eight hundred and seven Hood House. I think that's near
the Thames Hood House.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
I know that area. That's on Dolphin Square where it's
one of the most expensive addresses in London. Unless he's
related to the royal family. What is a deputy clerk
doing living there.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
Let's call in in Charles to let them know what
we've learned.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
There's a payphone. Hello, Ann, it's Gina and Rebecca. Did
(16:11):
you get any more information on Vassal?
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Yes? Actually you were concerned about his finances and we
just learned his yearly salary is seven hundred and fifty
pounds a year and he's not independently wealthy. Plus he
recently left the country with his passport to come months
back for a two week vacation to Aruba. He's definitely
living above his station.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
We just came back from the tailor shop. Between the suits,
the trips and the flat on Dolphins Square, there's no
question Vassals living beyond his means. The question is where
is that money coming from.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
We're going to case Vassal's apartment to see what else
we can find. We'll check back in later.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Okay, but be careful.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Case the apartment. How are we going to do that?
Speaker 7 (16:51):
We aren't going to do anything.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
You are going to stand outside and keep a lookout
while I break into his apartment and search for clues.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
That sounds like a bit more than surveillance.
Speaker 7 (17:01):
Surveillance was your job.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I have my own company to answer to, and they
play by their own rules.
Speaker 7 (17:06):
Let's move.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
At the time of its first construction, Dolphins Square's twelve
hundred and fifty upmarket flats were billed by Sir Nicholas
Pevsner as the largest self contained block of flats in Europe.
Boasting the most developed private garden square in all of London.
Due to its proximity to the Palace of Westminster and
built near the River Thames, Dolphin Square became one of
(17:38):
the most popular residences in the city for politicians and royalty,
with more than seventy MP's and at least ten lords
calling it home. A full block of luxury apartments right
in the heart of central London.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
All right, Gene, we've been watching this place for the
better part of an hour. It looks like no one's home.
You stay here, well, I go inside to investigate.
Speaker 8 (18:01):
I can't just.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Let you go in there alone. What if something goes wrong.
Speaker 7 (18:04):
I can take care of myself.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
That's clear, But what about me. I'd be awfully alone
out here.
Speaker 7 (18:10):
And who said chivalry was dead? Fine? Follow me, stay
quiet and stay close.
Speaker 8 (18:24):
What are you doing.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Picking the lock?
Speaker 7 (18:26):
Thought it'd be more subtle than kicking down the door.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
How long's that take? We don't know how long he'll
be gone.
Speaker 7 (18:31):
For good thing.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
I'm quick teta keep the lights off, Try not to
disturb too much.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
The man certainly has good taste. These rugs alone cost
a fortune.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I'll go shack upstairs. You search down here, let me
know if you find anything suspicious.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Ah, this is where he keeps all those swanky suits.
Speaker 7 (19:17):
Hey jeans, Come look at this.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Where are you?
Speaker 2 (19:20):
I'm upstairs in the bedroom.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
What'd you find?
Speaker 7 (19:28):
Hidden cameras and mics they are everywhere.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Maybe the Soviets are spying on him too.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Maybe, But how do you explain these photos?
Speaker 7 (19:37):
They were in a vanity drawer with a false bottom.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Whoa, These are some seriously compromising pictures he has of himself.
Not to mention many members of parliament. I recognize several
of d MPs from the papers.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Jesus, he's running a classic honey trap.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Honey trap, that's right.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
He lures them and seduces them and captures it all
in his hidden cameras and recorders. Then he uses the
to blackmail. Then only difference is it's usually a woman
running a honeytrap. These photos would ruin a lot of
careers in marriages, even.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
More effective for blackmail. Shit, he's home.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
What do we do?
Speaker 7 (20:14):
Hide in the closet? If he finds us, I'll handle it.
Speaker 8 (20:18):
You.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
I have an idea.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
What are you doing with that suit?
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Mister Vassal? Is that you? The hell?
Speaker 6 (20:25):
Are you?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
What are you doing in my apartment? I was sent
from h Huntsman and Sons with a lovely new suit
for you. I knocked and found the door unlocked. I'm
terribly sorry for the intrusion, but I couldn't bear to
leave the suit out in the cold. I fear something
could have happened to it.
Speaker 11 (20:40):
I've never seen you at the show up before.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
I'm a new apprentice called the crap.
Speaker 11 (20:45):
I know who you are?
Speaker 1 (20:46):
You do you' kgb?
Speaker 11 (20:48):
You know he had to kill me?
Speaker 1 (20:50):
What? No? I did what you asked? Please leave me alone.
Speaker 11 (20:54):
I won't tell anyone, I swear, Please leave me alone.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Oh wait, no, what are you waiting for?
Speaker 7 (21:03):
Catch him?
Speaker 1 (21:03):
I thought I was just observing.
Speaker 7 (21:15):
Vassel. Come back. We're not here to kill you.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
Where'd you go there?
Speaker 4 (21:20):
He's crossing Saint George's Square.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Saint George's Square is a very prestigious and very long
garden square in affluent Timlico, Central London. He was London's
first residential square and has had many notable residents over
the years. Dracula author and creator Ram Stoker died at
number twenty six in April nineteen twelve.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
If he's heading for Pimlico Tube station, you cover the
Thames and we'll corner him.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Okay, vassal stop, it's a dead end. If we have
you surrounded, please don't suit. We're not going to kill you.
Speaker 7 (22:02):
We just want to ask you a few questions.
Speaker 12 (22:07):
What kind of.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Questions the type that would be better answered over a
pot of tea in your apartment?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Would you like some milk with it?
Speaker 2 (22:21):
No? Thank you? Now, why don't you start by explaining
why you thought the Soviets were after you?
Speaker 11 (22:26):
It started when I was on diplomatic station in Poland.
I allowed my guard to drop, being out of the
country and all, and I wasn't as careful as I
normally am about about being with other men I see,
and the Soviets said a honey trap for me with
a young man and used those photos to blackmail me.
(22:48):
At first, it was just a few documents, nothing high level,
but slowly it became more insidious, and now they are
making me act as the honey trap in order to
blackmail other men.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I'm doing what they.
Speaker 11 (22:59):
Want, but I I said, I want to be finished
with the whole business, and I was worried they came
to doom me in.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Then you should be very glad we caught you first.
Speaker 7 (23:09):
My friends and I five are on their way over.
Speaker 12 (23:11):
Let's see if your story holds up with them.
Speaker 9 (23:24):
Jean and Rebecca. Great work, m I five owes you
a debt of gratitude. Very impressed with how quickly you've
got a handle on this.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Glad to be of service, Roger.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Hopefully Vassal can help expose the rest of the spy network.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
My men are still looking through vassels belongings, but they've
already uncovered thousands of documents to pass through. It looks
like he's been taking payments from the Soviets for years.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
He almost seemed believed to have finally been caught, though.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
I was thinking, who knows if they really took those
honeytrap photos of Vassal as blackmail, or if he's just
using them as cover. Now that he's been exposed, works
as are real nice alibi.
Speaker 9 (24:01):
M Either way, that is one less traitor in the
British Service. Congratulations on a job well done.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Well, I'm off to the Savoy. I'm sure Philosta is
waiting for me. Rebecca, are you coming?
Speaker 2 (24:14):
I think I should do some sight seeing make up
for today's works of last days and suspicious good idea.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
I'll see you tomorrow. The Savoy Hotel is the embodiment
of elegance and refinement and the first purpose built deluxe
hotel in London, setting new standards for luxury, comfort and
service unheard of in the hotel world of the day.
The Savoy was the first to introduce current modern conveniences
(24:42):
like electric lights throughout the building, electric lifts, bathrooms in
most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold
running water, and many other innovations. As the only five
star hotel on the River Thames, the Savoy offers sublime
service in an unbeatable look near Covent Garden, in the
heart of all that London has to offer. If you
(25:05):
are not lucky enough to secure a room, the High
Ta itself is enough of a reason to visit London's
most famous hotel.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Gene, is that you, darling back so late?
Speaker 1 (25:20):
It was a long day, but we got some great
things accomplished.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
How was it working with Rebecca?
Speaker 1 (25:27):
Impressive? A bit young and over eager, but she certainly
gets the job done.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
I was speaking of getting jobs done. I am nowhere
near through the paperwork Martin sent me.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
How about I take you to dinner and you tell
me all about it?
Speaker 4 (25:42):
I could be persuaded. Who could that be? Charles? What
are you doing here?
Speaker 8 (25:52):
So sad? Show up and announced? But when Gene phoned
to say you were visiting, I impulsively made a dinner
reservation and came right over. I hope I'm not interrupting.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Oh please come in, Charles. So great to see you,
even if you are interrupting.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
And this is my wife Anne, the famous mister and
missus photo.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
It's so wonderful to finally meet you.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Likewise, Gina's told me so much, but not nearly enough.
Speaker 8 (26:16):
Well, then, while you two ladies get acquainted, I hope
you don't mind if I steal Gine for a drink downstairs.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Of course, and can help me pick out my dress.
Make sure I'm suitable for British society.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
You boys, have fun.
Speaker 8 (26:27):
We'll be down shortly, splendid, I'll see you.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
So, Charles, I have to ask, what is it like
working with your wife in this spy world? This whole time,
I thought I was protecting Gloucester, protecting her marriage by
not telling her. I hate lying to her, but the
last thing I ever want to do is put her
at risk.
Speaker 8 (26:50):
Initially I had those fears too, and sure it's created
conflict in our marriage, but overall, I think it's brought
us closer together. In this line of work, it's difficult
to find someone who can trust. To have someone you
can always rely on and confide in, It's more than
most people have in this business. And if anything, it's
strengthened our relationship. We have no secrets.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Don't you worry about her?
Speaker 8 (27:16):
Of course? But she can handle herself as I think
lost a.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, maybe that's what I'm afraid of.
Speaker 8 (27:35):
Two sculptures neat very good sir.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
Okay, Charles, Now that we are safely in the bar,
what is the real reason you're here?
Speaker 8 (27:51):
I wanted to tell you the truth about today.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
What do you mean? Even if there's more to the Vassal.
Case we found them, all my work is done.
Speaker 8 (28:00):
I'm sorry to say, Jean, but this is only the beginning.
We have strong reason to believe Vassal is only an
appetizer delivered by the Soviets with the hope of satisfying
our hunger, A low level spy with no connections or knowledge,
and entirely disposable, a sacrificial lamb to distract us from
the bigger target.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
A bigger target who Anne and I.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
Believe there is a mole hidden much higher in intelligence,
perhaps even Roger Hollis.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
You're joking, Roger.
Speaker 8 (28:31):
Think about it. If it were true, then all the
cagy Be did was sacrifice their pond to protect their king.
Vassal has no knowledge of anything important and no connections.
This was nothing more than a grand diversion.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
I suppose it makes sense, and it was pretty easy.
And Roger knew I would identify the suits for Vassal
and that his spending habits were a red.
Speaker 8 (28:54):
Flag, and Roger needed you, an outside source to expose
him so he wouldn't look like the third man.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
Then I'm not done, am I afraid not?
Speaker 8 (29:04):
What Roger and the Soviets are really after is the
ultimate prize in British naval intelligence, the designs for the
HMS Dreadnought, the first nuclear powered submarine in history. If
the Soviets get their hands on their designs and combine
them with the Pathfinder maps, not only will they know
where to attack, they'll have the ultimate weapon to do it.
Then it's checkmate. We need your help again, Chap.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
And I guess we know who's buying dinner.
Speaker 13 (29:41):
Vodor's Guide to Espionage is created by Lars Jacobson, written
by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jagulain, and directed by Sabrina Jagulam,
produced by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jagulain, and executive produced
by Noel Brown or iHeartRadio. Vodor's Guide to Espionage stars
Ethan Korn as Eugene Fodor, Leliah Symington as Vlasta Fodor,
(30:03):
and Jackie Emerson as Rebecca Ralston, with additional performances by
Chase Mullens, George Rivera, Matt Linton, Dylan McCollum, Gabe Greenspan,
Chris Cappel, Duncan Kaladine Dana Melanie, Alex Gombadi, Noam Thomaschoff,
Katrina Aaron, and Simon Jagulin. Sound design and editing by
(30:24):
Chris Childs. Original theme song by Jack Blavelt and Chris
Childs with additional scoring by Chris Childs. Sound engineering by
Chris sec Fodor's Guide to Espionage is an iHeartRadio production.
For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
History and tradition greet you at every turn in London,
yet it's also one of the most modern cities you
can find. First established by the Romans, it grew to
be the capital of one of the largest empires and
remains one of the largest cities in the world. Built
on the River Thames, London has always been an important
center for culture and trade, and is so diverse that
(00:31):
it is said over three hundred languages are spoken within
the city. If London contained only landmarks such as Westminster
Abbey and Big Ben, it would still rank as one
of the world's great destinations. But Britain's capital is so
much more. While the culture may be reserved built on
etiquette and comportment, beneath that stiff upper lip resides a
(00:54):
society that loves a good beer and a good time.
The lively pubs are just as large a part of
the culture of the city has Buckingham Palace.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Jean.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Gene, you can put your pen down. What take a
look out the window.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
We're here, ah, London. It's great to be back.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
I wouldn't have minded a little more notice.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Need I remind you, darling, this is what you wanted,
A big new publisher means that our schedule is no
longer in our own hands. The demands are larger, Yes, yes,
I know. Fortunately with larger demands come nicer accommodations. Martin
booked us a room at the Savoy.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
M Okay, I can live with that, I thought.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
So.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
See, some changes are going to be very positive. Some
well different, Like the new photographer just one of the
many ideas Martin has to modernize our guide books.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
But I'm fine with making the move to color photos.
But I don't love that we weren't allowed to find
someone to hire ourselves with what time?
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Anyway, Martin says this Rebecca is the cream of the crop,
a young talented freelancer right out of college who's eager
to impress us. She's meeting us at the train station
any minute now, So don't forget to be nice when
am I not? And keep in mind, while you may
not continue to snap every photo in our book, you
will have final say over what is printed. You are
(02:19):
the editor now, and we need to delegate so we
can allow the business to grow.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
All right, Bud. If her work is SuPAR, then she
won't be.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Back during cross station choring cross station.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
That's us mister and missus Podor.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Hello, you must be miss Ralston.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Oh, please call me Rebecca, and you must call us
Gina and Vlasta.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Is so so nice to meet you both.
Speaker 7 (03:06):
I was worried I'd miss your train with.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
All these clouds coming and going, and there really are
a whole lot of people in London.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
When did you arrive in dumb Oh?
Speaker 7 (03:13):
Last night?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I was so chatlied, but I was like, Rebecca, you
are in London.
Speaker 7 (03:17):
Go to the pub. Have you ever tried? Oh my god,
what do they call it?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Baker's and mash I can't say I have fun name
disgusting fair?
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Well, shall we get going?
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Hold on, I'd like to learn a little more about Rebecca.
Speaker 7 (03:42):
Sure thing.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
How did you meet Martin?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
I was interning at Time magazine and Martin was closing
a deal with my boss at the time. We got
to talking and he knew I was eager for more
road work.
Speaker 7 (03:52):
I'm not the most suitor to being in office, though.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
I did learn a lot, so when he offered me
a job working with the best trials in the world,
I jumped at the chance.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
I see you and what do you shoot on?
Speaker 7 (04:05):
Well, I guess that depends on the subject matter.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
I use my hustle blot for landscape and portraiture if
I need a longer exposure. But if you like me
to lean more into the feeling of the city and
the action of the streets, I brought my leika. It
allows me to capture the intimate details and the candid action, or,
like Bresson likes to say, the decisive moment. And I
use a variety of film speeds depending on the movement
and time of day. But given how gloomy it is
(04:32):
in London right now, I'd say we start with four hundred.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Satisfied darling for now.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
Yes, let's see what you got awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
I'll take you to the hotel to drop your stuff.
Martin sent a list of sights to begin with for
Gina and I to visit and flast up. He sent
this briefcase for you. They are mock ups, writing samples
and budget spreadsheets. Man, I saw plenty of those during
my internship at Time Magazine, Like I have my work
cut outs for me.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
The Savoy will make a wonderful office.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
And gee, if it's not too much trouble, I would
love to make it to Big Ben by magic hour.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Then let's get a move on, and we'll meet you
back at the hotel later.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Darling, Yes, go capture those decisive moments.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Well, Plastic seems smart, beautiful and tough as nails. Satisfying
her might be harder than completing this mission.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
It'll get easier once she gets to know you. She's
always handled everything, so it's going to be an adjustment
for her to let go of the reins a bit.
Speaker 7 (05:37):
I get it.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
These books are her baby and you're her husband. Not
many women would want to share both. But now that
we are alone, are you carrying the microphone?
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Yes, it's in a hidden compartment in my coat.
Speaker 7 (05:48):
Good, then follow me. We're right on time.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Wait, Big Ben is the other direction.
Speaker 7 (05:54):
I shot it yesterday.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
We have a stop to make where we're going to
meet Roger Hollis for a drink. It will tends and
deliver the microfilm.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Roger Hollis. I worked with him during the war. At
the time, he was in MI five's f Division, which
was a secret organization focused on counter subversion tactics. Clever fellow,
but I'd hate to play poker with him.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Well, now he's Director General of m I five, so
I guess he's played his cards.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Right, and Wilton's is a perfect venue for such an exchange.
Speaker 7 (06:21):
And only a block away.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Wilton's isn't just any restaurant, It's a true London institution.
You can file Wilton's in your mental library under restaurants.
You can still acceptably take your grandfather to places where
round red men go to nap and things older than America.
It is that last point which is most telling. Wilton's
(06:45):
turned two hundred and seventy six this year, and it's
fair to say that its dining room has done a
fat lot more good for the world's cultural and economic
prosperity in those years than the teenage nation across the pond. Indeed,
it's a not very well kept secret that Wiltons was
for many years the proxy financial center for the real
(07:06):
deal makers of London, back in an age when due
diligence amounted to little more. Then we'll see a good
scrum at prep school. And where does he buy his shirts?
The correct answer to witches just across the street at
Turnbull and Asser. In fact, Michael Heseltine, the former Deputy
Prime Minister and co founder of the publishing behemoth Haymarket,
(07:27):
memorably described Wilton's as his company's work canteen. Jean, Hello,
well if it isn't Roger Hollis and Charles so good
to see you.
Speaker 8 (07:39):
Yes, and this is my wife Anne.
Speaker 7 (07:41):
I've heard so much about you.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Wonderful to meet you, Rebecca. Have you had the pleasure
of meeting Charles and ann elwell yet? Charles is another
one of my buddies from the war.
Speaker 8 (07:49):
Oh more than that, Jean saved my life. Not quiet,
don't be modest. Under orders from m I five, I
worked with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve to help smuggle
British agents into occupied to when I was captured and
placed as a pow in Colditz Castle.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
If you're not familiar with Colditz, it was one of
the most noted Nazi prisoner of war camps for enemy
officers during the war.
Speaker 8 (08:10):
More colloquially known as Oa Flag, it was a.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Thousand year old fortress right in the heart of Hitler's
Reich that was nearly impenetrable, with two meter thick walls
built on a cliff with a sheer drop of seventy
five meters to the river Mulda below.
Speaker 8 (08:23):
Gene, I missed you. Encyclopedic knowledge, and it was this
knowledge that helped Jane lead a team to liberate the castle,
finally framing me at the end.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Of the war.
Speaker 7 (08:30):
Very impressive.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Are you still with m I five, Charles, Yes, as
is n Really that's fascinating. I'm sure it makes for
a good dinner conversation.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
If it's not top secret altogether.
Speaker 9 (08:45):
As nice as it is to catch up on old times,
we have more pressing business to address. Please, let's take
a seat. Martin says, you have something to share with.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Us, Yes, of course, just here in my pocket.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Well see, the Soviets have created detailed pathfinder maps of
London and every major city in Western Europe. This came
from a source deep inside the Kremlin.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Lives were lost for this.
Speaker 9 (09:11):
We greatly appreciate you delivering this intelligence. We've been dealing
with some critical intelligence leaks of our own, which is
the real reason I had Martin arranged this meeting.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
What do you mean Since.
Speaker 9 (09:24):
The nineteen fifties, dozens of covert operations within MI five
have failed. In addition, KGB's spies have evaded capture both
in the UK and the US, and the only explanation
is that someone has been warning them. We believe there
is a spy ring working within mi I five.
Speaker 8 (09:45):
These KGB mulls have been crippling and corrupting our biggest
operations for decades. Hell, even the plans for the Manhattan
Project when hands of the Soviets before the nuclear bombers
even tested.
Speaker 9 (09:55):
And now we have our own Manhattan Project and we
fear the same results. The HMS Dreadnought is the UK's
first nuclear submarine and we can't afford for these plans
to end up in the hands of.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
The KGB nuclear submarines and bombs. All that sounds very
high stakes, but what does this have to do with me.
Speaker 8 (10:16):
M I five needs, Eugene. There is a mole within
the company and no one can be trusted, even in
the highest chambers of intelligence.
Speaker 9 (10:22):
So we need someone outside the intelligence apparatus to conduct
the investigation.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
I thought we were just delivering the film, that was it.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
The mission is an over yet, Gene.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
If we don't expose this mole and prevent these plans
from leaking, then recovering these maps would be useless.
Speaker 7 (10:40):
The Soviets will have both.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
The means and the method to attack.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
We believe it is this very mole who gave the
Soviets the information pathfinder used to make his maps.
Speaker 8 (10:50):
We've gotten close before that, the suspects escaped at the
last minute, or missions have been canceled in the minic
of time.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
So how are we supposed.
Speaker 9 (10:56):
To help strictly information gathering? We suspect the mole is
in the Admiralty, most likely the Naval Intelligence Division. You
will work directly with Charles and Anne to conduct surveillance
on the various suspects. They don't know who you are,
and no one else in MI I five will know
about this operation. When you find the traitor, you report
(11:18):
him directly to me.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Sounds straightforward enough.
Speaker 9 (11:23):
Good, then I must be off. I trust you will
handle this in both a discreet and timely fashion.
Speaker 8 (11:32):
What Rod I meant to say is we appreciate your
help with this.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
I'm sure just slipped his mind. So where do we
begin with the Vice admiral that high up the food chain.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
Here's our file on him and the surveillance vote has
collected so far.
Speaker 7 (11:48):
Who is this man standing beside him in most of
these pictures?
Speaker 8 (11:52):
Oh, that's John Vassel, local officer to the Vice.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Admiral, clerical officer. His suits are a touch too nice
for that station rests nicer than the admiral himself. I
know where these suits come from, and they cost more
than a government's salary would provide. Do you have any
more information on him?
Speaker 4 (12:08):
We'll pull his file immediately.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Good. In the meantime, since I know the tailor, perhaps
Rebecca and I will go try on a suit or two.
Savile Row is a street in central London, but it's
also much more than that. It is home to the
(12:32):
finest in suits and tailors in the world. In eighteen
forty six, Henry Pool, later credited as the creator of
the dinner jacket, opened an entrance to Savile Row from
his tailoring premises in Old Burlington Street. Other tailors followed,
and soon the bespoke movement was born. This is where
the first suits were cut and made by hand, and
(12:54):
the tradition lives on. This short street has been termed
the Golden Mile of tailor, where customers have included Charles
the Third, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, Laurence Olivier and Duke Ellington,
to name just a few. And tailors are much like
barber's they are the ears of a certain demographic within
(13:15):
a city.
Speaker 10 (13:20):
Hello Sir and madam, welcome to Huntsman and sons. How
may be of assistance?
Speaker 7 (13:24):
Yes, I yes, thank you.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
My husband here is in desperate need of a new suit.
Speaker 7 (13:29):
His friends said you were the best in town.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
That is very kind, darling.
Speaker 7 (13:33):
How many suits did John say he had?
Speaker 11 (13:36):
No?
Speaker 1 (13:36):
I think he said dozens. But you know vassal always exaggerating, Vassal,
John vassal, He is, in fact telling the truth. I've
personally fitted him for more than three dozen of my
finest suits.
Speaker 7 (13:49):
Hu, no wonder he always looks so sharp.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
A suit like that must set him back a pretty penny.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Oh, honey, you cannot put a price on elegance.
Speaker 10 (13:58):
Your lovely wife is correct. Of course, it depends on
the cut and material that.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Is your preference.
Speaker 7 (14:03):
I just love that suit in the window and good taste.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
I've learned long ago not to argue with my wife.
Do you have time to take my measurements? Of course,
if you would just stand right here for.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
Me, fantastic.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
We're attending a wedding next week and I'm just desperate
to get him into something new. Man so resistant to
change sometimes. Can I write the delivery address down for
you while you finish the measurements.
Speaker 10 (14:29):
Yes, please leave it in the address book. It's on
the counter there, all right, very good and done.
Speaker 7 (14:38):
And how much do we owe you with this material?
Speaker 10 (14:41):
It'll be three hundred quid, madam. I can have it
finished top of the week.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Expensive, but worth every penny. I'm sure he will be
quite dashing.
Speaker 10 (14:51):
As they say, madam, the suit makes the mass.
Speaker 7 (14:54):
Oh, it certainly makes them better.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Then perhaps I should also order three dozen like John, I.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
Think we'll just stick with one for now.
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Now, come along, dear, we have some more shopping to do.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Of course, darling right behind you. Thank you both, and
have a splendid evening.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Nice suit, too bad, Vlosta will never see you in it.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Three hundred pounds of suit and over three dozen suits,
that's like ten thousand pounds. There's no way he can
afford that on a government salary.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Why don't we swing by Vassal's house and check it out.
I pulled his address from the shop ledger when I
wrote down the fake.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Delivery smart what's the address?
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Eight hundred and seven Hood House. I think that's near
the Thames Hood House.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
I know that area. That's on Dolphin Square where it's
one of the most expensive addresses in London. Unless he's
related to the royal family. What is a deputy clerk
doing living there.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
Let's call in in Charles to let them know what
we've learned.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
There's a payphone. Hello, Ann, it's Gina and Rebecca. Did
(16:11):
you get any more information on Vassal?
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Yes? Actually you were concerned about his finances and we
just learned his yearly salary is seven hundred and fifty
pounds a year and he's not independently wealthy. Plus he
recently left the country with his passport to come months
back for a two week vacation to Aruba. He's definitely
living above his station.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
We just came back from the tailor shop. Between the suits,
the trips and the flat on Dolphins Square, there's no
question Vassals living beyond his means. The question is where
is that money coming from.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
We're going to case Vassal's apartment to see what else
we can find. We'll check back in later.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Okay, but be careful.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Case the apartment. How are we going to do that?
Speaker 7 (16:51):
We aren't going to do anything.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
You are going to stand outside and keep a lookout
while I break into his apartment and search for clues.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
That sounds like a bit more than surveillance.
Speaker 7 (17:01):
Surveillance was your job.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I have my own company to answer to, and they
play by their own rules.
Speaker 7 (17:06):
Let's move.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
At the time of its first construction, Dolphins Square's twelve
hundred and fifty upmarket flats were billed by Sir Nicholas
Pevsner as the largest self contained block of flats in Europe.
Boasting the most developed private garden square in all of London.
Due to its proximity to the Palace of Westminster and
built near the River Thames, Dolphin Square became one of
(17:38):
the most popular residences in the city for politicians and royalty,
with more than seventy MP's and at least ten lords
calling it home. A full block of luxury apartments right
in the heart of central London.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
All right, Gene, we've been watching this place for the
better part of an hour. It looks like no one's home.
You stay here, well, I go inside to investigate.
Speaker 8 (18:01):
I can't just.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Let you go in there alone. What if something goes wrong.
Speaker 7 (18:04):
I can take care of myself.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
That's clear, But what about me. I'd be awfully alone
out here.
Speaker 7 (18:10):
And who said chivalry was dead? Fine? Follow me, stay
quiet and stay close.
Speaker 8 (18:24):
What are you doing.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Picking the lock?
Speaker 7 (18:26):
Thought it'd be more subtle than kicking down the door.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
How long's that take? We don't know how long he'll
be gone.
Speaker 7 (18:31):
For good thing.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
I'm quick teta keep the lights off, Try not to
disturb too much.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
The man certainly has good taste. These rugs alone cost
a fortune.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
I'll go shack upstairs. You search down here, let me
know if you find anything suspicious.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
Ah, this is where he keeps all those swanky suits.
Speaker 7 (19:17):
Hey jeans, Come look at this.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Where are you?
Speaker 2 (19:20):
I'm upstairs in the bedroom.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
What'd you find?
Speaker 7 (19:28):
Hidden cameras and mics they are everywhere.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Maybe the Soviets are spying on him too.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Maybe, But how do you explain these photos?
Speaker 7 (19:37):
They were in a vanity drawer with a false bottom.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Whoa, These are some seriously compromising pictures he has of himself.
Not to mention many members of parliament. I recognize several
of d MPs from the papers.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Jesus, he's running a classic honey trap.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Honey trap, that's right.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
He lures them and seduces them and captures it all
in his hidden cameras and recorders. Then he uses the
to blackmail. Then only difference is it's usually a woman
running a honeytrap. These photos would ruin a lot of
careers in marriages, even.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
More effective for blackmail. Shit, he's home.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
What do we do?
Speaker 7 (20:14):
Hide in the closet? If he finds us, I'll handle it.
Speaker 8 (20:18):
You.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
I have an idea.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
What are you doing with that suit?
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Mister Vassal? Is that you? The hell?
Speaker 6 (20:25):
Are you?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
What are you doing in my apartment? I was sent
from h Huntsman and Sons with a lovely new suit
for you. I knocked and found the door unlocked. I'm
terribly sorry for the intrusion, but I couldn't bear to
leave the suit out in the cold. I fear something
could have happened to it.
Speaker 11 (20:40):
I've never seen you at the show up before.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
I'm a new apprentice called the crap.
Speaker 11 (20:45):
I know who you are?
Speaker 1 (20:46):
You do you' kgb?
Speaker 11 (20:48):
You know he had to kill me?
Speaker 1 (20:50):
What? No? I did what you asked? Please leave me alone.
Speaker 11 (20:54):
I won't tell anyone, I swear, Please leave me alone.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Oh wait, no, what are you waiting for?
Speaker 7 (21:03):
Catch him?
Speaker 1 (21:03):
I thought I was just observing.
Speaker 7 (21:15):
Vassel. Come back. We're not here to kill you.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
Where'd you go there?
Speaker 4 (21:20):
He's crossing Saint George's Square.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Saint George's Square is a very prestigious and very long
garden square in affluent Timlico, Central London. He was London's
first residential square and has had many notable residents over
the years. Dracula author and creator Ram Stoker died at
number twenty six in April nineteen twelve.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
If he's heading for Pimlico Tube station, you cover the
Thames and we'll corner him.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Okay, vassal stop, it's a dead end. If we have
you surrounded, please don't suit. We're not going to kill you.
Speaker 7 (22:02):
We just want to ask you a few questions.
Speaker 12 (22:07):
What kind of.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Questions the type that would be better answered over a
pot of tea in your apartment?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Would you like some milk with it?
Speaker 2 (22:21):
No? Thank you? Now, why don't you start by explaining
why you thought the Soviets were after you?
Speaker 11 (22:26):
It started when I was on diplomatic station in Poland.
I allowed my guard to drop, being out of the
country and all, and I wasn't as careful as I
normally am about about being with other men I see,
and the Soviets said a honey trap for me with
a young man and used those photos to blackmail me.
(22:48):
At first, it was just a few documents, nothing high level,
but slowly it became more insidious, and now they are
making me act as the honey trap in order to
blackmail other men.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I'm doing what they.
Speaker 11 (22:59):
Want, but I I said, I want to be finished
with the whole business, and I was worried they came
to doom me in.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Then you should be very glad we caught you first.
Speaker 7 (23:09):
My friends and I five are on their way over.
Speaker 12 (23:11):
Let's see if your story holds up with them.
Speaker 9 (23:24):
Jean and Rebecca. Great work, m I five owes you
a debt of gratitude. Very impressed with how quickly you've
got a handle on this.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Glad to be of service, Roger.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Hopefully Vassal can help expose the rest of the spy network.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
My men are still looking through vassels belongings, but they've
already uncovered thousands of documents to pass through. It looks
like he's been taking payments from the Soviets for years.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
He almost seemed believed to have finally been caught, though.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
I was thinking, who knows if they really took those
honeytrap photos of Vassal as blackmail, or if he's just
using them as cover. Now that he's been exposed, works
as are real nice alibi.
Speaker 9 (24:01):
M Either way, that is one less traitor in the
British Service. Congratulations on a job well done.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Well, I'm off to the Savoy. I'm sure Philosta is
waiting for me. Rebecca, are you coming?
Speaker 2 (24:14):
I think I should do some sight seeing make up
for today's works of last days and suspicious good idea.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
I'll see you tomorrow. The Savoy Hotel is the embodiment
of elegance and refinement and the first purpose built deluxe
hotel in London, setting new standards for luxury, comfort and
service unheard of in the hotel world of the day.
The Savoy was the first to introduce current modern conveniences
(24:42):
like electric lights throughout the building, electric lifts, bathrooms in
most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold
running water, and many other innovations. As the only five
star hotel on the River Thames, the Savoy offers sublime
service in an unbeatable look near Covent Garden, in the
heart of all that London has to offer. If you
(25:05):
are not lucky enough to secure a room, the High
Ta itself is enough of a reason to visit London's
most famous hotel.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Gene, is that you, darling back so late?
Speaker 1 (25:20):
It was a long day, but we got some great
things accomplished.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
How was it working with Rebecca?
Speaker 1 (25:27):
Impressive? A bit young and over eager, but she certainly
gets the job done.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
I was speaking of getting jobs done. I am nowhere
near through the paperwork Martin sent me.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
How about I take you to dinner and you tell
me all about it?
Speaker 4 (25:42):
I could be persuaded. Who could that be? Charles? What
are you doing here?
Speaker 8 (25:52):
So sad? Show up and announced? But when Gene phoned
to say you were visiting, I impulsively made a dinner
reservation and came right over. I hope I'm not interrupting.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Oh please come in, Charles. So great to see you,
even if you are interrupting.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
And this is my wife Anne, the famous mister and
missus photo.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
It's so wonderful to finally meet you.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Likewise, Gina's told me so much, but not nearly enough.
Speaker 8 (26:16):
Well, then, while you two ladies get acquainted, I hope
you don't mind if I steal Gine for a drink downstairs.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Of course, and can help me pick out my dress.
Make sure I'm suitable for British society.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
You boys, have fun.
Speaker 8 (26:27):
We'll be down shortly, splendid, I'll see you.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
So, Charles, I have to ask, what is it like
working with your wife in this spy world? This whole time,
I thought I was protecting Gloucester, protecting her marriage by
not telling her. I hate lying to her, but the
last thing I ever want to do is put her
at risk.
Speaker 8 (26:50):
Initially I had those fears too, and sure it's created
conflict in our marriage, but overall, I think it's brought
us closer together. In this line of work, it's difficult
to find someone who can trust. To have someone you
can always rely on and confide in, It's more than
most people have in this business. And if anything, it's
strengthened our relationship. We have no secrets.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Don't you worry about her?
Speaker 8 (27:16):
Of course? But she can handle herself as I think
lost a.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, maybe that's what I'm afraid of.
Speaker 8 (27:35):
Two sculptures neat very good sir.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
Okay, Charles, Now that we are safely in the bar,
what is the real reason you're here?
Speaker 8 (27:51):
I wanted to tell you the truth about today.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
What do you mean? Even if there's more to the Vassal.
Case we found them, all my work is done.
Speaker 8 (28:00):
I'm sorry to say, Jean, but this is only the beginning.
We have strong reason to believe Vassal is only an
appetizer delivered by the Soviets with the hope of satisfying
our hunger, A low level spy with no connections or knowledge,
and entirely disposable, a sacrificial lamb to distract us from
the bigger target.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
A bigger target who Anne and I.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
Believe there is a mole hidden much higher in intelligence,
perhaps even Roger Hollis.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
You're joking, Roger.
Speaker 8 (28:31):
Think about it. If it were true, then all the
cagy Be did was sacrifice their pond to protect their king.
Vassal has no knowledge of anything important and no connections.
This was nothing more than a grand diversion.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
I suppose it makes sense, and it was pretty easy.
And Roger knew I would identify the suits for Vassal
and that his spending habits were a red.
Speaker 8 (28:54):
Flag, and Roger needed you, an outside source to expose
him so he wouldn't look like the third man.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
Then I'm not done, am I afraid not?
Speaker 8 (29:04):
What Roger and the Soviets are really after is the
ultimate prize in British naval intelligence, the designs for the
HMS Dreadnought, the first nuclear powered submarine in history. If
the Soviets get their hands on their designs and combine
them with the Pathfinder maps, not only will they know
where to attack, they'll have the ultimate weapon to do it.
Then it's checkmate. We need your help again, Chap.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
And I guess we know who's buying dinner.
Speaker 13 (29:41):
Vodor's Guide to Espionage is created by Lars Jacobson, written
by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jagulain, and directed by Sabrina Jagulam,
produced by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jagulain, and executive produced
by Noel Brown or iHeartRadio. Vodor's Guide to Espionage stars
Ethan Korn as Eugene Fodor, Leliah Symington as Vlasta Fodor,
(30:03):
and Jackie Emerson as Rebecca Ralston, with additional performances by
Chase Mullens, George Rivera, Matt Linton, Dylan McCollum, Gabe Greenspan,
Chris Cappel, Duncan Kaladine Dana Melanie, Alex Gombadi, Noam Thomaschoff,
Katrina Aaron, and Simon Jagulin. Sound design and editing by
(30:24):
Chris Childs. Original theme song by Jack Blavelt and Chris
Childs with additional scoring by Chris Childs. Sound engineering by
Chris sec Fodor's Guide to Espionage is an iHeartRadio production.
For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.