I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Chapter 304: Chapter 87: Oil Crisis

Gunter’s expression changed.

"A surge? How much of a surge?"

"At least double, maybe even more," Werner said. "Right now, oil is about three US Dollars a barrel. If something really happens, it could shoot up to six, eight, or even ten dollars. And it won’t just be oil prices; the entire Western economy will take a hit."

Gunter fell silent. He picked up a cigar from the desk, lit it, and took a deep drag.

"So you want to..."

"I want to go to London and sign a batch of oil forward contracts for Koko," Werner said. "Lock in the low price now. If the price really does go up, we can turn around and sell the contracts to companies that need oil. The profits will be substantial."

Gunter stared at him for a few seconds.

"Werner, are you sure you’re not just gambling?"

"Of course it’s a gamble," Werner said frankly. "But what deal have we ever done that wasn’t? Comrade Gunter, think back. Before the Basic Treaty was signed, I suggested we stockpile goods. You thought it was a gamble then, too. And what was the result? We made thirty million."

Gunter fell silent again. He took a drag from his cigar, the smoke curling through the office.

"How much money do you need?" he finally asked.

"Approve a foreign exchange quota of five hundred thousand US Dollars for now," Werner said. "It’s to pay the margin on the contracts."

"Five hundred thousand US Dollars?" Gunter frowned.

"But if it succeeds, the return will be several, or even ten times that," Werner said. "Comrade Gunter, even if my judgment is wrong and nothing happens in the Middle East, the most we’ll lose is some of the margin. But if I’m right, and we do nothing, that would be the real loss."

Gunter looked at him for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

"Alright. Five hundred thousand US Dollars. I’ll approve it." He paused. "But Werner, if you’re wrong this time..."

"I won’t be," Werner said.

"You’d better not be." Gunter returned to his desk and picked up a pen. "I’ll write up the approval now. When are you leaving?"

"The sooner the better. I’ll leave tomorrow."

"So soon?"

"Time waits for no one," Werner said. "If the situation really does deteriorate, I have to get the contracts signed before it does."

Gunter nodded and began writing the approval document.

"Going to London requires an exit visa approved by the Stasi. Can you handle that?"

"I’ll go see Von Brown."

"Good." Gunter finished signing and handed the document to Werner. "Take this. Also, here is the official letter of authorization from Koko, proving you’re representing Koko to negotiate oil purchases."

Werner took the documents.

"Thank you."

"Don’t thank me," Gunter said. "Go make money. For Koko, and for yourself."

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

After leaving Gunter’s office, Werner didn’t go to see Von Brown immediately. Instead, he returned to his own office and started to handle another matter—liquidating assets.

He needed money. A lot of money.

The five hundred thousand US Dollars approved by Koko was for signing the oil contracts. That money belonged to Koko and had nothing to do with him personally.

But Werner also wanted to use his own money for another investment—shorting the stock market and going long on Gold.

This required at least one million US Dollars in seed money.

Werner opened his safe and took out a stack of documents.

These were the deeds to his properties in West Germany—an apartment in Frankfurt, a villa in Munich, a sea-view house in Hamburg, and several commercial properties.

If he mortgaged these properties, he should be able to get a loan for one million US Dollars.

Werner picked up the phone and dialed a number in Zurich.

"Gerhard, it’s me, Werner... Long time no see... Yes, everything’s fine... I need you to do me a favor..."

On the other end of the line was Gerhard Strauss, a private banking manager at the Swiss United Bank.

Werner had deposited a significant amount of money in Switzerland over the years, all managed through Gerhard. The two had a good relationship and had done many deals together.

"What favor?" Gerhard asked.

"I want to mortgage my properties in West Germany to get a loan from your bank," Werner said.

"A mortgage loan? How much?"

"One million US Dollars."

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"Werner, that’s no small sum," Gerhard said. "What do you need so much money for?"

"An investment. A very good investment opportunity." Werner didn’t reveal any details.

"What kind of investment?"

"Gerhard," Werner changed the subject, "you know how much money I’ve deposited in your bank over the years. You should be clear about my creditworthiness. I need this done fast. Can I get the money within three days?"

Gerhard sighed.

"Three days? Werner, a mortgage loan requires appraisals, approvals..."

"Then I’ll use my deposits at your bank as collateral," Werner said. "I currently have three million West German Marks on deposit. Using that to secure a one-million-dollar loan shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Gerhard was silent for a moment.

"Using the deposit as collateral... that could work." He thought for a moment. "Alright, I’ll see what I can do. I’ll have the money transferred to your designated account within three days."

"That’ll work," Werner said. "Thank you, Gerhard."

After hanging up, Werner dialed another number, this one in West Berlin.

"Margaret, it’s me, Werner. I need you to do a few things for me. It’s urgent."

"What is it?" Margaret’s voice was crisp and efficient. "From the sound of your voice, you’ve got another big deal going?"

"Yes," Werner said. "I need you to connect me with two people. First, an oil trader in London—a big company, the kind that can sign forward contracts. Second, a stockbroker who can handle options and Gold trading."

"Oil and Gold?" Margaret laughed. "Werner, what are you up to?"

"Business," Werner said simply. "Margaret, do you know anyone in those fields?"

"I know a few," Margaret said. "I know some oil traders in London, and I have contacts who are stockbrokers. But Werner, can you tell me what exactly you’re planning to do? That way, I can introduce you to the right people."

Werner considered for a moment.

"I need to sign a batch of oil forward contracts, a large volume. I also want to make some financial investments."

"How large?"

"The oil contracts will be for at least a million barrels. The financial investment is about one million US Dollars."

"My goodness, Werner, you’re playing for high stakes this time." Margaret paused. "Are you doing this for Koko, or..."

"Part of it is for Koko, part of it is for me," Werner said. "Margaret, I just need you to make the introductions. When it’s done, I’ll pay you a generous finder’s fee."

"I don’t care about the fee," Margaret said. "But Werner, we’ve been working together for years. You should know my rule—I only introduce reliable people, but you have to tell me why you’re suddenly making such a big move."

Werner hesitated.

Margaret was a shrewd businesswoman. If he said nothing, she wouldn’t help him so easily. But if he said too much, he would risk revealing his plan.

"Margaret," he finally said, "I can only tell you that now is an excellent time to invest. But as for the specific reasons, I can’t say."

Margaret was silent for a few seconds.

"Alright, I won’t ask," she said. "For the oil trader, I recommend Peter Hawkins. He’s the boss of Hawkins International Trading Company, one of the biggest oil traders in London. I’ve done business with him a few times. The man is reliable and tight-lipped."

"Excellent," Werner said. "Can you set up a meeting with him? For tomorrow, if possible?"

"Tomorrow?" Margaret laughed. "Werner, you’re as impatient as ever. Alright, I’ll try. He owes me a favor, so I should be able to get a meeting."

"Thanks."

"As for the stockbroker," Margaret continued, "I recommend David Rosenberg. He runs a small firm in London, but he’s very flexible. He can handle options and Gold for you, and he knows how to be discreet."

"Is he reliable?"

"Very," Margaret said. "I’ve worked with him several times. Werner, what you’re planning... it sounds like it requires confidentiality, right?"

"Yes."

"Then Rosenberg is your best bet," Margaret said. "He specializes in serving clients who need... special arrangements."

Werner understood what she meant.

"Excellent. Can you set up a meeting with him?"

"I can. When?"

"Tomorrow evening."

"Okay, I’ll arrange it," Margaret said. "I’ll call Hawkins and Rosenberg tonight. I’ll send you their contact information tomorrow."

"Thank you, Margaret."

"Don’t thank me," Margaret said. "Werner, I have a feeling you’re about to make some big waves again."

"Maybe," Werner said with a small smile.

After hanging up the phone, Werner leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.

The money was sorted out. So were the connections.

Now, only one last obstacle remained—the exit visa.

Werner glanced at his watch. Three in the afternoon.

He grabbed his coat, left the office, and drove to the Stasi Headquarters.

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