Chapter 625: Closing the net.

On Magnolia Avenue in Burbank, nestled in a cozy booth by the window of the restaurant, the trio indulged in succulent Brazilian barbecue, their eyes occasionally drifting towards the radiant glow of "Nxivm House" across the street.

Luxury cars adorned the small square below, prompting Nicholson to remark, "Seems like quite the gathering. I know an important Treasury official who's here on official business in California."

Martin, well-acquainted with LAPD dynamics, chimed in, "Remember the deputy chief I mentioned? She's a bigwig at the Los Angeles Police Department."

Leonardo mused, "Nxivm takes the elite route, unlike your Coca-Cola Cult."

Martin nodded knowingly. "Indeed. But they've got more than just elites; there are some stunning women in the mix too."

"Beautiful women are always a rare commodity," Leonardo quipped, earning nods of agreement from Nicholson and Martin.

Martin's gaze shifted to Nexium House. "Looks like the party's winding down."

Cars queued up by the main entrance, ferrying guests away one by one. Martin spotted Marina slipping into a BMW.

Swiftly, he dialed Bruce's number.

Outside, a car lurked, ready to tail Marina.

Nicholson observed, "Martin's end of the road is blocked. If Nxivm has a first round, she might catch the second."

Martin concurred, "We'll wait for round two."

Nicholson inquired, "Have you made contact with the other side?"

Martin nodded assuredly. "They'll be here soon."

---

The champagne-colored BMW idled in front of an apartment building. Marina emerged, bidding Susie farewell. "Thanks for a delightful afternoon. Your invitation was lovely."

Susie waved graciously. "Anytime. I'll give you a heads up next time."

"Goodbye," Marina offered with a smile as Susie drove off.

As Marina turned the corner, a subtle touch brushed against her waistband, a reminder of the brand beneath the fabric. It wouldn't be long before Marina wielded similar influence.

Contrary to popular belief, women too relish the art of seduction, especially when the target is more captivating than themselves.

Back at her apartment, Marina kicked off her heels, gulping down a glass of cold water to quell her racing thoughts.

The afternoon seminar had bordered on the absurd. American elites, enthralled by the so-called master of human psychodynamics, seemed like clueless puppets.

Among them were LAPD bigwigs, Treasury honchos, and political heavyweights—a league beyond ordinary reach.

With Martin's avenues seemingly closed off, Marina pondered if Nxivm held the key.

Perhaps through Nxivm's network, she could hobnob with even higher echelons of American power.

Determined, Marina resolved to attend the next Nxivm soirée.

The sleek black Chevrolet SUV glided into the driveway of Davis Manor, where Neves sat in the backseat, pondering Martin's cryptic summons to Los Angeles.

Though unsure of the purpose, Neves obediently boarded a flight from Washington to LA.

Ever since crossing paths with Martin, Neves couldn't deny the pattern: each encounter with Martin seemed to elevate his status.

From the espionage scandal in Washington to the Santa Monica Pier debacle, Neves found himself, like Martin, reaping the rewards.

As the Chevrolet nestled into the fountain square, Neves stepped out to find Martin awaiting him.

Martin extended a hand in greeting. "Let's discuss inside," he proposed.

Neves nodded, trailing Martin into the villa.

They settled in the study, guarded by Bruce at the door.

Seated, Neves inquired, "Martin, why the urgency? Couldn't this have been discussed over the phone?"

Martin cut to the chase. "I've uncovered a Russian spy."

"A Russian spy?" Neves knew the gravity of such claims, given his history with Russian operatives. "Are they back on your tail again?"

Martin shook his head. "Not an assassin, but a genuine spy, likely a swallow."

He elaborated, "Leonardo, Nicholson, and I have been monitoring her closely for three months, and we're fairly certain."

Familiar with the trio's reputation as Hollywood renegades, Neves didn't doubt Martin's sincerity. "Tell me everything."

Martin recounted the events surrounding Leo's party during the 'Inception' premiere in Europe, omitting Tom Hardy's involvement.

Neves concluded, "Your leadership in the Coke Cult likely drew their attention."

Martin agreed, "Precisely. They aim to infiltrate the Coke Cult, exploiting it as an intelligence hub—a threat to national security."

Curious, Neves probed, "Has she attended any Coke Cult gatherings?"

Martin shook his head. "No, but she's on our radar. She seems to have aligned herself with Nxivm."

Surprised, Neves queried, "Keith Raniere's Nxivm?"

Martin confirmed, "Yes, that very Nxivm. Their LA headquarters is at Nexium House on Magnolia Avenue."

Neves speculated, "She saw no future in the Coke Cult, so she pivoted to Nxivm —a classic spy move, given its political ties."

Seeking evidence, Neves asked, "Do we have proof?"

Martin shrugged. "Not yet. We're cautious not to alert her."

In a casual tone, Martin proposed, "Isn't catching spies the FBI's specialty? She frequents Nxivm parties. Why not dangle a bait and see if she takes it?"

Neves chuckled. "Impressive. You've done your homework."

Martin grinned. "You've tackled action flicks; this is my realm."

Neves grew serious. "Martin, how certain are you?"

"Ninety percent," Martin replied. "Both Leon and Nick believe the same."

Neves nodded, considering the risk. It was a gamble worth taking—confirming the spy's allegiance could yield invaluable intelligence.

Glancing at Martin, Neves felt a sense of assurance. After all, Martin was his harbinger of fortune, a friend who always delivered.

However, Neves was well aware that Martin's influence extended far beyond the glitz of Hollywood; his connections reached even the corridors of power in the White House.

Taking a cautious approach, Neves inquired, "I won't allow Russian spies to threaten you. Do you have any specific requests regarding this case?"

Martin acknowledged Neves's foresight, recognizing the pivotal role the Coke Cult's network played in recent years.

"Leo, Jack, and I have been clandestinely monitoring this spy for quite some time," Martin disclosed, his expertise in manipulation evident. "We suspect Nxivm is colluding with the Russians, deliberately ensnaring American social elites to gather intelligence through manipulation and other methods."

Neves was momentarily taken aback, thinking, "We, the FBI, are audacious, but Martin, you take it to another level!"

Martin continued, "Keith Raniere is the puppet master behind the scenes. He's likely a seasoned spy cultivated by the KGB."

Realizing the complexity of the operation, Neves remarked, "Eliminating the social elites within Nxivm would meet considerable resistance..."

Martin interjected, "No, that's not my suggestion. The true culprit colluding with the Russians is Keith Raniere. He's the one orchestrating the exploitation and abuse of female slaves, including minors. As far as I know, Raniere comes from an ordinary background."

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Martin added, "Raniere holds sway over hundreds of millions in wealth contributed by his devoted followers."

Neves chuckled at the irony; reports of Raniere's illicit activities had surfaced before, only to be swept under the rug by elite believers' intervention.

However, the addition of a colluding Russian spy changed the game entirely.

Realizing the potential ramifications, Neves made a swift decision. "Why?"

Martin revealed, "Keith Raniere intends to ensnare my relatives as female slaves."

Fueled by righteous indignation, Neves rose from his seat, extending a formal handshake to Martin. "Mr. Davis, your invaluable cooperation with the FBI merits recognition. You're not only an honorary citizen of Los Angeles but also a national hero of the United States!"

Martin humbly replied, "It's every citizen's duty."

As Neves departed Davis Manor, he wasted no time mobilizing resources. With precision and efficiency, he orchestrated a sting operation at Nexium's next gathering, leading to the arrest of Marina and Keith Raniere.

The FBI's tacit approval allowed Ivan to secure exclusive footage, which he promptly sold to TMZ, igniting a nationwide uproar.

With charges ranging from espionage to treason, Keith Raniere will face a lifetime behind bars.

Meanwhile, Neves will reclaim his status as a star figure within the FBI, while Nexium's North American assets were seized.

As for the female spy subplot, its resolution was left hanging.