The Blanchard Tape

A captured Blanchard confesses to shortcomings but denies wrong-doing.

This interview was recorded on the 6th of May, but was withheld from release due to an outside request.

I was invited to a surprise interview at a secret location with at-that-point missing CdV Chairman Robert Blanchard. To protect sources, people and companies, some contents have been removed or otherwise altered to ensure secrecy that could otherwise lead to open conflict.

Jonathan Kirby

Jonathan Kirby: Mister Blanchard. Current Chairman of the Cartel de Vin (CdV) and commander in chief for ION’s presence on Malden. This isn’t our first interview, is it?

Robert Blanchard: We have briefly spoken before, I believe.

JK: I think most of our viewers, ION Security and the world at large would be interested to hear first hand that you are still alive.

RB: I am.

JK: Could you perhaps speak on your time in captivity?

RB: It is surprisingly adequate. […] my captors are giving me a fair deal of privacy and keep me well fed.

JK: I understand you were captured during the raid on your mansion, correct?

RB: Correct. [They] found me trying to extract via an ION helicopter, before that got shot down.

JK: I think it’s safe to assume that interrogations have taken place. Could you speak on the terms of those?

RB: They were… fine. Uncomfortable, obviously. But no enhanced measures have taken place. Simply a lot of questions surrounding the operations of the CdV and locations of people.

JK: What kind of people?

RB: Our Head of Logistics and Head of Security, Adrienne Durand. I assume he is their next target. I’ve not heard of any news surrounding the Cartel but he’s the obvious NIL.

JK: Sorry, NIL?

RB: Next-in-line.

JK: What do you think is their next play with Durand?

RB: I would assume his arrest would become some kind of bargaining chip. INTERPOL has had their eyes on our legitimate operations for years, believing we are some kind of front, or perhaps even dealing drugs ourselves. Which we haven’t an-

[beat]¹

RB: [sigh, then an incomprehensible murmur]- pointless. If I had to assume, [they] were approached by someone serving an arrest warrant. The UK government has unsuccessfully tried to make one stick for years. While I doubt they have concrete evidence, I don’t doubt that they’re banking on someone talking. And if they get either me or Adrienne, people will.

JK: Am I to understand that you are admitting to these charges?

RB: No. I took no part in the smuggling… [beat] … but I was aware that it was going on. Not that this distinction will matter to the authorities. Mr. Couture² was organizing the vast majority of that operation. We were simply a stop between Europe and South America. LaRue³ got wind of that. It’s why we aren’t shipping much of our legitimate product out of the country either⁴. The GP know exactly what we are or rather were doing.

JK: Is ION involved in this?

RB: Probably. I remained unaware of that side of the business for my own safety. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were. Walker⁵ has a tendency to think… “big”.

JK: So, to understand this correctly, Walker inserted himself into that side of the CdV’s business?

RB: As far as I can tell, that is correct.

JK: What can you tell me about him?

RB: A very headstrong man. He isn’t particularly well-liked within the board of the CdV but, to his credit, effective at what he does. The GP could not have won this war without our and ION’s support.

JK: I see… am I correct to assume that you believe his presence to be the source of the still ongoing tensions between ION and the GP?

RB: Undoubtedly. A thing that always stuck out in my mind is how much Walker started treating the GP as a threat to our holdings once the stalemate crystallized. While not untrue… it also isn’t the full picture. The GP were largely our allies; angering them would’ve weakened the cartel’s position. I suspect Durand might also have a hand in the events leading up to today, but I cannot say for certain.

JK: I see, I see… To summarize, there are a few people you see responsible for this situation, is that correct?

RB: Correct.

JK: If you had to pick one, who would that be?

[beat]

RB: I don’t honestly know. Durand hired them. Walker’s allowing it. I failed to stop it. Whatever that black team was doing certainly did not help. [beat] At this point I just want it to end. If this includes me being turned over, so be it.

[beat]

JK: Anything you’d like to add?

RB: … No. I have nothing to add. I just want to leave.