GANDHINAGAR: The year is 1987. The Cold War casts a long shadow, and the global landscape is fraught with tension. It’s in this atmosphere that a tip lands on the desk of US Special Agent Dennis Bass – a shipment of highly suspicious chemicals destined for an undisclosed location.
This potentially lethal chemical when mixed one-on-one with hydrochloric acid , it becomes deadly mustard gas. The details are scant, but the implications are chilling. Bass, a seasoned investigator knows this could be more than just a routine case. It could be the spark that ignites a dangerous conflict.
Driven by a sense of urgency, Bass dives into the investigation. He follows a twisting trail of cryptic leads, navigating a labyrinth of international shell companies and shadowy middlemen. Days bleed into weeks, frustration mounting as each lead seems to evaporate just as it appears. Yet, Bass persists, fueled by a growing conviction that he’s onto something far bigger than himself. It’s a story you can hear as a new podcast series now on Tortoise, a narrative podcast that delves into the heart of this international chase.
The investigation culminates in the identification of a central figure: The Gas Man. This moniker, whispered in hushed tones by informants, becomes an obsession for Bass. The Gas Man is a ghost in the machine, a facilitator of destruction who operates from the fringes, supplying chemical weapons to the highest bidder. The Gas Man is a chilling story of the global arms trade, a figure who profits from human suffering.
The pursuit of The Gas Man becomes Bass’s life’s work. He tracks him across continents, from the bustling bazaars of the Middle East to the shadowy corners of Eastern Europe. Each near miss, each dead end, only strengthens Bass’s resolve. He becomes intimately familiar with The Gas Man’s methods, his meticulous planning, his talent for vanishing into thin air.
Decades pass. Bass, with a weariness etched on his face, continues the chase. The world around him has changed, the Cold War a relic of the past. Yet, The Gas Man remains a constant, a chilling reminder of the dark corners of the world. Now, with whispers of new activity surrounding The Gas Man, Bass confronts the possibility that his nemesis may be making a final, deadly play. This is the story of The Gas Man, a story that unfolds across continents and decades. It’s a tale of dogged determination, a testament to the enduring fight against the forces that seek to sow chaos in the world.