Browder doesn’t hear back from Beny or Safra, so he flies to New York to pitch his investment strategy to several financiers, all of whom express interest, though none wants to pitch in until others have done so. A typical response comes from French financier Jean Karoubi, who says, “If you can raise at least twenty-five million, I’m in for three. Okay?” (78).

In September 1995, Browder meets with American billionaire Ron Burkle at his immense Beverly Hills residence, Greenacres, where they discuss terms: for $25 million, Burkle gets 50% of Hermitage Capital. Burkle agrees, but when the contract arrives, Browder discovers that Burkle has only promised to try to set up the financing. Time is wasting, so Browder calls Beny and tells him he has Burkle ready to sign. Within days, the deal is signed: “Edmond Safra and Beny Steinmetz would put $25 million in the fund and provide some seed money for the company’s operations. Safra’s bank would settle trades, value the fund, and do all the paperwork” (84). In exchange, Safra and Beny would get half the business.

While prepping for the move to Moscow, Browder begins a relationship with an actress, Sabrina, and soon they decide to get married.