You know who it is. It is the shell owner and promoter. And the emails you get from him asking YOU who it is.... Its just a front. It is HIM and he knows it, but is trying to hide it.
I hate this saying, but....."been there, done that!"
What you have to do is make sure you are the lowest guy on the ask, and get the good prices - don't let him. He hates it, and you will get a lot of emails from him - but hey, just deny it like he does.
Afterall, YOU need to worry about your profit, not worry about someone elses.