Lasha looked down, twisting the MVD ring on his hand with a careless gesture.

"No, Taras, I don't think so."

He paused.

"He doesn't want Andrei to hang for this any more than I do."

Lasha kept his gaze low, contemplative, as he reached for his cognac once more.

"And if he does...invoke the rule of law...well, I shall simply have to twist the proper channels accordingly so that we both save face."

He shrugged.

"And ultimately, he can't go against Aleksandr. If he does....he risks more than his morality."

Lasha glanced up.

"He knows that, Tarashik. He's highminded and principled, but he's not stupid."

Oleksei's gaze was solid, intent.

"We have this in the pocket. We'll enfold him in our grey wings, and then...we'll simply lift him away. It's just a matter of when."