'So let's remember what you are. You're a crook. You're an embezzler. When the Russian state was drowning in debt, when the Afghan veterans and their war widows were starving in the winter, you and your friends, in the goodness of your hearts, paid Boris Nikolayevich ten kopecks on the ruble for your mine and your oil wells and your banks. That's what people are going to remember when the tax prosecutor comes calling, Lev Fyodorovich. Now, how many of your friends in the duma are going to want to associate themselves with that? And by the way, how many of them would welcome their own visit from the tax prosecutor?'
Trikovsky gazed at him incredulously. 'Do you really think this is the way to save Russia? To have you and your KGB henchmen deciding everything?'
'Do you think it's to have you and your fellow crooks doing it?'
'I'll take my chances with the people.'