—I didn’t come to apologize. I know how meaningless that gesture would be. Please do not think me vain or boastful when I say that I have become a man of considerable influence and power.

—That does not surprise me.

Leo regretted the insult, which was childish and petty. But Ivanov accepted it.

—It had been decided that you would not be given permission to see your daughters. It was seen as the only punishment that would hurt you. You would not hear from them, see them, or talk to them.

Leo felt weak, unsteady. Ivanov hastily qualified his remark.

—I cannot intervene in your trial. However, I have been able to petition for Zoya and Elena to be granted permission to visit you. I have succeeded. They will arrive tomorrow.

The shift from despair to elation was too much. Exhausted from a lack of sleep Leo sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands, breathing deeply. Ivanov added:

—In exchange I ask only one thing. Do not tell Elena that I arranged it. Please do not mention me at all. It will ruin it for her.

It took Leo a moment to recover. His voice was weak, the anger and indignation was gone.

—You could have arranged this without telling me?

Ivanov nodded.

—I could have done.

Ivanov turned around, about to leave. Leo called out:

—Why?

Ivanov hesitated, taking out a photograph and showing it to Leo, his fingers trembling. It was a photograph of Mikael Ivanov seated beside his wife. She was pretty rather than beautiful with generous eyes and open features. Leo asked:

—You told her what you were doing?

—Yes.

—Did you tell her why?

—She thinks it’s a random act of kindness, an expression of my good nature.

After studying the couple’s expressions for a moment, Leo returned his gaze to the floor. Ivanov slipped the photograph back in his pocket, adding:

—In her eyes I’m a good man. That’s as close as I can expect to actually being one.

Next Day