“Therefore,” Malone said smoothly, “the three are criminals and not political refugees.”
“Indeed,” Petkoff said blandly. “Very interesting. Your government has done a good deal of thinking in this matter.”
“Sure we have,” Malone said. “After all, we don’t want to cause any trouble.”
“No,” Petkoff said, and frowned. “Of course not.”
“Naturally,” Malone said.
After that, there was silence for almost a full minute. Then Major Petkoff turned to Malone again with a frown. “Wait,” he said.
“Wait?” Malone said.
“The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,” Petkoff said, “has no extradition treaty with your capitalist warmongering country.”
“We’re not warmongers,” Her Majesty put in. Both men ignored her.
“True,” Malone admitted.