Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"Perhaps--although I doubt he could have kept the secret more than a day or two. Anyway, Augusta knew that the story they told, about Edward trying to rescue Peter, was a lie."

"How did she know that?"

"My mother told her, and I told my mother. Which means that Augusta was involved in covering up the truth. Now, I can believe that Augusta would tell any amount of lies for the sake of her son--but not for Micky. In those days she didn't even know him."

"So what do you think happened?"

Hugh frowned. "Imagine this. Edward gives up chasing you and goes back to the swimming hole. He finds Micky dragging Peter's body out of the water. As Edward arrives, Micky says: 'You fool, you've killed him!' Remember, Edward hasn't seen Micky holding Peter's head under. Micky pretends that Peter was so exhausted by Edward's ducking that he could swim no longer and he just drowned. 'What am I going to do?' says Edward. Micky says: 'Don't worry. We'll say it was an accident. In fact, we'll say you jumped in and tried to rescue him.' Micky thereby covers up his own crime and earns the undying gratitude of both Edward and Augusta. Does that make sense?"

Tonio nodded. "By God, I think you're right."

"We must go to the police," Hugh said angrily.

"To what purpose?"

"You're witness to a murder. The fact that it happened thirteen years ago makes no difference. Micky must be brought to book."

"You're forgetting something. Micky has diplomatic immunity."

Hugh had not thought of that. As the Cordovan Minister, Micky could not be put on trial in Britain. "He could still be disgraced and sent home."

Tonio shook his head. "I'm the only witness. Micky and Edward will both tell a different story. And it's well known that Micky's family and mine are sworn enemies back home. If it had happened yesterday we'd have trouble convincing anyone." Tonio paused. "But you might want to tell Edward that he's not a murderer."

"I don't think he'd believe me. He'd suspect me of trying to stir up trouble between him and Micky. There is one person I must tell, though."

"Who?"

"David Middleton."

"Why?"

"I think he's entitled to know how his brother died," Hugh said. "He questioned me about it at the duchess of Tenbigh's ball. He was rather rude, in fact. But I said that if I knew the truth I would be honor-bound to tell him. I'll go and see him today."

"Do you think he'll go to the police?"