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“Yes, of course I know them.” Armitage’s expression took on an air of concern. “The attack on Miss Thorwood was a terrible event. I…I felt sorry and profoundly embarrassed that it should be an Englishman, and part of my embassy, who did such a thing. I would deny it if I could, but Mrs. Thorwood saw him, and has no doubt it was he.” Armitage looked pained, as if he were feeling the humiliation all over again.
“Of course,” Daniel agreed.
No one moved in the courtroom. Please heaven Hillyer did not pick now to try to raise an objection, in order to interrupt Daniel’s rhythm and the jury’s concentration.
“He says it was on your advice that he claimed diplomatic privilege and returned to England. Is that so?” Daniel asked. “Easy enough to understand, in the circumstances.”
“Yes,” Armitage admitted reluctantly. “There was no question in my mind that he was guilty.”
“Did he admit it to you?” Daniel asked. “And stealing the pendant—violently?”
Armitage hesitated only a moment, then took the bait. “Yes. He said he was desperate for the money. I believe he pawned the pendant to pay his debts…” His voice trailed off, soft with pity.
“Yes,” Daniel agreed. “We retrieved it from the pawnbroker—at least, the Washington police did. They have been of great assistance to us.”
“I’m glad, for Rebecca’s sake.” Armitage looked suitably grave.
“Clearly, it was taken to the pawnbroker after Sidney left America to sail back to England.”
“I daresay he asked a friend to do it for him,” Armitage suggested.
“Any idea who that might be? Such as Morley Cross, for instance? We can look into it, of course. There was a fairly good description of the young man.” This was it! Or had he struck too soon?
“I daresay it was Morley Cross,?
?? Armitage replied. “A nice enough young man, and they were friends.”
“That would explain it,” Daniel agreed. “In fact, it would explain quite a lot. Was Morley Cross a gambler as well? Our inquiries suggest that he was. That would account for his sympathies. And his ability to know the ropes, so to speak.”
Armitage looked a little less comfortable. “I suppose so. Is it important now? Sidney is the one who attacked Miss Thorwood. Mrs. Thorwood recognized him in the light on the landing. And Sidney is the one who embezzled from the embassy.”
“No, actually he isn’t,” Daniel contradicted. “He did not attack Miss Thorwood, nor steal the necklace. For a start, he was aware that it was only of sentimental value, and not worth more than a few pounds. And he was not in America when it was pawned—”
“I’ve told you,” Armitage interrupted, “Morley Cross would have done it for him!”
Daniel nodded. “Yes, you did say that. And since you suggested Sidney leave and arranged passage for him, you would be correct about the dates he left.”
“Precisely,” Armitage agreed with mounting tension. “I don’t know what the dickens you’re playing at. You’re supposed to be defending him!” There was a slight flush in his cheeks now.
“I am,” Daniel assured him. “I believe it was Morley Cross who assaulted Miss Thorwood and stole the necklace, and then pawned it. I believe it was probably also him who forged Sidney’s name on the embassy financial record.”
“Are you asking me?” Armitage said in astonishment. “For God’s sake, man, I don’t know! This is your job, isn’t it?” His voice was considerably sharper.
“Actually, my job is to defend Philip Sidney,” Daniel replied. “And I believe the best way to do that is to find the truth about Morley Cross’s part in this, and prove it.”
“Ambitious,” Armitage said a trifle sarcastically. “I assume you are referring to some alternative truth where Sidney was not guilty?” His austere expression suggested his contempt for the idea.
“There is only one truth,” Daniel replied. “Just several sides of it. Take a prism, if you wish.”
“A kaleidoscope would be more appropriate,” Armitage returned swiftly. “Every time you shake it, it creates a different picture.”
“The pieces are interesting.” Daniel was not going to be shaken. “Let us consider them, and let the gentlemen of the jury decide on the true picture.” Before Armitage could respond to that, he went on. “You knew Mrs. Sidney and Miss Trelawny. You knew the house in Alderney. I believe you visited it, possibly several times.” He watched Armitage’s face closely. He thought he saw a slight flush. “I have witnesses. Perhaps you did not know Dr. Mullane is here, in court. Still, let’s go back to the order of the pieces.”
Armitage did not reply. The muscles were tight in his jaw. Daniel could see that, even from where he stood.
“You are stationed in Washington,” he continued. “You are well acquainted with all the Thorwoods. And with young Morley Cross. I believe he was one of your assistants. I’ll call proof to that fact, if it is necessary. I suggest that it was Morley Cross who committed the assault on Miss Thorwood and stole the pendant. Certainly, it was him who took it to the pawnbroker. I think it was him who embezzled from the embassy also. Unfortunately, we cannot charge him with it.” Daniel hesitated only a moment. “Regrettably, Mr. Cross was murdered. His body was pulled out of the Potomac River in Washington five days ago. Shot in the back of the head. But finally, we have a witness who saw him alive after Sidney had sailed for London. So that is another crime of which he cannot possibly be guilty.”
Armitage leaned back in the witness stand, as if bored. “I see no picture yet.”
