that neither Danny nor anyone else present could hear: "I will clear your name so that you may finally rest in peace."
Danny wasn't allowed to move until the last mourners had departed, including Beth and Christy, who never once looked in his direction. When Pascoe finally turned to tell Moncrieff that they should leave, he found him in tears. Danny wanted to explain that his tears were shed not only for his dear friend Nick, but for the privilege of being one of those rare individuals who discover how much they are loved by those closest to them.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
DANNY SPENT EVERY spare moment reading and rereading Nick's diaries, until he felt there was nothing left to know about the man.
Big Al, who had served with Nick for five years before they were both court-martialed and sent to Belmarsh, was able to fill in several gaps, including how Danny should react if he ever bumped into an officer of the Cameron Highlanders, and he also taught him how to spot the regimental tie at thirty paces. They endlessly discussed the first thing Nick would have done the moment he was released.
"He'd go straight up tae Scotland," said Big Al.
"But all I'll have is forty-five pounds and a rail voucher."
"Mr. Munro will be able tae sort all that oot fur ye. Don't forget that Nick said ye'd huv handled him far better than he did."
"If I'd been him."
"Ye ur him," said Big Al, "thanks to Louis and Nick, who between them huv done a brilliant job, so Munro shouldnae be too difficult. Just be sure that when he sees ye fur the first time-"
"The second time."
"-but he only saw Nick fur an hour, and he'll be expecting tae see Sir Nicholas Moncrieff, not someone he's never met before. The bigger problem will be whit tae dae efter that."
"I'll come straight back to London," said Danny.
"Then make sure ye keep away fae the East End."
"There are millions of Londoners who have never been to the East End," said Danny with some feeling. "And although I don't know where The Boltons is, I'm pretty sure it's west of Bow."
"So whit will ye dae wance yur back in London?"
"After attending my own funeral and having to watch Beth suffer, I'm more determined than ever to ensure that she isn't the only person who knows I didn't kill her brother."
"Bit like that Frenchman ye told me aboot-whit's his name?"
"Edmond Dantes," said Danny. "And like him, I will not be satisfied until I have had revenge on the men whose deceit has ruined my life."
"Yur gonnae kill them aw?"
"No, that would be too easy. They must suffer, to quote Dumas, a fate worse than death. I've had more than enough time to think how I'd go about it."
"Perhaps ye should add Leach tae that list," said Big Al.
"Leach? Why should I bother with him?"
"Because I think it wis Leach who killed Nick. I keep asking maself, why would he top hisself six weeks before he wis gonnae be released?"
"But why would Leach kill Nick? If he had a quarrel with anyone, it was me."
"It wasnae Nick he wis efter," said Big Al. "Don't forget ye were wearing Nick's silver chain, watch and ring while he wis in the shower."
"But that means-"
"Leach killed the wrong man."
"But he can't have wanted to kill me just because I asked him to return a library book."
"An ended up back in segregation."
"You think that would be enough to make him murder someone?"
"Perhaps not," said Big Al. "But you cin be sure that Craig wouldnae 'uve paid up fur the wrong tape. And I doubt if ye'er on Mr. Hagen's Christmas card list."
Danny tried not to think about the fact that he might have been unwittingly responsible for Nick's death.
"But don't worry yersel, Nick. Once you're oot ay here, a fate worse than death isnae whit I huv planned for Leach."
***
Spencer Craig didn't need to look at the menu, because it was his favorite restaurant. The maitre d' was used to seeing him accompanied by different women-sometimes two or three times in the same week.
"Sorry I'm late," said Sarah as she sat down opposite him. "I was held up by a client."
"You work too hard," said Craig. "But then you always did."
"This particular client always makes an appointment for an hour and then expects me to clear my diary for the rest of the afternoon. I didn't even have time to go home and change."