“Like these two here, I passed up the opportunity to visit the model cooperative this morning,” said Bjorn. “No offence to the minister or the Lao government. I had a migraine and one of my Swedish colleagues agreed to take notes for me. I woke up late but in time to catch these two at breakfast. They were excited because they had, what they called, an adventure planned. They said they’d met an old friend who could get them access to the old Silver City, the nickname of the American OSB storage facility out past That Luang. It’s where the Americans left behind the things they didn’t have time to smuggle over the border when they were thrown out in ’75.

“Jim had heard a rumor that one of the CIA boys had a 1952 red Ferrari that was locked away in a warehouse in Silver City. That car has developed something of a cult reputation among the Western press. Did it or did it not exist? Their contact confirmed that it was still there. When I met them at breakfast they were on their way to see it.”

“I have to point out,” said the protocol officer, “that Silver City is out of bounds. Access to the area is forbidden. I cannot think how this mysterious contact was able to obtain keys for the sheds.”

“It wasn’t guarded?” Phosy asked.

“There was no need. As I say, it was locked.”

“Right.”

“Then how did they drown?” asked Siri. He was leaning against a cabinet behind the group. They all turned around.

“How do you know they drowned?” asked the minister.

“It’s not raining and they’re wet and they’re dead,” said Siri. “Didn’t need a medical degree for that one. Of course, I suppose one of you might have hosed them down before putting them on display, but there are other little telltale signs like froth around the nose.”

The minister coughed. “I don’t think Mr. Bjorn needs to be here for the further discussion,” he said. “Thank you for your evidence.”

The Swede huffed, obviously angry to have been dismissed so curtly. He glared at Siri before leaving the room.

“Then my question is, at what stage of their adventure did they happen to drown?” said Phosy.

“It appears that not only was the Ferrari still there,” said the prosecutor, “but there were several cans of fuel—enough to fill the tank.”

“And despite all the limitations we placed on the visiting journalists,” said the protocol man, “these two gung-ho cowboys decided to take their stolen car for a drive. This, I must say, is exactly why we were against inviting anyone from countries with overly free presses. They think they can say and do anything they please. They adhere to no discipline whatsoever.”

The Australian ambassador continued to smile and nod even though his interpreter said nothing.

“I’m assuming they lost control and drove into a river,” said Phosy.