Ethical thing / best hand not winning at showdown

[DeathDonkey]

This situation occurred as I just sat down in a 10/20 at my local casino. I took the 4 seat and it was one of the first hands I saw at the table, I was not involved in the hand. The 8 seat raised and the 3 seat (on my immediate right) called. Both are experienced players and I know them both and am friendly with both etc.

Flop was something like A [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]K [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]6 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 3 seat checks, 8 seat bets, 3 seat calls.

Turn is 8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 3 seat now bets, 8 seat calls.

River is 2 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 3 seat bets, 8 seat calls.

3 seat announces "Queen" and shows Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] for Queen high no flush. 8 seat looks at it quickly and looks mad and begins to muck but clearly flashes the A [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]J [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] I realize he thinks 3 seat has the Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] for some reason. Both the 3 seat and I see the flashed cards from across the table but he mucks them face down and the dealer pushes the pot to the 3 seat.

I am friendly with the 8 seat and like him a whole lot better than the 3 seat, so I feel a bit bad for him. I watch 3 seat to see if he is going to say anything but he begins stacking and I quietly say to him "you're gonna take that that way?" And he sorta gives me a dirty look and shrugs and I shake my head and say nothing more.

Anyone handle this differently?

-DeathDonkey