"Obviously, he's been shot," said Lefler in an even voice. "Any idea who did it, Robwood?"
"Wait a minute," objected Taat mildly. "That sounds like you are accusing Robwood, Lefler."
"I'm not," said Lefler hastily. "I'm not leaving you out, Taat. But there are only the three of us. One of you must have killed him."
"Great space, you don't think that I—" began Robwood.
"Just to get the record straight, Lefler," interrupted Taat, "let's put it this way: one of the three of us must have killed him."
It was not only Lefler's duty watch; as astrogator, he became acting captain as a result of Makki's death. Moving to the side of the dead Makki, he turned the ship's radio transmitter toward distant Earth and pressed the sending key.
"Marsward IV to White Sands," he called. "Marsward IV to White Sands."
It would be several minutes before a reply could reach them.
Taat, on the other side of the control chair, was examining Makki's corpse. Robwood stood peering over his shoulder.