"Probably," Critten said, "you are wondering about the execution."
"Naturally."
"We removed the charges before the guns were used."
"And Carver Janssen's case?"
"He'll get it back when he's shuttled to Antheon. And all the other items will be returned. They're all tagged with their owner's names. Captain Branson will say they were found somewhere on the ship. You see, I was a liar."
"How about that assault on June Failright?"
Critten grinned again. "She played right into our hands. She ran out into the hall claiming I'd attacked her, which I did not. She was certainly amazed when the ship's physicians agreed with her. Of course Captain Branson told them to do that."
"And the murder?"
"Raymond Palugger died in the hospital all right, but he died from his illness on the operating table. We turned it into an advantage by making it look suspicious."
Ellason brightened. "And by that time everybody was seeing Red Mask everywhere and the colonists organized against him."