He leaned across the table. "Who's this?" he asked in a strong harsh voice.
"He says his name's Murdock. Claims he was third assistant-engineer. We found him down in the engine room. He's killed Peters and dumped all the fuel."
Nadia drew in her breath sharply, looked frightened. The factor's fleshless features blackened with rage. Even Villanowski glanced up, a look of surprise and dawning hope in his eyes. Only the man in the mask didn't change expression.
"Go back to your post," he ordered Gavin's captors. "We'll take care of Mr. Murdock." Then, when they had left, he said, "You were contacted by my—ah—co-worker on Venus, Murdock. Mr. X, he called himself." He chuckled, the noise issuing from between unsmiling painted lips like the voice of an automaton. "For the sake of convenience, you can term me Mr. Y."
Gavin didn't say anything.
"You have presented us with a problem," Mr. Y went on.
"Where's Cabot?" Gavin interrupted.
"Dead."
"The chief astrogator, the crew?"
"All dead. In fact, we thought we'd wiped the slate clean."