"I've wondered the same thing myself. But somehow you don't fill the role."
"He has enough phony evidence to make it stick, Barwan. You see, certain people were creating too much of a fuss about the monopolist. It was crimping Ruscar's plans. He figured if he could convict a scapegoat the furor would die down, at least for a while. I was his scapegoat."
Tedor frowned while he poured them both drinks. "It just doesn't make sense. Ruscar all his life has stood for everything the monopolist was trying to tear down.
"Which is exactly why no one ever suspected him."
"I think you're crazy, or lying, or wrong—but we'll find out soon enough. Ruscar knows I'm in Moscow. He's sending someone over, as a matter of fact."
"If Ruscar is sending someone to find you we've got to get out of here!" Dorlup gasped.
"Calm down. We'll do no such thing. We'll wait for Ruscar's man and see what this is all about."
"You'll wait, you mean—if you are stupid enough to aid in your own execution. I'm getting out of here." Dorlup climbed to his feet, but Tedor pushed him back into his chair.
"You're waiting with me, Dorlup. I'd like to find out once and for all just where you fit into all this."
"Barwan, I came to you in good faith! Give me a chance! Ruscar has enough rigged evidence to have me gassed."