In response to bitter criticism and loud laughter, Commissioner Crabbe gave an exclusive press interview in which he revealed that Police Laboratories had discovered a new investigation technique which would break the D’Courtney Case within 24 hours. It involved photographic analysis of the Visual Purple in the corpse’s eyes which would reveal a picture of the murderer. Rhodopsin researchers were being requisitioned by the police.

Unwilling to run the risk of having Wilson Jordon, the physiologist who had developed the Rhodopsin Ionizer for Monarch picked up and questioned by the police, Reich phoned Keno Quizzard and devised a ruse to get Dr. Jordon off the planet.

“I’ve got an estate on Callisto,” Reich said. “I’ll relinquish title and let a court throw it up for grabs. I’ll make sure the cards are stacked for Jordon.”

“And I tell Jordon?” Quizzard asked in his sour voice.

“We won’t be that obvious, Keno. We can’t leave a back-trail. Call Jordon. Make him suspicious. Let him find out the rest for himself.”

As a result of that conversation, an anonymous person with a sour voice phoned Wilson Jordon and casually attempted to purchase Dr. Jordon’s interest in the Drake estate on Callisto for a small sum. The sour voice sounded suspicious to Dr. Jordon, who had never heard of the Drake estate, and he called a lawyer. He was informed that he had just become the probable legatee to half a million credits. The astonished physiologist jetted for Callisto one hour later.

Powell to staff: We’ve flushed Reich’s man into the open. Jordon must be our lead on the Rhodopsin angle. He’s the only Visual Physiologist to disappear after Crabbe’s announcement. Pass the word to Beck to tail him to Callisto and handle it. What about that girl?

Meanwhile, the slick side of operation Rough & Smooth was quietly in progress. While Maria Beaumont was occupying Reich’s attention with her squawking flight, a bright young attorney from Monarch’s legal department was deftly decoyed to Mars and held there anonymously on a valid, if antiquated, vice charge. An astonishing duplication of that young attorney went to work for him.

Tate to Reich: Check your legal department. I can’t peep what’s going on, but something’s fishy. This is dangerous.

Reich brought in an Esper 1 Efficiency Expert, ostensibly for a general check-up, and located the substitution. Then he called Keno Quizzard. The blind croupier produced a plaintiff who suddenly appeared and sued the bright young attorney for barratry. That ended the substitute’s connection with Monarch painlessly and legitimately.

Powell to staff: Damn it! We’re being licked. Reich’s slamming every door in our face… Rough & Smooth. Find out who’s doing the legwork for him, and find that girl.

While the squadman was cavorting around Monarch Tower with his brand new mongolian face, one of Monarch’s scientists who had been badly hurt in a laboratory explosion, apparently left the hospital a week early and reported back for duty. He was heavily bandaged, but eager for work. It was the old Monarch spirit.