"He was the doctor," said Auckland. "More irony. Ken himself is the
only one who could have established the approximate time of death,
which may be important, or performed an autopsy." He looked at Edholm.
"Space officers have to have some medical training. Can you give us any
idea how long he was dead when you examined him?"
Edholm shook his head. "We don't have that much training, Roy. The body
was cold, and _rigor mortis_ had pretty well set in. Obviously, he'd
been dead for some time when Doc found him."
"Just a few more questions, then we'll lay him out. What is the rule,
by the way? Can he be buried here, or must the body be returned to
Earth?"
"The men who died on the first expedition were brought back home,"
Edholm said, "but such matters lie in my discretion. Has anyone any
idea of what his preference might be in this matter?"
"I think he would prefer to stay here," Shirley said. "And I think he
would appreciate a funeral service."
"That is always done unless the deceased expressly abjures it," Edholm
said, "Can you finish the questioning now, Auckland?"
Auckland picked up the pile of photographs on the table and glanced
through them. "Anyone examine these?"
Apparently no one had, outside of Burleigh's cursory glance. He nodded
and put them in his pocket. "I'm holding them for the time being. What
was the time when you saw him working here last night?"
"About midnight, wouldn't you say, Amelia?"