The Devil and Deep Space — Susan R. Matthews

Andrej Koscuisko, the Fleet Ship Inquisitor aboard the Ragnarok, has an enemy powerful enough to falsify a Bench warrant for his execution. Fortunately he escaped the Judiciary sanction through connections of his own. But before leaving for his home world, the Ragnarok is involved in an accident that leaves members of the Bench dead and the Judiciary in need of a scapegoat.

What appears to be a random incident is actually part of a conspiracy that traps Andrej and the crew of the Ragnarok between the political machinations of the Judiciary and the illegal activities of the Fleet. Now Andrej must choose between the loyalty he owes his crew and his desire to become the husband and father his family desperately needs.