A Ghost of Justice Read Online Free PDF Page A

holograph, she realized.
    Then Ms Jacobs touched the pseudo-screen twice and it dissolved.
    "Yes.  I see," she said as she straightened.  "Come with me, please," she beckoned without warmth.
    Must feel jerked 'cause she's working the weekend, Emily thought.  Could at least try to be a little friendly.  And how is this kid going to explain an entire law to them, Emily wondered.  She couldn't be over twenty-two.
    Taking them to her cubicle, Ms Jacobs sat behind her desk and gave them no time to settle in.  She went straight to the point.  "Mr. Lindley has informed me that you have been introduced to the basic concept of the Vigilante Act.  Some of what I tell you will be a repeat of what he has told you.  But we are here to acquaint you with how the law applies directly to you and your case."
    "I understand," Emily heard her father say.  She didn't trust herself to speak to the woman in a civil way.  Instead she concentrated on listening.
    "Dr Sheafer, Ms Sheafer, the spirit of the law is expressed in its statement.  Details are covered in its sections.  A guilty verdict under the Act is essentially a death penalty.  But, in the past, when the convicted was kept in prison, there was a lengthy and expensive appeals process and then counsel would seek additional costly stays of execution.  The Act automatically accelerates the appeals process greatly in the event of a guilty verdict.  In your case, this has already transpired.  Conviction is absolute except in the light of significant new evidence.  From the moment appeals have ended, the state releases pertinent facts, descriptions and images to the media for comprehensive distribution.  In other words, it is certain that John Hardy is well known to a significant percentage of the population.  All before he could be released.  Do you follow me so far?"
    Of course he does, Emily thought acidly.  He's not an idiot.
    Eric simply nodded.
    "Another facet of the law is that anyone, anywhere, can lawfully execute Mr. Hardy.  But the law does not intend the survivors of victims to just stand by and wait for someone else to carry out what is essentially their duty.  The penalty for failure to perform is two-hundred thousand."
    Emily was amazed at how the girl could calmly discuss these things.  She could have been explaining parking rules for the way she sounded.
    "The state will provide the following assistance to you, Dr Sheafer."  Jacobs pulled opened a drawer and laid a card on the desk top.  Picking it up, she said, "This is a waver allowing immediate purchase of a hand gun.  It is also a permit for concealed carry,  and for using it as the executioner-of-record in a vigilante case.  Do you need training for using a gun, Dr Sheafer?"
    A few seconds dragged out.  "No," he finally said, sounding reluctant.
    The word and the tone in which it was said grabbed Emily's attention.  "What?" she said, speaking for the first time since they arrived.  "You don't…When did you--"
    Jacobs offered an explanation.  "Apparently your father never told you about his service record."
    Emily kept staring at Eric.  He turned to look back, but said nothing.  "But mom said you just put in three years and that was it.  Said you were at Camp Lejeune," she said.  "Logistics service."
    He finally spoke, a huskiness flavoring his voice.  "I was in Iraq.  2003."
    Jacobs cut off further discussion for now.  "I think we can assume your father knows how to use a firearm, Ms Sheafer."
    She brought her holo screen back up.  "The next thing we must do is set up communications.  Do you have a personal data base management device?"
    Emily started to hold up her wrist.  She got her first InTouch PDM when she was fourteen.  But Eric spoke before she did.  "I have a Hiro Perdatum Oh-Nine," he said, showing her the device on his wrist.
    "Very good.  That will do fine."  Jacobs worked on the keyboard image for a few seconds.  "Please place it on the desk and activate it,