A Ghost of Justice Read Online Free PDF

sir."
    Eric abruptly stretched his arm enough to free his wrist watch.  He removed it and pressed the button on its left side.  A green mist appeared above it, then formed into a keyboard and screen much like the clerk's.
    "Thank you.  I am going to send to your PDM a program for two-way communication."  She typed as she talked.  "It will then be able to receive any and all reports and information on Mr. Hardy.  It will work like any application you already have, with interactive ability so you can manage files and make simple inquiries.  Use it often.  It has been shown to be highly useful in over 80 percent of the cases where a citizen has successfully searched out a vigilante criminal."
    She drew a breath.  "This next piece of information is secret, for reasons that will be apparent.  To aid in being certain you have the right person, Mr. Hardy has been tattooed twice with the notation 'JH-16.'  This was done under an anesthetic drug and is on the upper back of his left bicep and behind his left knee.  He should be completely unaware of it.  These are areas almost impossible to see, even with a mirror.  He also has a chip embedded in his left axilla that can be detected within a hundred meters by a program your PDM now has.  You can set it to alert you.  Instructions are in the program.
    "The penalty for removal of either tattoos or the chip is quite severe enough to dissuade anyone from doing so.
    "The last form of assistance the state will provide is pro-rated compensation for reasonable expenses.  I'm required to inform you that this is based on a 'minimum cost' schedule and will be about 25 percent.  Do you understand everything I have covered?"
    Eric nodded.
    "Good.  Now.  If you kill someone who is not John Hardy, then you are subject to the charge of involuntary manslaughter.  If someone other than yourself does this, they will be charged with voluntary manslaughter."
    "Is my daughter under the designation of executioner-of-record?"
    Ms Jacobs looked hard at Emily for a moment.  "No.  But she will be covered by a rider.  Look for confirmation on your n-com access."  Another breath and she went on.  "I must also stress that you are required to check in with law enforcement headquarters in any area where you go searching.  It may save some unpleasantness with them.  And they may be able to help in some ways.  Such assistance varies locally.  You may get lucky.  I understand that recently the police in Wilmington virtually handed a VF over to the EOR.  That's 'vigilante fugitive' and 'executioner-of-record.'  And the last is how you should identify yourself to the police.  That is proscribed by the law."
    Eric shifted his weight in the chair.  "Is that everything, Ms Jacobs?"
    "There is one more thing.  You are expected to carry out this duty yourself.  Do not hire anyone else to execute John Hardy.  That is considered a contract killing and the penalty is twice that for failure to perform."  She stood and finally performed an act of civility, shaking hands with them both.  At the same time she offered justification for the meeting.  "It's a good thing you came.  Every now and then some skip these interviews.  They invariably encounter trouble."  Then she actually smiled.  "Good luck, doctor.  Check in with the Sheriff's office on your way out.  They may have something for you."

 
     
     
    8
     
     
    Half an hour later they drove from the complex and west on Friendly Avenue.
    Emily sat in the passenger seat, studying her father.  She guessed he was already planning the trip to Philadelphia, but she was thinking about something else, of a time before herself and a world away.
    He stopped for a light.
    "Dad?"
    A raised eyebrow was his only response, but it was enough.
    "What happened back then?"
    "When?"
    There was no delicate way to say it.  "In the war."
    The light turned green and Eric eased on the accelerator.  It wasn't until the next light before he spoke.  "Em.