A Gathering of Widowmakers (The Widowmaker #4) Read Online Free Page A

law was passed, they found Pickett guilty of killing nineteen men, women and children, and issued paper on him. I found him before anyone else did, and he convinced me that all of the charges were as phony as the one about killing Nordstrom. I made it my business to find him before any bounty hunters did." He paused again. "And here I am."
    "So he's paying you to protect him?" asked Jeff.
    "He's not paying me anything," answered Newman. "I don't need the money. I'm doing it because I'm in the justice business, and I'm not going to stand by and watch some bounty hunter kill a man I know to be innocent."
    "I've studied that warrant," said Jeff. "Seven of the murders he's accused of committing occurred on Mallachi, including his wife."
    "So what?"
    "The fact that he didn't kill a man half a galaxy from home doesn't mean he didn't kill his wife."
    "He says he didn't do it. I believe him."
    "Let him say it to me, and I'll decide if I believe him," said Jeff.
    "And if you don't?"
    "Then I'll do what I came here to do."
    "I won't let you kill him," said Newman.
    "Don't stand in my way," said Jeff. "I'm younger than you are, I'm quicker, and I've still got both the hands I was created with."
    "I'm you —a version of you, anyway. If I vouch for him, that should be enough for you."
    "I'm not in the judge or jury business," said Jeff. "The warrant's been issued, the reward's been posted, and my job is to bring him in."
    "Look," said Newman. "I can prove he's innocent of one murder, and no one else has proven he's guilty of anything except being rich and living on the wrong world."
    "Then let me take him back. You can come along and testify on his behalf in court."
    "On Mallachi?" said Newman with a harsh laugh. "They'll convict him before he has a chance to sit down. If he sets foot on that planet he's a dead man." Jeff looked dubious. "Why are you having such a difficult time believing me?" continued Newman. "We share the same DNA, the same fingerprints, the same retinagram. You're the last person I'd lie to."
    "That doesn't mean your judgment isn't distorted," answered Jeff. "You've been in Pickett's company for some time now. He's probably become a friend. You've killed three men on his behalf, men in our own profession. It would be very uncomfortable for you to think you killed them for a man who'd murdered his wife and a bunch of others. It's a lot easier to convince yourself he's innocent."
    Suddenly the door to the house opened behind Newman, and a gaunt, balding man stepped out into the harsh sunlight.
    "Jubal Pickett, I presume?" said Jeff.
    "What are you doing out here?" demanded Newman angrily. "I told you to stay put!"
    "I've been listening, Jason," said Pickett. "It's clear he isn't going to leave without me, and I won't have you dying on my behalf."
    "I have no intention of dying," said Newman, never taking his eyes from Jeff. "And if you'll get inside, there's a possibility that you won't die either."
    "I'm tired of running and I'm tired of this world," said Pickett. "Nothing grows on Giancola. It hasn't rained since I've been here, and I haven't see a bird in two months. I'll take my chances on Mallachi."
    "Your chances are slim to none," said Newman. "You know that."
    "What are your chances against a younger, fitter version of yourself?" said Pickett. "Come to Mallachi and testify. Bring the press with you. Maybe it won't go so badly." He turned to Jeff. "I'm ready, young man."
    Newman positioned himself between Pickett and Jeff. " I'm not ready," he said.
    "Damn it!" said Jeff irritably. "We don't have to fight! He's willing to go back to Mallachi."
    "Only because he thinks he's saving my life," said Newman. "Not quite the behavior you'd expect from the killer of nineteen men and women, is it?"
    "Let me go with him, Jason," said Pickett, starting to walk forward. "I'm through letting you put yourself in danger on my behalf."
    "You heard him," said Jeff.
    "Yes, I did," replied Newman. "That's why I can't step