Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins [188]
“Based on such assurances from him, I believe his spiritual transformation is real and that he does not intend to benefit from this in any legal sense.”
Warden Frank LeRoy did not have jurisdiction over Jordan North, who was eager to add his two cents’ worth:
“Two and a half years is not soon enough to see the end of the monster who murdered our daughter. He can make any claim or profession he wants, but if there’s a God and He doesn’t send Brady Wayne Darby straight to hell, they deserve each other.”
The press rode the story for as long as it could, but with LeRoy having effectively shut down the information coming from inside the prison and the newshounds’ inability to dredge up any evidence that Brady had changed his mind about his death penalty, the din finally faded.
Isolation Room
When Ravinia Carey-Blanc, acting under the authority of an official request on the part of her new pro bono client, met with contract attorney Jackie Kent, he proved more than relieved to be out from under the Darby appeals. She told Brady, “We’re still required by law to file these appeals, but you finally have counsel who takes into consideration your personal wishes, unconventional as they may be. The necessary documents will be filed with each appellate board at the last minute on the days they’re due, and we will do nothing to encourage the court to act on them. When asked, if I understand you correctly, I will remind them that you wish each appeal to be summarily denied and the sentence expedited with dispatch.”
Brady peered at his new lawyer through the Plexiglas and cocked his head. “If what you just said means I want to lose and lose fast, you got it.”
“Anything else?” she said.
“Like what?”
“You being treated okay? Not every inmate still has a lawyer. You might as well take advantage of it. Is anyone treating you poorly? denying you anything? humiliating you? harassing you? making you wait egregiously?”
“No, I’m good.”
“You have rights, Brady. That’s all I’m telling you. Not many, of course. Neither of us should be naive about this. Nearly everything normal has been stripped from you, but it is not legal for you to be treated less than humanely, especially when it is clear you are not high maintenance. You’ll let me know, won’t you?”
He nodded.
“Now,” she added, standing, “I want to remind you one more time: I am honoring your request to get these appeals denied, but just like your previous counsel, this flies in the face of everything I believe and everything I was taught. It’s never too late to change your mind. I mean, you aren’t likely to win after all the fighting you’ve done to lose, but all you have to do is say the word, and I can put on the brakes. I can probably buy you another year or two. Execution after just three years’ incarceration is almost unheard of.”
“But you promised to work for me, not against me.”
“By all means. This is totally your call. Just know that I stand ready to serve you, regardless whether your decision changes.”
“You know you look like your dad?”
Brady thought she blushed.
“People say that, but I think I look like my mother.”
“I don’t guess I’ll ever meet her.”
“Probably not. I’ll bring a picture sometime.”
“That’d be nice. I sure love her singing.”
“I’ll tell her you said that.”
“Tell her I want some more.”
“I’m not sure she’ll be up to that. You know she’s not well.”
Brady shook his head. “Reverend Carey never said that. What’s wrong with her?”
“Leukemia.” Ravinia told Brady how it had manifested itself. “Maybe my dad didn’t think you needed to know.”
“That makes me sad. I’ll pray for her. Will you tell her that? But don’t say anything about me wanting more music.”
Later, as Thomas met with Ravinia, he was surprised at her tone.
“There is something about that young man, Dad. A sadness. Grief maybe. But despite his obvious lack of education, he’s got some sort of depth. I might just enjoy helping him.”
65
Death Row
The tumult may have ended