Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins [193]
“That won’t worry him,” Thomas said. “He has every policy and procedure in the book backing him, and security overrides everything.”
“Still, I’m obligated to represent my client. I suppose I could be less than enthusiastic or even confide in the warden that I know it’s not going to fly but that I’m going through the motions.”
“That doesn’t sound ethical, Rav.”
“That’s why I’m here. Would you go with me when I talk with LeRoy?”
“Not if you want me as an ally. The whole thing hits me as grotesque. What was Brady thinking?”
“I figured you would like to see this happen, if there was any chance.”
“You know as well as I do that there is no chance. But even if there were, why would I like it?”
“Because his motives are pure, and think of the impact. Even I can see that. But I have to get the warden on board. And having another interested party along can only help.”
“So I’d be there to help intimidate Frank? Not sure I’m comfortable with that.”
“You’d be there for me, Dad. If I’m to act in the best interest of my client, I need accountability. I hate to admit it, but alone I might cave and feel obligated to tell the warden I know it’s a long shot and blah, blah, blah. I mean, I agree with you that this has zero chance, but I told Brady I’d try.”
“I’m willing to go, but I prefer not to say anything unless asked.”
“He may ask about how Brady is doing. You know that better than anyone.”
“Sure, I can speak to that. But otherwise, I’m just there as moral support. Now you’d better check in on your mother, and feel free to wake her. She’ll be disappointed if she misses you.”
When Ravinia tiptoed into the bedroom, Thomas stood looking out the living room window, praying silently. What a cockamamy idea Brady had. It would make for an interesting meeting with the warden. Thomas could hardly wait to see the look on Yanno’s face.
When Rav emerged, she whispered, “She’s getting worse, isn’t she?”
Thomas nodded. “The doctor says she’ll slip a little further back after each remission, but that she has a few more remissions to enjoy too, if his guess is correct.”
“I wouldn’t count on it, Dad. I would love to see it, but I just don’t know.”
“Me either. Listen, I’ve got an idea about our meeting with the warden, but it may seem duplicitous.”
“How delicious. I’m not above duplicity.”
“Well, call it more manipulation.”
“Even better, Dad. What?”
“I was just thinking that if you preceded laying out the idea to the warden with the fact that you expect a huge fight from the feds over this and so you wanted to come to him first, he’d have his back up right away. Nothing motivates him more than people who try to tell him what to do.”
“Sort of like me, eh?”
“I wasn’t going to say that.”
67
Administrative Wing
Frank LeRoy looked wary as Thomas Carey and Ravinia Carey-Blanc sat directly across the desk from him in faded plastic chairs.
“Give me the shock of my life and tell me this is not about Brady Wayne Darby.”
Thomas and Ravinia smiled at each other, and the warden said, “Yeah, no, that’s what I thought. What now?”
“I’m just tired of Washington, aren’t you, sir?” Ravinia said.
“I was until the governor gave ’em what for. You heard the federal appeals board finally caved and that’s all over now.”
“I informed you, sir.”
“That you did. That you did. So, anyway, I think that takes the heat off, don’t you?”
“Unless they try to tell you what you can and can’t do with a prisoner who’s going to die in a little over two years regardless.”
“The governor made Director Andreason and me proud, ma’am. The feds have no say when it comes to Darby. We’d have sued their pants off if they’d ruled the other way on the mandatory appeal, but that wasn’t necessary, and now they’re completely out of it.”
“No matter what you decide about Darby?”
“There’s nothing more to decide. He’s proved a model citizen. I wouldn’t want to be quoted outside this office, but the reverend here has me convinced