A secretary said the meeting would last for only thirty minutes. The governor was quite busy and had family in town for the holidays. Another secretary escorted Keith and Jesse into the governor’s official reception room on the second floor of the capitol. He lived in the mansion three blocks away.
He was on the phone but waved them in. The secretary poured coffee and finally left. He hung up and everyone shook hands. They caught up on a few old friends from the Coast as the minutes ticked by.
Keith pinched himself to make sure it was really happening. He was a twenty-five-year-old rookie lawyer sitting in the governor’s office as if he actually deserved a seat at the table. He couldn’t help but glance around and take in the large portraits of former governors. He absorbed the setting, the powerful desk, the heavy leather chairs, the fireplace, the aura of importance, the busy staff tending to every detail.
He liked it. He might just give it a shot one day.
He snapped back to reality when the governor said, “I like your nuisance case. Read it last night. Supreme court’ll do the right thing.”
Jesse was surprised to know the governor was current with cases on appeal. He was even more startled to learn that the state supreme court was on their side. “Well, that’s certainly good to hear, Governor.”
“A decision is on the way, just after the holidays. You’ll like it.”
Jesse glanced at Keith and neither could suppress a smile.
“Great idea to use the nuisance statute. Can you go after the other clubs and clean up the mess down there?”
“We’ll try, Governor, but we need help. As you know, there’s not much support from local law enforcement.”
“Fats Bowman belongs in prison.”
“Agreed, and I’ll try to put him there, but that comes later. My priority is shutting down the clubs and putting the crime bosses out of business.”
“What do you need?”
“The state police.”
“I know that’s why you’re here, Jesse. I knew it the day you called. Here’s my situation. I’m not happy with my director of public safety. The highway patrol is not well run these days, too much cronyism, a real good ole boys’ outfit. So, I’m cleaning house. A bunch of the mossbacks are taking retirement. I want some new blood. Give me a month and I’ll have my guy in as head of the state police. He’ll come see you.”
Jesse was rarely speechless, but he struggled for words. Keith piped in with “I read where you’re coming to the Coast in February for a speech.”
“Well, the speech is the official reason. What I really want to do is sneak over to a club and shoot some dice, maybe check out the hookers.” The governor roared with laughter and slapped his knees. Jesse and Keith were caught completely off guard and howled along with their new friend. Waller laughed until his eyes were moist, then managed to pull himself together.
He said, “Naw, it’s some new factory opening up in Gulfport and a buddy of mine owns it. I’ll pose for pictures, kiss some babies, that kinda stuff. I can’t run for reelection, you know, but once politics gets in your blood you can’t give it up.”
“What’s next for you?” Keith asked, somewhat boldly.
“I don’t know right now. Got my plate full with current issues. What’s next for you? I’ve seen you looking around the office. Might try it on one day?”
Keith nodded and said, “Maybe so.”
Chapter 30
On January 11, 1974, the Mississippi Supreme Court came to life and issued a unanimous ruling that affirmed Chancellor Baker’s decision. The proof clearly showed a pattern of criminal activity—prostitution—and the lower court did not err in declaring Carousel a public nuisance. The ruling closed the nightclub immediately.