Jesse taught him many lessons about life, and also about the law. Great trial lawyers aren’t born; they’re made. The great ones simply tell the jury a story, one that he has a thorough command of. The story must be written and rewritten, and edited some more, to the point where the lawyer knows every word, pause, and punch line by memory. The delivery is smooth but not too polished, not in any way rehearsed. Listening to Keith speak without notes and without a single wasted syllable, it was hard to believe he was only twenty-eight years old and had taken only three jury trials all the way to verdicts.
He told stories of fishing with his father in the Mississippi Sound, of playing baseball in the backyard, of a thousand games with Jesse always in the stands. He never missed one. When Keith was fifteen, Jesse took him to court to watch a trial, and over dinner they discussed every move made by the lawyers and the judge. Many trials followed. By the time he was sixteen he was wearing a coat and tie and sitting right behind Jesse.
Keith’s voice never cracked. His delivery was as smooth as a veteran stage actor’s. Though he kept his composure, his eulogy was extremely emotional. He ended with: “Our father did not die in vain. His work had just begun, and his work will be finished. His enemies will die in prison.”
* * *
The Requiem Mass drew an even larger crowd that overflowed the sanctuary. Those who arrived late were directed to a large canopied tent beside the church building. A PA system relayed the events: the sprinkling of holy water on the coffin as it entered the front doors; the family receiving the coffin at the altar and placing an open Bible on it; the reading of Holy Scripture by Beverly and Laura; a solo by a soprano; a reading from the Gospel of Luke by Jesse’s brother; a reflection on the verses by Father Norris, followed by a lengthy homily in which he talked about death in the Christian world and said marvelous things about Jesse Rudy; an organist played a beautiful hymn; Tim read a prayer and managed to get through it; communion took half an hour, and when it was over Father Norris sprinkled more holy water on the coffin as he gave the final commendation.
Chapter 43
On the Tuesday after Labor Day the courthouse reopened for business. The west half of the second floor was blocked off with a temporary partition as work crews finished the cleanup and began the repairs. Judge Oliphant was eager to tackle his docket and schedule hearings.
Two days later, in his courtroom, a brief ceremony took place. Pursuant to an appointment by Governor Cliff Finch, Keith Rudy would fill the vacancy left by the death of his father and serve as district attorney for the remainder of the term, through 1979. Judge Oliphant read the appointment and swore in the new DA. Agnes and Ainsley watched proudly, though with plenty of quiet doubts. Both had been opposed to Keith taking the job, but his mind was made up. To Agnes, he was like Jesse in so many ways. When he felt he was right, it was impossible to dissuade him.
Beverly and Laura looked on, along with Egan, the Pettigrew brothers, and a handful of other friends. They were all still sleepwalking through the aftermath of the murder, but Keith’s appointment gave them hope that justice would be served. There were no speeches, but a reporter from the Register covered it and chatted with Keith when it was over. His first question was one that was obvious: “Can you be fair and objective if you prosecute the person or persons responsible for the murder of your father?”
Keith knew it was coming and replied: “I can be fair but I don’t have to be objective. In any murder investigation, the police and prosecutor determine guilt long before the jury, so in that respect they’re not exactly objective. I can only promise to be fair.”
“If the murder is solved, will you handle the trial?”
“It’s much too early to talk about a trial.”
“Do you know of any suspects?”
“No.”
“Will you be involved in the investigation?”
“At every turn. We’ll follow every lead, look under every rock. I will not rest until this crime is solved.”