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 the guy’s for real. Not sure I agree he’s going to get into heaven after what he did, but that’s just doctrine between your dad and me. But Darby serves out his time and keeps behaving, we do the deed on time, end of story.”

“I’ll bet you’d have Washington on your doorstep again if you do anything out of the ordinary with him.”

“They wouldn’t get past the guardhouse. And we don’t plan on anything out of the ordinary.”

“Want to put them to the test?”

Yanno leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. “How did I know this was coming? You know this guy already has more visitation privileges and time with you and the chaplain than anybody ever has here.”

“And he’s proven worthy of that trust,” Ravinia said.

“Can’t deny that.”

“Okay, can I ask you to keep an open mind? I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page if this bothers the press, the public, the victim’s family, or Washington.”

“Whatever it is, young lady, you don’t have to sell anybody but me. I don’t give a baboon’s hairdo what anyone else thinks about it.”

“That’s the way you’ve always run this place.”

“It’s the way I do business, and it always will be.”

Ravinia pulled out her notes. “Okay, so Darby is in his cell yesterday morning, minding his own business. As you know, he spends most of every day reading his Bible and memorizing it.”

“So?”

“So he got an idea. It’s . . . unconventional, but I think you might like it.”

“Do tell.”

“Actually, sir, he wants to tell you himself.”

“Do I need to remind you two that Brady Darby is not my only inmate?”

“For right now he is,” Ravinia said. “He’s waiting in the isolation unit.”

LeRoy slowly shook his head and rose. “I swear this is the last time.”

Isolation Unit

Frank LeRoy said, “I’ve got about five minutes, so let’s dispense with pleasantries. What’s up?”

“If I may, Warden,” Ravinia said, facing Brady, “we’re heading into uncharted seas, no man’s land, or whatever cliché you want to use.”

“Just somebody tell me already, would you?” LeRoy said.

Brady was plainly hesitating. “All right, here’s the thing. ‘Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’”

Yanno squinted. “Okay, all right, then. You’re quoting the Bible. If I were you, I wouldn’t be doing that in front of your cellblock mates, if you get my drift. And there aren’t any doors in here that just pop open when you knock. So what’s this all about?”

“I’m ready to choose my form of execution, sir.”

“There’s a form for that. We’re the easiest facility in the country on that score. As you know, you get to choose, and nobody can make the decision for you.”

“Good.”

“Yeah, it’s good, but you didn’t need me here for that.”

Ravinia held up a booklet, which Thomas recognized as the induction pamphlet for death row. “Says right here that the decision is entirely under the inmate’s purview.”

Warden LeRoy extended his hands wide, as if pleading with everyone. “Could I have been more clear? Now you’ve got it from my very mouth and from our printed material. So can I please get back to my office?”

“As long as we’re clear,” Ravinia said. “Mr. Darby would like to inform you officially of his decision.”

“That’s unnecessary, but fine! Fine! Tell me, please!”