The Simple Truth

Deal with it? Elizabeth said hysterically. My life just walked out that door in handcuffs.

Jordan Knight just walked out that door. Justice Elizabeth Knight is sitting right here next to me. The same Justice Knight who will be leading the Supreme Court into the next century.

Sara . . . The tears spilled down her face.

Its a lifetime appointment. And you have a lot of life left. Sara squeezed her hand. Id like to help you with your work, your very important work. If youll have me back.

Sara put her arms around the womans trembling shoulders.

I dont know if I can do this . . . survive this.

Im certain that you can. And you wont be doing it alone. I promise.

Elizabeth clutched at the young womans shoulder. Will you stay with me tonight, Sara?

Ill stay as long as you want.

["C61"]CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

On the strength of his being the possessor of the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Medal, Josh Harms was entitled to burial with modified honors the highest an enlisted man could attain at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the Army representative who had come to speak to Rufus about the arrangement seemed bent on talking him out of it.

He got shot up, saved a bunch of the men in his company, won himself a box full of medals, Rufus said, eyeing the mans uniform, the single row of colored metal on it. A lot morn you got.

The man twisted his lips. His record was not the cleanest in the world either. He had a real problem with authority. From what I could gather, he didnt like or respect one thing about the institution he was representing.

So you think burying him up there with all them generals and such would be disrespectful?

The cemetery is ru

Even though he earned it? Rufus said.

Im not disputing that. But I cant believe your brother wouldwantto be buried there either.

I guess hed spend all of eternity telling those dead brass exactly what he thinks of them.

Something like that, the man said dryly. So then were in agreement? Youll arrange burial for him elsewhere?

Rufus eyed the man. I made up my mind.

Thus, on a cool, clear day in October, former Sergeant Joshua Harms, USA, was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. From an angle, the ground was so covered with white crosses that it looked like an early snow had fallen. As the honor guard fired off its salute and the bugler launched into taps, the simple coffin was lowered into the ground. Rufus and one of Joshs sons received the flag, folded tricornered, from a somber and respectful Army officer, while Fiske, Sara, McKe

Two days later, Michael Fiske was buried at a private cemetery on the outskirts of Richmond. The well-attended funeral service included each justice of the United States Supreme Court. Ed Fiske, dressed in an old suit, his hair neatly combed, awkwardly stood next to his surviving son and received condolences from each of the jurists, together with many of Virginias political and social elite. Harold Ramsey spent an extra minute giving comfort to the father and then turned to the son.

I appreciate all that you did, John. And the sacrifice that your brother made.

The ultimate one, Fiske said in an unfriendly tone. Ramsey nodded. I also respect your views. I hope that you can respect my views as well.

Fiske shook the mans hand. I guess thats what makes the world go round.

Looking at Ramsey made Fiske think of what lay ahead for Rufus. Fiske had encouraged him to sue everybody he could think of, including the Army and Jordan Knight. There was no statute of limitations on murder, and the ensuing cover-up orchestrated by Jordan and the others had broken numerous other laws. Rufus had refused Fiskes advice, however. All of em except for Knight are in a far worse place than any judge on this earth could send em to, he had said. Thats their true punishment. And Knights got to live with what he done. Thats enough for me. I got no reason to get mixed up with courts and judges no more. I just want to live as a free man, spend a lot of time with Joshs children. Go see my mommas grave. Thats all.

Fiske had tried to get him to change his mind, until he realized that the man was right. Besides, Fiske thought, according to the precedents established by the Supreme Court, Rufus couldnt sue the Army anyway. Not unless Elizabeth Knight could use the Barbara Chance case to give military perso

I feel deeply responsible for all of this, Knight said. She and the senator, Fiske knew, were divorcing. The government, the Army in particular, wanted to keep all of this quiet. Important strings in Washington were being pulled. That meant that Jordan Knight might not go to prison for all that he had done. Even with Elizabeth Knights consent, the legality of the electronic surveillance of the man had already been drawn into serious question by the senators very skillful lawyers. In a private meeting with McKe

If theres anything I can ever do for you . . . Elizabeth Knight said.

You have the same offer from me, Fiske said. Thirty minutes after the last mourners were gone, Fiske, his father and Sara watched as the chairs and green carpet were removed. The coffin was lowered, and the slab was laid over the vault. Then the dirt was shoveled on top. Fiske spoke with his father and Sara for a few minutes and told them he would meet them back at his fathers house. He watched them drive off. When he looked back over at the fresh hump of earth, he was startled. The cemetery workers were gone now, but on his knees next to the new grave, eyes closed, Bible clutched in one hand, was Rufus Harms. Fiske walked over and put a hand on the mans shoulder. Rufus, you okay? I didnt even know you were still here.