Kate’s gaze was cut off as Jericho walked between her and Ken.
“It’s time to eat, Kate,” Jericho said.
Dinner passed with nice conversation, but Ken was quiet, giving angry sidelong glances at his father.
Keeping one eye on Ken, Kate asked, “Are you nervous about speaking?”
“No. I don’t get nervous in front of people.”
“That’s why you make such a good prosecutor.”
“No. I just like to argue,” he said.
“I think it’s more that you like to prove you’re right.”
“Most of the time, I am.”
The rest of the meal passed unremarkably.
Kate glanced over at Sienna, and she nodded. She was ready.
When Jericho reached the podium and began to speak, Ken Mitchell shifted in his seat. The argument she’d witnessed between him and his father made her wonder about what the psychiatrist had said. Addictive/compulsive theft was usually preceded by a tense moment. She’d describe the interchange between his father and him as not only tense but very unpleasant. It was obvious that Ken’s father neither respected nor trusted his son. That had to sting.
Jericho’s words reached her.
“Ladies and gentlemen and members of the bar. I have been asked to speak to you tonight about my role as a prosecutor. I could stand up here and spout that we are the keeper of the flame of both justice and order. I could tell you that the satisfaction of what I do makes it worthwhile. I could tell you many different reasons.
“I could tell you that the public creates a prosecutor and endows him with power through the courts. That a prosecutor can become a leader in developing legislation, proposing constitutional amendments to improve deficiencies in the system, have an interest in community activities, is respected by state and national professional associations, and that participation in advisory board meetings and policy-making groups are a very important part of the job.
“But there is no convincing you unless deep down inside of you there is a passion. This job requires so much of you.
“It hurts.
“It frustrates.
“It takes.
“There are days when I don’t even think I could gather enough courage to walk into another courtroom.
“But I do. I’m here to tell you that this job is not about power, not about prestige, definitely not about politics, or even about hard work. This job is about people. First and foremost, and forever, it’s about the victims.
“We are here, and we do the job for them.
“Period.
“Because I care about people and care about their rights, I chose prosecution.
“Above all, I am concerned with fairness as much as I am about putting criminals behind bars and can recognize that the two goals are interrelated, not contradictory.
“I have absolute integrity and believe deeply in fair play, use honesty and fairness in dealing with adversaries and the courts, prepare carefully, do not bow to conjecture, or leave anything to chance, and never proceed in any case until convinced of the guilt of the accused or the correctness of my position.
“To be a prosecutor demands staunch personal qualities—timeliness, dependability, accuracy, thoughtfulness, decency, personal courage, and conviction.
“I will tell you that Ilovethis job, and somehow the ideals become part of you.
“Keeper of the flame of law and order? May it burn forever.
“Having said all that, I want to remark on my qualifications for the job.”