Keith is appointed the new DA, stepping into Jesse’s shoes. Meanwhile, Hugh visits Lance in prison: “They talked about everything but the obvious. Jesse Rudy’s death was never mentioned. Lance had not been involved in it, and he was worried that his unpredictable son had done something stupid” (339). The FBI continues to trail Henry Taylor and has placed wiretaps on his phones. They learn that he’s in financial trouble.

Keith starts his job as DA. The holiday season arrives, and the Rudy family gets together to celebrate—the first time without Jesse. During Christmas, Keith and Ainsley (his wife) announce that she’s pregnant. Agnes is ecstatic: “When she heard the wonderful news that she’d be a grandmother, she finally broke down. The emotion was contagious, and in an instant the entire family was having a good cry. Tears of joy” (346).

Henry Taylor is approached by a private investigator, J. W. Gross, who wants him to carry out a hit on behalf of one of his clients. Henry is unaware that J. W. Gross is working for the FBI. This is all part of the FBI’s plan to capture Henry Taylor and then coerce him to testify against Hugh and Nevin.