Chapter 7 Summary

Rocky Childers, aged forty-two, has been Ford County's prosecutor for more years than he can remember, having sacrificed his prospective law practice for this elected, $15,000-a-year "part time" job that takes all his time. Rocky once considered a political career, but the voters, along with the District Attorney of Polk County, Rufus Buckley, have put an end to those dreams. He is mostly resigned to his fate, except when something interesting like the Hailey rape case comes up. Concerning the upcoming bond hearing of Cobb and Willard, Childers has received numerous calls from concerned blacks who want to see the white boys kept in jail until their trial. He explains that the bonds are set by Judge Bullard.

In chambers Monday, the judge asks Childers and Walls what figure they'd like for the bonds, but all realize this is just a charade. Both...