The Boys from Biloxi

Jesse’s rising legal career is on the rise. He starts working as an associate in a local law firm and establishes a reputation for being an upstanding, moral man and lawyer. Some concerned locals in Biloxi approach Jesse about running for district attorney. They believe that he could be the aggressive DA they need to “clean up the Coast” (61). Driving this desire for change is a new vice that’s entered Biloxi—drugs. Jesse is reluctant: “Jesse had no interest in jeopardizing the safety of his family […] But once planted, the idea would not go away” (62)

As a teenager, Hugh continues to descend into the underworld of Lance’s businesses. He quits baseball and takes up boxing. One of his most famous fights is against a boy named “Fuzz” Foster. Lance is proud of Hugh’s burgeoning boxing career. Keith and Hugh are still friends, and Keith goes to Hugh’s matches to cheer him on.

Lance is cheated out of money in a shady business deal with a man named Marcus Dean Poppy. Marcus and his henchman Earl Fortier purport to sell Lance a club owned by Marcus, the Carousel Lounge. Marcus and Earl take Lance’s money and then claim that the Carousel Lounge has been raided by the IRS—and is temporarily closed. Then, Marcus and Earl sell the Carousel Lounge to one of Lance’s competitors, Ginger. In revenge, Nevin shoots Earl and his girlfriend Rita; Fortier dies, but Rita survives and identifies Nevin as the killer. Nevin then tracks down Marcus and threatens to kill him as well—unless he returns Lance’s money. Marcus pays Nevin and flees to Texas.

On trial for Earl’s murder, Nevin engages criminal defense lawyer Joshua Burch (whom Lance pays) to counter the young public prosecutor, Pat Graebel. It seems like an open-and-shut case because Rita survived the shooting and identified Nevin as the shooter. However, with Lance’s money and influence, the case falls apart. Rita is paid off to leave town and doesn’t testify. Rita’s neighbor, who previously claimed he saw Nevin flee the crime scene, is likewise paid off and leaves town. Meanwhile, sex workers from Lance’s clubs—claiming to be simple waitresses to win over the jury—provide Nevin with an alibi: “Poor young Pat Graebel stood at the podium, the butt of the joke, the fool of the hour, the hotshot prosecutor whose case had vanished into thin air” (93). The jury returns a “not guilty” verdict.

Keith and Hugh, who are still in high school—and still friends—enjoy an innocent summer of fun. Keith, Hugh, and two of their friends, Joey Grasich and Denny Smith, are all 16 years old. They spend a weekend boating, chasing girls, and attending illegal cock fights (which they gain access to through Hugh’s connection to Nevin). Lance is aware of Hugh’s small indiscretions, like watching illegal cockfights, but doesn’t care: “Hugh was only sixteen but was mature for his age and could certainly take care of himself. He was showing no interest in college and that was fine with Lance as well. The boy was needed in the family business” (102).

It’s 1966. Marcus Dean Poppy is found dead in New Orleans, and the news reaches Biloxi: “Those who read the story and knew the players in Biloxi’s underworld figured Lance Malco had finally settled another old debt” (103). Meanwhile, the Carousel Lounge, which Marcus sold to Ginger, has gained popularity—and Ginger has acquired other businesses on The Strip as well: “A showdown was looming. Tension was in the air as both gangs watched each other. Fats Bowman knew the streets and had cautioned both crime lords against outright warfare” (104). The sheriff’s interests are purely selfish, as violence like shootings would result in the state police or even federal agents getting involved—and thus Fats wouldn’t be able to collect his usual payouts from the gangs.

Meanwhile, Jesse has decided to run for DA. He tells his family when Keith is home from college for Christmas break. Keith “was proud of his parents for the decision and he couldn’t wait to start campaigning” (105). During the same visit home from college, Keith meets “the old gang” (Hugh, Denny, Joey) to catch up. Hugh is no longer boxing and is focusing on his father’s businesses, working in his clubs. Keith doesn’t tell his friends about Jesse’s plans to run for DA: “[Keith] acted as though all was well, but he knew that these moments were fleeting. The friendships were about to change, or vanish altogether […] For him and Hugh, it was probably their last beer together” (108).