guns? And how do you know to shoot someone who's carrying a concealed weapon?
Pausing, Lara spoke with remembered sadness. I was a war correspondent, in Kosovo. In a war zone, you somehow manage to accept the murder of the innocent. But America shouldn't become a war zone. The way to protect ourselves in a civil society is to disarm the criminals, not arm ourselves. And if we buy guns out of fear, not choice, how many more accidents or teen suicides will we have, how many more domestic shootings where a gun turns a moment of anger or despair into an irreversible tragedy . . .
'It's the same old line,' Dane said. 'Guns are the problem, so let's take them all away.'
'At the moment she's on a pedestal,' Campton opined. 'We can't attack her directly—at least right now.' For another moment, he studied her, and then looked up at Dane. 'Ever wonder what their story is—her and Kilcannon, the way she tried to get to him after he was shot. Was that just dogged journalism? Their whole romance popped up real quick.'
If I could bring my mother back, Lara was saying, and the man who shot her, then I'd ask her to choose between punishing her own murderer, or saving other lives by changing the laws which allowed this man to buy this kind of weapon.
I know what my mother would say: We can fill our jails and cemeteries, or we can try to stop the violence . . .
'Too quick,' Dane answered simply.
* * *
Twenty-five minutes to go, Kerry thought. So far Lara had maintained her composure.
How, Cathie Civitch asked, is the President coping with this tragedy?
I think he's tried to concentrate on me, rather than himself. Lara's voice became regretful, quiet. I haven't been much help to him, even though I know how terrible he feels.
Civitch leaned forward, hands clasped together. You have a new marriage, a terrible loss, John Bowden's letter blaming your husband for his actions. That would test the strongest marriage.
Lara drew a breath. There are certain things, Cathie, that I have to accept. One is that this man has forever redefined my life. But I will not let him redefine my relationship to the person I love most . . .
Abruptly, Lara stopped, as if hearing herself. You know, she said softly, I don't think I've ever told him that. But I've promised it to myself.
Watching, Kerry felt more grateful for this moment than he ever could have imagined. Perhaps, he allowed himself to hope, Lara might begin rethinking her reservations about starting a family of their own.
Today, Cathie Civitch said, is your mother's birthday.
Tears welled in Lara's eyes. Yes.
Kerry had not known.
* * *
Silent, Chad and Allie Palmer sat in front of their television.
How, Civitch was asking Lara, do you respond to those who say the cause of violence is not guns, but a culture which uses violence as entertainment?
'For Middle America,' Palmer observed, 'this is the one she's got to answer. No matter what kind of shape she's in.'
Pausing, Lara regained her footing. I agree that guns are not the only cause of violence. What guns do is make violence lethal.
If you compare us to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, you see many similarities. Our histories include the conquest of a frontier, and the violent displacement of indigenous people. Our current rates of violent crime are comparable. But our murder rate is exponentially higher, because our murderers use guns. That's why in Japan, which hardly lacks for violent entertainment, a year can go by without anyone under eighteen dying from gun violence.
Certainly, we need to tell the entertainment industry to stop shoving violence down our throats in movies, television, video games, and popular music. But we also need to concern ourselves more deeply with what our children watch and hear, and to tell them that violence is no answer . . .
Allie turned to her husband, her expression pensive. 'Lara may be grieving. But she's certainly well prepared.'
Briefly, Chad thought of his impassioned speech on the Senate floor, a few days after Kyle's death, defending Caroline Masters. 'You can be both,' he answered quietly. 'Some people may think it's calculating, or just plain cold. The truth is that it keeps you from falling apart.'
Silent, Allie took his hand.
* * *
For nearly an hour Sarah had never checked her watch.
Do you ever look back, Civitch asked Lara Kilcannon, and wonder how you might have changed things?
All the time, Lara answered quietly. But not just for Kerry and me, or even for my family.
Well before these murders, Kerry went to the gun industry and asked them to require background checks at gun shows. They refused. Then he went to the president of Lexington Arms, and implored him not to continue putting the wrong guns in the wrong hands. Lara paused, as though suppressing her emotions. I can't help but feel that if they'd listened, my mother, sister and niece would still be living, and the families of three other victims would not be wondering why bullets meant for my sister Mary murdered the people they loved instead . . .
Listening, Sarah could not easily imagine how Lara Kilcannon felt. Or, for that matter, the president of Lexington Arms.
* * *
'Brilliant,' Charles Dane murmured. 'Now they've both crucified George Callister on national TV. Lexington couldn't get a fair trial anywhere in America.'
Campton looked up. 'You still think they're setting up a lawsuit?'
'Of course. Except they'll use the sister.'
In close-up, Cathie Civitch's face was filled with compassion. As First
