The Letter - Chapter 48

My meeting with Joe McKay had been a huge disappointment.  I walked out of the building on The Boulevard of the Allies that housed his firm’s offices and headed for the garage where I had parked my car.  As I walked, I recalled the events of the morning.

Joe’s secretary, Sheila, called me around 8:00 AM to let me know that Joe had gotten my messages.  She asked me to come in at 11:00 to meet with him.  As soon as I arrived, she ushered me into Joe’s office.  Joe was taking notes on a legal pad as he pored over papers strewn about his desk. 

“Hi, George.  Come in.”  He stood up to shake my hand.  “What a mess, huh?”

“Yeah, Joe.  I’ve been worried sick.  Hardly slept all weekend.”

“I can understand that.”  He glanced at his notes.  “Well, I called Melissa’s attorney first thing this morning to find out what the hell they think they’re doing.  First, he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about.  Then he went on about a self-help remedy to protect Jennifer from the perceived danger of continuing to stay with you."

“Are they still pushing that ridiculous abuse argument?”

“I don’t know.  I think Sidney knows he’s on shaky ground, but for now, it’s about all he’s got.  He hedged a bit.  Honestly, I don’t think Attorney Lutz had any idea his client snatched your daughter.”

“Wouldn’t Richard have told him in advance?”

“Richard’s in California.  I’m not so sure he has any idea that his wife has done this.  I’m told he’ll be gone all week.”

“So what did Lutz say he’s going to advise his client to do?”

“He didn’t commit to anything.  Said he was going to discuss the matter with Melissa and that he’d get back to me.  I’ll bet he’s desperately trying to get hold of Richard.”

“So how are we going to get Jennifer back, Joe?”

“I’m working on it, George.  I’ll call you as soon as I know more.  But this is wrong, and I’m pretty sure Lutz knows it.”

“I hope he tells that to Melissa.”

“Yeah, and let’s hope she listens to him.  She’s pretty strong willed.”  Joe stood up and extended his hand.  “Hang in there, George.  We’re going to get this resolved.  Who knows?  Maybe this will piss off the judge enough that he or she will be more sympathetic to you.”

“No one’s been assigned yet?”

“I expect that to happen very soon.”

As I was leaving, I told Joe about my interview with the TV station. 

“Be careful,” Joe said.  “Sounds like you could be sticking a thumb in Richard’s eye.  You know his position on gun control, right?”

“Yeah, Joe.  But it’s important to rally those who want some sanity.  I think they’re feeling like it’s hopeless.  I’m trying to change that.”

“Good luck.”

                                                *                      *                      *

I pulled into the parking lot at the television station.  I was early.  I walked into the main entrance and told the receptionist why I was there. After a few minutes, Tom Brannigan came out to meet me.

“George, thanks for coming.  It’s good that you’re here a little early.  They want you in makeup before we tape.  Just some light stuff so you look your best.”

“Sure.  Just point me in the right direction.”

When makeup was finished with me, I was escorted to the set.  Two chairs behind a desk.  After a few minutes, Tom Brannigan walked in with a sheaf of papers.

“Looks like I have a lot of questions,” he winked at me.  “Actually, these are blank and just for show.  The real questions have been uploaded to the teleprompter.  Are you ready?”

“Sure.”

“Ted, are we rolling?”

“Yes sir, Mr. Brannigan.  You can start whenever you’re ready.”

Tom Brannigan looked into the camera.  “Good evening.  With me here in the studio is gun control advocate, George Leskovic.  Mr. Leskovic wrote an article about the tragedy of gun violence which was published yesterday in the editorial section of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  He also recently participated in a candlelight vigil at City Hall which turned physical when counterprotesters attacked some of the vigil participants.  Mr. Leskovic, you were caught on camera punching one of the counterprotesters.  Does that mean you’re okay with physical violence – just not with guns?”

“Uh, that was not my proudest moment, Tom.  I apologized to the guy afterwards.  I’m most upset that it was a distraction from the message that violence doesn’t solve anything.”

“So tell us George, why this issue is important to you?”

I proceeded to lay out the statistics describing the number and frequency of gun deaths in America, including suicides, individual shootings and the mass shootings which received the most publicity.  “The fact is, Tom, no other products are manufactured and sold in this country for the sole purpose of killing human beings.  I’m not talking about guns used by hunters.  I’m talking about military style assault rifles and even hand guns that have no purpose other than killing people.  Sure, a lot of people die from automobile accidents, drug overdoses, alcohol and cigarettes, but none of those products are designed to kill people.”

 “I see your point, George, but none of those products are protected by the Constitution.  What about the Second Amendment?”

“Tom, none of the rights granted by the Constitution are without limits.  For example, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, but doesn’t allow someone to yell ‘Fire’ in a crowded theater.  Our country has long accepted certain reasonable restrictions on firearms.  No one is suggesting taking guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens.  But the pro-gun advocates won’t even consider allowing restrictions designed to keep guns out the hands of criminals.”

“Speaking of pro-gun advocates, George, your ex-wife’s husband, Richard Zingerman is running for Congress and says he won’t allow any restrictions on guns.  What would you like to say to him?”

“I would say, be willing to listen to those voters concerned about gun violence.  Be willing to compromise to protect the lives of people threatened by the easy access to guns.”

“And if he’s unwilling to commit to that?”

“I’d say I hope the voters choose someone who is willing to make that commitment.”

“Do you intend to campaign against Zingerman?”

“Well, he’s not running to represent the district where I live, but I do feel strongly about this issue.”

“So that’s a yes?”

I smiled.  “We’ll see, Tom.  We’ll see.”

With that, Tom Brannigan wrapped up the interview and the cameras stopped rolling.  He told me he thought it went well, and wouldn’t require a lot of editing to run at 6:00 PM.  He thanked me, and I left the station and drove home.