Elizabeth took it when he offered. “It’s polymer. I looked it up.”
“Of course you did.”
“It’s not as heavy as I thought it would be. But it’s not loaded, so that accounts for some of the weight.”
“We’ll keep it unloaded for now. Let’s talk about safety.”
She looked up, into his eyes. “All right.”
After some basics, he had her stand, showed her how to sight, how to grip. And Terry walked in.
“Jesus Christ, John.”
“It’s not loaded,” Elizabeth said quickly.
“I repeat, Jesus Christ.”
“Give us a minute, Liz.”
“Oh. All right.” More reluctant than she’d imagined, she gave the gun back to John. “I’ll be in my room.”
“What the hell are you thinking?” Terry demanded the minute Elizabeth left the room.
“She wants to learn how to handle a gun.”
“Well, I want George Clooney naked in my bed, but I haven’t attempted kidnapping. Yet.”
“She’s having nightmares, Terry.”
“Crap.” Terry wrenched open the refrigerator, got out a Coke. “I’m sorry, John, this all seriously sucks for that kid. But letting her handle your service weapon isn’t an answer.”
“She thinks it is. She doesn’t want to feel defenseless. Who can blame her? We can tell her all day long she’s safe, we’ll protect her, but she’s still powerless. It’s not just about what we tell her, but what she feels.”
“I know that, John, I know. I understand she’s scared,and she’s got to be bored out of her mind. We can’t change that, not really.”
“Her life’s never going to be the same, Terry, and we can’t forget that, either. We can’t forget she’s not just the witness, she’s a teenage girl. If learning proper gun safety and operation helps her, then I’m going to see she gets taught. Because the least she deserves is a decent night’s sleep.”
“Crap,” Terry repeated. “Okay, I get it. I do. But…”
“But?”
“I’m thinking.”
“Good, keep doing that. I’m going to try out the line that worked on you on the boss. I want to get clearance to take her into the range.”
“Rub a lamp while you’re at it. That may help.”
John just smiled and, taking out his phone, walked into the next room.
Terry huffed out a breath. After a moment’s consideration, she got out a second Coke, then walked upstairs to Elizabeth’s bedroom. She knocked.
“Come in.”
“Playing with guns always makes me thirsty.” Terry walked over to the bed where Elizabeth sat, handed her the Coke.
“I hope you’re not angry with John. It was my fault.”
“I’m not mad.” Terry sat beside her. “It caught me off guard, that’s all. John told me you’re having nightmares. You’re scared. I can tell you not to be, but the truth is, in your place I’d be scared, too.”
