Chapter 17 Summary

Kate and John meet for lunch and talk about the crash. During lunch, Kate tells John that she believes that the missing videotape could be the key piece of evidence that could crack the case wide open, but John suggests to her that it might not turn out to make a difference. He points out, for instance, that the Kennedy assassination was filmed, but witnesses interpreted the film in many different ways. Kate agrees, but she points out that they won't know until they find the tape.

Chapter 17 Analysis

By this time in the story, John's heavy drinking becomes apparent, as he drinks two beers during lunch, while Kate drinks only seltzer water. The investigation continues to systematically move forward, but the conversation during lunch brings up the possibility that the mystery may prove unsolvable.