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    [Joe Pickett 18] • The Disappeared

    by C.J., Box,
    In “The Disappeared,” the 18th installment of C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series, the Wyoming game warden is drawn into a high-stakes investigation when a British tourist vanishes near a luxury ranch. As Pickett delves deeper, he uncovers a web of corporate intrigue, environmental conflict, and local secrets. The novel explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the clash between progress and tradition in the American West. Box’s signature blend of suspense and vivid wilderness storytelling drives this tightly plotted mystery, showcasing Pickett’s unwavering moral compass amid escalating dangers. The book reinforces the series’ reputation for authentic settings and complex, action-driven narratives.
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    [Joe Pickett 18] • The Disappeared

    Chapter 12

    by C.J., Box,

    The chap­ter opens with Joe Pick­ett meet­ing Nate Romanows­ki and Jeff Was­son at the Sarato­ga Hot Springs Resort. Was­son, a fal­con­er, has accom­pa­nied Nate to dis­cuss an unspec­i­fied but press­ing mat­ter with Joe. Nate’s cryp­tic demeanor and Wasson’s urgency set the tone for the con­ver­sa­tion. Joe, wary of Nate’s ten­den­cy to with­hold infor­ma­tion, is skep­ti­cal but lis­tens as Was­son begins to explain his back­ground as a licensed gold­en eagle fal­con­er. The setting—a near-emp­ty restau­rant with a rus­tic, West­ern vibe—adds to the ten­sion, while Joe’s fatigue from a rest­less night hints at unre­solved events from the pre­vi­ous day.

    Was­son reveals his exper­tise in fal­con­ry, par­tic­u­lar­ly with gold­en eagles, and com­pares their hunt­ing prowess to advanced mil­i­tary tech­nol­o­gy. He empha­sizes the untapped poten­tial of using eagles for larg­er game, a prac­tice com­mon in Mon­go­lia but unex­plored in the U.S. Nate inter­jects to steer Was­son toward the core issue, hint­ing at a deep­er con­flict. Joe, though pre­oc­cu­pied with anoth­er inves­ti­ga­tion, lis­tens as Was­son delves into the legal and eco­log­i­cal com­plex­i­ties sur­round­ing eagle pro­tec­tion laws, which have unin­tend­ed con­se­quences for ranch­ers and wildlife.

    The dis­cus­sion shifts to the Bald and Gold­en Eagle Pro­tec­tion Act, which Was­son cri­tiques for its bureau­crat­ic over­reach. He explains how the law’s amend­ments in 1972 penal­ized ranch­ers for retal­i­at­ing against eagles prey­ing on live­stock, while allow­ing fal­con­ers to obtain eagles involved in such con­flicts. Wasson’s frus­tra­tion with reg­u­la­to­ry hur­dles becomes clear as he con­nects eagle pre­da­tion to broad­er eco­log­i­cal issues, includ­ing the decline of sage grouse—a polit­i­cal­ly charged top­ic in Wyoming. Joe’s inter­est spikes at the men­tion of sage grouse, recall­ing their sig­nif­i­cance in past con­tro­ver­sies.

    Wasson’s nar­ra­tive under­scores the clash between con­ser­va­tion efforts and prac­ti­cal wildlife man­age­ment. His pas­sion for fal­con­ry and dis­dain for bureau­crat­ic inter­fer­ence reflect the broad­er ten­sions between enthu­si­asts and pol­i­cy­mak­ers. The chap­ter ends with Was­son poised to reveal more, leav­ing Joe—and the reader—anticipating the full scope of his con­cerns. The dia­logue cap­tures the eccen­tric­i­ty of fal­con­ers, the com­plex­i­ty of wildlife laws, and Joe’s role as a medi­a­tor in Wyoming’s rugged, con­tentious land­scape.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. What insights does the chapter provide about the culture and mindset of master falconers?

      Answer:
      The chapter characterizes master falconers as a unique and intense subculture. They are described as individuals who “ate, drank, and slept falconry,” shaping their entire lives around the practice. Their worldview is portrayed as severe and singular, often leading them to believe outsiders would share their passions if given enough explanation. The text highlights traits like passion, willfulness, and obstinacy, exemplified by Jeff Wasson’s persistent advocacy for eagle falconry despite bureaucratic hurdles. Nate Romanowski’s cryptic communication style further reinforces the insular nature of falconers, suggesting a community with its own norms and priorities.

      2. How does the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act create both benefits and conflicts, according to Wasson’s explanation?

      Answer:
      Wasson acknowledges the Act’s success in reviving eagle populations but critiques its unintended consequences. While the 1940s law protected eagles from extinction, its 1972 amendments—which increased penalties for killing eagles and tied grazing leases to compliance—created tension with ranchers. Eagles began preying on vulnerable livestock (lambs) and wildlife (sage grouse and bighorn sheep), leading some ranchers to retaliate illegally. Wasson’s frustration stems from the bureaucratic restrictions that prevent licensed falconers like himself from using eagles to manage these conflicts, despite their expertise. This illustrates the clash between conservation goals and practical land-use challenges.

      3. Analyze how the chapter uses the setting of Saratoga Hot Springs Resort to reinforce thematic elements.

      Answer:
      The resort’s isolated, wintry atmosphere mirrors the characters’ tensions and the broader themes of survival and conflict. The “darkened bar-and-lounge” with its “crackling fire” that fails to warm the space reflects Joe’s unease and fatigue, both from the disruptive presence of his guests and the unresolved mystery of Kate’s disappearance. The waitress’s news about Mrs. Schmidt’s accident—a “dear old lady” trapped in the cold—echoes the vulnerability of individuals (like lambs or sage grouse) in harsh systems. This parallelism underscores the chapter’s exploration of predation, bureaucracy, and human resilience.

      4. Why is the mention of sage grouse significant in the context of Wyoming’s socio-political landscape?

      Answer:
      Sage grouse are a flashpoint in Wyoming due to their ecological and economic implications. As Joe notes, their survival affects energy exploration and land-use policies, making them “radioactive” in state politics. Wasson’s revelation that golden eagles are the top predator of sage grouse adds complexity: protecting eagles (under federal law) indirectly threatens sage grouse, which are already contentious. This paradox highlights the difficulty of balancing species conservation when their needs conflict. The reference also foreshadows potential future plot developments, as Joe’s past involvement in a sage grouse massacre case suggests this topic may resurface.

      5. Evaluate Nate Romanowski’s role as a mediator between Joe and Wasson. What does his behavior reveal about his character?

      Answer:
      Nate serves as both a bridge and a disruptor. He facilitates Wasson’s meeting with Joe, recognizing Joe’s investigative skills, but also enjoys provoking Joe (smirking at his disapproval). His interruptions to keep Wasson “on topic” reveal his impatience with tangential falconer rhetoric, showcasing his pragmatic side. Yet Nate’s cryptic remarks (“I have other business here”) and unconventional habits (sleeping in trees) reinforce his enigmatic, outsider status. His dual role reflects his deep loyalty to falconry’s subculture while maintaining a detached, almost mischievous independence—a dynamic that both aids and frustrates Joe.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Serious master falconers were a different breed, Joe knew. They ate, drank, and slept falconry. Their lives were shaped around it and their outlook on life came from a severe perspective in which the practice of falconry was tantamount to everything else.”

      This quote introduces the intense dedication and worldview of master falconers, setting up the characterization of Nate and Wasson while explaining why falconers often struggle to communicate their passion to outsiders.

      2. “It was like taking an F-16 fighter jet out to hunt deer, you know?”

      Wasson’s vivid analogy captures the immense power and potential of golden eagles in falconry, emphasizing the disproportionate capability of these birds compared to typical game hunting.

      3. “Eagles are great creatures, but they’re eagles. In addition to killing lambs, they also like to kill bighorn sheep lambs. Oh, and golden eagles are the number one aerial predator of adult sage grouse.”

      This quote reveals the complex ecological impact of golden eagles, transitioning from Wasson’s personal passion to the broader environmental and political implications of eagle predation that will drive the narrative forward.

      4. “The survival of the chicken-sized bird was a massive topic of controversy in Wyoming and other Western states and it affected energy exploration and land use regulations in general.”

      This statement highlights the unexpected political significance of sage grouse, showing how wildlife management intersects with major economic interests in the West - a recurring theme in the series.

    Quotes

    1. “Serious master falconers were a different breed, Joe knew. They ate, drank, and slept falconry. Their lives were shaped around it and their outlook on life came from a severe perspective in which the practice of falconry was tantamount to everything else.”

    This quote introduces the intense dedication and worldview of master falconers, setting up the characterization of Nate and Wasson while explaining why falconers often struggle to communicate their passion to outsiders.

    2. “It was like taking an F-16 fighter jet out to hunt deer, you know?”

    Wasson’s vivid analogy captures the immense power and potential of golden eagles in falconry, emphasizing the disproportionate capability of these birds compared to typical game hunting.

    3. “Eagles are great creatures, but they’re eagles. In addition to killing lambs, they also like to kill bighorn sheep lambs. Oh, and golden eagles are the number one aerial predator of adult sage grouse.”

    This quote reveals the complex ecological impact of golden eagles, transitioning from Wasson’s personal passion to the broader environmental and political implications of eagle predation that will drive the narrative forward.

    4. “The survival of the chicken-sized bird was a massive topic of controversy in Wyoming and other Western states and it affected energy exploration and land use regulations in general.”

    This statement highlights the unexpected political significance of sage grouse, showing how wildlife management intersects with major economic interests in the West - a recurring theme in the series.

    FAQs

    1. What insights does the chapter provide about the culture and mindset of master falconers?

    Answer:
    The chapter characterizes master falconers as a unique and intense subculture. They are described as individuals who “ate, drank, and slept falconry,” shaping their entire lives around the practice. Their worldview is portrayed as severe and singular, often leading them to believe outsiders would share their passions if given enough explanation. The text highlights traits like passion, willfulness, and obstinacy, exemplified by Jeff Wasson’s persistent advocacy for eagle falconry despite bureaucratic hurdles. Nate Romanowski’s cryptic communication style further reinforces the insular nature of falconers, suggesting a community with its own norms and priorities.

    2. How does the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act create both benefits and conflicts, according to Wasson’s explanation?

    Answer:
    Wasson acknowledges the Act’s success in reviving eagle populations but critiques its unintended consequences. While the 1940s law protected eagles from extinction, its 1972 amendments—which increased penalties for killing eagles and tied grazing leases to compliance—created tension with ranchers. Eagles began preying on vulnerable livestock (lambs) and wildlife (sage grouse and bighorn sheep), leading some ranchers to retaliate illegally. Wasson’s frustration stems from the bureaucratic restrictions that prevent licensed falconers like himself from using eagles to manage these conflicts, despite their expertise. This illustrates the clash between conservation goals and practical land-use challenges.

    3. Analyze how the chapter uses the setting of Saratoga Hot Springs Resort to reinforce thematic elements.

    Answer:
    The resort’s isolated, wintry atmosphere mirrors the characters’ tensions and the broader themes of survival and conflict. The “darkened bar-and-lounge” with its “crackling fire” that fails to warm the space reflects Joe’s unease and fatigue, both from the disruptive presence of his guests and the unresolved mystery of Kate’s disappearance. The waitress’s news about Mrs. Schmidt’s accident—a “dear old lady” trapped in the cold—echoes the vulnerability of individuals (like lambs or sage grouse) in harsh systems. This parallelism underscores the chapter’s exploration of predation, bureaucracy, and human resilience.

    4. Why is the mention of sage grouse significant in the context of Wyoming’s socio-political landscape?

    Answer:
    Sage grouse are a flashpoint in Wyoming due to their ecological and economic implications. As Joe notes, their survival affects energy exploration and land-use policies, making them “radioactive” in state politics. Wasson’s revelation that golden eagles are the top predator of sage grouse adds complexity: protecting eagles (under federal law) indirectly threatens sage grouse, which are already contentious. This paradox highlights the difficulty of balancing species conservation when their needs conflict. The reference also foreshadows potential future plot developments, as Joe’s past involvement in a sage grouse massacre case suggests this topic may resurface.

    5. Evaluate Nate Romanowski’s role as a mediator between Joe and Wasson. What does his behavior reveal about his character?

    Answer:
    Nate serves as both a bridge and a disruptor. He facilitates Wasson’s meeting with Joe, recognizing Joe’s investigative skills, but also enjoys provoking Joe (smirking at his disapproval). His interruptions to keep Wasson “on topic” reveal his impatience with tangential falconer rhetoric, showcasing his pragmatic side. Yet Nate’s cryptic remarks (“I have other business here”) and unconventional habits (sleeping in trees) reinforce his enigmatic, outsider status. His dual role reflects his deep loyalty to falconry’s subculture while maintaining a detached, almost mischievous independence—a dynamic that both aids and frustrates Joe.

    Note