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[Joe Pickett 18] • The Disappeared
Chapter 14
by C.J., Box,In Chapter 14, “The Disappeared,” Joe investigates the mysterious absence of Steve Pollock, a former state game warden, by visiting Pollock’s house. After navigating a snowdrift, Joe attempts to enter the locked garage and house, opting to force his way in discreetly to avoid bureaucratic delays. He questions his own motives, wondering if Pollock’s disappearance could be linked to Kate Shelford-Longden’s case, though the connection seems tenuous. Joe’s actions reflect his determination to uncover the truth, even as he acknowledges the lack of clear justification for his investigation.
Inside Pollock’s truck, Joe notes its unusually neat condition, contrasting it with the typical clutter of game warden vehicles. He searches for clues, reviewing Pollock’s citation book but finding only routine violations. The absence of personal and professional materials puzzles Joe, suggesting someone may have tampered with the truck. This discovery deepens the mystery, leaving Joe to wonder whether Pollock cleaned it out himself or if someone else had been there before him.
Entering the house, Joe observes signs of a hasty departure, such as empty dresser drawers and spoiled food in the fridge. The home’s sparse and orderly state aligns with Pollock’s solitary lifestyle, but the missing agency-issued weapons and selective packing raise red flags. Joe methodically searches each room, noting details that imply Pollock left unexpectedly, possibly under duress or with a specific purpose in mind. The chapter builds tension as Joe pieces together fragments of Pollock’s life, searching for answers.
The chapter underscores Joe’s growing suspicion that Pollock’s disappearance is more than a simple resignation or personal decision. The lack of evidence linking Pollock to Kate’s case frustrates Joe, yet he remains compelled to explore every angle. His unauthorized investigation risks backlash from his superiors, but his instincts drive him forward. The chapter ends with Joe’s unresolved questions, setting the stage for further revelations about Pollock’s fate and its potential connection to the larger mystery.
FAQs
1. What investigative methods does Joe use to examine Steve Pollock’s house and truck, and what do these methods reveal about his approach to the case?
Answer:
Joe employs both physical and deductive methods in his investigation. He forces entry into Pollock’s garage by shouldering through the door, demonstrating his urgency and willingness to bypass official procedures. Inside the truck, he meticulously examines the contents, noting its unusual cleanliness and missing items typical of a game warden’s vehicle (e.g., paperwork, maps). In the house, he checks the thermostat, refrigerator, and closet, piecing together clues about Pollock’s sudden departure (e.g., spoiled milk, empty drawers for underwear). These methods reveal Joe’s hands-on, intuitive approach—prioritizing speed and direct observation over bureaucratic channels, while also showing his attention to detail in assessing anomalies.
2. How does the state of Pollock’s truck contrast with Joe’s expectations, and what might this imply about Pollock’s disappearance?
Answer:
Joe expects Pollock’s truck to be cluttered with tools, maps, and paperwork, as game wardens typically use their vehicles as mobile offices. Instead, he finds it “remarkably neat and clean,” with missing items like a briefcase. This discrepancy suggests two possibilities: either Pollock was unusually tidy (which Joe doubts), or someone—Pollock or another party—had sanitized the truck before Joe’s inspection. The latter implies Pollock may have planned his disappearance or was covering his tracks, or that someone else removed evidence. The absence of “bad blood” citations in Pollock’s logbook further deepens the mystery, as Joe expected to find conflicts that might explain his vanishing.
3. Why does Joe feel justified in investigating Pollock’s disappearance alongside Kate’s, despite the risk of scrutiny from Connor Hanlon?
Answer:
Joe rationalizes his focus on Pollock through two lenses: personal intuition and professional logic. Subjectively, he finds Pollock’s absence “as puzzling as Kate’s,” sensing an unresolved mystery. Professionally, he cites the “remote but possible chance” the cases are connected—perhaps Pollock encountered Kate during patrol or at a bar. Though he acknowledges Hanlon would question this prioritization, Joe’s instinct drives him to explore all angles, including whether Pollock had a “dark side” or fled due to guilt. This reflects Joe’s character as an investigator who trusts his hunches, even when they defy conventional procedure.
4. Analyze the significance of the garage entry routine described in the chapter. What does it reveal about Pollock’s professional habits and the culture of game wardens?
Answer:
The text notes that Pollock likely entered his house through the garage to conceal his truck, a tactic Joe recognizes as standard for wardens. This habit underscores the adversarial dynamic between wardens and potential violators in hunting communities: if violators can’t see the warden’s vehicle, they can’t assume he’s off-duty. Pollock’s adherence to this routine highlights his professionalism and awareness of local surveillance. Conversely, the unlocked garage door suggests he left in haste or expected to return soon. The detail enriches the setting, emphasizing the high-stakes, cat-and-mouse nature of wildlife law enforcement.
5. Evaluate the evidence suggesting Pollock’s disappearance was abrupt versus premeditated. Which details support each interpretation?
Answer:
Abrupt disappearance: The spoiled milk, unfinished laundry, and stocked freezer imply Pollock left suddenly, without time to clear perishables or pack thoroughly. The unlocked garage door and intact household items (e.g., uniforms, dry-cleaned suit) also suggest an unplanned exit.
Premeditated disappearance: The truck’s suspicious cleanliness and missing paperwork hint at deliberate removal of evidence. The empty underwear drawer and selective packing (e.g., no weapons mentioned) could indicate careful preparation. The dichotomy leaves Joe—and the reader—uncertain, amplifying the mystery.
The chapter leans toward abruptness but plants doubt through Joe’s observations, inviting deeper scrutiny of Pollock’s motives.
Quotes
1. “Which was a good question, he thought. Almost as good as why he’d been sent to Saratoga in the first place. But Pollock’s sudden absence was, to Joe, as puzzling as Kate’s.”
This quote captures Joe’s internal conflict and the central mystery driving his investigation. It highlights the parallel between the two disappearances and raises questions about the true purpose of his assignment.
2. “Either Steve Pollock was the neatest and tidiest game warden in the state of Wyoming, Joe thought, or someone had already been through his truck and removed most of the contents.”
This observation reveals Joe’s growing suspicion that something is amiss with Pollock’s disappearance. The quote contrasts typical warden behavior with Pollock’s suspiciously clean truck, suggesting foul play or deliberate evidence removal.
3. “Saratoga, like Saddlestring, was a hunting-and-fishing community. Locals kept close track of where the game warden patrolled—especially potential violators.”
This quote provides important context about the setting and the cat-and-mouse dynamic between wardens and locals. It explains Pollock’s garage parking strategy and hints at potential motives for his disappearance.
4. “As he’d guessed the day before, it appeared that Pollock had simply walked out of the house. There were still clothes, including uniform shirts, in the bedroom closet… Two of the dresser drawers were empty. He’d taken his underwear.”
This detailed observation shows Joe’s detective skills at work. The selective nature of what Pollock took suggests a planned departure rather than an abduction, deepening the mystery of his disappearance.