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[Joe Pickett 18] • The Disappeared
Chapter 24
by C.J., Box,Gaylan Kessel and Ted Panos arrive at the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins late at night, parking in a dimly lit area of the lot. Panos, dressed uncharacteristically in business casual attire, is uneasy about the mysterious envelope on the seat and the unusual instructions. To calm his nerves, he takes bootleg Percocet, which quickly dulls his anxiety. Kessel, meanwhile, remains focused and authoritative, directing Panos toward the hospital entrance and emphasizing the need to appear confident and avoid suspicion. The tension between them is palpable as Panos struggles to maintain composure under the influence of the drugs.
Kessel briefs Panos on his mission: to locate Carol Schmidt in the critical care unit and ensure she does not wake up from her medically induced coma. Schmidt, a “tough old bird,” survived a car accident and may have information damaging to Kessel. Panos, still under the calming effects of Percocet, half-listens as Kessel drills him on the details, including a fabricated cover story about being a pharmaceutical rep retrieving a file. Kessel provides a fake hospital badge with Panos’s photo, further deepening the sense of conspiracy. Panos’s slurred speech and detached demeanor hint at his impaired state, but Kessel dismisses his concerns, insisting on the urgency of the task.
Kessel instructs Panos to make Schmidt’s death appear natural, suggesting methods like disconnecting machines or using a pillow. He stresses the importance of avoiding detection and warns Panos not to deviate from the plan. Panos, though unnerved, agrees but questions why he’s the one assigned to the job. Kessel explains that his own high profile makes him recognizable, while Panos can operate anonymously. The exchange reveals Kessel’s manipulative nature as he justifies the act as “for the greater good,” implying Schmidt’s knowledge could jeopardize undisclosed interests. Panos, numbed by the drugs, reluctantly accepts the explanation, though his moral discomfort lingers.
As Panos prepares to enter the hospital, he hesitates, asking about compensation for the risky task. Kessel promises a reward but offers no specifics, leaving Panos skeptical. Despite his doubts, Panos steps out of the truck, propelled by the Percocet’s artificial calm. The chapter ends with Panos on the brink of committing a morally reprehensible act, his judgment clouded by drugs and coercion. The scene underscores themes of manipulation, desperation, and the erosion of personal agency under pressure.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Ted Panos wearing “business casual” attire for this mission, and how does it contrast with his usual clothing?
Answer:
The “business casual” attire is significant because it serves as part of Kessel’s plan to make Panos appear as a legitimate pharmaceutical rep retrieving a file, rather than his usual rugged workwear (Carhartt overalls and pac boots). This disguise is meant to help Panos blend in and avoid suspicion in the hospital. The contrast highlights the unusual nature of their mission—Panos is being forced into a role that is completely foreign to him, which adds to his discomfort and sense of foreboding about the task ahead. The clothing change also underscores the calculated, deceptive nature of their operation.2. How does Panos’s use of Percocet affect his behavior and decision-making during this mission?
Answer:
The Percocet induces a state of artificial calm in Panos, making him feel relaxed and detached from the gravity of the situation. While it helps him manage his anxiety, it also impairs his focus—he struggles to recall Kessel’s instructions and nearly slips up when questioned. The drug creates a dangerous disconnect between his actions and their consequences, allowing him to participate in a morally reprehensible act (killing Carol Schmidt) with unnerving ease. However, it also makes him more reckless, as seen when he questions Kessel about a bonus—something he might not have dared to do sober.3. Analyze Kessel’s justification for targeting Carol Schmidt. What does this reveal about his character and motivations?
Answer:
Kessel claims that Schmidt must be eliminated for “the greater good,” suggesting she poses a threat to undisclosed larger plans if she wakes up and reveals what she knows. His cold, utilitarian reasoning—calling her a “tough old bird” and dismissing her life as expendable—reveals his ruthlessness and lack of empathy. His emphasis on avoiding detection (“make it look like she passed in her sleep”) shows he prioritizes self-preservation over morality. The vague reference to “everything” being at stake hints at larger conspiracies, positioning Kessel as a manipulative figure willing to kill to protect his interests.4. How does the author build tension in this chapter through Panos’s internal conflict?
Answer:
The tension arises from Panos’s drugged detachment clashing with his underlying unease about the mission. Though the Percocet numbs him, small details—like the funeral suit, his slurred speech, and his delayed realization of the task’s gravity—hint at his subconscious resistance. His fleeting questions (“Why am I doing this?”) and bargaining for a bonus suggest moral hesitation, but the drug suppresses full rebellion. This internal struggle creates suspense: readers wonder if he’ll back out or bungle the job due to his impaired state. The contrast between his calm exterior and the horrific act he’s about to commit amplifies the dread.5. Evaluate the effectiveness of Kessel’s plan for Panos to infiltrate the hospital. What are its potential flaws?
Answer:
Kessel’s plan relies heavily on Panos appearing confident and blending in as a pharmaceutical rep, but it has critical weaknesses. First, Panos’s drug-induced state makes him prone to mistakes (e.g., slurring words, forgetting details). Second, the fake badge, while convincing, doesn’t guarantee the night staff won’t question an unfamiliar “rep” arriving late. Third, the rushed timeline (“get in and get out”) increases the risk of errors. Most importantly, the plan assumes Carol Schmidt’s room will be easily accessible, ignoring potential witnesses or medical staff. Kessel’s arrogance blinds him to these vulnerabilities, leaving Panos exposed.
Quotes
1. “Something bad was going to happen. Panos had felt it inside when his heart started to race.”
This quote captures the ominous tension building as Panos prepares for an unknown but clearly dangerous mission. It establishes the chapter’s dark tone and foreshadows the morally compromising act he’s about to commit.
2. “‘It’s for the greater good,’ Kessel said. ‘That old woman could stand in the way of… everything.’”
This chilling justification reveals Kessel’s utilitarian worldview and the high stakes involved. The ellipses create suspense while showing how the characters rationalize their immoral actions for some undefined larger purpose.
3. “Panos wasn’t sure he could believe him. But in his medicated state, he wasn’t completely sure what he was hearing for certain and what he thought he was hearing.”
This insight into Panos’ drug-addled consciousness highlights his compromised judgment and moral ambiguity. The Percocet becomes both a literal and metaphorical buffer against the gravity of his actions.
4. “‘Use your fucking brain, Ted,’ Kessel said. ‘Now, go.’”
This blunt command encapsulates the power dynamic between the two characters and the ruthless efficiency of their operation. Kessel’s military-style terseness contrasts sharply with Panos’ drug-induced haze.
5. “He could never do what he was about to do in his right mind.”
This self-awareness from Panos underscores the chapter’s central moral conflict - how ordinary people can be manipulated into extraordinary evil, especially when their normal faculties are impaired.