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[Joe Pickett 18] • The Disappeared
Chapter 26
by C.J., Box,Nate Romanowski, while traveling south to the Encampment lumber mill, detours to the Bucholz ranch, where he had once hidden from federal charges with Liv Brannon. The Bucholzes, despite being law-abiding citizens, had sheltered him at great personal risk. Nate recalls being forced into a deal with the feds to avoid prosecution, leaving him unable to properly thank the couple. Upon arrival, he finds the ranch abandoned, with a Buckbrush Power employee, Earl Wright, loading the Bucholzes’ belongings into a truck to discard them. Nate confronts Wright at gunpoint, learning the ranch was sold under unclear circumstances, fueling his suspicion of coercion.
Nate’s anger flares as Wright explains he was merely following orders to clear out the property, unaware of the Bucholzes’ whereabouts. Wright, a former coal miner now working for the wind energy company Buckbrush, reveals his own resentment toward the job but admits financial necessity drove him to it. Nate deduces the Bucholzes likely faced pressure to sell, given the ranch’s precarious finances. Though tempted to retaliate, Nate recognizes Wright isn’t the true antagonist and lets him go, still troubled by the couple’s sudden disappearance and the encroachment of corporate interests into the valley.
Later, Nate arrives at the Encampment lumber mill to meet Jeb Pryor, a rugged, no-nonsense man with decades of hard labor etched into his appearance. Pryor, initially wary, questions Nate’s connection to game warden Joe Pickett, who sent Nate in his place. Their conversation is punctuated by Pryor’s blunt demeanor and hearing impairment, leading to a tense but candid exchange. Pryor probes Nate’s background, drawing parallels to tough Polish laborers he once knew, while Nate maintains a composed yet deliberate demeanor, hinting at his own formidable reputation.
The chapter underscores themes of displacement and corporate overreach, as Nate navigates the fallout of the Bucholzes’ vanishing and the shifting economic landscape of rural Wyoming. His interactions with Wright and Pryor reveal the human cost of industry transitions and the erosion of traditional livelihoods. Nate’s simmering rage and determination to uncover the truth position him as a reluctant but relentless advocate for those pushed aside by powerful forces, setting the stage for further conflict.
FAQs
1. What circumstances led Nate Romanowski to visit the Bucholz ranch, and what did he discover upon arrival?
Answer:
Nate visited the Bucholz ranch to reconnect with Dr. Kurt and Laura Bucholz, who had sheltered him and Liv Brannon two years prior when he was evading federal charges. He felt indebted to them for their help despite the legal risks they took. Upon arrival, he found the ranch abandoned, with a Buckbrush Power Company employee removing the Bucholzes’ belongings. The ranch had been sold, and the couple had apparently left in a hurry. This discovery angered Nate, as it suggested the Bucholzes may have been pressured into leaving their home.2. How does the encounter between Nate and Earl Wright reveal broader socioeconomic issues in the region?
Answer:
The interaction highlights the economic struggles faced by local workers due to industrial changes. Earl Wright, a former coal miner, explains that he took a job with Buckbrush Power—a wind energy company—because the coal mines closed, leaving him with few options. His resentment toward the company reflects the tension between traditional industries (like coal) and emerging renewable energy sectors. This mirrors the Bucholzes’ situation, where small ranches struggle to survive financially, often leading to sales to larger corporations. The chapter underscores themes of economic displacement and corporate influence in rural communities.3. Analyze Nate’s reaction to the Bucholzes’ disappearance. What does it reveal about his character and values?
Answer:
Nate’s visceral anger and immediate confrontation with Earl Wright demonstrate his loyalty to those who have helped him, as well as his distrust of corporate entities. He suspects foul play in the Bucholzes’ sudden departure, reflecting his protective nature and skepticism of authority. However, he also shows restraint by not harming Wright, recognizing that the employee is not the root cause of the problem. This balance between aggression and discernment reveals Nate’s complex moral code—he is fiercely principled but capable of rational judgment when necessary.4. What role does setting play in this chapter, particularly in relation to themes of change and conflict?
Answer:
The stark winter landscape of Wyoming—frozen rivers, snow-covered roads, and isolated ranches—creates a backdrop of harshness and vulnerability. The physical environment mirrors the economic and social upheavals faced by characters: the Bucholzes’ ranch being overtaken by Buckbrush Power symbolizes the decline of small-scale agriculture, while the lumber mill where Nate meets Pryor represents another fading industry. The cold, desolate setting amplifies the themes of displacement and resistance to change, emphasizing how external forces (like corporate expansion) disrupt traditional ways of life.5. How does the dialogue between Nate and Jeb Pryor provide insight into Nate’s reputation and his relationship with Joe Pickett?
Answer:
Pryor’s remarks about Nate’s “crazy look” and his reference to “tough old Polacks” suggest Nate is perceived as intimidating or unorthodox, which aligns with his renegade history. Pryor’s curiosity about Nate’s connection to Joe Pickett (“his deputy?”) hints that Nate operates outside formal systems but is trusted by Pickett, a law enforcement figure. Their exchange establishes Nate as a capable but enigmatic ally, reinforcing his role as a outsider who nonetheless collaborates with authority when necessary. This dynamic foreshadows potential conflicts or alliances in future events.
Quotes
1. “The only day a small ranch was successful financially was the day it was sold.”
This stark observation captures the economic reality facing small family ranches, highlighting the unsustainable nature of traditional operations in modern times. It underscores a key theme in the chapter about the disappearance of rural livelihoods.
2. “I’m from a coal family, third generation. Do you think I like working for a wind outfit that helped put the mines out of business and pays me half of what I used to make?”
This quote powerfully illustrates the complex economic transitions and personal conflicts in energy-dependent communities. It shows the human cost of industry shifts and the difficult choices workers must make.
3. “I’d call it ‘deliberate,’ not crazy.”
Nate’s self-description reveals his controlled intensity and provides insight into his character. This distinction between madness and purposefulness becomes important in understanding his actions throughout the chapter.
4. “One of ‘em cut his own hand off at the wrist with a chain saw and he picked it up with his other good hand and pretended to wave it at his pals.”
This vivid anecdote serves multiple purposes - establishing the rough culture of the logging industry, showing Pryor’s storytelling style, and subtly foreshadowing the toughness expected in this environment.