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[Joe Pickett 18] • The Disappeared
Chapter 32
by C.J., Box,In Chapter 32, titled *The Disappeared*, Joe meets Nate, Jeb Pryor, and a disheveled man named Wylie Frye in Pryor’s mill office. The group discusses the discovery of Kate, who had been hiding at Lance Ramsey’s cabin and was found by Joe’s daughter, Sheridan. Nate reveals a disturbing find—a leg band from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service eagle, suggesting illegal activity involving the burning of eagles. The tension escalates as Nate hints at a larger conspiracy, while Pryor admits his mistaken theory that Kate had run off with a game warden. The scene sets the stage for an impending confrontation.
Meanwhile, Ted Panos and Gaylan Kessel drive toward Encampment, with Panos visibly shaken after a botched assassination attempt on the wrong elderly woman. Kessel berates Panos for his incompetence and drug use, threatening dire consequences if he fails again. Panos nervously cleans eagle feathers and blood from his sleeves, revealing their involvement in illegal wildlife activities. Kessel’s volatile behavior and Panos’s fear underscore the dangerous stakes as they prepare for another mission, with Kessel ominously instructing Wylie Frye to “hit the bricks.”
In a parallel scene, Encampment officer Jalen Spanks observes erratic driving from a truck on the highway, suspecting the driver is drunk. The brief interlude adds tension, hinting at the impending convergence of the storylines. Spanks’s distraction with pornography contrasts with the gravity of the unfolding events, emphasizing the unpredictability of the night. The chapter’s pacing quickens as the narrative threads begin to intertwine.
Back at the mill, Joe waits in his freezing truck, armed and ready for action. Nate’s text—“Get ready”—signals the approaching climax. Sheriff Neal’s delayed response to Joe’s earlier message adds urgency, as the characters brace for a confrontation. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers anticipating the next move in the high-stakes conflict involving illegal wildlife trade, mistaken identities, and impending violence.
FAQs
1. What key discovery do Joe and Nate make about the eagle leg band, and what does it imply about the activities at Pryor’s mill?
Answer:
Joe and Nate discover a leg band used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for eagle research in the burner at Pryor’s mill. The band’s presence suggests that eagles, likely golden or bald eagles, were being illegally killed and disposed of at the mill. This revelation connects to earlier complaints from falconers about the disappearance of eagles, implying that the mill was involved in unethical or illegal activities that harmed protected bird species. The insignia and numbers on the band provide tangible evidence of this wrongdoing.2. Analyze the dynamic between Gaylan Kessel and Ted Panos. What does their interaction reveal about Kessel’s character and their illicit activities?
Answer:
Kessel’s interaction with Panos reveals him as a ruthless, controlling figure who demands precision in their criminal operations. He berates Panos for mistakenly killing the wrong elderly woman (Alvarez instead of Carol Schmidt) and for leaving evidence (feathers and blood) on his clothing. Kessel’s threats (“No one does that and lives”) and physical aggression highlight his volatility and the high stakes of their activities. Their conversation also hints at broader criminal operations, including potential hospital murders and wildlife crimes, with Kessel as the dominant, fear-driven leader.3. How does Sheridan’s role in finding Kate contribute to the chapter’s tension and Joe’s personal concerns?
Answer:
Sheridan’s discovery of Kate at Lance Ramsey’s cabin adds a layer of personal stakes for Joe, shifting his focus from the missing British woman to his daughter’s safety. While Nate dismisses the Brit’s disappearance as less consequential, Joe’s worry about Sheridan underscores his paternal instincts. This subplot heightens tension by intertwining family drama with the larger criminal investigation, showing how Joe’s professional and personal worlds collide. Sheridan’s involvement also suggests her growing agency, which may play a larger role in subsequent events.4. What thematic significance does the eagle leg band hold in relation to environmental and ethical themes in the chapter?
Answer:
The eagle leg band symbolizes the conflict between conservation efforts and human exploitation of wildlife. Its discovery exposes the hypocrisy of Pryor’s mill, which may publicly operate as a legitimate business while secretly engaging in the destruction of protected species. This ties to broader themes of environmental neglect and the failure of systems to protect vulnerable animals. Nate’s remark (“Maybe next time you’ll listen when falconers start complaining”) critiques bureaucratic indifference, emphasizing the need for vigilance in environmental stewardship.5. Compare the two parallel narratives in the chapter (Joe/Nate’s investigation and Kessel/Panos’s criminal activities). How does the author use pacing and juxtaposition to build suspense?
Answer:
The chapter alternates between Joe and Nate’s methodical investigation and Kessel/Panos’s erratic, violent actions, creating a contrast that heightens suspense. The slow burn of Joe’s discovery (eagle band, Kate’s whereabouts) is interrupted by Kessel’s tense, high-speed confrontation with Panos, which feels imminent and dangerous. This juxtaposition keeps readers unsettled, as the calm before the storm (Joe freezing in his truck, waiting for Nate’s signal) contrasts with Kessel’s reckless driving and threats. The parallel narratives suggest an impending collision between the two groups, amplified by the chapter’s cliffhanger ending.
Quotes
1. “‘We found her,’ Joe said. ‘We found Kate.’ ‘Alive?’ Nate asked. ‘Very much so. She was hiding out at Lance Ramsey’s cabin and she’d been there the whole time. Actually, Sheridan found her and brought her in.’”
This exchange marks a major revelation in the mystery of Kate’s disappearance, showing both resolution (she’s alive) and an unexpected twist (Sheridan’s involvement). It shifts the narrative focus while maintaining tension about other unresolved threats.
2. “‘We’ve only got a couple of hours,’ Nate said. ‘We need to make our plan.’ ‘Damn,’ Pryor mused. ‘All along I thought that Kate woman ran off with the game warden.’ ‘Some conspiracy theories are better than others,’ Nate said with a smirk.”
This dialogue reveals the urgency of the situation while showcasing Nate’s dark humor. The contrast between Pryor’s mistaken assumption and the actual eagle-poaching conspiracy highlights the story’s central environmental crime theme.
3. “‘You’re fucking this up for me,’ Kessel hissed. ‘You’re threatening my livelihood and my freedom. No one does that and lives.’”
Kessel’s violent threat to Panos demonstrates the ruthless nature of the antagonists and raises stakes for the impending confrontation. This quote encapsulates the life-or-death tension driving the criminal subplot.
4. “‘It’s a leg band,’ Joe said. ‘The kind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service use for research.’ ‘Research on golden and bald eagles in particular,’ Nate said.”
This critical discovery reveals the environmental crime at the story’s core - eagle poaching - and validates earlier suspicions. The clipped exchange shows professional recognition of evidence that will drive the coming confrontation.