Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
After an intimate pause, Reacher and Chang resume the hunt for McCann. The Lincoln Park Library confirms McCann volunteered there but hasn’t appeared for weeks and has no listed contact. With the 501 phone unanswered and databases unhelpful, they book immediate flights to Chicago, committing to pursue the lead in person.
Summary
Reacher and Chang transition from intimacy to action, cleaning up, dressing, and refocusing on their investigation. Chang dials the 501 burner, which rings endlessly without voicemail, prompting Reacher to conclude the battery is maintained but the phone is likely abandoned.
Shifting tactics, Chang calls the Chicago Public Library’s Lincoln Park branch. The librarian confirms a volunteer named McCann but says he hasn’t been seen for three or four weeks. Privacy rules block the release of any address, and the library has no phone number for him.
They then search Chang’s private databases for McCann in Chicago, but the common surname yields hundreds of indistinguishable results, offering no clear target.
Accepting that only on-the-ground work will move them forward, they check flights. Chang books same-day seats from LAX to O’Hare on American via her gold card. They pack up and leave to find a cab, committing to take the search to Chicago.
Who Appears
- Jack ReacherCo-leads the investigation; deduces the 501 phone is maintained but abandoned; pushes to pivot to Chicago.
- Michelle ChangMakes the calls; confirms McCann’s absence from the library; books immediate flights to Chicago.
- Chicago librarianConfirms McCann volunteered but hasn’t appeared for weeks; withholds address; has no phone number.
- McCann (Maloney)Subject of the search; confirmed as a volunteer; missing from the library for three to four weeks.