Contents
Chapter 17
Overview
Reacher and Chang find a crucial bookmark in Keever’s house linking science editor Ashley Westwood’s number with “Mother’s Rest—Maloney,” implying Keever intended to consult Westwood. They call Westwood, who confirms no prior contact and no database entry for “Mother’s Rest.” Realizing urgency has escalated, Chang decides they must turn back.
Summary
In Keever’s house, Reacher and Chang examine a slip marked only with the number 4, then discover the LA Times Sunday magazine opened to an article by science editor Ashley Westwood on brain injuries. The magazine is recent, suggesting fresh relevance.
Inside, a bookmark reveals Westwood’s 323 number and the handwritten note “Mother’s Rest—Maloney,” indicating Keever intended to consult Westwood about something tied to the town and a person named Maloney. Reacher infers Keever’s passionate client likely shared Westwood’s contact repeatedly.
They call Westwood on speaker. Westwood reiterates Keever never contacted him and explains he fields many crank calls, cataloged loosely by category. At Reacher’s prompt, he searches his database for “Mother’s Rest” and finds nothing.
With no corroboration from Westwood and a sharpened sense that circumstances have grown urgent since Keever marked the article, Reacher and Chang leave the house. At the highway junction—Mother’s Rest to the right, Oklahoma City to the left—Chang decides they must turn back, abandoning the detour for food and lodging.
Who Appears
- Jack ReacherInvestigates Keever’s clues, deduces intent to call Westwood, pushes to contact the editor.
- Michelle ChangAnalyzes evidence with Reacher, calls Westwood, and decides they must turn back.
- Ashley WestwoodLA Times science editor; confirms no call from Keever and no record of Mother’s Rest.
- KeeverMissing PI; left a bookmark with Westwood’s number and “Mother’s Rest—Maloney.”
- MaloneyName on Keever’s bookmark tied to Mother’s Rest; an emerging lead.