Contents
Chapter 54
Overview
Reacher, Chang, and Westwood exploit the helicopter-and-train chaos to move undetected, bribing a FedEx driver and subduing several locals. They seize a new backhoe and advance off-road toward the hog farm, avoiding a likely kill zone. Under fire from three rifles, they confirm the backhoe’s bucket is bulletproof and prepare to assault.
Summary
Money funds two corporate helicopters to create timed spectacle over Mother’s Rest, while Westwood coordinates by car, tied to the train’s arrival. Reacher and Chang bribe a FedEx night driver to arrive at train time and ride covertly, planning to slip out during the confusion.
Amid empty storefronts and chaos, Reacher and Chang ambush and hog-tie multiple locals: a Moynahan relative, then another in a leather hat, the irrigation spare-parts man, the Cadillac store owner, and the dry-goods owner. The crew-cab flees, presumably to the farm, leaving Westwood to report the “gasoline engine” ruse is proceeding.
Anticipating a mined or defended driveway, they commandeer a brand-new New Holland backhoe from the dealer. Westwood, who can drive it, carries Reacher and Chang across the wheat with the front bucket raised like a battering ram, using off-road approach for protection and maneuverability despite Reacher’s returning headache.
They sight the farm—house, outbuildings, generator, phone line—and the overwhelming stink of hogs. Westwood halts two hundred yards out. Three M16-style rifles open fire; initial shots miss due to range misjudgment across curved ground.
On Reacher’s cue, Westwood advances fifty yards during the attackers’ slow magazine changes, drawing more inaccurate fire until a round clangs harmlessly off the backhoe’s front bucket, confirming its bulletproof protection. With the plan validated, Reacher and Chang dismount on opposite sides, preparing to advance on the farm.
Who Appears
- Jack ReacherLeads the infiltration; subdues locals, commandeers a backhoe, directs the approach, and readies to assault the farm under rifle fire.
- Michelle ChangPartners with Reacher; helps capture locals, rides the backhoe approach, and dismounts to advance on the farm.
- Westwood (posing as Torrance)Handles timing and driving; confirms the gasoline-engine ruse; pilots the backhoe through wheat under fire.
- Moynahan relative(s)Local enforcers; two are captured, hog-tied, and gagged by Reacher and Chang.
- Irrigation spare-parts manSearches for missing locals; is subdued and tied on the CPA office floor.
- Cadillac store owner/driverWalks into an ambush at his store and is restrained.
- Dry goods store ownerCaught behind his building with Pepto-Bismol; tied and gagged.
- FedEx night driverBribed to deliver Reacher and Chang on schedule to Mother’s Rest.