Long Range (Joe Pickett Book 20)(94)
“Just concentrate on getting up and around,” Nate said. “Right now, there isn’t a sheriff’s office to arrest me.”
“I heard what happened in New Mexico,” Joe said. “I hope that ends it.”
“I do, too,” Nate said. “But I’m staying vigilant in case they decide to come after us again. I’m better when I’m vigilant.”
Joe had to concede the point. He could tell by Nate’s nervous movements that his friend had something more he wanted to say. Joe waited.
Nate said, “Liv and I need to keep the company going while we’re out of sight for the time being.”
“Yes?”
“So there needs to be a new public face for Yarak Inc. for a while.”
“Okay.”
“And here she is,” Nate said, stepping aside and nodding to Marybeth, who in turn nodded toward someone out in the hall. Liv gently retrieved Kestrel.
Sheridan entered with a sheepish grin and walked over to Joe. She looked radiant and mature, he thought. His twenty-three-year-old daughter and Nate’s apprentice in falconry was back for the time being, and he was both grateful and concerned.
“You’re okay with this?” he asked her.
“I’m excited. I really didn’t want to go to grad school right now anyway.”
“Learn everything you can about falcons,” Joe said, “and nothing about twisting people’s ears off.”
“She’s going to live with us for a while until she can find a place of her own,” Marybeth said. “I assume that’s okay with you.”
Joe nodded. “Of course. I was getting too used to having my own bathroom.”
April and Lucy came into the now-crowded room from the hallway. Joe realized it had been a setup all along to break the news to him. His three daughters gathered around his bed.
“Maybe you’ll all come back,” he said.
“Maybe we never left,” Lucy responded. Marybeth cried happily near the door.
April rolled her eyes at the sentiment and said again, “You need to quit getting shot.”
Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank the people who provided help, expertise, and information for this novel.
Landon Michaels and the staff and engineers at Gunwerks in Cody, Wyoming, who gave up their time and vast knowledge on the manufacture and ballistics of long-range rifles and shooting.
Brad Hovinga, regional wildlife supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Jackson, provided background information and technical details on recent actual grizzly bear–human fatalities he investigated.
Special kudos to my first readers, Laurie Box, Molly Box, Becky Reif, and Roxanne Woods.
A tip of the hat to Molly Box and Prairie Sage Creative for cjbox.net and social media assistance.
It’s a sincere pleasure to work with the professionals at Putnam, including the legendary Neil Nyren, Mark Tavani, Ivan Held, Alexis Welby, Ashley McClay, and Katie Grinch.
And thanks once again to my terrific agent and friend, Ann Rittenberg.
About the Author
C. J. BOX is the winner of the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre .38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award, and the Edgar Award. He is also a New York Times bestseller. He lives in Wyoming.