Chapter 18 Summary

Bradford Chandler is delivered to the canyon's bottom by a charter helicopter in violation of FAA no-fly restrictions. He surmises that Plymale won't complain about the expense for the helicopter, pilot and potential fine if it brings him closer to his objective. He has given up on finding Tuve, and goes to Plan B. From Billy's information, he identifies the place where he thinks the boy traded his entrenching tool for the diamond and positions himself where he can observe the only three approaches to it. As he scans the scene with his binoculars, he spots someone above him observing him with their own binoculars. He also spots Joanna and Tuve descending the Salt Trail. He considers how he will kill Joanna and, given the Arizona death penalty, decides to knock her out with a rock and throw her into the river.

Chapter 18 Analysis