Chapters 37-43 Summary

In chapter thirty-seven, Keith drives the police car with Officer Ward in the trunk to Billy Marlon's house. Keith wants to borrow hunting clothing from Billy. Billy is sober when Keith arrives and insists that he be allowed to go with Keith. Billy has a grudge against Cliff Baxter for forcing Billy's wife to perform sexually with him, ending Billy's marriage. Keith reluctantly agrees. Keith parks the cop car in a remote location and rides with Billy through back roads into Michigan. Keith makes Billy promise that he will not act on his own, but follow all of Keith's instructions.

When they reach the little town of Atlanta, Michigan, Keith meets with a sporting goods salesman to buy a crossbow in hopes of killing Cliff Baxter's three dogs without alerting him to his presence. While buying the crossbow, Keith questions the...