“Call Bolger,” Max said. “With any luck, they can intercept him before he gets to the trailhead.”

Lyle nodded as he considered that idea. “You’re right.” He pulled out his phone and tapped a number into it. “Joanna; it’s Lyle. I need to talk to Tate.”

There was a long pause before Lyle said, “Tate, we found where they’ve been hiding Pip.”

Pause.

“Sandy’s boy—my grandson. Reed and this fella named Peter Molinar had him up in a cabin off Fifty-Six.”

Pause.

“We found Pip’s pillow and his toys there.”

“Tell him about Peter Molinar’s car,” Max said.

“And there’s a car there belonging to that Peter Molinar guy. It proves that he’s Reed’s accomplice.”

Pause.

“Never mind how. We think they’re heading to the Boundary Waters, the three of them. They’re in a black Tahoe, heading for Sioux Hustler Trail—at least I think so.”

Pause.

“You can cut ’em off before they get there.”

Pause.

“Damn it, Tate. Go check it out yourself. The cabin is just past mile marker forty-eight—east side of the road. You’ll find a pillow in a dinosaur pillowcase. That’s Pip’s. And there’s not a stitch of Sandy’s clothing there.”

Pause.

“It proves Sandy didn’t run off.”

Pause.

“Okay, but be quick about it. They’re on the run.”

Pause.

“You’ll keep me posted?”

Pause.

“Okay.”

He tapped the phone and shook his head. “Dumb son of a bitch. He wants to search that cabin first. The man can’t put two and two together without looking at his fingers. When this is all done, I-told-you-so ain’t gonna cut it.”

“I’ll need gear,” Max said.

“You done any cold-weather camping?”

“Not to speak of.”

“It’s no picnic.”

“Don’t worry about me. Can you get me some gear?”

Lyle thought for a moment, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number. “Henry? It’s Lyle Voight. What time do you close?”

Pause.

“Any chance I can get you to stick around a bit longer? I need to outfit a buddy of mine—tonight. We can be there in an hour.”

Pause.

“Thanks. Get him a sixty-liter pack and a sleeping bag.” Lyle looked at Max. “What size boot you wear?”

“Eleven,” Max said.

“He’ll need a good pair of boots, size eleven, and throw in two pairs of hiking pants, long johns, and a couple good wool shirts. We might be in the woods for a while, so pack maybe… ten MREs. Put it on my tab.”

Pause.

“Hunting?” Lyle contemplated a thought before the corner of his mouth inched up in a smile. “Yeah, Henry, we’re going hunting.”

CHAPTER 50

At the trailhead, Spud stepped out of the Tahoe into a night that was dark and damp and cold—very cold—and it occurred to him that this would be the last time Pip would feel comfort until they got to Canada. Even then, Spud couldn’t be sure how long it might be before they found a structure with walls and heat.

Reed had been vague about what would happen beyond the Boundary Waters. He had mentioned something about crossing into Canada at a place called Loon Falls, but after that, the plan got hazy. Spud was sure that Reed was keeping him in the dark on purpose. And why not? If Spud knew the details of the plan, why would he need Reed? Spud had the cryptocurrency. He would have Pip. He could figure the rest out as he went.