The Crossroads Chapter 3: The Ambushers’ Aftermath

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

After shooting a Game and Fish pickup, hitmen Dorn Peddy and James Dale O’Bryan retreat to their cache on a hillside. Peddy insists the target is dead, but O’Bryan worries they did not check the body. While stripping off their tactical gear and changing into ranch-hand disguises, they spot a hunter approaching the pickup. The hunter makes a phone call. Peddy fires six shots at him from long range but misses every time. The hunter flees. Peddy then calls their boss, reporting success but omitting the witness. O’Bryan secretly adds Peddy’s reckless arrogance to a mental list of grievances.

Key Events

Peddy and O’Bryan reach their cache after executing the ambush.
They argue about failing to confirm the target’s death.
While changing clothes, they observe a hunter examining the shot-up pickup.
Peddy attempts to kill the hunter with long-range rifle fire, missing all shots.
The hunter escapes; Peddy and O’Bryan flee the scene.
Peddy phones their boss to report a clean hit, concealing the witness.
O’Bryan silently resents Peddy’s dismissive treatment and lies.

Character Development

Dorn Peddy: Confirmed as arrogant and reckless. His overconfidence nearly costs them when he fails to hit the hunter. He lies to their boss, revealing a willingness to conceal mistakes.
James Dale O’Bryan: More cautious and deliberate. He questions Peddy’s decisions and keeps a private list of grievances, hinting at a future breaking point. His missing fingers from a past explosive accident underscore his history of violence.
The hunter (unnamed): A potential witness whose survival may complicate the hitmen’s mission. He acts smartly by running and taking cover.
The boss (unnamed): An unseen figure who receives Peddy’s call; his satisfaction suggests a larger conspiracy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Consequences of Overconfidence: Peddy’s refusal to verify the kill and his failure to eliminate the hunter stem from arrogance. This theme highlights how recklessness can unravel a careful plan.
Deception and Cover-Up: Both hitmen lie to the boss—Peddy omits the witness, and O’Bryan hides his resentment. The chapter explores how secrets fester within criminal partnerships.
Environment as Adversary: The severe cold, wind, and cactus needles physically punish the men, symbolizing the hostile Wyoming landscape and foreshadowing danger.
Power Imbalance: Peddy dominates O’Bryan through threats and humiliation, yet O’Bryan’s silent list suggests a power shift may come.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter shifts the narrative focus to the perpetrators, revealing their personalities, flaws, and the shaky foundation of their alliance. It introduces the threat of an unknown witness, raising the stakes. Peddy’s lie to the boss plants a seed for future conflict, and O’Bryan’s growing resentment sets up a potential betrayal. The chapter also establishes the remote setting as both a haven and a trap.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does O’Bryan argue that they should have checked the body? O’Bryan believes verifying the target’s death is essential to ensure the job is complete. He fears that if the target survived, their mission would be compromised and they might be hunted.

2. How does Peddy’s attempt to kill the hunter reveal his character? Peddy’s overconfident belief that he can hit a target at 800 yards blinds him to the wind and the hunter’s movement. His failure and subsequent anger show he cannot handle setbacks. He also refuses to admit his mistake to the boss, valuing his own reputation over mission safety.

3. What role does O’Bryan’s “private vengeance list” play in the story? The list symbolizes O’Bryan’s festering anger and hints at a future split between the two hitmen. It suggests that Peddy’s behavior may have violent consequences down the line.