Chapter 66 (Chapter 65): Snowmobile Ambush and a Desperate Escape
⚠️ 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 splitting from Mountie Fagan, Cross hears enemy snowmobiles approaching around a knoll. With no other option, he shoots the lead driver at two hundred yards, then kills a second driver before he can dismount. A third driver sprays bullets uphill, then tries to flank Cross. Cross rushes downhill, finds the man in his sights at close range, and kills him.
Standing in the snow, Cross realizes the attackers are not tourists but Maestro soldiers, and they are protecting a mine. He takes ammunition from one dead soldier. Fagan calls over the radio, saying she is under attack and heading south. Cross races toward a dead fir tree and sees Fagan three hundred yards away with four Maestro sleds closing in. Cross and Fagan work together to eliminate one more driver, leaving three. When Cross finally turns his snowmobile around, Fagan rides hard northeast, fired upon by the remaining drivers. She twists to return fire, then disappears over the rim of a canyon.
Key Events
- Cross kills three Maestro soldiers in quick succession to avoid being flanked.
- Cross deduces the enemy is protecting a nearby mine, confirming they are Maestro operatives.
- Fagan radios for help as she is pursued by four Maestro sleds.
- Cross and Fagan coordinate a counterattack, killing one pursuer.
- Fagan’s snowmobile goes over a canyon rim as the chapter ends.
Character Development
- Alex Cross – Demonstrates lethal precision under pressure, but the killing weighs on him emotionally. His tactical thinking sharpens when he links the attack to the mine. He prioritizes saving Fagan over self-preservation.
- Fagan (Mountie) – Shows grit and resourcefulness, using a shotgun one-handed despite the difficulty. Her radio batteries are nearly dead, cutting off communication. Her final disappearance highlights her reckless courage.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Ambush and Survival – The chapter centers on a sudden, violent confrontation in a frozen wilderness, emphasizing the theme of survival against organized killers.
- The Mine as McGuffin – Cross’s realization that the Maestro soldiers are guarding a mine drives the plot, turning the mine into a symbol of hidden secrets the villains will die to protect.
- Sacrifice and Teamwork – Fagan’s willingness to lure enemies away and Cross’s rush to her aid illustrate the motif of self-sacrifice among allies.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter raises the stakes dramatically. Cross kills three enemies in cold blood, confirming his willingness to do whatever it takes. The Maestro soldiers’ true objective (protecting a mine) is now explicit, giving Cross a clearer target. Fagan’s probable death—or at least her separation from Cross—creates a narrative cliffhanger and isolates the protagonist further. The action sequence showcases Patterson’s trademark short, punchy paragraphs and relentless pacing.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Cross decide to shoot the first driver instead of trying to escape?
Cross realizes the enemy will see where his tracks split and discover his uphill hiding spot. With no time to outrun them, he chooses to ambush them first, using the element of surprise. -
What clue confirms to Cross that the attackers are Maestro soldiers?
Standing in the snow after the fight, Cross suddenly understands that they were never tourists—they are Maestro soldiers, and their presence is tied to protecting a mine. -
How does the chapter end for Fagan, and what does it imply?
Fagan disappears over the rim of a canyon while being chased. The text does not show her death, but the implication is that she has fallen or crashed, leaving her fate uncertain.