Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett investigates a mysterious death at a secret, remote high-tech facility in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Timesbestselling author C. J. Box. While tracking a wounded elk in the midst of an epic Rocky Mountain spring snowstorm, Joe Pickett makes a startling and gruesome discovery: the frozen and mutilated body of a man who has obviously trespassed on a private ranch and was killed near the location of a mysterious high-tech structure. Joe also finds the man’s vehicle on an isolated mountainside - the victim’s ID indicates that he is a prominent University of Wyoming professor. When Joe attempts to learn more, his investigation is obstructed by federal agents, extremists, and Governor Colter Allen. Nate Romanowski is rebuilding his falconry company - and financing this through crypto mining with the assistance of Geronimo Jones. Nate is then approached by a shadowy group of local militant activists that is gaining in power and influence, and demanding that Wyoming join other western states and secede from the union - by force, if necessary. They ask Nate to throw in with them, but he’s wary. Should he trust them, or is he being set up? As a storm of peril gathers around them, Joe and Nate confront it in different ways - and maybe, for the first time, on opposite sides.