Two small towns in Colorado: Hope and Despair. Between them: nothing but twelve miles of empty road. Jack Reacher can't find a ride, so he walks. All he wants is a cup of coffee. All he gets are four redneck deputies, a vagrancy charge and a trip back to the line. They're picking on the wrong guy. Reacher is a big man, and he's in shape. No job, no address, no baggage - nothing except bloody-minded curiosity. What are the secrets the locals seem so determined to hide?