The Lost Equation - Chapter 11 snippet

Chapter 11: Santa Clara in the Windshield The more I've read about Hoffmann's background, the more

intrigued I am by his brilliance and dedication to advancing our

understanding of theoretical physics and mathematics. Although I

don't remotely understand it at this point, I hope to gain at least a

ayman's understanding to determine how his equation fits into the

bigger picture. At its core, it is still a Missing Person case.

I find my mind churning, resurrecting memories of other baffling

disappearance cases I've been involved with over the years: the

determined pursuit of fractional clues and circumstantial evidence, the painstaking reconstruction of events and timelines, the endless

stretches of fruitless searching, and the spirit-crushing dead ends.

But then, inevitably, that singular breakthrough moment—when

the elusive, missing pieces finally reveal themselves, and everything

crystallizes into blessed clarity—that rapturous instant when confusion is transformed into understanding—is a feeling unlike any other in this world.

Perhaps that's the true lure of this Hoffmann affair for me: the

prospect of potentially being the one to finally solve such a

maddeningly opaque puzzle after thirty-five long years of mystery,

gazing into that abyss of uncertainty and finally bringing lucid

resolution through deduction and persistence.

Ransome is following me around as I pack. He knows this routine

means travel is imminent. The only question is whether he is going

with me or seeing his brother and sister at Em's place.

As I pause to review anything I might have missed packing,

Ransome moves in and takes my right hand lightly in his mouth. I

recall when he and I were first becoming acquainted, this practice took me off guard.

Emily, an expert on wolf behavior, said, “Wolves understand their

world through their mouths—both through direct contact and by

vocalizations. That you allow him to take your hand, he reads as trust, and that he doesn't eat your hand is his way of showing his fondness for you."