Chapter 2
“What?” Russ took the photo. “I didn’t see him.”
“He stopped by while you and Rick were off shooting. He was a real piece of work. Didn’t like me, didn’t like Meghan, and he didn’t seem to much like his poor, self-effacing wife.”
Yíxīn stood and leaned over the table for a better view. “Calvin March. He did two years in South Carolina for assault, unlawful restraint, and threatening.”
Clare sighed. “He didn’t sound Southern.”
“He’s not.” Yíxīn reclaimed the folder and pulled out a couple pages. “He’s from Ohio. Went south for a job, although as far as we can tell, he’s never been able to keep one for long.”
“Sounds like my ex.” Hadley’s voice was wry.
“He was busted for a few low-level property crimes and drunk and disorderlies. Then he joined a branch of the National Alliance. For a lot of these guys, finding a neo-Nazi group is like, I don’t know, joining the army was back in the old days?
You get fit, develop self-discipline, and you’re part of something bigger than yourselves. ”
“What’s he doing up here? Is he starting up another cell of the National Alliance?” Russ didn’t look happy. As much as he protested he wasn’t a cop anymore, he still couldn’t help wanting to protect his corner of the world.
“No, they’ve been falling apart since their Big Bad died a few years ago.” Yíxīn scooped up her papers. “He’s in the North Country because some of the younger alt-right guys are trying a new tactic; moving to areas that are already mostly white.”
Hadley looked bemused. “Why try creating your own white paradise when there’s already Vermont?”
“Or the Adirondacks,” Clare pointed out. “All the counties around here hover at ninety-five percent white.”
“Okay, okay, so Calvin March is in this area and showed up at the Smiths’ house.” Russ tapped the picture. “Do we have any evidence he’s connected with the group Kevin’s been embedded with?”
Yíxīn stared at him. “How many neo-Nazi groups could there be running around in the woods?”
“Attorney Zhào.” Russ pinched the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses. “Essex County is half the size of Connecticut. And your whole investigation was about proving New York state is crawling with genocidal-cult-soldier wannabes.”
“Russ.”
“What?”
“Can we get back to the point, please?” Hadley’s loud voice drew everyone’s attention. “We need to talk to Flynn. Period. We’re not going to know anything until we do, and meanwhile, every day he doesn’t check in with Syracuse is one day closer to him losing his job.”
“You know Lyle would hire him back in a heartbeat.”
Hadley glared at Russ. “Not an option, Chief. We need someone up there at the militia camp.”
Clare touched her lips. “You could go up as a hunter.” He hadn’t been out at all this fall—too busy winding down his time as police chief.
“Maybe. But why would some random guy start asking to speak to one of the militia members?”
Yíxīn smiled. “Why don’t you say you’re Kevin’s father?”
“His dad?”
“Well, you’re certainly old enough to be.”
“You know, that’s not a bad idea, Chief.” Hadley tried to hide a smile.
“Kevin’s dad is Irish.”
“Yeah, but they don’t know that. Do they?” Hadley turned to Yíxīn.
“You’re asking me? I don’t know what he’s told them.”
“His dad.” Hadley nodded decisively. “It’s a good cover. If he knew where Flynn was, Sean would be up there in a heartbeat. You know he would.”
“I agree,” Clare said. “What about you, though?”
Yíxīn pointed to Russ. “How about his wife?”
“I’m thirty-five,” Hadley ground out.
Yíxīn looked at Clare. “But you’re his wife and you’re—”
Clare cut off the conversation before they got to the part involving the phrase “cradle robber.” “I’m older than I look.”
Russ leaned back in his chair. “There’s no reason for Knox to come along. This could get tricky.”
Hadley stared at him in disbelief. “That’s all the more reason for me to be there. You need to have at least one person who’s actually in law enforcement.”
Clare laid her hand on Russ’s arm. “Kevin’s ex-girlfriend. Or ex–baby mama, looking for overdue support. I suspect a lot of those guys would identify with that.”
“Isn’t she old for that?” Yíxīn looked scandalized. Russ removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
Clare thought of something. “Russ, what if Rick Smith is more involved with March and his all-white-guy empire than you think? If you show up claiming to be Kevin’s dad and Rick recognizes you…”
“First, there’s still zero evidence Calvin March is connected to the militia group camping out in Essex County. Second, as much as it pains me to say it, I’m definitely old enough to be his father. There’s nothing to say I didn’t have a family before you and I got married.”
“But the Smiths know you’re ex–law enforcement.”
“That’s not necessarily a bar,” Yíxīn said. “You would be shocked at how much overlap there is between white supremacist groups and LEOs.” She turned to Clare. “That’s law enforcement officers.”
“Mmm.” Clare glanced at her husband, who shook his head.
“Okay,” Yíxīn went on. “You’re the dad, you’re the mad mom looking for your money. When are you going to go?”
“I’ll need a day to prep my outdoor gear.” Despite his earlier caveats, Russ brightened at the thought of trekking through the High Peaks in winter.
Hadley looked at him doubtfully. “I don’t do camping.”
“Just in case. I’m sure there’s lodging.”
“There better be.” Hadley turned to Yíxīn. “I’ll have to get my granddad lined up to take care of my kids.”
Clare folded her arms. “I still think someone should keep an eye on the Smiths. To try to see where they fit in with Calvin March.”
“Absolutely not.” Russ’s tone was not to be argued with. “We went over there once and you’re not going to convince them to stop being happy little Aryans. As for March, I don’t want you anywhere near a guy who did two years for assault.”
“I’m a pasty-white woman. He’s not going to go after me.”
Yíxīn shook her head. “He wasn’t convicted for a race-related crime. His then girlfriend got an abortion, and when he found out, he beat the crap out of her. Put her in the hospital.”
Clare, who had been half teasing Russ, felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. “His wife said they’re trying for another baby.”
“Clare.” Russ took his glasses off. “It’s not your problem. Stay out of it.”
She looked at Hadley, who gave a tiny nod. “Don’t worry, Chief. I’m sure the reverend wouldn’t do anything you told her was dangerous.”