Page 68 of At Midnight Comes the Cry

“You sound like Lieutenant Pelletier.” Paul handed her the folder.

“We also don’t have any link between the militia and the person who killed Ranger Laduc. It’s all just pieces, hanging out there, disconnected.”

Paul shook his head. “We’re going to need a warrant to search the camp for weapons to connect one of them to Pierre’s death.”

“Which we’re not going to get until we have something to justify it. Right now, they really could just be a group of guys winter camping after hunting season.”

“A group of guys who took my husband prisoner.” Clare frowned. “Cal March is the linchpin.” She ticked off on her fingers. “He’s confirmed as a member of the militia. We’ve got photos of the supplies he’s storing in his house, which could be used for an IED or some other type of explosive. He owns a hunting shack near the militia camp, where more of these neo-Nazis’ trucks are parked.”

“Cal’s not a Nazi!” Tiny looked horrified.

Paul raised an eyebrow. “If it goose-steps like a duck…”

“What if…” Clare paused. “What if Rick Smith could confirm the men who own those trucks are members of Knox’s Noble Train? Would that be enough, with the mysterious death and Russ’s… situation?”

Hadley looked dubious. “Is he likely to agree to sign a statement?”

“He doesn’t need to, not for a search warrant.” Yíxin pointed to her. “The standard is ‘upon knowledge and belief.’ If he admits it in front of an officer of the law, she can make the statement.”

“Me?”

“You and Clare, since she’s the one with the personal connection.” The lawyer tilted her head toward Paul. “I doubt they’d open up to colored folks like us.”

The ranger snickered, then grew thoughtful. “Lieutenant Pelletier wants to see what you have in your file so far. I’m heading back up there for the medical examiner’s report on my uncle; you should come with. You’ve got more knowledge of the background to this case than any of us. I think you could be really persuasive.”

Yíxin looked pleased. “Thank you.”

“Tiny.” Clare leaned toward her. “If Officer Knox and I go to the Smiths, could you watch Ethan? Would you feel safe here alone?”

“We’re not far from the station here,” Hadley said. “If anything spooks you, you can dial nine-one-one and somebody will be here right away.”

Tiny nodded. “I’ll do it.” She looked around at them, her eyes growing red-rimmed again. “I’m sorry about everything.”

Clare shook her head. “Tiny, we wouldn’t know about any of this if it wasn’t for you. If everyone comes home safe, it’s going to be thanks to you and your bravery.”

8.

Clare called Lois, the church secretary, to postpone her morning appointment and changed into civvies. They drove to Hadley’s house, where the officer swapped her uniform for what she called “mom drag,” which did in fact make her look like a PTA member, albeit an unusually good-looking one.

Clare had to remind herself not to speed too much on the way to the Smiths’. “I’ve mostly chatted with his wife, Meghan. If she knows who’s in the militia, will that do?”

“Maybe? It would be a lot better if we can get her husband to say, ‘Yeah, I’m in the group, and so are Tom, Dick, and Harry.’” She held up her phone. “I’m going to record them, so we don’t have to worry about taking notes.”

“Is that legal? Will it hold up for the warrant?”

“Sure is. One-party consent for the win.” Hadley tucked the phone away. “What’s the plan if he’s not at home?”

“We track him down.” Clare’s voice was grim. “At this stage, I’m ready to sit on him until he talks. I want my husband back.”

Except for the thick layer of snow, the Smiths’ home was just as Clare had seen it last. There was a pro-sized pickup in the parking area with a heavy-duty tool locker in the bed. It looked like they were in luck.

Rick answered the door. “Hey. Clare.” He glanced at Hadley. “I’m afraid Meghan’s not here. Her homeschooling group is meeting at the Rec.”

“I was actually hoping to talk with you. This is my friend Hadley. She’s with me for support. Can we come in for a sec?”

“Uh… okay.” He stepped back, letting them into the kitchen. “I’m working on my billing, though, so I can’t take too long.”

“My husband, Russ, has gone missing.”