Summary

Since hearing about the Tring heist, author Kirk Wallace Johnson "had become consumed by the crimes of Edwin Rist" (156). He tries to find more information online, only to discover that much has been deleted or removed. Thinking he might be able to find the Tring's still-missing bird skins, Johnson attends the International Fly Tying Symposium in New Jersey. His questions are met with hostility from the community until one man, John McLain, agrees to talk to him. McLain minimizes the lasting impact of Edwin's crime as well as the crime itself since it was not a violent offense. McLain even questions the number of birds still missing, believing that the Tring was not keeping proper track of their inventory. Wondering if that could be possible, and since Edwin himself has declined to speak to him, Johnson heads to London to talk to the...