THE LOST SON OF SAM LETTERS

Gary Charles Evans

In Every Move You Make, I describe Evans this way:

Gary Evans

[Gary Evans] was, when it came down to it, a twisted sociopath who had burglarized dozens of antique shops around New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. [New York State Police Investigator James] Horton had been playing a game of cat and mouse with Evans for the past 12 years, using him as an informant and arresting him for various crimes. Evans, a master escape and disguise artist, had helped the state police on a number of unsolved crimes in the area. Horton had developed a personal relationship with Evans throughout the years, and some cops didn't like it.

Evans, at just under five foot six, 185 pounds, had built his body into a machine, carving it like Greek statue through years of lifting weights. He never drank alcohol, used tobacco or drugs, and hated anyone who did. He lived on a very simple, yet disciplined diet of cereal, bread, pasta, rice and sweets. He despised meat of any kind. Even when he was in prison, Evans would trade meat for bread. As a criminal, he took pride in his work and tried desperately to outdo himself with each crime. It was a game. Every part of his day was spent detailing and thinking about his next job and how he was going to avoid being caught. He had never worked a full-time job in his life and had told Horton numerous times he never would. Horton had pulled some strings for Evans once and found him jobs. But Evans always ended up quitting after a few days.

Horton's last encounter with Evans was the final blow to their relationship. In 1995, Horton needed Evans to testify in a rape-murder case against a known rapist and alleged serial murderer. Evans had even befriended the guy, under the direction of Horton, after being put in a jail cell next to him, and eventually got him to admit to murdering a local college student. All Horton wanted Evans to do was stay out of trouble until the rapist's trial.

But Evans ended up stealing a rare book from a Vermont museum and Horton, in his words, later told Evans that he "f--ked" him on the murder case.

They hadn't spoken since.