To the memory of Brent Hackney, 1948–2005. Reporter, press secretary, and editor. Brent was the first person who read my writing and gave me a weekly column in the Southern Pines, North Carolina, Pilot. He was also one of the first to suggest I write a novel.

      Still, to quote Mark Twain, he was a good man, and he meant well. Let it go.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      In the past couple of years since my first novel, The Devil’s Right Hand, came out, I’ve been fortunate to meet and hang out with the wonderful and supportive people who make up the crime fiction community. A list of all the folks who’ve offered encouragement would take up several pages, but here’s a partial one: Duane Swierczynski; Ken Bruen; Jason Starr; Allan Guthrie; Jon and Ruth Jordan of Crimespree Magazine; David Thompson and McKenna Jordan of Murder by the Book in Houston; Janine Wilson at Seattle Mystery Bookshop; Toni and Steve