I am indebted to many people in the writing of this book. While some of them are innocent bystanders, others were willingly generous with their expertise. Special thanks to Sergeant Sheila Maloney of Ottawa Police Services, Professional Standards, for her time and insight. Once again, I am happy to report my friend, Janet MacEachen, has kept me out of legal quicksand. John Merchant’s eagle eye and lightning speed are excellent traits in a brother and most appreciated. The Ladies’ Killing Circle: Linda Wiken, Sue Pike, Joan Boswell and Vicki Cameron offered their unique observations followed by no-holds-barred recommendations and, as usual, made things better. I am thankful that my husband, Giulio Maffini, has the strength of character to cope with dangerous writerly emotions and I thank Barbara Fradkin, Lyn Hamilton, Mary MacKay-Smith and Lois O’Neill for their friendship, support and laughter. As usual, the redoubtable Cheryl Freedman of Crime Writers of Canada ensured that Alvin Ferguson got airtime. And of course, without my long-suffering publisher, Sylvia McConnell, music-making editor, Allister Thompson, and agent, Leona Trainer, there would be no book.
Any errors in the text are entirely my own. At the time this book was written, the path behind the Supreme Court of Canada was open and unobstructed, although that just goes to show you that dangerous things can happen in beautiful places. As usual, some restaurants, streets, intersections and private homes in Ottawa and elsewhere are figments of my imagination. Unfortunately, this means there is no Maisie’s Eatery featuring white and dark chocolate cheesecake with raspberry cognac coulis and caramelized pecans on the dessert menu. Deal with it.