Threads in this book were embroidered by people who either entered contests in my newsletters or reviewed technical sections to make sure I “got it right.” I thank them for their help and inspiration: Carol Clarkson, nurse extraordinaire, for ensuring a gunshot victim was accurately treated; Derek White for sharing his Internet savvy; Vicki Steger for her eagle eyes; Mikael Arvola, Jim Butler, and Stephen Gabriel for building a computer platform in a character’s basement; Donald J. Bingle for his knowledge on estates; Jerry Humphrey for the use of his perfect airport; and Laura Craig, Miya Kressin, Margaret Cutter, and Joe Cook for creating a wealth of romance titles that I nested with a character Jennifer Brozek named.
Spencer County, Indiana
It’s a real place, about as far south in Indiana as you can go. The towns, roads, and some of the businesses I reference in this novel exist. There really is a Santa Claus—it is nestled between the Ohio River and Interstate 64; on my latest visit to the Christmas store there I picked up some walnut fudge and a Boston terrier ornament that I had personalized. Rockport is about twenty miles away. I’ve fictionalized the county, taking considerable liberties. I used to live in Indiana—Evansville, during my newspaper reporter days. Spencer County isn’t far from there. The place is a good home for Piper Blackwell and company.