ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Authors write alone, but they don’t work alone. Quantico Rules had lots of help along the way, much of it from author friends like Ken Kuhlken, who read the manuscript more times than anyone should have to; the immensely busy Michael Connelly, who was never too busy to take another look; and Gayle Lynds, who provided expertise and enthusiasm in equal measure; along with Alan Russell and Harlan Coben, who gave me exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. I also want to thank Federal Judge Judith Keep for insight into the world of judges and the Supreme Court, and retired FBI agent Clyde Fuller for details of bureau life I may have overlooked. But the most special thanks of all go to my wife, Diane Martin Riehl, expert researcher and story analyst, who read what seemed like millions of words, and displayed the rare ability of knowing which ones to keep.

Others read the work along the way and helped more than they know, including Paul Baerwald, Nancy Grinder Reinman, T. R. Reinman, Gayle Kehrli, Kristina Weller, Sam Weller, Chris Pack, Mike Pack, Pat Greene, Ken Bowman, Joe Ruff, Jaime Liwerant, Elizabeth Bowman, Noreen Mulliken, and Chip Harrison. Also, Brenda Riehl and Matt Riehl, good kids and great friends.

In no way have I been more fortunate than with my professionals. Jean Naggar is simply the best agent in the world, and Jennifer Weltz stands shoulder to shoulder with her. In Hollywood, Jerry Kalajian is both a friend and relentless advocate for my work. At St. Martin’s Press, my superb editor, Marc Resnick, not only made the words better, but championed the manuscript in-house every step of the way.