Warning! There may be spoilers.
This is where I tell you what’s real, and what’s fiction. If you’ve been reading my novels for a while, you already know that I use tidbits from real life crimes and cases. It’s also where I tell you how I came up with my ideas...or try to tell you. Sometimes even I recognize it’s strange the way ideas and plots come together in my mind. And the twists? I’m not even sure I can explain how those emerge.
Back in 2021 and 2022, a serial killer murdered three homeless men in Washington, D.C. and two in New York City. I found myself fascinated by the case, and the fact that a killer could go undetected in two different cities. With the help of surveillance video and other evidence, law enforcement discovered that the man used the train to go back and forth. Ironically, when they captured Gerald Brevard III, it was at a gas station in Washington, D.C.
About this same time, I had an interview with the Radio Pet Lady. Tracie Hotchner produces and hosts an hour-long radio show called DOG TALK® (and Kitties, Too!). It’s the only NPR station on Long Island, interviewing pet experts and authors around the world. I’ve had the privilege of being on her show a number of times, and we always have a lively discussion. This time, Tracie mentioned how some homeless shelters didn’t allow dogs.
All politics aside, it’s hard not to see that the homeless situation across the country has hit crisis levels. Whatever the individual’s situation and circumstances, it seemed a cruel blow that shelters wouldn’t allow pets. I couldn’t imagine how sad it would be to have to make that choice: a hot meal and warm bed OR keep your last companion in your life...your dog.
Also, going on about this time, Pensacola, Florida, was in the process of moving their homeless population out from under the downtown I-110 bridge. It shouldn’t have been a surprise when some of these individuals moved out into the countryside.
The other news story that truly broke my heart was about the dogs left behind in Afghanistan. If you have any doubt that military and working dogs were left behind, I encourage you to look up a CBS news special with U.S. Army Platoon Commander Kristen St. Pierre who was a K9 handler. She was told she could adopt her military dog, Chase. He would be on one of the last flights out of Kabul. She waited. Then she was told the dogs weren’t allowed to leave and were let out of their cages at the airport to fend for themselves.
Thanks to heroes like Charlotte Maxwell-Jones of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Chase was found and reunited with Kristen. Others have also been found alive and taken in by Charlotte and her team. Private organizations haven’t given up in getting these dogs back home. But they still face many obstacles constantly placed in front of them.
I created Maggie and Ryder’s rescue mission to bring some peace to my mind...as well as to Ryder’s.
The panhandle of Florida continues to fascinate me. It’s the one place on earth where pine trees meet palm trees. Where you can enjoy the forest and the Gulf shore. Where you’ll find alligators and black bears.
To my friends in Santa Rosa County, Florida, my apologies for some creative geographical changes. Although I carved out and created Linden Estates and Woodriver, residents will still recognize the Red Roof Inn and the Waffle House on Avalon Boulevard. And if you find yourself in that area, consider stopping at The Oval Office for one of the best burgers you’ll ever eat.
Likewise, you’ll certainly find the Margaritaville Hotel on Pensacola Beach, but not Howard Johnson’s Marina or Walter’s Canteen. The latter is my tribute to real life U.S. Naval Commander Walter Carlin.
To my readers, thank you for waiting patiently for this one, for making these characters a part of your lives, and for allowing me to share my stories. Next up, is Chasing Creed.
The biggest compliment a reader can give an author is to tell a friend. If you’ve enjoyed this book, please tell a fellow book lover.