My sincere thanks go to those who contributed to this book. First, four colleagues and fellow writers: John Leslie, who, upon hearing my tale of once trying to teach remedial grammar to inner-city junior-college students, planted the seed that led to this novel; Kelly R. Daniels, for his close reading of the early manuscript and substantive suggestions for improvement; Terry Baker Mulligan, who gave critical feedback on literary, educational, and African American issues; and Jayne Navarre, who provided insight into military family life and whose multiple readings and suggestions helped shape the book and its characters. Thanks also to rapper Cuda Brown for his help with contemporary urban English, to Joe Koerner for aid with things Jesuitical, and to editor Kristina Blank Makansi for her deft work on the manuscript.
Further, Lieutenant Mike Muxo, Director of the St. Louis Police Academy, provided much needed background on St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department organization, procedures, and equipment; Baxter Leisure, Executive Assistant at the City of St. Louis Medical Examiner’s Office, gave me details about the city morgue, its operation, and its ambiance; and Cathy Heimberger, Director of Marketing for the Saint Louis Public Library, supplied information about the Central Library’s recent restoration.
Any factual mistakes are mine.