ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am indebted to many people for walking me through various details of this novel. Special thanks to such knowledgeable friends as David F. Halaas, Ph.D., former chief historian, Colorado Historical Society, now director of the Center for the French and Indian War at Pittsburgh’s Senator John Heinz History Center, and coauthor (along with Andrew Masich) of Halfbreed; Karen Cotton, features/entertainment reporter, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle in Cheyenne; Fred Walker, firearms expert; Mike Fiori, retired detective, Denver Police Department; Ann Ripley, author of the Louise Eldridge mystery series, including Death in the Orchid Garden.

And to my knowledgeable family members: son-in-law, Tom Harrison; brother, Clay Speas; niece and nephew, Denise and Sean Saxon.

I also want to thank Holly Heineman, former title company official, and the many helpful folks at the Colorado Secretary of State’s office and at the Boulder County Clerk’s office who cheerfully explained the arcane matters relating to nineteenth-century property titles.

And, as always, a tip of my hat to the dear friends who read parts or all of the manuscript and made insightful suggestions: Bev Carrigan, Sheila Carrigan, and Karen Gilleland. And of course to my husband, George.