My deep thanks to my editor and friend, Peter Hubbard, and to my agent and sister-from-another-mother, Laurie Liss.
Thank you to Liate Stehlik, publisher at William Morrow, an authentic friend of writers, and leader of a group of like-minded and gracious editors, marketers, cover illustrators, publicists, and salespeople. Big fat thanks to Nick Amphlett.
I once again received terrific insight from The Council, the tight-knit group from the Stanford Medical School class of 1983 that includes my talented and beautiful wife, Dr. Meredith Jewel Barad. A special shout-out to Dr. Jen Babik, a brilliant infectious-disease specialist and the best shortstop I have a privilege to know personally.
Over the years, as I’ve sunk my 10,000-hours-plus into learning to write, I’ve been supported through advice and deed by some of the world’s best thriller writers. It is a collection of people who matches talent with generosity and class. You’ve taught me to pay it forward.
As always, my love to Meredith, Milo, and Mirabel, and to my parents, who generously support and encourage creative flights.