I could not have pulled this together without the help of a whole slew of people, many of whom would have preferred never to even think about this terrible crime again, much less talk about it.
First off, John Jones, who—over Kerbey Lane and Magnolia Café omelets and Frisco fried catfish—willingly shared his memories, his stories and biographical information and, perhaps even more significantly, his APD files and his copies of the three episodes of 48 Hours, all accompanied by his snappy wit and lingering anger at how things have turned out.
Equally generous was Barbara Ayres-Wilson, a sister in grief who holds nothing back, no matter the situation. Our many meetings—at Barbara’s home and the Motley Menagerie Tea Room, Gift & Resale Shop in Kyle, Nonna Gina’s Italian in Buda, Hyde Park Bar & Grill South and Cenote in Austin, among other spots—were always charged with emotion, information and laughter. Thanks to her also for the introduction to Maria Thomas.
Also—first at Romeo’s, then their home, then Baker Street and, most recently, the sports bar and restaurant Cover 3—Jim Sawyer whose memory, generosity and narrative gifts are a wonder, and his whip-smart partner, Deirdre Darrouzet, who supplied important documents, contacts, hot corrections and passionate opinions.
Carlos Garcia—at his office, his home, Threadgill’s, Angie’s and Buffet Palace—for the CDs, DVDs, photographs, transcripts, Reid information, false-confession sources and memories he’d snuff out if he could; also for the introduction to the great Anthony Graves.
Mike Lynch (his chambers and Buenos Aires Café) for information, warmth, honesty and his wonderfully written journal.
John Hardesty, old friend—at Güero’s, Texas French Bread and El Naranjo—for connections, phone numbers and open-ended conversations about the APD interrogations, the arrests and the certification hearings.
The late Dr. Gerald Hurst for tea, cookies and a long and fascinating conversation in his home.
Robert Springsteen for talking freely with me on his back porch in Cross Lanes, West Virginia.
Michael Scott and Jeannine Scott, who in an unnamed midwestern city willingly spent many hours over two days’ time with me, rehashing painful memories and relating happier present times.
Also: District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. ADA Efrain de la Fuente. Lawyers Guillermo Gonzales, Alexandra Gauthier, Amber Farrelly, Broadus Spivey, Jim Hackney, Tony Diaz, Robert Icenhauer-Ramirez, Hugh Lowe, Malcolm Greenstein and Dave Richards. Retired APD policeman J. W. Thompson. From the Travis County Courthouse, Melissa Moreno and Karen Kiker; from Victims’ Services, Ellen Halbert. Also cold-case specialist and Texas State University professor Dr. Kim Rossmo. Brandon Ariel for the McCallum information. Maggie Halliday, Peggy Sanders, Kate Wallace McClung and her mother, Rebecca Wallace (with a nod to Sue Ellen Harrigan for the introduction). The helpful staff in the records room of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Bridget Weiss, Dorothy Brown, Gary Cartwright, Bill Wittliff, Dagoberto Gilb, Mercedes Pena, Lou Dubose, Richard Lu.
Friends John Davidson, Nancy Smith, David Burnham and Dave Richards for reading early drafts. Claire Brulator for transcriptions. Kenny Braun for the photo.
From Knopf: GF of course. Also, his fabulous assistant, Ruthie Reisner, and true-crime enthusiast and publicist Jordan Rodman. Plus assistant publicist Tammy Tarng, marketer Danielle Plafsky and production editor Ellen Feldman. Oliver Munday for the great cover. And the whole blooming Knopf organization for its work, its loyalty and its enthusiasm. Also for sticking out tough times for all these years.
My agent, Betsy Lerner.
And of course, Colin Lowry and Andrea Ariel, my family, for unqualified support, encouragement and home-cooked meals.