Carolyn Rose (wife extraordinaire)—for backrubs, for energizing laughter, and for loving me despite everything you know about me.
Cassie and Jackie (daughters)—for your joy, for your ideas, and for protecting Dad’s writing time even when allowances were put on hold till the book was turned in.
Dudley Delffs (editor and friend)—for continued faith in novelists and words and for giving me that first opportunity.
Mick Silva, Shannon Hill, and Carol Bartley (editors)—for partnering to make this a better series in ways I could never conceive.
Commander Louise Kelton and Officer Bo Smith, Metro Nashville Police Department (North Precinct guardians)—for allowing a nosy novelist to ride along.
Linda Wilson (mother)—for ice-cream memories, garden tours, memorable cars, and years of encouragement to keep these fingers typing.
Mark Wilson (father)—for incredible support over the years and for recent insight into the world of law enforcement.
Sean Savacool (friend and writer)—for unconditional friendship and provocative ideas … May the Tennessee Inklings (the Tinklings) keep tinkling.
Valerie Harrell and Davin Bartosch (friends)—for insights from a Southern perspective and for putting up with this daydreaming co-worker.
Roosevelt Burrell and Hudson Alvares (management at FedEx Kinko’s)—for continued flexibility and full support of my writing goals.
Randy Singer, Kathryn Mackel, River Jordan, Robert Liparulo, Gina Holmes, Jeremiah McNabb, Todd Peterson, Ted Dekker, Vennessa Ng, Rick Moore, Chris Well, and many others (fellow novelists)—for honesty, friendship, and needed support.
Liorah and Kevin Johnson (friends and creative types)—for sharing your music and artistry for the cause of a local novelist … Ooh la la!
Ian Monaghan (brother-in-law)—for gallons of gas sacrificed on the altar of my research and for hands-on weapons knowledge.
Nashville Public Library (Edmondson, Bordeaux, and Main branches)—for places to study, daydream, and write in relative solitude.
As Cities Burn, Switchfoot, Demon Hunter, Mat Kearney, Flyleaf, Project 86, and Underoath (musical artists)—for sonic rejuvenation in the late-night hours.
I-Dragon-I (rock group)—for including my debut novel’s title in the lyrics of an honest, powerful song … Sweet!
Readers everywhere (the ones holding this book)—for following me on these journeys of plots, people, and ideas … Each word is dedicated to you.
I welcome your feedback at my Web site or e-mail address: