Acknowledgments

Many people gave freely of their time and memories while I was writing this book. Wayne Bernard’s account of his life with Norma Wallace was essential, as was the belief of his wife, Jean, that Norma’s story should be told. I thank them and the following people, who told their stories about Norma and her times: Sam Adams, Johnny and Pat Badon, Frank Bertucci, Major Albert Cromp, John H. Datri, Francis Davis, Marie Delouise, Richard “Jack” Dempsey, Pete Fountain, Robert Norman Frey, Charles Gennaro, Joseph I. Giarrusso, Sarah Huff, Rosemary James, Captain J. D. Jarrell, Edgar McGeehee, Nick Macheca, Sandy Margiotta, Rose Mary Miorana (who generously lent me the letters Norma wrote to her as well), Helen Moran, Paul Nazar, Barbara Price, Alice Regan, J. Cornelius Rathborne III, Suzanne Robbins, Earl and Elise Rolling, Janice Roussel, Sidney Scallan, Earl Scramuzza, Patsy Sims, Frederick Soulé, and Kathryn Swartwood.

Many thanks to Elaine Newton, who was a skip tracer in a former life and located many people who had been friends and associates of Norma. Her role as detective played a large part in uncovering and demystifying the story of Norma Wallace.

Thanks, also, to Marion Tanner, Nancy Gore, and Noah Robert, who helped find the writer.

Others whose help with finding secondary sources, locating information, and making connections was invaluable are Allain C. Andry III, Phil Anselmo, Joe Arrigo, Bob Bass, Jason Berry, Tony Buonagura, Chris Bynum, Nancy Dibelka, Susan Finch, Frank Gagnard, Beverly Gianna (Director of Public Relations, The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau), Betty Guillaud, Leonard Gurvich, Rudolph Holzer, Hillary Irvin, Scott Jefferson, Allen Johnson, Mary Allen Johnson, Regina Kramer (curator of the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Collection in Linton, Indiana), Steve Lacy, Susan Larson, Melanie McKay, Valerie Martin, Chief Jimmy Miller, Randy Moses, Lester Otillio, Earl Perry, Diana Pinckley, John Pope, Joann Price, Lee Pryor, Bryce Reveley, Gail Ruddock, Tom Rushing, Julie Smith, Jack Stewart, Ronnie Virgets, Charles Watson, Lanier Watson, and Helen Wisdom.

I would also like to thank the Historic New Orleans Collection, especially curator John Magill and reference librarian Pamela Arceneaux; the New Orleans Public Library, especially Wayne Everard and Irene Wainwright in the Louisiana Division, and the librarians at the Nix branch; and the Tulane University Library, especially Joan G. Caldwell, head of the Louisiana Collection.

A very special thanks to my researcher extraordinaire, Noel A. Ponthieux, who also acted as a detective and got the goods on the elusive madam, her associates, and her adversaries.

Others to whom I am indebted for seeing this book through are my editor, Paul Elie, who set me free; Dan Weaver, who took a chance; and my agent, Jonathan Dolger, who knew.

I am very appreciative of the cheering section, otherwise known as my daughter, Marigny Pecot, and most of all, I thank my husband, Joe Pecot, who listened.