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Having just one name on a book’s cover as the author is never quite accurate, since no writer works in a vacuum. Invariably each of us turns to others, to hear or read the words we write, or just patiently listen to our grousing about such a solitary process. I am guilty on both counts.
In a very literal sense, this book would never have been possible without the new friend I made in Ron Nye, when in 2012 he turned to me in a time of need to reluctantly sell his father’s books and letters from Truman Capote, an innocent effort that landed us both in court for the next four years. His patience and faith in the process were rewarded, but at great cost to both of us. Ron kept me motivated even at our lowest points, and for that I will be forever grateful. I hope this book gives him and his family closure on the churlish actions of an ungrateful State.
Nor would these pages have seen the light of day were it not for our tenacious legal team, Yale Lewis of Hendricks & Lewis in Seattle, and Tai Vokins of Sloan Law Firm in Lawrence, Kansas, who fought our battle with Kansas in protection of our First Amendment rights. Their business partners (and respective spouses) Kate Hendricks and Krystal Vokins also deserve credit for their essential contributions of time and expertise. Yale, in particular, was a constant presence throughout, and for his support, encouragement, and genuine caring on a daily basis, I owe him a debt beyond words. And Tai’s obliging skill at unearthing hidden material gives new meaning to the word discovery. To His Honor Judge Larry Hendricks, whose patience with and understanding of the complex issues in our case led him to rule in our favor, making him (in my estimation) the wisest jurist in the land.
Sally Keglovits, my unfailing sister in crime, went above and beyond her calls of duty with enthusiasm and without complaint. Her trips to the New York Public Library for fact-checking, her sensible guidance on dealing with the criminal mind, her cautions on where to draw the line, and her pumpkin pretzel pie will never be forgotten.
My trusted friend and brilliant editor, Phil Shallat, deserves much of the credit for making me sound smarter than I am. Editorial tussles are legendary, but despite occasional stubbornness to have it my way, his way usually prevailed.
From day one and for several years on, Kevin Helliker at the The Wall Street Journal taught me a veteran reporter’s way of playing chess with facts: challenging perilous moves I was about to make, suggesting new lines of engagement across the board, warning me when my king was in danger. His skill and inspiration gave me the courage to see this through.
To the gifted documentary filmmaker, Daniel Birman, thanks for years of wisdom and advice. You were always there when I needed a shove in the right direction, and your passion for this project means more than I can express here. Good luck to you and Megan Chao on the next phase of our journey. Sincere appreciation to Gary Brown for his unflagging enthusiasm and efforts, and to Sandi Mendelson for her wisdom and deep connections in the book world. And to Michael Ohoven, producer of the milestone film Capote, my gratitude for championing this project in other meaningful realms (and for what yet may come).
Very special thanks to my dear Подруга, Lily “Red” Mashkova, whose wisdom belies her years, and whose knowledge of all things In Cold Blood is humbling. And to my lifelong friend Kathleen Costello, the meticulous Miss Grammar, who rapped my knuckles time after time, instilling my work with precision where the nuns had failed so many decades before. Robin Kobaly and Doug Thompson, your tolerance of my constant interruptions of fellowship on the hobbit deck is deeply appreciated.
Special thanks to Mark Denchfield for his assistance, and to his parents, Keith and Carolyn Meier Denchfield, for their invaluable firsthand history as they lived it in Garden City, Kansas, during the time the events described here took place. And posthumous credit goes to Carolyn’s parents, Wendle and Josephine Meier, for being such good custodians of the many historical documents entrusted to my care and featured in these pages.
Directly or indirectly, I turned to many experts in my research for this book over the years, and to each of them I extend my deepest appreciation for their insights, advice, and assistance: to Alan Schwartz, literary executor of the Truman Capote Estate, for his generous permission to quote from In Cold Blood and the Capote Papers at the New York Public Library; the late Joanne Carson, in whose arms Truman died in 1984, and who graciously allowed me intimate perspectives on her friend; Gerald Clarke, Capote’s biographer, who kindly clarified an important point in correspondence between Truman and Harold Nye, and whose book, Capote: A Biography, served as invaluable research.
For their gracious time in exploring my theories:
Dr. W. Mitchell Jones, the psychiatrist who personally interviewed Richard Hickock and Perry Smith during their 1960 trial; neuropsychologist Dr. James Walker, for his fresh analysis of Richard Hickock’s letters; and author and professor of forensic psychology Dr. Katherine Ramsland, who indulged my curiosity about psychopaths. Thanks to Alex Heard of Outside magazine for his encouragement and kind introduction to Donald Lamm, one of the sharpest publishing minds in the business—and to Don for sharing his wisdom on sensible structure; Stuart Hinds, Assistant Dean for Special Collections & Archives, University of Missouri at Kansas City; Ashley Boggan Dreff, PhD, for her clarifying historical views on United Methodist culture of the era; Sheila Krohe, Kansas researcher-extraordinaire; Ted Blankenship, former ace reporter for the Hutchinson News, whose faithful live reportage during the Clutter murder trial was immensely helpful; Dr. Keith Collins, former USDA chief economist; the Kansas Historical Society; the Olathe Historical Society; and Mary Rasenberger, Executive Director of the Authors Guild, for the Guild’s legal assistance with the Hickock letters. Thanks to Lou Aronica of The Story Plant, whose publishing advice tipped the scale on which path to take; Fran Libra Koenigsdorf, who has taught In Cold Blood to young Kansas scholars for some thirty years, and upon whose expertise I often called; and for their encouragement in this project, a few of the talented writers I am honored to call friends: Tawni “P.L.” O’Dell, T. Jefferson Parker, and Adriana Trigiani.
To Gray County Sheriff Jim Kramer, and his brother, former Sheriff Bill Kramer, whose late father Marvin “Squirt” Kramer provided the most crucial witness report mere hours after the Clutters were murdered; as well as Jack Curtis and Ken Curtis, sons of Garden City photographer and writer, Jack Curtis, whose fine work both Capote and I depended on. To Finney County Sheriff Kevin Bascue, local historian of the Clutter murder case, who obligingly assisted our legal team; investigative reporter Pat Shannan, whose 1966 interview with Floyd Wells at Mississippi’s Parchman prison provided me with revelations on the most enigmatic character in the book; Dr. Richard Adler, for his kind introductions and keen observations; Michael Nations, son of Wichita Eagle reporter Starling Mack Nations, and his father’s strongest advocate; Dr. Phillip K. Tompkins, Professor Emeritus of the University of Colorado at Boulder who was among the first to critically review In Cold Blood in 1966, for his engaging correspondence; Dean Rohleder, the son of the real hero of the Clutter investigation, Garden City Assistant Chief of Police Richard Rohleder; and Jon Craig, who interviewed Rich Rohleder and kindly shared with me many of his observations (and whose father was Finney County Sheriff Grover Craig); John Burgess for his unfailing photographic mindfulness and all the rest; JW Sternickle and Melanie Hansen with the Taro Leaf Society of the 24th Infantry Division Association; Kimberly McGath, former Sarasota County Sheriff detective and cold case consultant, for her thoughts on the Walker family murders; Tara Scott at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; Stacia Lay, Mark Washburn, and Brenda Nixdorf of Hendricks & Lewis for strengthening our triumphant legal efforts; Meredith Mann and Brandon Westerheim at the Manuscripts and Archives Division of the New York Public Library, for facilitating frequent access to the Truman Capote papers; Mary O’Sullivan of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI; and to one historically significant contributor who wishes to remain anonymous.
To the cadre of friends, colleagues, and muses who lent me their ears, eyes, or voices in the wake of various revisions, or who contributed to this project in ways I couldn’t begin to calculate: Marshall Bell, Renee Bell, Dr. Kurt Billett, Connie Calabrese, Megan Chao, Gene Dueber, Mimi Dueber, Karen Flannery, Dennis Foreman, Tony Francis and the Guides, Brad Gray, John Grissim, Mary Anne Gunter, Michelle Harden, Alex Heard, Joanne Hopkins, JT Hunter, Dr. Kent Kiehl, Sarah Lewis, Travis Lively, Mitchell Maxwell, Gregory McDonald, Sandi Mendelson, Joyce Nye, Lecia Nye, Byron Rabin, Mali Sastri, Gordon Taylor, Jenny Tharp, Albert Treskin, Peter Vartabedian, Seth Weber, and Ron Weekes. Thanks to each and all of you.
Finally, to Ron’s father, Harold R. Nye, I extend posthumous admiration for his dedication to duty during the Clutter murder case. The exquisitely detailed handwritten notes he penned with every step taken in his investigation were infinitely valuable, giving up clues to various mysteries that would not reveal their relevance until decades later—a true literary treasure hunter’s dream.
As Ron has claimed on several occasions, it felt as if his father was nudging us in certain directions, defending our cause as we were defending ourselves against the organization he was most proud to serve—sadly, one that turned its back on him after his death. Harold Nye's legacy is a lesson in undivided loyalty, one that should serve both as an inspiration to the men and women who dedicate their lives to law enforcement, and perhaps a caution to the agencies who take their service for granted.
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