Acknowledgements

First and foremost, this, like all my other novels, would never have happened without the support and encouragement of my better-half, Gina. While I bang on the keys, she makes sure our home doesn’t fall apart and ensures no one starves. Of course, with a second-generation Italian wife, who knows how to cook, you can understand my battle of the bulge. I would have it no other way.

I wanted this story to be perfect, so enlisted the services of Robert (Robin) Carson, who had come highly recommended from a fellow writer and friend, Scott Overton. He helped tighten the manuscript and brought so much to the overall story. As it turned out, this would become the most enjoyable process of writing this novel. I have learned so much from Robin and enjoyed our interactions. I look forward to working with him in the future and count him as a friend.

FIRST THEY CAME...

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

Martin Niemöller (1892 – 1984)

Lutheran Pastor and Dachau prisoner

***

"GET IT ALL ON RECORD now — get the films — get the witnesses — because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened."

General Dwight Eisenhower,

Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, 1945