I would like to thank my agent, Gloria Loomis, and my editor, Robin “Max” Desser, for their endless labor and unwavering confidence. I am indebted to Frederic Tuten for his aesthetics and passion; Walter Mosley, whose work is always teaching me new tricks; and Professor Ed Rivera, another product of Spanish Harlem, for his insight and sound advice. I will always remember Juanita Lorenzo and Cesar Rosado’s generosity and kindness, and their couch. I am grateful to Darnell Martin for “getting it” from the very beginning. Finally, Jeanne Flavin has been a good friend as well as a significant influence on how I view issues of crime and justice. I like to think this book would have happened even without all her help. But I’m glad I didn’t have to find out.