This book would not exist without the efforts of Pat Dougherty, Howard Weaver, and Gretchen Legler, who helped me learn the craft of writing; Dana Stabenow, who strong-armed me into writing mystery fiction; Kim Rich and Sue Henry, who helped me find the way to publication; my agent, Marcy Posner, whose suggestions made this a better book; Tom Colgan, my editor, who shepherded this book, and me, through the process with patience and humor; and, of course, my wife, Kathy, my reader and editor of first, and last, resort.