ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, I am grateful for the continued support of so many.
To my critique partners and fellow teachers, the wonderful writers Michael Shepherd and Robert Spiller. You guys always come through. And you’re always brilliant. Thank you.
To my beta readers, authors Michael Bateman, Deborah Coonts, and Chris Mandeville. You make my writing so much better, and I am immensely lucky to have both your friendship and your wisdom. Thank you for making room in your lives for my books.
To Patricia Coleman, for all the hours in coffee shops and at the library. Mission accomplished.
This novel would not be possible without the professionals. Thank you all for your time and wisdom. Jessie Donaldson, Vietnam veteran and retired technical expert (railroad maintenance of way equipment and rail repair). Meredith Frank, MD, Denver Office of the Medical Examiner, who patiently and generously answered my many questions. Retired crime scene detective Ron Gabel, Denver Police Department, who generously gave his time to make sure I got the facts right, and who lent his name to the crime scene detective in this book. FBI Special Agent Matthew S. Harris—a scholar and a gentleman. Britta Lietke, who once again helped with Clyde’s commands. Forensic handwriting examiner, instructor, and mystery author Sheila Lowe, who helped Evan do his job properly. Candy Muscari-Erdos, CEO of Mountain High Service Dogs, and the amazing working dog Count Nathanael Athos. I learned up close and personal how much Nate loves a Kong! And retired homicide detective Lieutenant Jon Priest, Denver Police Department.
Any errors in this book are strictly my own.
Ongoing thanks to my agent, Bob Diforio of the D4EO Literary Agency, and to the always terrific Liz Pearsons, Charlotte Herscher, and the fantastic team at Thomas & Mercer. They make a wonderful job even better.
To Cathy Noakes, for her brilliance and for her unflagging pursuit of all that makes life worthwhile. To Lori Dominguez and Maria Faulconer for their wisdom and friendship. And, as always, to my family: Steve, Kyle, and Amanda Nickless. You are the center of my universe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2017 Trystan Photography
Barbara Nickless is the Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Sydney Rose Parnell series, which includes Blood on the Tracks, a Suspense Magazine Best of 2016 selection and winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence; Dead Stop; and Ambush. Blood on the Tracks and Dead Stop won the Colorado Book Award, and Dead Stop was nominated for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence. Her essays and short stories have appeared in Writer’s Digest and Criminal Element, among other markets. She lives in Colorado, where she loves to cave, snowshoe, hike, and drink single malt scotch—usually not at the same time. Connect with her at www.barbaranickless.com.
