Velocity

Ariana Peju of Peju Vineyards for information regarding TTB and California’s Alcohol and Beverage Control’s application process for starting a winery. I can’t say enough about the fine people (and fine wine) at Peju. In particular, a special acknowledgment goes to Herta and Tony Peju, Peter Verdin, Katie Vandermause, Alan Arnopole, Caroline King, Scott Neumann, and Robert Sherman for their assistance.

Tomas Palmer, software security consultant, for his technical musings and information pertaining to the workings of the LOWIS device.

Samantha McManus, communications manager, Microsoft Digital Crime Unit, for information on COFEE and PhotoDNA (yes, both are real).

Maury Gloster, M.D., for his medical counsel on the injuries sustained by John Mayfield, James Cannon, and Robby, including associated terminology and treatment outcomes.

Lisa Black, fellow author, who also happens to be a forensic scientist, for her assistance with Sandiego Ortega’s gunshot wound.

My old friend Steve Kitnick (okay, so he’s not that old), for shuttling me to/from, through and around the Green Valley Ranch Resort, and serving as my personal Las Vegas sidekick. Jeff Ayers, friend and author, for once again going way beyond the call of duty while ferrying me around Seattle.

The exceptional people at Vanguard Press: Roger Cooper, publisher, Georgina Levitt, associate publisher, and Amanda Ferber, publishing manager. It’s a pleasure to work with three very professional and talented individuals; Peter Costanzo, and the entire Vanguard sales force and production staff, whose tireless efforts behind the scenes are responsible for getting my novels into the hands of my readers; Jennifer Ballot, my publicist, who worked her tail off to make my Crush tour a success—no small effort in today’s bookselling climate.

Kevin Smith, my editor. Working with Kevin is like applying a coat of Meguiar’s premium wax to a Bentley: when you’re done, the car sparkles and looks damn fine. Michael Connelly said “Alan Jacobson is my kind of writer”; Kevin Smith is Alan Jacobson’s kind of editor.

Chrisona Schmidt, my copy editor. Having a skilled copy editor is invaluable, and Chrisona is one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Cisca Schreefel and Renee Caputo, my project editors. Cisca and Renee made sure all parts of the production puzzle came together in an orderly fashion. It’s a huge undertaking, and I appreciate all their efforts.

C. J. Snow, for his thorough review of the manuscript. Although it’s not his profession, C. J. is a skilled copy editor with an exceptional eye. His markup is first-rate and much appreciated.

My agents, Joel Gotler and Frank Curtis, Esq. There is no substitute for their decades of experience. Their guidance, opinions, and input mean a great deal to me.

My wife, Jill, who also serves as my sounding board, first-line editor, and brutally honest critic. Jill is an avid reader of the genre, but because she approaches characters and situations differently than I do, she gives me a perspective I may not always see. Writing aside, she means the world to me.

Thanks, as well, to those who went above and beyond to help sell my books:

Jane Willoughby and Ingram Losner for their extraordinary work in San Diego, and Wayne and Julia Rudnick for their Herculean efforts in Arizona. Samantha McManus and James Patton at Microsoft for all their efforts in helping me launch Crush.

Len Rudnick, my uncle, for ushering me to and around Phoenix like no other media escort could. Between the tours for The 7th Victim, Crush, and Velocity, we’ve amassed some great memories. I’ll always cherish the time we spent together. Melodie Hilton, director of marketing and public relations, Napa Valley Wine Train, for making the Wine Train available to us for filming, and for arranging our Wine Train book signing event. K. R. Rombauer for his hospitality and for allowing us to film in Rhombauer’s extensive wine cave.

Gretchen Pahia, Larry Comacho, Bill Thompson; Tom Hedtke, Beth O’Connor, Vicky Lorini; Colleen Holcombe; Douglas Thompson; Russell Ilg; John Hutchinson, Virginia Lenneville; Jean Coggan, Kristine Williams; Alex Telander; Jeff Bobby; Donna Powers, Pamela Ervin; Covahgin Van Dyk; J. Paul Deason, Betsy Ostrow; Marlee Soulard; Chris Acevedo (and Sophie), Daniel Piel; Maryelizabeth Hart, Terry Louchheim Gilman, Patrick Heffernan, Lori Burns, Linda Tonnesen; Barbara Peters, Lorri Amsden, Patrick Millikin; Bobby McCue, Linda Brown, Pam Woods, Kirk Pasich; J. B. Dickey, Fran Fuller; Joan Hansen; April Lilley, Christine Hilferty; Marc Hernandez and Ronny Peskin; Kara Schneider, Dena Roy, Valerie Burnside; Greg Hill; Lisa Haynes; Teresa McClatchy; Laura Sylvia, Marisa Ferche; Jessie Portlock; Joe Wilder; Mandi Holstrom; Tracy Puhl; Marsha Toy Engstrom and her “Hoodies”; Michael Troyan; Deborah Lee; Keith Kilby, John Keese, Nathan Spradlin; Marc Stiles; Patrick Malloy.

Marvin Kamras; John Hartman; Andrea Ragan; Russell and Marion Weis; Corey Jacobson; Mikel London, Andrew Gulli; Lindsay Preston, Brendan Twardy, Geof Pelaia, Stephen Mlinarcik, Virginia Matri, and the College of Art and Design in Cleveland, Ohio.

To my readers . . . As always, thanks for your support, for spreading the word about Alan Jacobson’s novels to friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, book clubs, and bloggers. I promise to always try my best to entertain you with unique characters and interesting stories. Come out and see me sometime at one of my signings, or check out my Web site and Facebook fan page. I’m here for you.

As always, I conducted exhaustive research in an attempt to ensure accuracy. If I’ve blown some fact, it’s my responsibility, not that of the individuals mentioned above. Likewise, if I’ve accidentally omitted someone, please forgive me (and let me know, so I can correct it).

Due to its sensitive nature, certain aspects of SWAT procedure may or may not have been altered to protect those in the field. Likewise, certain DEA operational procedures and capabilities or locations may have been modified to protect those who are risking their lives to keep us safe. However, all other information, including that regarding drug-related statistics, methods of transportation and subterfuge used by the cartels, the pervasiveness of illicit drugs, and other such information included in Velocity are accurate to my knowledge at the time of this writing.

In a few instances of hotel/casino layout, I’ve taken some minor literary license for both security and dramatic reasons.

About Margot, Roxxann Dixon’s white standard poodle . . . My wife and I are proud owners of two standards, one of which came from a local rescue organization and one from a breeder in North Carolina. The latter’s mother, Margot, recently passed away unexpectedly. She was not just a champion on the show circuit, but a special dog with tremendous intellect and personality, which she passed on to our big guy. Margot has been, and will be, missed. Dixon’s fictitious poodle is named in the real Margot’s honor.

Copyright © 2010 by Alan Jacobson