about the case a little.' I looked at Chuck and smiled.
'You mean the case where you're the star witness?' I could always
count on Chuck to lighten the mood.
'That would be the one.' I was still off the case I couldn't testify
and prosecute but Russ had assured me I could help plan the trial.
Looking Susan Kerr in the eye and giving evidence against her would be
even more rewarding than sitting first chair.
If my first two weeks in MCU were any indication, my first major trial
would come soon enough. In the meantime, I was happy to wait it out.
Author's Note
Striking the optimal balance between fact and fiction is a real writing
challenge. Readers notice when a defendant gets off on inconceivable
grounds or when the cops get a warrant with nothing approaching
probable cause. And not only do they notice, they feel cheated. On
the other hand, too much loyalty to reality makes for dry novels.
Samantha Kincaid's life is based on fact. Unless I mess it up, you
won't find her making nonexistent objections or prosecuting laws that
would never make the books. Along the way, I even ask for help to make
sure I've got my facts straight. For the answers, I thank Larry
Lewman, Deputy State Medical Examiner for the State of Oregon;
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorneys Josh Lamborn, Jim Mclntyre,
and John Bradley; and Hofstra Law School professors Nora Demleitner and
Matt Bodie. If I bungled something they told me, it's my fault, not
theirs.
The smart growth plan at the heart of Missing Justice is also based on
fact. When Samantha Kincaid describes Portland's urban growth boundary
as the 'secret ingredient in Portland's warm gooey cinnamon bun,' she
speaks from my heart. I did, however, exercise some artistic license.
The legislation creating Portland's urban growth boundary is not called
the Smart Growth Act; the Metro Council is not just a part-time gig;
and there is neither an Oregon suburb called Glenville nor a Portland
neighborhood called the Railroad District, let alone a development
licensing program based in it. In other words, the book's still
fiction.
And a better book it is thanks to the continued dedication and talent
of Jennifer Barth, Maggie Richards, and John Sterling at Henry Holt.
Their support, hard work, and creativity have made all the difference,
and I'm forever grateful.
A former deputy district attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair Burke
now teaches criminal law at Hofstra School of Law and lives in New York
City. She is the daughter of acclaimed crime writer James Lee Burke.
Missing Justice is her second novel. It follows her acclaimed debut
judgment. Calls.
Also by Alafair Burke
