“Thank you for helping to give me that option and thank you for having the guts to meet me face to face.”

Susan reached out and touched Farrington’s hand. “I wish you the best, Chris.”

She stood up. “I really have to go now.”

Farrington stood. “I understand.”

He walked her to the door and watched the Town Car drive off. When it disappeared from sight he returned to the study. Just months ago, he’d been the most powerful person on Earth. He’d had the power to destroy the world with the push of a button. Now…

Farrington stared at the fire. The flames radiated heat but it could not dispel the chill in the air.

Acknowledgments

Any reader who doesn’t know me personally might make the mistake of thinking that I’m a walking Encyclopaedia Britannica because of the technical information on medical topics, the workings of the Secret Service, dental procedures, telecommunications, etc., that you can find in Executive Privilege, but all of that information comes from some wonderful experts who were willing to take time out of their busy day to help me make my book more realistic. So I want to thank Dr. Karen Gunson, Dennis Balske, Dr. Daniel Moore, Ken Baumann, Al Bosco, Andrew Painter, Andy Rome, Ed Pritchard, Joe Massey, and Mark Miller. I also recommend So You Think You Want to Be an Independent Counsel by Donald C. Smaltz to anyone who wants to be an independent counsel or just needs to know a lot about that office.

I appreciate the time taken by Susan Svetkey, Karen Berry, Ami Margolin Rome, Jerry and Judy Margolin, Pam Webb, and Jay Margulies for reading my first draft and sharing their ideas on how I could make the book better.

A special thank-you to Marjorie Braman for her excellent work in editing Executive Privilege. It is a much better book because of her comments and suggestions. A special Pulitzer Prize for Titles goes to Peggy Hageman. And nothing I can say will be adequate to show my appreciation for the compassion shown to me by everyone at HarperCollins during the worst time of my life.

Also there for me-as they always have been-were Jean Naggar, Jennifer Weltz, and everyone at the Jean Naggar Literary Agency.

No words will explain how fabulous all of my friends have been in supporting me and Daniel and Ami-my wonderful children-since Doreen passed away. Doreen was my muse and my inspiration for everything I’ve done in life, and she will continue to be.

About the Author

PHILLIP MARGOLIN has written twelve New York Times bestsellers, each displaying a compelling insider’s view of criminal behavior that comes from his unique background as a longtime criminal defense attorney who has handled thirty murder cases. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

www.phillipmargolin.com