Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Dan Collins, former assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago and now a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, for answering my numerous questions about federal law enforcement. I am once again indebted to Dr. Ronald Wright, forensic pathologist, for guiding me through many issues related to manners of death, causes of death, and estimating time of death. Thank you to my dear friend Beth Weedman for patiently answering many questions about substance abuse and treatment. Neither Dan, Beth, nor Dr. Wright reviewed my work for accuracy, and any mistakes are mine alone.

Thank you to my many friends at Putnam, too numerous to list, for all the support you continue to show me and for everything you do to help me shine (or at least not screw up). To name just two: Sara Minnich, you made this book so much better. Ivan Held, you inspire so many authors like me with your commitment and faith in us, and it means everything to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

A nod to the Ellis rugrats, Abigail, Julia, and Jonathan, for moderating Daddy’s grumpy moods when the words aren’t flowing, and for filling his world with indescribable love. And to the lovely Susan, my dream come true, who keeps all of us sane and still makes my heart go pitter-pat.