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First published in the United Kingdom in 1999 by Wil iam Heinemann

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To al who survived the Great Quebec Ice Storm of 1998.

Nous nous souvenons.

The characters and events in this book are fictional and created out of the imagination of the author. The setting is in Montreal, Canada; Charlotte, North Carolina; and other locations. Certain real locations and institutions are mentioned, but the characters and events depicted are entirely fictional.

Acknowledgements

Gratefril thanks are extended to Dr. Ronald Coulombe, specialiste en incendies; to Ms. Carole Peclet, specialiste en chimie; and to Dr.

Robert Dorion, Responsable d'Odontologie, Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciaires et de Medecine Legale; and to Mr. Louis Metivier, Bureau du Coroner de la Province de Quebec, for sharing their knowledge with me.

Dr. Walter Birkby, forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Medical Examiner of Pima County, Arizona, provided information on the recovery of burned remains. Dr. Robert Brouil ette, Head of the Divisions of Newborn Medicine and of Respiratory Medicine at the Montreal Children's Hospital helped with data on infant growth.

Mr. Curt Copeland, the Beaufort County coroner; Mr. Carl McCleod, the Beaufort County sheriff; and Detective Neal Player of the Beaufort County sheriffs department were most helpful. Detective Mike Marmix of the Il inois State Police also answered many questions pertaining to the investigation of a homicide. Dr. James Tabor, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, supplied information on cults and religious movements.

Mr. Leon Simon and Mr. Paul Reichs provided information on Charlotte and its history. I am also indebted to the latter for his comments on the manuscript.

Dr. James Woodward, chancel or at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, supported me unquestioningly throughout the writing of this book.