“Who do you want me to kill,” I said, getting blunt about it. “The president?”

“Not at the moment,” he said with a smile. Like it would never happen. “I’m glad this is working out. We’re impressed. You have a knack. A talent. Your country needs it.” Then he stood up. He came around the desk. He held out his hand to shake. I stood up, took it, and shook it.

“Here’s what I can say,” he said, with his mild smile and a real, apparently sincere, but always moderate, warmth. “Welcome to the Deep State.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to Carl Bromley. I’ve been with several editors. He’s the best of them. He was with this book every step of the way. And has an amusing accent.

The inside of the book—the type, typesetting, design—looks great. In an age in which such things are less than an afterthought, usually as if they had no thought at all, what a surprise. What a delight. Thanks to Emily Considine for that.

To Beste Doğan for the arty, provocative, and apt cover.

To the two Mikes, Lindgren & Barson, to Maya Bradford & Amelia Stymacks for their enthusiasm & support, for promoting and publicizing this book. My gratitude.