Ali Watts, publisher. Thank you for continually bringing my dreams into reality. At the beginning of this publishing journey I had no idea how important you were to every part of the writing voyage, but as I’ve gained understanding about it all I’ve realised how lucky I am to have you.

Johannes Jakob, editor. Same as with Ali, I had no idea how lucky I am to have you until this book, and I’ve only just begun to realise how much of a madly complicated and highly specific skill set you have as an editor. But as well as that, thanks for the encouragement throughout every conversation.

Matthew McDonald, for all those initial phone calls that set in my mind the first ideas for The Deep, and for giving me the bones and a heartbeat to build Mack around. Thank you for being so generous with your stories.

Haylee Kerans, for being the first person to read The Deep and helping me whip it into shape, and then for being one of the last people to read it and close the loop. And as always, thanks for setting my feet on this journey.

Andrew Herring, for all those late-night chats, for helping me stay grounded and keep my emotions regulated when navigating how to write another book while riding the high from my last book, and for the writer’s studio.

To my secret police contact, Jack. You’ve done it again! Thanks for the back-and-forth messages, for giving me specific descriptions to include, and for all that brainstorming over beers.

Blair Harding and Craig Oosthuizen, for being the best colleagues a man could ask for and for teaching me how a drug dealer thinks, how drug psychosis presents and the best way to steal money from rival outfits. Most importantly, thanks for teaching me how to relate to people who use drugs and for breaking down all those false ideas I had, even as a professional in the sector.

KC McDonald, for the insight into the criminal mindset, the introductions to people and places that taught me a lot about what I needed to know, and for all the coffees you joined me for mid-writing session. Thanks especially for always providing encouragement and good energy to keep me focused.

Tom Costello and Ryan Bester, for letting me into your world. Thank you for those scary tales of dependence on amphetamines, for the long conversations about life and meaning and the future, and for answering my questions, like, ‘What, specifically, does a hit of ice feel like?’, ‘What’s the best way to steal a car?’ and ‘What’s the best way to make an impromptu ice pipe?’ (Thanks, Tom – a wine glass! Bloody genius.)