As I was writing The Runaway, I often joked it was like my troubled third child. Fortunately, my wonderful editors, Anne Clarke at Redhook, and Emily Griffin and Sonny Marr at Penguin Random House were there to co-parent. Thank you for your laser-focused notes and incredible patience, and for believing I could and would get it right. There are so many people who helped bring this book to life as well. I’m so thankful to the talented marketing and PR teams at PRH and Redhook, especially Ellen Wright. Special thanks as well to cover designers Glenn O’Neil and Lisa Marie Pompilio. To my lovely, hard-working agents at WME, Eve Atterman, Matilda Watson, and Janine Kamouh, thank you for doing all you do so I can focus on doing what I love.

This book tackles highly sensitive subjects that include homelessness, infertility, and mental health issues. To accurately portray these topics, I relied on countless experts. My tireless search to find someone with Becca’s professional experience led me to Dr. Ryan Solomon, a clinical psychologist who spent years working with the LAPD’s Mental Evaluation Unit. Ryan’s unique experience, as well as his understanding of storytelling, helped bring Becca to life and truly enriched her character. Thanks to Jonathan Thiele at the Denver Health Medical Center and Dr. Jessica Lange Osterman for providing their own expertise. To Javen Smith, thank you for your courage and for entrusting me with your foster care experiences.

I’m grateful as well to Scott Madden, a retired captain with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for sharing his expertise and laying the groundwork for this story. I’m also lucky that one of my longtime high school friends, Matt McArthur, is an expert in all things police related. Thanks, Matt, for responding to nightly e-mails and phone calls with random questions, and for knowing how to fill those annoying plot holes. Thanks also to Travis Ivie, Taylor Howerton, and Halley Massey-Felt for reenacting what has to be the most entertaining weapons demonstration I have ever seen.

Thank you Mem Kennedy, Rebekah Faubion, Liza Sandoval, Zoe Broad, Adam Czartoryski, Nick Chapa, and Adesuwa McCalla for being such amazing friends and creative champions.

To Edward Santiago, my creative guru, they say the third time’s a charm, but I feel lucky each and every time we go on this journey. Dedi Felman, you’re a rock star, who with a few targeted questions helped break this book wide open.

Allison Rymer, thanks for coming to my rescue and acting as though reading several drafts of an entire novel was no big deal. You’re my hero.

Zac Hug, I am so grateful for your LA field trips, your word smithery, and of course your friendship. Elena Zaretsky, whenever I sounded the alarm, you were there with an encouraging word and a creative fix for whatever was ailing me.