One could not hope for a better agent than mine. Thank you, Clem, for being your passionate, meticulous, and beyond capable self.

Grove Atlantic hardly needs its praises sung. I’m honored to be a small part of their classy operation. And I will always be grateful to the man who gave me my first shot—Morgan Entrekin.

I also have a talented and perceptive editor at Grove—thank you Sara Vitale.

There were a number of employees of Child Protective Services who gave me insight and detail into the challenging nature of their work. Our conversations were off the record so I cannot mention them by name but thank you.

A good number of people, some of them personal friends, spoke with great candor to me about their battles with substance addiction. I am extremely honored to have been so entrusted.

Alistair Gilchrist, former law enforcement and always on call to fact-check—thank you.

To my diligent and helpful beta readers and especially Susan Opie and Rebecca Wade, thank you.

I wish to thank the others who have encouraged or supported me along the way, even if it was just out of fear of what I’d get up to if I didn’t write: Michael, Sue, Garry, Marcus, Keith, Michelle, Hayley, Mike, Kristin, Howard, Kat, Jase, Steve, and Rebecca. Jesus, I didn’t realize I had so many good friends.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my partner, Louisa, not just for the support, unwavering even when I work during our vacations, but also for the informed opinion of one who investigates for a living. If I thanked you for everything you should be thanked for, some annoying fool would start the play-off music.

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