Love You More: A Novel (50 page)

Also, my deepest appreciation to Wayne Rock, Esquire, for legal advice and various insights into the BPD. A retired Boston detective, Wayne is always very patient when answering my questions and no longer seems startled when I lead with things like,
So I want to kill a guy but not have it be my fault. What’s my best option?
Thank you, Wayne!

I am also indebted to Scott Hale, third generation merchant mariner, for his insights into the life. He agreed to help me out, even after knowing I was going to kill the merchant marine character. Thanks, Scott!

And wrapping things up in the research department, my endless gratitude to gifted doctor and fellow suspense author C. J. Lyons for her medical expertise. Let’s face it, not just anyone will respond to e-mails with subject headings such as “Need Advice for Maiming.” Thanks, C.J.!

Since writing novels isn’t all touring jails and hanging out with cops, I must also thank David J. Hallett and Scott C. Ferrari, who outbid all rivals with a generous donation to our local animal shelter, for the right to include their Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Skyler and Kelli in the novel. I hope you enjoy Skyler and Kelli’s star-making turn, and thanks for supporting our local shelter.

I couldn’t let animals have all the fun. Congrats to Heather Blood, winner of the 6th Annual Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy Sweepstakes, who nominated Erica Reed to die. Also, Canadian Donna Watters for winning the international edition, Kill a Friend, Maim a Mate. She sacrificed her sister, Kim Watters, for a grand end.

I hope you enjoyed your literary immortality. And for those of you hoping to get in on the action, please check out
www.LisaGardner.com
.

Of course, I couldn’t do this without my family. From my own darling child, who quizzed me every day on whether I had saved the little girl yet, to my extremely patient husband, who’s gotten so used to having a wife who takes off for prison, he doesn’t even ask what time I’ll be home anymore. That’s love, I tell you.

Finally, for Team Gardner. My supportive agent, Meg Ruley; my brilliant editor, Kate Miciak; and my entire Random House publishing
team. You have no idea how many talented and hardworking people it takes to produce a novel. I am indebted to each and every one. Thanks for being on my side, and helping to make the magic happen.

This book is dedicated in loving memory to Uncle Darrell and Aunt Donna Holloway, who taught us laughter, love and, of course, cribbage strategy.

Also, to Richard Myles, aka Uncle Dick, whose love of great books, beautiful gardens, and a good Manhattan will not be forgotten.

We love you, and we remember.

L
ISA
G
ARDNER
is the
New York Times
bestselling author of thirteen novels. Her Detective D. D. Warren novels include
Love You More
,
Live to Tell
,
The Neighbor
,
Hide
, and
Alone
. Her FBI Profiler novels include
Say Goodbye
,
Gone
,
The Killing Hour
,
The Next Accident
, and
The Third Victim
. She lives with her family in New England, where she is at work on her next novel.