Dig Your Grave
Page 42
He calls his wife and asks if she’s up for dinner out tonight. “I might even have a surprise,” he tells her.
Then, as soon as he’s off the phone, he goes to Google and, with a grateful nod to Gus Parker and Billie Welch, searches for Maui images. He finds a classic sunset over a shimmering sea, palms that bend so low they graze the water, a generic picture of beauty that could be paradise anywhere. He attaches it to an email and sends it to Kelly without a message of any kind in the body.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I thank my family for their outstanding support of my work. My parents, Diane and Harvey, stand by me and always have. They both serve as de facto publicists, which you can’t put a price on, and I’m glad they don’t. My sister, Nancy, calls me every morning with her infinite wisdom, guidance, and, sometimes, just for a kvetch session. I treasure my daily dose of all of the above. My nieces, Marielle and Chloe, are always a source of great joy. My in-laws, Billy, Greg, Beth, Nate, and Ivette complete the family circle perfectly with their avid support. Mia and Ethan like to jump in my bed and cuddle. All writers need a Mia and Ethan. One of my oldest and dearest friends David O’Leary is my compadre and the brother I never had. I love him; his wife, Kathy; and all of their amazing kids.
I owe a big thanks to Sergeant Jon Howard and Sergeant Vince Lewis of the Phoenix Police Department. They’ve been invaluable guides to law enforcement, city and statewide. Their information has guided me well. But I, alone, am responsible for any mistakes or detours from official procedures. Also, a thank-you to Nancy Savage at the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. Again, I take responsibility for any errors.
Jean Stone is a great friend, and there’s no one better with whom to commiserate. Thanks for all of the love and encouragement. Cara London has been a fan since our college days at Brandeis. The fandom is mutual. We have lots of stories that will never be published. Thanks for the love and laughter.
To my amazing editor, Dan Mayer, huge gratitude. I never get hung up on edits because I trust the man implicitly. I’m in great hands with my copyeditor, Jeffrey Curry. A genius. If he could copyedit my life like he copyedits my novels, I’d be a better man and I’d probably never lose my keys. Thanks to Jake Bonar, my publicist; Jill Maxick; Hanna Etu; Nicole Summer-Lecht; and all of the other professionals at Seventh Street Books, Prometheus Books, and Penguin Random House. My agent, Ann Collette, is a gem, and a hardworking gem at that. And to Hank Phillippi Ryan, your generosity is beyond. I’m so lucky we’ve connected. Your enthusiasm for other writers is a beautiful thing. Lori Rader-Day, the coaching has been good for my head and my spirit. You, too, are a generous soul.
Paul Milliken. Please stop making me eschew carbs. Can’t I just eat Beth’s brownies and drink Sangria every day? You are Sedona in the golden hour.
Last, but absolutely not least, thank you, the readers, for your precious time, your interest in my work, and your often very lovely reviews. You make this whole journey gratifying.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven Cooper is the author of Desert Remains, the first Gus Parker and Alex Mills novel, and three previous novels. A video producer and a former television reporter, he has received multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, a national Edward R. Murrow Award, and many honors from the Associated Press. He taught writing at Rollins College (Winter Park, Florida) from 2007 to 2012. He has also taught in the School of Communication and Media at Kennesaw State University. He currently lives in Atlanta.