by Mike Pace
He heard a noise and turned.
A young tourist couple, cameras swinging from straps around their necks, walked down the aisle toward him.
They smiled and waved.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First, I’d like to thank my amazing agent, John Rudolph, and the folks at Dystel & Goderich. Cheers, John.
Using the word “family” to describe a business organization is greatly overused, but in the case of Oceanview Publishing, it’s true. Many thanks to Bob and Pat Gussin, Frank Troncale, and the rest of the team for their wonderful support, and for welcoming me into the family.
Thanks also to Adam Rodriguez for his insightful early editing.
Given the story of One to Go, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the thousands of people across the United States who work in our criminal justice system. Prosecutors, public defenders, judges, bailiffs, court reporters, marshals, sheriffs, clerks, prison guards, and secretaries, just to name a few. Virtually none of the cases they handle make Court TV. And while a casual observer might conclude the daily processing of criminal charges through the system more resembles a heartless assembly line than the administration of justice, nothing could be further from the truth. All participants play their parts, toiling day in and day out to ensure that both the rights of the accused and the rights of the community are well-protected. While far from perfect, their tireless efforts continue to ensure that the American justice system remains the best in the history of the world.
M. P.
West River, Maryland
2014
