Bones Never Lie (Temperance Brennan, #17)(103)

Harry’s chenille throw on the sofa back. Gran’s sweetgrass basket on the rug by the armchair. Mama’s silver candlesticks on the mantel.

My gaze fell on an item confiscated at the apartment on Dotger. A child’s painting—the one Mary Louise had made of Birdie that she’d wanted to show me.

In my mind, I saw ice-blue eyes. Heard again and again the offer of an altered future.

I thought of endless uncertain possibilities. Of impediments I could neither foresee nor control.

I felt a smile nudge my lips.

Maybe.

Just maybe.

But today I would frame the painting of the white cat playing with the red plaid mouse.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


As usual, I owe a huge debt of thanks to a whole lot of people.

Bones Never Lie benefited greatly from all those at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide/ADW and Cold Case units who shared their time, their memories, and their expertise with me. A special shout-out to Chuck Henson, Dave Philips, and Lisa Mangum.

I am grateful to Mike Bisson, Michael Baden, and Diane Seguin for answering many questions, and to Courtney Reichs for input on hospitals and the nursing profession.

Cheri Byrd and Michelle Skipper provided copious quantities of buoyant enthusiasm. And wine and giggles.

I appreciate the continued support of Chancellor Philip L. Dubois of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Sincere thanks to my agent, Jennifer Rudolph-Walsh, and to my rock star editors, Jennifer Hershey and Susan Sandon.

I also want to acknowledge all those who work so very hard on my behalf. At home in the U.S.: Gina Centrello, Libby McGuire, Kim Hovey, Scott Shannon, Susan Corcoran, Cindy Murray, Kristin Fassler, Cynthia Lasky, and Joey McGarvey. On the other side of the pond: Simon Littlewood, Glenn O’Neill, Georgina Hawtrey-Woore, and Jen Doyle. North of the forty-ninth: Kevin Hanson and Amy Cormier. At William Morris Endeavor Entertainment: Caitlin Moore, Maggie Shapiro, Tracy Fisher, Cathryn Summerhayes, and Raffaella De Angelis.

I appreciate Paul Reichs’s insightful comments on the manuscript. As always, a big merci to my readers. It is gratifying that you follow Tempe’s adventures, attend my signings and appearances, visit my website (KathyReichs.com), like me on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter (@kathyreichs). You guys dazzle!

If I left anyone out, I apologize. If the book contains errors, I own them.