Velocity (Karen Vail #3)(139)

Carl Caulk, deputy assistant director, U.S. Marshals Service, Judicial Security Division, for his assistance with the WITSEC program.

Micheal Weinhaus, Special Agent, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for information on warrants and proper search procedures (Karen Vail could learn a thing or two from Mike).

Jeffrey Jacobson. Yes, Velocity is dedicated to him, but he deserves to be acknowledged here, too. As the associate general counsel for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and a former assistant U.S. attorney, he’s eminently qualified to answer questions about Border Patrol, ports of entry, canine handling, and search and seizure issues. One might say Jeff is “a jack of all federal law enforcement trades.” (I wouldn’t say that, but someone might.) Keely Dodd, senior probation officer, Napa County Probation, for her assistance with selecting certain settings and locations in downtown Napa.

Gary Hyde, associate director, process engineering, at Mannkind Corporation, for his explanation of, and assistance with, the drug delivery method described in Velocity. Though BetaSomnol was fictitious, the concept behind it was not. Gary was a senior process engineer at a major pharmaceutical company that produced such (legal) “transdermals.”

At the Bellagio Hotel, Keith Fels, show control engineer in fountain control, was enormously helpful in walking me through the intricacies of the exquisite Bellagio fountains, the pump room, and fountain operation and maintenance; Mary Cabral and Kristen Lacer assisted me in attempting to gain access to restricted areas; Jason Harrison, Bellagio executive chef, and Mark Szczepanski, general manager of Jasmine Restaurant, for their descriptions and explanations regarding the “back of the house” and associated areas.

At CityCenter, I was assisted by Mariksa Quintana and Carolyn Leveque, who acquainted me with all aspects of the complex, its features, amenities, access roads, and connections.

David Pearson, CEO of Opus One, for assistance with establishing the legal timeline of wineries relative to Herndon Vineyards.

Ariana Peju of Peju Vineyards for information regarding TTB and California’s Alcohol and Beverage Control’s application process for starting a winery. I can’t say enough about the fine people (and fine wine) at Peju. In particular, a special acknowledgment goes to Herta and Tony Peju, Peter Verdin, Katie Vandermause, Alan Arnopole, Caroline King, Scott Neumann, and Robert Sherman for their assistance.

Tómas Palmer, software security consultant, for his technical musings and information pertaining to the workings of the LOWIS device.

Samantha McManus, communications manager, Microsoft Digital Crime Unit, for information on COFEE and PhotoDNA (yes, both are real).

Maury Gloster, M.D., for his medical counsel on the injuries sustained by John Mayfield, James Cannon, and Robby, including associated terminology and treatment outcomes.

Lisa Black, fellow author, who also happens to be a forensic scientist, for her assistance with Sandiego Ortega’s gunshot wound.

My old friend Steve Kitnick (okay, so he’s not that old), for shuttling me to/from, through and around the Green Valley Ranch Resort, and serving as my personal Las Vegas sidekick. Jeff Ayers, friend and author, for once again going way beyond the call of duty while ferrying me around Seattle.

The exceptional people at Vanguard Press: Roger Cooper, publisher, Georgina Levitt, associate publisher, and Amanda Ferber, publishing manager. It’s a pleasure to work with three very professional and talented individuals; Peter Costanzo, and the entire Vanguard sales force and production staff, whose tireless efforts behind the scenes are responsible for getting my novels into the hands of my readers; Jennifer Ballot, my publicist, who worked her tail off to make my Crush tour a success—no small effort in today’s bookselling climate.

Kevin Smith, my editor. Working with Kevin is like applying a coat of Meguiar’s premium wax to a Bentley: when you’re done, the car sparkles and looks damn fine. Michael Connelly said “Alan Jacobson is my kind of writer”; Kevin Smith is Alan Jacobson’s kind of editor.

Chrisona Schmidt, my copy editor. Having a skilled copy editor is invaluable, and Chrisona is one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Cisca Schreefel and Renee Caputo, my project editors. Cisca and Renee made sure all parts of the production puzzle came together in an orderly fashion. It’s a huge undertaking, and I appreciate all their efforts.

C. J. Snow, for his thorough review of the manuscript. Although it’s not his profession, C. J. is a skilled copy editor with an exceptional eye. His markup is first-rate and much appreciated.

My agents, Joel Gotler and Frank Curtis, Esq. There is no substitute for their decades of experience. Their guidance, opinions, and input mean a great deal to me.

My wife, Jill, who also serves as my sounding board, first-line editor, and brutally honest critic. Jill is an avid reader of the genre, but because she approaches characters and situations differently than I do, she gives me a perspective I may not always see. Writing aside, she means the world to me.

Thanks, as well, to those who went above and beyond to help sell my books: Jane Willoughby and Ingram Losner for their extraordinary work in San Diego, and Wayne and Julia Rudnick for their Herculean efforts in Arizona. Samantha McManus and James Patton at Microsoft for all their efforts in helping me launch Crush.

Len Rudnick, my uncle, for ushering me to and around Phoenix like no other media escort could. Between the tours for The 7th Victim, Crush, and Velocity, we’ve amassed some great memories. I’ll always cherish the time we spent together. Melodie Hilton, director of marketing and public relations, Napa Valley Wine Train, for making the Wine Train available to us for filming, and for arranging our Wine Train book signing event. K. R. Rombauer for his hospitality and for allowing us to film in Rhombauer’s extensive wine cave.