Several generous and talented colleagues bear witness to the reality that it's not such a cutthroat world out there after all. I have to single out Karen Kijewski as a constant source of inspiration, support and ideas when the well runs dry or the creek don't seem it's ever going to rise again. She is a great writer and an even better friend.
Also thanks to Dale Brown and Bill Wood for the 'attitude check' when it was sorely needed; Dick and Sheila Herman; Dennis Lynds and Gayle Stone; Brian Garfield for not cutting his hair too soon; and Rick Patterson and Jon Kellerman, both of whom found something to like and were kind enough to say it.
In San Francisco I'm indebted to those people who lent their time and expertise to try and keep this story within the realm of 'reality-based' fiction – Assistant District Attorneys Bill Fazio and Jim Costello; Supervisor Kevin Shelley (and from his office, Mindy Linetsky and Eric Merten); and John L. Taylor, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
To the others whose contribution is ongoing – sisters and brothers and in-laws, Al Giannini, Don Matheson, Mike Hamil-burg and Joanie Socola, and especially Justine Rose and Jack Sawyer – your support is invaluable. Thank you.
Finally, I must gratefully acknowledge the tireless efforts of Don Fine, Carole Baron, Leslie Schnur, Dave Nelson, Mike Geoghegan, Bernie Kurman, Bob Gales, Jason Poston, Fred Huber, and my dear friend Jackie Cantor. What a great team.