Murdered Innocents (36 page)

Thank you Barbara Ayres-Wilson, Jeannine Scott, and Lisa Scott McClain—three inspirational women who carry themselves impeccably despite such horrendous circumstances.

Many special thanks go out to Travis County court reporter Jim King for holding the door open for me. Also to Judge Mike Lynch, Sal Hernandez, Melissa Ann Moreno, and Steve Goetz.

Thanks to former sergeant Mike Huckabay, Sergeant John Jones, Irma Rios, and Lieutenant Troy Gay. Also to: Berkley Bettis, Joe James Sawyer, Dexter Gilford, Ariel Payan, and Robert Icenhauer-Ramirez. William Pierce, Andrew “Brett” Thompson, Meredith Skipper, Lynn Arnold, and Michael Scott. Reverend Kirby Garner, Judy Bonham, Ramona Ramos, Renee Gately, and the lovely ladies of the St. Louis Catholic School and the Diocese of Austin. Cynthia Smith and Burnet Middle School, the librarians at Lanier, McCallum, and Anderson High Schools, and the Lanier High School Agricultural Department. The hardworking staff of Cash In Advance. Russell Porter and the Fuckemos. Rene Pavia and Memorial Cemetery and Evelyn Williams and Johanna Gravesmill of Cook-Walden Capital Parks.

Also to my sources who wish to remain anonymous.

Multiple thanks go out to the incredible staff at Kensington, including Michaela Hamilton, Stephanie Finnegan, my “Red Pencil Rescuer,” and everyone who worked so hard on this book and
Dead and Buried
. Also to Paul Dinas, aka “Dr. Death.”

To Richard Curtis, for assistance on all fronts. Hopefully, it will all be worthwhile.

Thank you to Poppy Z. Brite and Aphrodite Jones, two of the greatest women I have ever met. Also to Joyce King, Sue Russell, Dennis Etchison, and Diane Fanning.

Thank you to all of the wonderful booksellers and media outlets who have continually welcomed me with open arms for each of my books. See you on the road.

Musical inspiration included Stars of the Lid, Explosions in the Sky, Plaid, Plastikman, Boards of Canada, Shadows Fall, Poison the Well, 36 Crazyfists, Watchtower, God Forbid, Atreyu, Iron Maiden, Lamb of God, Slipknot, Every Time I Die, System of a Down, Otep, seefeel, Phylr, Aphex Twin, Loscil, Labradford, Vapourspace, The Black Dog, John Mayer, P. J. Harvey, and Radio@AOL.

Special thanks to three personal friends for their help with this book—David Schafer, for carrying me over the abyss; Ray Seggern, for food and shelter; and Mike Sheppard, for keeping an eye out for me.

Also to my other good friends and supporters, including Peter and Kathryn Soria, my godson, Matthew Soria, and his brothers, Andrew and Ryan Soria, Dennis and Sharon McDougal, Chris Goldrup and Beverly Rubin-Goldrup, Phil and Karen Savoie, Clint and Cathy Stephen, Knox and Heather Williams, Trey and Missy Chase, Rick Butler, Kirk and Teresa Morris, Kevin and Shana Fowler, Lupe Garcia, Lynette Sheppard and the Sheppard kids, Kelly Nugent, Cassidy and Stevie Seggern, Marti Cochran, Chris Soria, Joe and Frances Soria, Bob and Sandra Price, Sue and Mike Armstrong, and the women of Randolph Air Force Base Elementary School.

To Dana Holliday—thanks for the laughs. See you in the “Crime Lab.”

I have been blessed with a new family. I want to thank my sister-in-law Denise Burke, my niece, Leah, and my parents-in-law, Dennis and Margaret Burke, for bringing me into their lives with open arms.

As always, my wonderful family, who have hopefully resigned themselves to the fact that this is my career. Mom and Dad, aka Carol and Don, thank you, as always, for your unwavering support and belief in my chosen path. Mom, you are the anchor for this family. Be strong. Hang in there, Dad. Kyle and Ramona, for believing in me even though what I do may seem strange to y’all. Also to Darrin and DeDe, Ronnie and Madison. Much love to Renee and Bill Runyan, Todd Solomon, Tracy, Jeremy Frey, and Barbara and Mickey Rehak. I cannot forget Max, Dallas, and Lucas. I love you all.

For my late wife, Lisa, I think of you every day and miss you more and more. Thank you for all your love you gave to me and continue to give. I miss you.

To my wife, Audra, I cannot begin to thank you for everything. Your grace, wit, and humor keep me going. I have been so blessed to meet you and to share my life with you. None of this would have been possible without you. I look forward to a long, healthy, happy life together. You will have all my love, forever.