The Free

by Lauren McLaughlin

  I am deeply indebted to my agent Jill Grinberg who stuck by me with insightful criticism and tireless support through many drafts, and went so far beyond the call of duty that I’m not sure the term agent even covers it. Thanks also to her brilliant team, especially Cheryl Pientka, Kirsten Wolf, Katelyn Detweiler, and Denise St. Pierre.

  Thanks also to Scott Westerfeld and Justine Larbalestier for reading an early draft and for always being generous with their wisdom and expertise. Thanks to Karen Gormley for her expertise in criminal justice. Any errors are mine not hers.

  To Andrew Woffinden, my partner in crime and all things, thank you for being my confidence when my confidence was draining.

  Thank you to my brother, Mark McLaughlin, for teaching me what unconditional love is at a very early age, to my mother, Carol McLaughlin, for believing in me through every iteration of an often chaotic artistic life. And finally, to my father, Tom McLaughlin, thank you for teaching me how to live with grace and empathy and for being the inspiration for Isaac West.