Stride reached down and retrieved the letter opener and put it in his drawer. Then he put his feet on his desk and began to read.
* * *
Acknowledgments
Many people were helpful to me in writing this book. My thanks go first to Gail Foster, who has been my advance reader for several years and gave me her typically helpful and insightful comments on the early drafts of the manuscript.
In Duluth, Kim Homick helped me locate the ruined school that plays such an important role in the novel. Yes, there really is such a place, although I have 'sealed it off' for dramatic purposes. I've also changed the name and location so that the ruins aren't overrun with visitors. It really is a dangerous place. Don't go there. Also in Duluth, Pat and Bill Burns have been our hosts for several years at the Cottage on the Point (www.cottageonthepoint.com), where Stride lives in the books. We are very much indebted to them for their hospitality and friendship. In Grand Rapids, Randy McCarty helped me identify key locations for scenes in the book and was kind enough to take me and Marcia for a tour of Pokegama Lake.
One of my long-time readers, Migdalia (Micki) Colon, was kind enough to share her knowledge of Spanish for translating several lines. She also allowed me to borrow her lovely name for one of the characters.
Matt Davis and Paula Tjornhom Davis offered their advice on the manuscript, as did my wife of twenty-five years, Marcia. I'm always grateful for their objective and critical counsel (even if I occasionally grit my teeth at it).
Very special thanks also go to my agents, Ali Gunn, Deborah Schneider, and Diana Mackay, and my editors, Marion Donaldson and Jennifer Weis, as well as to the international editors, agents, and booksellers who are so wonderful in helping bring my books to readers in countries around the world.
Finally, I have to add my personal thanks to the people who add such joy to my life: my parents; my brother and his family; dear friends such as Barb and Jerry, Matt and Paula, and Keith and Katie; and my wife Marcia, who has been my partner, best friend, and biggest supporter for most of my life.
How to Contact Me.
You can send me email at [email protected] or join the mailing list at www.bfreemanbooks.com. Or you can find me on Facebook by clicking the Facebook link on my website. I write back to every reader and would love to hear from you.
Table of Contents
Prologue
PART ONE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
PART TWO
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
PART THREE
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
PART FOUR
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Chapter Forty-six
Chapter Forty-seven
Chapter Forty-eight
Chapter Forty-nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-one
Chapter Fifty-two
Chapter Fifty-three
Chapter Fifty-four
Chapter Fifty-five
Chapter Fifty-six
Chapter Fifty-seven
Chapter Fifty-eight
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