John Lescroart - The Hunter

This books genesis came about because of a discussion with a former e-mail correspondent, now friend of mine, Dr. Jack Crary. Jack had been helpful before on issues related to traumatic brain injury in both Betrayal and A Plague of Secrets. At a dinner we were having in San Francisco, Wyatt Hunts adoption came up, and Jack mentioned that he thought it would be fascinating to explore commitment and abandonment issues in adults in light of time spent as children in foster homes and with an adoption background. He was rightits fascinating stuffand I thank Jack for pointing me down this path and helping to show me the way.

Because I am not the most technologically savvy person on the face of the earth, when I began the general outline for this book, I knew I would need an expert in all things cell-phonic, and I was extremely fortunate to make the acquaintance of RJ Reynolds, a long-time employee of AT&T who was working at the companys retail shop in my hometown. Over several meetings, RJ opened my eyes to many of the common realities of our tech-driven culture that I had never known about or even considered. Our privacy is, it turns out, not as sacrosanct as many of us think. RJs contribution to this book was seminal and I am grateful for his time, knowledge, and advice.

For their knowledge of the changing protocols of adoption in California over the past generation or two, Id like to thank Karen Erickson of Catholic Charities CYO in San Francisco and Don Mencarini, California State Department of Social Services, Adoption Support Unit, both of whom accepted my cold calls for information with good humor and cooperation.

This is, after all, a book about a private investigator, yet another arena in which I have no firsthand experience. In my research, I reached out to several real-life private investigators to find out what life feels like in this profession, and all these people were extremely forthcoming and helpful. These include: Larry DeMates, Marcel Myres of Submar Investigations, and Rick Fuller. Thanks, guysIm planning to call you again next time, too, so be warned!

Some books write themselves, and some want to wrestle. For some reason, in spite of my clearest outline yet and tremendous faith in the story, this one is of the latter category, and two wonderful writers, Paul McHugh and Max Byrd, familiar with the process, showed up regularly with well-timed bonhomie and support. Also, in the good friends rooting things along category, are Spring and Louis Warren, Eileen Randahl and Andy Watson, Bob Zaro, Don Matheson, Tom Hedtke, and Vicki Lorini.

Dr. Mark Detzer (and of course, his lovely wifemy sisterKathryn) was tremendously helpful in walking me through the pathology and psychology of nervous breakdowns and panic attacks. On another major plot point, I would never have known where Wyatt Hunt needed to go in Mexico without the nudge from Karin Nieves that I look into the exotic and beautiful weaving village of Teotitln del Valle. This turned out to be a brilliant suggestion.

In this as in all my other books, Al Giannini remains a true collaboratorpitch-perfect sounding board, legal vetting expert, sensitive student of the human condition. These books gain immeasurably in depth, verisimilitude, and complexity by Als involvement in them. From the first notes of the outline until the completion of the manuscript, Als input was and is, as always, immeasurable.

On the home office front, Ive been blessed for many years now with the perfect coworker and administrative assistant, Anita Boone. Day to day, year to year, Anita coordinates all of the logistical and promotional endeavors that make up the business of the working author, all the while retaining a sunny optimism and can-do demeanor. She is truly a treasure. I am also lucky with my freelance editorsit seems like no matter how many times you read your book, you miss something. Even the pros at the publishers miss something. So to keep the flow of these books from being interrupted by typos, redundancies, or just plain stupidity, my proofreaders are without peer: thanks to Peggy Nauts and Doug Kelly.

For the title, Id like to thank my son, Jack, with a little help from my wife, Lisa.

Several people have generously contributed to charitable organizations by purchasing the right to name a character in this book. These people and their respective organizations are: Jim Burg (Special Olympics); Gary and Debbie Dennis (Big Brothers and Big Sisters); Carol Davis (CASA of Humboldt); Tim Phillips (Heart Association); and Lynn Manger (National Association for Drug Abuse Prevention).

We are all living more and more in the world of social networking, and this is especially true in the book business, the landscape of which seems to change under our feet every day or so. Navigating through the shoals of Web-based marketing, Twitter, Facebook, and so on is not a job for sissies. I got on the boards with this stuff a few years ago with expert help from Maddee James on my Web page and Aryn DeSantis on Facebook, and now theyve handed off these and other duties to Eager MondaysDr. Andy Jones and Briony Gylgayton. I love hearing from my readers and urge you to visit my Web site (www.johnlescroart.com), become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/johnlescroart), and/or follow along with the always lively interaction on Twitter (www.twitter.com/johnlescroart).

I am very fortunate to have such a hardworking and talented team at Dutton helping to publish these books with such taste and commitment. Brian Tart is simply a publisher par excellence; Ben Sevier is the editor every writer dreams that one day hell be lucky enough to work with. Christine Ball and Carrie Swetonic are tireless and creative in their marketing efforts. The rest of the team is nothing short of outstanding: Jess Horvath, Stephanie Kelly, Susan Schwartz, Rachael Hicks, Signet/NAL paperback publisher Kara Welsh, Phil Budnick, Rick Pascocello, and Rich Hasselberger, jacket cover guru extraordinaire.

Last but by no means leastin fact, in many ways mostBarney Karpfinger remains a great friend, an insightful advisor, a tireless advocate, and in all ways a superb literary agent. It is no exaggeration to say that I owe my career largely to Barneys efforts, and I can not thank him enough. Thanks, man. You are the greatest!

John Lescroart is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two previous novels, including Damage, Treasure Hunt, A Plague of Secrets, Betrayal, The Suspect, The Hunt Club, The Motive, The Second Chair, The First Law, The Oath, The Hearing, and Nothing But the Truth. He lives in Northern California.

T HEY WERE HAVING THE SPECIAL , wings and tuna wontons, in a window booth at Lou the Greeks, two guys in their early forties, talking over the lunchtime noise.

The good-looking one, Wyatt Hunt, said, Gina and me, were both reluctant to commit.

Reluctant, Devin Juhle said. I like that. He was a San Francisco homicide cop, and relationship issues, even those in his own life, werent his main concern. Hed been with Connie for fourteen years and didnt think about that stuff too often. They just worked, had their three kids, did their jobs. Loved each other. Committed.

Juhle picked up a wing, held it out between them. What is on this thing?

Skin.

No, Kemo Sabe. What spice?

Peanut butter, I think, Hunt said. And garlic and cayenne and probably soy sauce. Pretty good, huh?

Juhle nodded. For Lous. He took a bite and chewed. So you guys are done?

Pretty much, Id say.

I cant say it breaks my heart, you know.

Yeah, well, you and she had kind of a different thing.

Shes a ball-buster.