In which I get a chance to thank all those who have helped me out over the years. Writing novels often involves asking hundreds of tiresome questions and I've found folks too numerous to name individually more than willing to take the time to answer.

And that's just the start. There's many a slip, as they say, and I've been blessed with friends who are willing to read over things I've written, using their skills and expertise to save me from embarrassing gaffes.

Here's to all of you, but specifically:

Daniel and Ruthie Dantin, who made me feel so welcome in New Orleans, and Anna Marie Scott who acted as my guide and kept me from wandering in to the projects. Although The Nailing was in rough draft before my trip to New Orleans, the insights and discoveries led to changes too numerous to mention. I'd like to thank, also, all the other folks I encountered in and around that city.

Computer guru Tom Morgan, of AT & Associates, who has tirelessly and patiently helped keep my various computers humming.

M.J. Porter of Seattle for numerous pictures and background material on that city. Many a gaffe was averted in timely fashion.

My daughter Tamiko, who consented to be the model for The Nailing's somewhat ghastly cover. And several passers by in Jericho Park for not calling the cops.

University of British Columbia geneticist Tom Grigliatti, who, when Methuselah's Legacy was just an idea, gave me a list of everything the lab of a well-heeled geneticist would have.