Code of Conduct

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My goal with each and every book is to stretch myself and, in so doing, become a better writer. That’s what keeps this job so much fun — it’s an incredibly rewarding challenge.

With this book, I tried to push the boundaries, and I hope you have enjoyed it. As I tell all the wonderful people I meet on the road, I work for you — the readers. Thank you for both your support and the incredible word of mouth you give my novels.

As an additional thank-you, and to add to your reading experience, I am always creating new material at BradThor.com. If you haven’t yet stopped by, please do.

I also wish to thank all the fantastic booksellers around the world who turn new readers on to my novels every day. There is no more wonderful language than the language of books. When we draw each other’s attention to great books, we are sharing something very special indeed.

Over a great bottle of whiskey, Sean F. shared a story that might have been amusing, had it not been so troubling. That story helped me better understand a certain mind-set in Washington, D.C. For that, and multiple other assists, I am very grateful. Thank you, Sean.

Rodney Cox has once again provided me with invaluable insights. Thank you, Rodney, for everything — but especially for your character, your integrity, and your selfless service to our great nation.

Every single time James Ryan helps me out, I thank God he is on our side. If I fully tried to explain the way his mind works, you wouldn’t believe me. Suffice it to say, our nation needs more men like him. I was humbled by his early praise of the novel, and he continues to inspire me by his example. Thank you, JR.

I had been thinking about setting the novel in Sierra Leone before J’ro encouraged me to use Congo. The background he provided was fascinating. As J’ro is the epitome of the quiet professional, it has been an honor getting to know him over this past year. Thanks for all the help, J’ro.

Scott F. Hill, PhD, Jon Sanchez, Peter Osyff, Jeff Boss, Pete Scobell, Steve Adelmann, and Robert O’Brien all fielded questions from me at all hours, and they all came back with the answers I needed. They are amazing patriots from whom our nation has greatly benefited. Thank you, gentlemen, for your assistance with the book.

The characters of Ian McCollum (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) and Colonel Sheila White (Director of USAMRIID) were so named in recognition of two very generous charitable donations. I thank everyone involved and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Code of Conduct is my fifteenth novel, and all my novels have been published by the extraordinary team at Simon & Schuster’s Atria, Emily Bestler Books, and Pocket Books imprints. The marvelous Carolyn Reidy, the wonderful Judith Curr, and the spectacular Louise Burke continue to help take my books to brand-new heights. You are the best, and I cannot thank you enough.

The sun at the center of my publishing universe is my phenomenal editor and publisher, Emily Bestler. Time really does fly when you’re having fun. We have done fifteen books together, and things only continue to grow and get more exciting. Thank you, Emily, for everything.

This year, I set the bar higher than ever before and said to my extraordinary publicist, David Brown, “Let’s see you leap over that.” You know what? He did — and he didn’t even get his cape wrinkled. David, you rock. Thank you.

Cindi Berger, Cara Masline, and the team at PMK continue to amaze all of us each year. I couldn’t imagine publishing without them. Thank you for each and every “get” along with all the great ideas.

I owe a big thanks to every astounding member of Emily Bestler Books and Pocket Books, including Michael Selleck, Megan Reid, Matthew Rossiter, Irene Lipsky, Lisa Keim, Hillary Tisman, Jin Yu, Emily Bamford, the Emily Bestler Books/Pocket Books sales team — including Gary Urda, John Hardy, and Colin Shields; Al Madocs and the Atria/Emily Bestler Books Production Department; both the Emily Bestler Books/Pocket Books Art Departments, including Albert Tang; and I wish to thank Chris Lynch, Tom Spain, Sarah Lieberman, Desiree Vecchio, Armand Schultz, and the entire Simon & Schuster audio division.

If you found any mistakes in this novel, they are mine and mine alone. That said, copyeditor extraordinaire Lisa Nicholas made sure I made as few as possible. Welcome aboard, Lisa, and thank you.

This book is dedicated to my fabulous agent, Heide Lange of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Heide and I have been together from Book #1, and I look forward to many, many more to come. Thank you for all that you have done for me over the years, Heide. You are a superstar.

The incredibly dynamic duo of Stephanie Delman and Rachel Mosner are two wonderful players on the Sanford J. Greenburger Associates team who help me week in and week out throughout the year. Thank you, and everyone else at SJGA, for all that you do for me.

It has been a terrific year for us in Hollywood, and I want to thank my dear friend and magnificent entertainment attorney, Scott Schwimer. With everything we have going, I am looking forward to seeing much more of you.

Yvonne “Seabass” Ralsky helped to deliver an amazing year for our company (and even pulled in her husband, Michael, to help answer some D.C. — related questions for this novel). Thank you for your enthusiasm, your professionalism, your talent, and vision. Here’s to some incredible “acceleration!”

I always save the best and most important acknowledgment for last. I couldn’t do what I do without the love and support of my beautiful wife, Trish, and our wonderful children. The countless meals you prepared and brought to me while I was writing helped remind me of how much I am loved. It is nothing, though, in comparison to how much I love all of you. Thank you for your unfailing support and for making me the proudest husband and father on the planet.

It’s time for me to get Scot Harvath and his team started on their next adventure. If you enjoyed this one, you won’t believe what I have coming for you next.

Here endeth the acknowledgments. Go read more great books!