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AUTHOR’S NOTE

This book was begun shortly after the eye of a category 4 hurricane decimated the village where I live on the west coast of Florida. Captiva and Sanibel Island (where I was a fishing guide for many years) were also badly damaged—but not nearly as badly as portrayed in the national media. I am pleased to report that the islands are more beautiful than ever, and back to normal.

Even so, I spent most of the last year homeless, bouncing from place to place, sometimes country to country, trying to work while also juggling the details of rebuilding, and the relentless indifference of the insurance industry, and a few local bureaucrats. Happily, much good came from all the chaos, and I have many people to thank for their kindness and concern. Many dozens offered me help, even their homes. I will forever be in their debt.

Much of this book was written in public libraries, and I have become a great fan of library professionals as a result. I am especially grateful to the staff at Pine Island Public Library and also Sanibel Library. They were superb, and it was at the Sanibel Library where I found most of my information on the little-known hurricane of 1944. Many of the details in this novel, although used fictionally, are true, including Cuban fishermen who washed up on the beach, a man tragically set ablaze at his own moonshine still…and a beachside estate with its own family cemetery. The library staffs in Holmes Beach, Florida; Key West; Pioneer, Ohio; and Franklin, Tennessee, were also a great help.

Another favorite place to write was Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar and Grille. I want to thank my friends and associates Marty and Brenda Harrity, Mark and Heidi Marinello, Jean Baer, Greg Nelson, Raynauld Bentley, Marita, Brian, Maria, Liz, Jean, and Big Dan Howes. My pal Matt Asen’s Sanibel Grill at Timber’s Restaurant was another great place to work, as was the Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island.

Others who were generous beyond the expectations of friendship include Ms. Iris Tanner, Gary and Donna Terwilliger, Craig and Renee Johnson, George and Michelle Riggs, Kevin Lollar and Nadine, Moe Mollen, Dr. Amanda Evans, Tony Johnson, David Thompson, Jenny Franks, Bill Wundram, Stu Johnson, Gloria Osburn, Berry Rubel, Capt. Eric Osking, Tom and Sally Petcoff, Capt. Steve Stanley, Dr. Brian and Kristin Hummel, Capt. Craig Skaar, Bill Gutek and his Nokomis pals, the Wells family of Cabbage Key and Pineland, Bill “Spaceman” Lee, Diana, Ginny Amsler, Allan W. Eckert, Jennifer Holloway, and Dr. Corey Malcolm.

This book demanded extensive research in several fields, and I am grateful to the experts who took the time to advise me. Dr. Thaddeus Kostrubala, a brilliant psychopharmacologist, has once again provided behavioral profiles on some truly nasty fictional characters. Dr. James H. Peck, fellow Davenport Central (Iowa) graduate, has compiled exhaustive notes on all the Ford novels, and is due much thanks. Attorneys Tim Bruhl and Mike McHale, an admiralty law expert provide much needed information.

These people all provided valuable guidance and/or information. All errors, exaggerations, omissions, or fictionalizations are entirely the fault and the responsibility of the author.

I would especially like to thank Wendy Webb for allowing me to reprint lyrics from her original compositions. Ms. Webb was, in no way, the inspiration for the fictional character Mildred Chestra Engle, but she was the inspiration for Chestra’s haunting voice and lyrics. Ms. Webb, in fact, provided both in her songs, “Morning in New York,” “My Beating Heart,” and “Driving in a Dream.” You may hear Ms. Webb’s music on the Internet at: Wendywebbmusic.com.

Finally, I would like to thank my dear sons and buddies, Lee and Rogan White, for once again helping me finish a book.