Killer Ambition

Acknowledgments

Scientific advancement offers opportunities to both sinners and saints, and so the new frontier of cyberspace has proven to be both the gift and the bane of our existence. But the world of computer crime is a complex one and its depiction requires specific expertise that I do not possess. For the computer-related crime in this story I was fortunate enough to be able to call upon a true expert: Gregg Housh. My undying gratitude goes to Gregg for the time he took to answer my endless questions and for the fascinating background he provided about the world of cyberspace crime.

The DNA testimony in this story was reviewed for technical accuracy by Barry A. J. Fisher, former crime laboratory director for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and current senior forensic adviser for the Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program. My profound thanks go to Barry for his help.

All credit for the accuracy of the computer crime and DNA aspects of this story goes to Gregg Housh and Barry Fisher. All credit for the errors goes to Yours Truly.

Once again, I am forever indebted to Catherine LePard. I would never have taken the leap into novels had it not been for her. To Marillyn Holmes, I again thank you for your excellent help, keen eye, and knowledge. To beloved friends Lynn Reed Baragona and Hynndie Wali, who are still performing the yeoman task of keeping me sane.

I love you all!

Dan Conaway, I will never stop marveling at my ridiculous luck in having you for an agent. Please believe me when I say I’m grateful for you every single day. And to fantastic assistant Stephen Barr, you are such a pleasure. What a team! I couldn’t love you more.

My deepest thanks to wonderful editor in chief Judy Clain, and CEO Michael Pietsch. I am so fortunate to be working with you. And thank you to the new, fabulous assistant Amanda Brower, a rising star. To senior production editor Karen Landry for saving me from myself yet again-thank you, Karen, for another great job.

To the publicity all-star team, Nicole Dewey, Sabrina Callahan, Miriam Parker-aka, my buds-and to all the wonderful people at Mulholland Books, a million thanks to you for all your hard work, creativity, and brilliance.