The Hunted

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It’s important for me to recognize those people who help me tell my stories. I would like to thank:

Supervisory Special Agent Mark Safarik, profiler at the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, who assisted me with FBI policy and procedures, threat analysis and forensics, and who took me behind the scenes at the Academy. Every writer needs good contacts to make sure his information is technically accurate. Years ago, Mark started out as a good contact — and became a good friend. I thank him for the many hours upon hours of time he’s given me over the years. I could not have written The Hunted with the accuracy and richness regarding the FBI without Mark’s assistance.

Special Agent Jeff Mullin of the FBI Academy’s Firearms Training Unit, for his assistance and personal instruction at the Academy’s indoor shooting range. Nester Michnyak, at the FBI’s headquarters in Washington, and Special Agent Laura Bosley, at the Los Angeles Field Office, for their extensive time and effort on my behalf.

Jeannine Willie at the California Department of Justice Unidentified/Missing Persons Unit, for her candor and time in educating me about the state’s missing persons program. I hope that I have accurately conveyed the difficulties and issues that this courageous group of people face daily.

The scenes contained anthe Hunted involving the El Dorado Sheriff’s Department were, of course, fictional and were intended to provide drama, character development, and conflict. They were not intended to reflect on the fine people of the real sheriff’s department. At the real Sheriff’s Department, I would like to thank Shannon Murphy, community service officer, provided valuable information on the department’s rules and procedures for handling missing persons. Jim Applegate, community service officer, who spent a great deal of time with me discussing the department and its history, and who took me through the paces a person filing a missing persons report experiences. These are very accommodating people who handle the interviews of bereaved people with much greater care and compassion than the characters depicted in the book.

Fred Ilfeld, Jr., M.D., psychiatrist, and David Seminer, M.D., neurologist, for their information and thoughtful discussions on the effects of head trauma and posttraumatic amnesia. Dr. Ilfeld also provided important information on agoraphobia and MPD.

A. David Lerner, M.D., who took me on a private tour of our local hospital, including… the morgue. David and I are best kept apart, as we have a propensity for getting into trouble when we’re together…

Paul Seave, the U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of California, for his assistance on matters pertaining to federal law involving the character Anthony Scarponi’s release from federal prison. Professor Joseph Taylor on the legal mechanics of prosecutorial options should additional evidence come to light years after a conviction.

My brother, attorney Jeffrey Jacobson, and my good friend, attorney Perry Ginsberg, for their feedback and comments on the manuscript, and assistance with all other things “legal” in this novel.

Sid Dunn, executive vice president of AEPi, for his background information on fraternity record-keeping methods. Paramedics Monique Becker and Doran McDaniel and trainer Jeff Rheault. Steven Schneiderman of Schneiderman & Associates LLC (schneiderman.net) for his knowledge base and net savvy.

Richard Herman, fine writer and good friend, thanks for all things air force, covert, and military. “Check six,” buddy.

Paul Ortega, IBM, for assistance with computer worms, hacking, cracking, and all that techno-fun stuff.

Gerry Gaumer, National Park Service’s Washington Monument site manager, and Park Ranger Peter Prentner. Debbie Meier, registered veterinary technician, for her assistance with rat and mouse behavior. If you read The Hunted, you’ll understand why. Stephanie Bersee, Warrenton-Fauquier Visitor Center, for being “my eyes” on the ground.

Kip Hakala, assistant editor at Pocket, for his insightful comments and for helping me get everything accomplished on time. Emily Bestler, Pocket vice president and editorial director, for opening the can of worms and forcing me to do something I didn’t initially think was necessary. It was, and it ended up making the manuscript a better read.

My wife, Jill, to whom this novel is dedicated, gets the ultimate thanks. She sees things I don’t see and edits my material with an entirely different sensibility.

Though I have attempted to be accurate wherever possible, errors of fact, unintentional or intentional, should not reflect on the professionals noted above.