DEDICATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For my wife, Maria Gabriella (who, at various times, I refer to as “Gabi,” “Little Person,” “Rat Girl,” “Stubby,” “Stinky,” “Tangerine Weasel,” and a host of other wonderfully complimentary nicknames), who's waited patiently while I for years indulged the insanity of writing things that don’t make us dime one.

For Christina, Jay, Julie, Louise, Matt, Matthew and the rest of my obsequious underli– uh, helpful associates. I'm sure they're almost as sick of talking about this novel as my beloved is. Thanks, guys.

And for the late author Paul S. Gibbs, who never realized his dream of publication, despite prodigious talent and significant effort. I'm going to make it, Paul—for both of us. I think you'd like that.

Title Page Introduction