Blowback (28 page)

From the authors

This project never would have gotten off the ground without the encouragement and belief from the extraordinary David Rosenthal. You have our respect and loyalty.

Thank you to Elyse Cheney, whose judgment and professionalism have come through in spades, time and again.

Deep gratitude to Theresa Park, for your unflagging guidance, wisdom, and friendship.

Aileen Boyle, despite having to drag us kicking and screaming into social media, we think the world of you and your staff for your help, your smarts, and your bountiful enthusiasm.

With admiration to Vanessa Kehren, who asks the most astute questions and whose composure and calm direction kept us on the right track.

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We would like to acknowledge and express our sincere appreciation to the following friends, who have given so generously of their time and knowledge to help make this book a reality.

To Jane Baxter, for your sweet friendship and suggestions for WDC watering holes.

We owe a deep debt to Paul Evencoe, whose generosity with his encyclopedic knowledge of weapons is truly impressive.

If I'm ever in a bar fight, I want Larry Johnson to have my back. Thank you for your help in many ways.

To Porchista Khakpour: we are indebted to you for your unique assistance in unraveling the veiled mysteries of ancient Persian literature. To Catherine Oppenheimer and Garrett Thornburg for your friendship, support, and knowledge of fine wines.

To Howie Sanders, whose enthusiasm and suggestions kept our forward momentum.

Thank you to David Smallman; your wise counsel helped me navigate stormy waters many times.

With gratitude to Kathy and Chris Tone, for their friendship, wit, and help with Russian swear words.

With love and thanks to the best big brother I could ask for, Robert Plame.

With love to Joe Wilson, Samantha Wilson, and Trevor Wilson. Thank you for your patience with me. My world begins and ends with you.

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Peter Knapp, Rachel Bressler, and Park Literary for always taking care of business with style and grace.

Natasha Powers, for basic weapons training 101.

Carole Poland, for your grounding humor and patience—our thanks for letting us know how bad guys clean up dirty money.

Juliette Lauber, for your grand heart, gentle wisdom, integrity, and friendship—and for your knowledge of all things French!

John Stroud: we are grateful for those street racing tips and kind corrections.

Ben Allison: your steadfast legal guidance was the beginning.

Cindy Shearer, for your heartfelt loyalty, wise words, and faith.

Fred Brown, for your unerring pendulum and your balance sheet.

Bill Geraghty: your money smarts helped keep the Lovett house afloat.

Maggie Griffin, for your friendship, humor, honesty, knowledge of everything bookish—and for insisting I buy the right shirt!

Beth Chitwood: the research stacks are a little neater because of your organizational skills.

Gay and Jenni Knight: you kept Pearl on the ground in NYC!

Alice Sealey and Suz Johnson, for all the years of good advice, laughter, and love.

Alexandra Diaz, for your wit, your laugh, and your sweet care of Pearl through the longest hauls.

Lupe Baca—twice a month you bravely fight back the chaos.

Pat Berssen, for your friendship, discretion, and amazing aplomb—you keep this house in order!

Valerie Plame
's career in the CIA included assignments in counterproliferation operations, ensuring that enemies of the United States could not threaten the country with weapons of mass destruction. She and her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, are the parents of twins. Plame and her family live in New Mexico.

Sarah Lovett
's five suspense novels featuring forensic psychologist Dr. Sylvia Strange have been published in the United States and around the world. A native Californian, she lives with her family in Santa Fe, New Mexico.