I sincerely thank Dave Bridgman, San Diego PD Firearms Instructor (retired), for his generous introductions to San Diego law enforcement and to International Practical Shooting Confederation competition. Also, Captain Ron Newman (retired) for his overview of the Robbery/Homicide/Special Investigations Unit of San Diego's fine police force.
Thanks to Lieutenant George Foote, Lieutenant Lisa Miller and Deputy Sean Zdunich of the San Diego Sheriff's Department for getting me into jail and back out.
Many thanks to Chuck Bencik of the San Diego Historical Society, who provided me with much information on the once majestic but now departed tuna fleet. In particular, August Felando's outstanding series of articles published by the Maritime Museum Association of San Diego, which reminded me that history happens quietly, one second at a time.
Researcher Sherry Merryman unearthed some arcane and disturbing facts for me, as she has done before and I hope she will do again.
Thanks to Sal Proetto and Matt Parker for fishing stories.
Thanks also to Meg Eastman for her help on the subjects of creation and evolution.
And thanks to Larry Ragle, retired head of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department crime lab, for still more good advice.
As always, the truth is theirs and the mistakes are mine.
T. Jefferson Parker
Fallbrook, California