Shame the Devil (39 page)

“And my grandfather would bring me fishing down here when I was a little boy.”

“Lotta history.”

“Yes.”

Karras nodded to the restaurants behind the marina on the opposite shore. “Feel like grabbing a beer or something?”

“I don’t think so,” said Stefanos. “How about we just take a walk instead.”

Stefanos pushed away from the railing and headed down the concrete path, Karras at his side. They walked unhurriedly along
the speedway, as those who had come before them had done so many times.

I’d like to express my appreciation to the staffs of the District of Columbia and Montgomery County library systems, who provided
assistance in the research for this novel. Thanks to Sloan Harris and Alicia Gordon for their friendship and guidance; my
longtime editor, Michael Pietsch, for his friendship, instincts, and smarts; and everyone down the line at Little, Brown for
their general kindness. My wife, Emily, and my children, Nick, Pete, and Rosa, continue to be unselfish in sharing me with
my work, and for that, and for everything else, I can only say, I love you very much. Finally, a special nod to Joe Aronstamn,
who lives it every day.