The Rule of Nine (34 page)

Authors: Steve Martini

BOOK: The Rule of Nine

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many people provided encouragement and support in the writing of this book, including family and friends.

At the very top of the list of those I wish to thank is my assistant, Marianne Dargitz, who for years, on those long lonely days when I stared bug-eyed at empty manuscript pages, offered her boundless patience, constant encouragement, and ever-diligent work to make this and other books possible.

For particular assistance on technical aspects for this book, I thank Bruce Wilson, whose voluminous research and attention to detail were of incomparable help. In addition, I appreciate greatly the help of Dick Gerry, whose long experience, knowledge, and guidance as a retired commercial airline pilot made possible the crafting of those flight scenes that are so pivotal to this story. That said, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Gerry are in no way responsible for any errors that may have crept into the book, since neither had a hand in the actual writing of the manuscript. For any errors in these regards, the author is solely and entirely responsible.

Among others to be thanked are my publisher, William Morrow, and all the people at Harper Collins without whose unstinting care
and love of publishing nothing would be possible. Most of all I wish to thank my editor, David Highfill, who has been a friend and constant source of encouragement and patience; editorial assistant Gabe Robinson, who fielded my phone calls and handled so many technical aspects during the transition from paper to digital editing; my agent, Esther Newberg, and attorney, John Delaney, of International Creative Management, and my New York lawyers, Mike Rudell and Eric Brown, of Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo, for their constant attention and guidance to the business aspects of my publishing career.

Finally, and not least for their caring interest, love, and constant encouragement, I thank Al and Laura Parmisano, who have been there for me always during good times and bad; my friends Jan Draut, Anna Aleynikova, John Garrison, Mike Padilla, and Jim Bryan; and for her constant and unconditional love, my intelligent, beautiful, and wonderful daughter, Megan Martini, who in my eyes makes all things possible.

About the Author

STEVE MARTINI
is the author of numerous
New York Times
bestsellers, including
Guardian of Lies, Shadow of Power
, and others featuring defense attorney Paul Madriani. Martini has practiced law in California in both state and federal courts and has served as an administrative law judge and supervising hearing officer. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

www.stevemartini.com

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

ALSO BY STEVE MARTINI

Guardian of Lies

Shadow of Power

Double Tap

The Arraignment

The Jury

The Attorney

Critical Mass

The List

The Judge

Undue Influence

Prime Witness

Compelling Evidence

The Simeon Chamber

Credits

Jacket design by Mjcdesign.com

Jacket photograph Collage: Raindrops at Window Â© by Josh Westrich/Photolibrary; Capitol Building Â© by Jim Pickerell/Photolibrary

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. The events described are imaginary, and the characters are fictitious and not intended to represent specific living persons. Even when settings are referred to by their true names, the incidents portrayed as taking place there are entirely fictitious; the reader should not infer that the events set there ever happened.

THE RULE OF NINE
. Copyright Â© 2010 by Paul Madriani, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

FIRST EDITION

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Martini, Steve, 1946â

The rule of nine: a Paul Madriani novel / Steve Martini.â1st ed.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-06-193021-8

1.Â Madriani, Paul (Fictitious character)âFiction. 2.Â RadicalsâFiction. 3.Â United States. Supreme CourtâFiction. 4.Â Washington (D.C.)âFiction. I. Title. II. Title: Rule of 9.

PS3563.A73358R85 2010

813'.54âdc22
2010008156

EPub Edition Â© May 2010 ISBN: 978-0-06-199704-4

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