Twisted (53 page)
SSA
James McNamara of the
BAU
, who exemplifies the term
the real deal
. Extensively published and a true expert in his field, he taught me so much about psychological and behavioral techniques used by the
BAU
in order to understand who and what a person is—including the ability to analyze the mind and actions of a serial killer.
My thanks also to SA Al Tribble,
SSA
Russ Atanasio, and
SSA
Bob Holley for taking the time to explain so many Bureau nuances to me—from the different squad responsibilities and how things are broken down, to the additional training that’s necessary for various ancillary responsibilities, to what it’s like to be a retired Army Ranger who becomes an
FBI
agent.
If I’ve inadvertently omitted anyone, I apologize. I talked with so many Bureau professionals, each of whom was a unique learning experience unto him or herself. Each field-office visit, each trip to Quantico and Fort Dix, was filled with amazing agents, technical staff, and media contacts/specialists, who were more than willing to answer all my questions, and explain the many, many roles of the
FBI
.
In addition, many of the special agents I’ve acknowledged were also kind enough and thorough enough to read the finished manuscript of
Twisted
for accuracy, and to then provide their feedback. I thank them all for that.
To that end, I take full responsibility for any unintentional errors that might have slipped by me, and for any literary license I took. I did so only when absolutely necessary.
With the
NYPD
being such a vital part of
Twisted,
I must thank my constant, smart-as-a-whip consultant, Detective Mike Oliver, who knows the
NYPD
like the back of his hand, and who, as always, spent hours helping me—this time dissecting and understanding federal and local jurisdiction so I could accurately depict where the FBI’s and the NYPD’s jurisdiction began and ended.
After working with two of the finest law enforcement organizations in the world—the
FBI
and the NYPD—I have a newfound appreciation for all they do on our behalf.
In addition to law enforcement, my research required consulting with a highly regarded expert in orthopedic surgery of the hand and upper extremities, and an equally effective hand therapist, so that I could accurately portray Sloane’s injuries, her surgeries, and the stages of her recovery. I had the good fortune of being put in touch with Dr. Daniel Mass, an expert in his field, and a professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Mass spent hours educating me, through text, visuals, and lengthy telephone conferences, answering my numerous layperson questions, until I could describe the surgeries and complications Sloane endured.
Through Dr. Mass, and in conjunction with the medical education he provided me, I was introduced to Candice Brattstrom, an experienced and knowledgeable hand therapist, who’s an important member of Dr. Mass’s team. Candice taught me the intricate occupational-therapy regimen Sloane would have to adhere to, as well as the tools she would have to use, to recover the mobility and use of her hand. Candice, you were an excellent, thorough, and patient teacher—and a pleasure to get to know.
In conjunction with the above, I want to thank Saurabh Agarwal, soon-to-be MD, of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, for introducing me to Dr. Mass. I very much appreciate your spotting such an outstanding surgeon, and arranging our initial contact.
While I’m thanking medical consultants, my thanks, as always, goes to Hillel Ben-Asher, MD, who reviewed each medical and drug-administering scenario of
Twisted
with me, and helped me orchestrate the details as authentically as possible.
Last (but definitely not least) on my medical consultant list is Dr. Paul Sedlacek,
DVM
, who educated me in ketamine—its effects and dosages—and spent a good part of his vacation answering my frantic e-mails about drugging people versus drugging animals.
My appreciation to Adam Cuddyer, head instructor at
ATA
Black Belt Academy, Hillsborough, New Jersey, for teaching me the complex Krav Maga techniques that were an integral part of Sloane’s life and an exciting addition to the plot of
Twisted
.
I want to thank everyone at HarperCollins who believes in me, and who works tirelessly on my behalf proving it, particularly: Brian Grogan, Rhonda Rose, Donna Waitkus, Lisa Gallagher, Lynn Grady, Tavia Kowalchek, Liate Stehlik, Adrienne DiPietro, Pamela Spengler-Jaffee, Tom Egner, and Rich Aquan.
A special thank-you to my editor at HarperCollins, Lucia Macro, for recognizing this book as “the one,” and for touting it as such. An additional thanks to Lucia’s assistant, Esi Sogah, for all she does to facilitate the process we work so hard to perfect.
I can’t close without thanking Andrea Cirillo, whose caring and commitment know no bounds.
And, most of all, thank you to my family, for loving and supporting me and one another. I’m proud of your accomplishments, and grateful for your ever-present involvement and input—all of which prevailed despite the pain of loss. We’re still the best team there is, and I continually treasure the unique bond we share. I could never have done this without you.
ANDREA
KANE’S groundbreaking romantic thriller,
Run for Your Life
, became an instant
New York Times
bestseller, which she followed with
No Way Out, Scent of Danger, I’ll Be Watching You, Wrong Place, Wrong Time
, and
Dark Room
. With a worldwide following and novels published in sixteen countries, she is also the author of fourteen historical romances. Kane lives in New Jersey with her family, where she is learning to sharpen her firearms and investigative skills like a more seasoned
FBI
special agent. Between target practices, she is researching and writing the sequel to
Twisted
.