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The list is long, the gratitude not nearly enough. All the names here represent contributions, large and small, to the creation of this fiction. I have done my best to remember those who asked to be commended. For those omissions, I plead negligence rather than malice.

First and foremost, Gerard V. Hennelly, the warrior-poet who, once again, answered the most absurd questions at the most inopportune times, and did so with the precision and skill he brings to all aspects of his life.

Sterling Hershey, who agreed to make a map, not knowing exactly what he was getting into. WilsonVille came alive under his guidance, became real as a result of his work. A professional, a gentleman, and a man in whose debt I shall remain.

Gratitude to Eric Trautmann, who contributed in ways too numerous to mention; John Kozempel, who taught me about LD50 and other terrifying things; Christopher Schmitt, who took the implausible and injected reality into it, and who also taught me about terrifying things; Corinna Bechko, who told me that gazelles are stupid, and that you never want to work with a tired cat. No animals were harmed in the making of this novel. Special thanks to Dann Fuller and Alexander Hammond.

An enormous thank-you to Danny Perkins and Heather McCormack-Perkins. Athena belongs to you, and my debt to you both for your support, your eagerness to assist, and your time is quite literally incalculable. Truly and sincerely, I cannot thank you enough for all you did.

Thanks also to my editor, John Schoenfelder, who showed me a new way to write a novel, and had my back at every step. Where John had my back, David Hale Smith, my agent and my friend, took point. Both of you guided me through a very dark wilderness. I thank you for seeing me out the other side.

Finally, always, to the Raccoon. I love you.

Greg Rucka is the
New York Times
bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including the Atticus Kodiak and
Queen and Country
series, and has won multiple Eisner Awards for his work in comics and graphic novels. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and children.

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