Even he had acknowledged that, she believed, with his note, and when law enforcement officials failed to find Everett Corey, she felt that she owed it to Frederick to seek revenge for Everett Corey’s betrayal of him. It was not the killing on Mulholland that brought out this desire for vengeance. It was that Corey had taken what she had seen in Frederick that one evening and made the worst possible use of it. As far as she was concerned, Corey deserved to die as much for that as for any of the other misery he had inflicted on the world.
She unfolded the note that had been given to her by Mr. Blaine. The note Frederick had included with the will.
My One and Only Boyakina-
I told you I might surprise you, Vanessa. Drink a toast to me one day while you’re sailing in the South Pacific. It makes me happy to imagine it.
Thanks for making me less dangerous.
Yours always,
Frederick
P.S. If you are reading this, my mission didn’t go so well. If you want to, feel free to use some of this money to hunt down the asshole who killed me. It makes me happy to imagine that, too.
“Be happy, Frederick,” she said, and sipped the champagne, which had grown warm.
“What did you say the name was?” Moriarty asked the man at the boat fuel dock, who said he had refueled the young widow’s yacht.
“The yacht was the Boyakina, sir.”
“It left last night?” Alex asked.
“Yes. Please don’t worry about her. The ship is seaworthy and well supplied, and she is an excellent sailor, sir. She won’t have any trouble getting to New Zealand.”
They thanked him and walked away.
“Auckland next?” Moriarty asked.
“A waste of time.”
“You know something,” Moriarty said.
“Yes. I know that we can go home now.”
Moriarty studied him, then asked, “What’s a boyakina?”
“It means ‘lucky in love.’”
Moriarty laughed. “No wonder I don’t know the word. Let’s go back to the hotel and drink a toast to the skipper of the Boyakina, then.”
In Maui, newlyweds Kit Logan and Meghan Taggert Logan tipped the edges of their glasses together.
“What are we drinking to?” Kit asked.
Meghan kissed him, then said, “Our luck.”
Acknowledgments
I have had the help and support of many generous individuals in the writing of Nine, but please don’t blame any of those named below for my occasional inability to grasp explanations or follow instructions.
Major (Retired) John F. Mullins works as a writer and consultant when he is not training law enforcement groups or pursuing one of his many other interests. He served his country during the Vietnam War, running clandestine missions under the aegis of the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MAC-V SOG). His Green Beret unit received the Presidential Unit Citation, and he is the recipient of the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and other awards, decorations, and badges too numerous to mention. John provided invaluable help with this book. His friendship, his wise counsel, and his sense of humor kept me going on those days when the Muse failed to show up for work.
Many thanks are due to members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their help, most especially Barry A. J. Fisher, LASD Director of Scientific Services, who has also served as president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Academy of Forensic Sciences, authored Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, and otherwise worked tirelessly to promote a better understanding of the importance of science in crime scene investigations. Over years of talking about research questions and other matters, we’ve become friends, which has turned out to be a great job benefit for me.
I also thank other members of the department, including Sergeant Gil Carrillo, Homicide Detective Elizabeth Smith, and Sergeant Ken Davidson.
Other questions about police procedure were answered by John Pearsley, El Cajon Police Department; William Valles, who gave more than twenty years of service to the Long Beach Police Department before his recent retirement; and fellow writer Detective Paul Bishop, Los Angeles Police Department.
Much of what I know about dead bodies and what happens to the ones no one finds right away comes from talking to forensic anthropologists Paul Sledzik and Marilyn London. Dr. Ed Dohring has helped me to know more about what happens to the live ones, given certain injuries. Their friendship and support helps me get through every manuscript, and more. I also received help with medical matters in Nine from Dr. Douglas Lyle, whose generosity in answering such questions is well known by writers of crime fiction.
John Futch, Executive News Editor of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, never failed to provide answers to hastily e-mailed questions. Entomologist Dr. Sean O’Keefe of Morehead State University took the time to answer questions about some of Oaxaca’s six-legged wildlife, and gave me good pointers about other places to look further into.
Rock climbers Chris Little and Steven Tu got me started with a helpful session about climbing, climbers, and gear, and recommended excellent reading as well as places to watch climbers. Fellow writer and rock climber Letha Albright went the extra distance-not only offering helpful, quick comments on several drafts of the book, but also by bringing her equipment to the Mayhem in the Midlands convention and demonstrating various knots and gear while we were there.
Questions about the world of true crime television programs were answered by television development executive Nancy Meyer; Justin Manask, manager with Renaissance; and video and film editor Chuck Montgomery, who has worked for ten seasons on COPS. I ask readers to please keep in mind that Ty Serault and Crimesolvers USA are totally fictional.
True friends Mary Jo Reutter and Jay Spothelfer didn’t hesitate for a moment when I said, “Say, can I leave a dead body in your house?” But don’t look for the house in Lakewood-it flew farther than Dorothy’s place traveled to land on a witch.
The story told in Nine was better told thanks to the many hours of editorial work and the support given by Marysue Rucci. She’s the insightful, dedicated champion writers dream of-an editor willing to help you take a chance on something new, smart enough to figure out what needs to change (and brave enough to tell you), and able to encourage you on those days when the manuscript’s working title is The Book.
My deepest thanks also to Carolyn Reidy, David Rosenthal, Louise Burke, Victoria Meyer, Tara Parsons, and the incredible sales reps who work for Simon amp; Schuster and Pocket Books.
Many thanks to agents Philip Spitzer and Joel Gotler for their comments, support, and insights.
Sandra Cvar read the manuscript several times and gave me her Crow book, which caught my eye whenever I stared up at the bookshelves wondering what to write.
Being my friend or relative means there are long periods of time during which phone calls are cut short and one’s invitations are answered with, “Sorry, I can’t, I’m on a deadline.” Thank you all for your patience. Especially my ’Buds-purple power rules.
Timothy, you are that center which holds me steady and true.
To you, and also to the descendants of the Moriarty Nine, my love.
About the author
Jan Burke is the recipient of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, the Agatha Award, the Macavity Award, the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Award, and the Romantic Times’s Career Achievement Award for Contemporary Suspense. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Tim, and her dogs, Cappy and Britches. She is currently at work on her next novel.
