“You really serious about the driving range?”
“Absolutely. You’ll have to teach me how to hold the club.”
“I, ah… should be able to help you with that.”
“Then let’s go.”
Walking out of the lounge, Holly leaned in and whispered, “Would you like to see my condo later?”
“You know, there are some things a guy just has to put up with.”
She punched his arm and, thankfully, missed the bruised spot.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks are owed to the entire Thomas & Mercer team. There are too many to list here, but my editor, Alan Turkus, is a joy to work with, and he makes the journey from story concept to finished product a treasured experience. Thanks are also owed to Jacque Ben-Zekry for coordinating the 2013 On The Lam conference. Jacque, we all had a great time. And a special thank-you goes to Jeff Belle, VP of Amazon Publishing. His vision for the future of publishing is second to none, and I’m honored to be included in Thomas & Mercer’s family of authors.
My freelance editor, Ed Stackler, plays a huge role in my career. His insights into Nathan’s character are downright scary. I think he knows Nathan better than I do. There’s a lot of Ed Stackler in these stories. I’d be lost without him.
And of course, a special thank-you to Jake Elwell. Jake stuck with me during the early years, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. Literary agents like Jake are rare, and I’m fortunate to have him in my camp.
Thank you to Tom Davin, who was a trained recon marine captain with First Battalion, First Marines (1/1). His help with the mountaintop scene is greatly appreciated. Tom is now the CEO of 5.11 Tactical, and I’m proud to consider him a friend. And yes, I wear 5.11 Tactical clothing!
Another person needs to be acknowledged here: Turalu Brady Murdock, attorney and title coordinator for Title Coordination Services (TCS) in Managua, Nicaragua. When I had questions about Nicaragua, she came through. Thank you for your trusted help, Tuey.
My wife, Carla, is an amazing and patient person. Being a writer is a solitary endeavor, but I never feel alone. She’s always there for me when things aren’t going well. I believe people are defined by the way they act when life is tough, not the reverse. Carla passes the test of character with flying colors.
I’d also like to offer my thanks to God for allowing me to live a blessed life. I don’t take it for granted.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Peterson is a San Diego native who holds a degree in architecture from the University of Oklahoma. An avid marksman who has won numerous sharpshooting competitions, he has donated more than two thousand books to American troops serving overseas and wounded soldiers recovering in military hospitals. The bestselling author of First to Kill, Forced to Kill, and Option to Kill — the first three thrillers in the Nathan McBride series — Peterson lives in Monterey County, California, with his wife, Carla, and their three dogs.