I still have my disease, of course. I am part of a study being conducted at one of the research hospitals. Fenwick put me onto it. Once a month I drive to the hospital, clip a card to my shirt pocket and flip through the pages of Country Life while waiting my turn.
The head technician always offers me a cheery, “How are you today?”
“Well, since you ask, I have Parkinson’s disease.”
He smiles wearily, gives me an injection and runs a few tests on my coordination, using video cameras to measure the degree and frequency of my tremors.
I know it will get worse. But what the hell! I’m lucky. A lot of people have Parkinson’s. Not all of them have a beautiful wife, a loving daughter and a new baby to look forward to.
acknowledgments
For his counsel, wisdom and sanity I thank Mark Lucas and all the team at LAW. For her belief ahead of all others, I thank Ursula McKenzie and those who took the gamble with her.
For their hospitality and friendship I thank Elspeth Rees, Jonathan Margolis and Martyn Forrester— three of many friends and family who have answered my questions, listened to my stories and shared the journey.
Finally, for her love and support I thank Vivien who had to live with all my characters and my sleepless nights. A lesser woman would have slept in the guest room.
About Michael Robotham
Before writing full-time he was an investigative journalist in Britain, Australia and the US. He is the pseudonymous author of 10 best-selling non-fiction titles, involving prominent figures in the military, the arts, sport, and science. He lives in Sydney with his wife and 3 daughters.
Also by Michael Robotham
Joseph O'Loughlin series:
1. The Suspect (2004)
2. Lost (aka The Drowning Man) (2005)
3. Shatter (aka The Sleep of Reason) (2008)
4. Bleed for Me (2010)
Novels:
The Night Ferry (2007)
Bombproof (2009)
The Wreckage (2011)