Linda Fairstein: Killer Heat

Abbie Shoobs of Tiffany and Company was gracious enough to tell me the history of the West Point rings and miniatures made by the great jeweler and of the West Point Ring Recovery Program, dedicated to returning these treasures to the families from which they've been separated.

This novel tells part of the story of a character called Kerry Hastings. I have taken the liberty of drawing some of her traits from the woman to whom this book is dedicated: Kathleen Ham. It is impossible to imagine the courage of Kathleen without letting her look you in the eye and describe in her own words what the personal toll of her battle has been. For thirty-two years her rapist was on the loose, and Kathleen lived in what she called her own private jail. The case went cold, but her courage never did. The man's conviction-and her willingness to go public about her ordeal-brought some measure of justice to Kathleen as well as inspiration to crime victims all over this country.

One of my proudest legacies at the office of the New York County District Attorney was the establishment of an offshoot of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit that I led for twenty-six years. The cold case unit is composed of two great prosecutors and friends-Martha Bashford and Melissa Mourges-who have mastered the art of solving violent crimes long after traditional investigative techniques have been unsuccessful. They and their devoted partners in the NYPD and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have used DNA to revolutionize the way rape cases can be prosecuted.

Thanks to Kerry O'Connell, another former colleague and friend, who tries a superb case and also introduced Coop to her Cohiba.

Every minute of working with Colin Harrison was an enormous joy for me. He is a master of his craft, generous of spirit, and wonderfully supportive. I shall always relish his check marks-and the occasional double checks-with which he so kindly edited my manuscripts.

Phyllis Grann has long given me the gift of her friendship. I'm enormously proud and pleased to be in her professional hands now, too. I'm thrilled and honored to be welcomed so enthusiastically at Doubleday by Steve Rubin, for whom I have such great respect.

Esther Newberg gets all my gratitude for covering my back and easing my transition to a new home with her usual wisdom and humor. Thanks, too, to ICM's Kari Stuart and Chris Earle for their competence and good cheer.

Special appreciation to my mother, Alice, and all my family and friends, who understand my time spent at the keyboard talking with Coop, Mike, and Mercer.

And to Justin Feldman-my very own comeback kid-you're all heart.