Rick Mofina - Every Second

At the reception that followed, Kate was thrilled to talk to the president and other officials. But one of the most meaningful moments was when she talked with the Fultons and introduced her family and Nancy to them.

Grace liked petting Sam, who seemed to be enjoying the doggy treats in a bowl with the presidential seal.

Later, as things wound down, Kate was surprised to hear a familiar voice and turned.

“Agent Varner, I didn’t see you here!”

“I was at the back with my boss and didn’t want to intrude. You seem quite popular today.”

“As my daughter says, it’s been awesome.”

“I was just waiting for the right moment to ask you, Kate.”

“Ask me what, Nick?”

“About that coffee?”

Every Second was, in part, inspired by a number of terrible but true events that took place in Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries around the world. It is not in any way a criticism of any faith or group. This story is above all and entirely a work of fiction concerning ordinary people confronted with life-altering circumstances.

I want to give special thanks to the agents at the FBI’s New York Field Office, who provided exceptional help when I visited them in Manhattan.

In my travels to New York City I also struck up conversations with some New York City police officers. I kept in touch with a few. They’d requested anonymity but helped me with technical and procedural aspects of my work.

If Every Second rings true for you, it’s because of the kind help of the FBI and the NYPD. If this story fell short, blame me, the mistakes are mine.

My thanks to the amazing Amy Moore-Benson.

Many thanks to Emily Ohanjanians and Michelle Meade, and to the incredible editorial, marketing, sales and PR teams at Harlequin and MIRA Books in Toronto, New York and around the world.

Wendy Dudley, as always, made this story better.

Very special thanks to Barbara, Laura and Michael.

It’s important you know that in getting this book to you, I also relied on the generosity of many people, too many to thank individually here. I am indebted to everyone in all stages of production, the sales representatives, librarians and booksellers for putting my work in your hands.

This brings me to what I hold to be the most critical part of the entire enterprise: you, the reader. This aspect has become something of a creed for me, one that bears repeating with each book.

Thank you very much for your time, for without you, a book remains an untold tale. Thank you for setting your life on pause and taking the journey. I deeply appreciate my audience around the world and those who’ve been with me since the beginning and who keep in touch. Thank you all for your very kind words. I hope you enjoyed the ride and will check out my earlier books while watching for my next one. I welcome your feedback. Drop by at www.rickmofina.com, subscribe to my newsletter and send me a note.

Rick Mofina

www.facebook.com/rickmofina

www.twitter.com/rickmofina

Rick Mofina grew up east of Toronto, in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. He began writing fiction in grade school. At age 15, he sold his first short story to a U.S. magazine.

He became a reporter at The Toronto Star before embarking on a career in journalism that spanned three decades and several newsrooms. His freelance crime stories have appeared around the world in such publications as The New York Times, Reader's Digest, Marie Claire, The South China Morning Post magazine and The Moscow Times.

Rick is currently based in Ottawa, where he lives with his wife and their two children and works as a communications advisor.