By Reason of Insanity (53 page)

"You know I've got a pretty strict curfew."

Cat grinned. "At least you won't be running around with other women."

"It's not the women I'm worried about."

There was another awkward silence, and Cat waited him out again. She needed a serious response. "You really want to try this?" he asked.

Cat nodded. "If you do."

"More than anything in the world," Quinn said, looking down. When he raised his eyes to look at her again, Cat could have sworn she felt the warmth spread through her entire body.

"We're going to make this work," Cat said. It was barely a whisper, not loud enough for Quinn to hear but surely he could read her lips. "You're worth waiting for, Quinn. I can be very persistent."

They sat there for a long moment, Quinn staring at her, the same way he had the first time they met, when he was trying to figure out what was happening inside her head. This time, it felt like he was looking straight into her soul. Maybe he could tell she was heading down a different spiritual path, the Revealer of Mysteries at work in her life. Whatever he saw made him smile--that million-dollar smile of Quinn Newberg, legal magician and Vegas heartthrob. Prison couldn't take it away, not even the orange jumpsuit and bruised face could lessen the irresistible pull of Quinn's impish charm.

"I always thought you were a little crazy," he said.

Acknowledgments and Author's Note

Writing is a team sport, and I'm surrounded by a great team. If you like the book, there's a good chance these folks are the reason why. The mistakes, as always, are on me.

During the research phase, I was helped immensely by Judge Patricia West and her bailiff, Deputy Brian Capps, who answered all my questions about the Virginia Beach jail and allowed me to spend time there without having to commit the kinds of acts that entitle others to an inside view. I also want to thank the Rigell family and the McWaters family for teaching me a thing or two about boats and the Virginia Beach culture--just enough so the locals might think I know what I'm talking about. As for the person who instructed me on the Las Vegas gambling tricks, he (or she) wishes to remain anonymous for what should be obvious reasons.

More help arrived during the editing process. Thanks to Michael Garnier, Robin Pawling, and Mary Hartman for reviewing the manuscript and making great suggestions even before I sent it to my publisher. Thanks also to Karen Watson, Stephanie Broene, Jeremy Taylor, Ron Beers, and a host of other talented folks at Tyndale House who believed in this book and made it better at every turn. Not only are they extremely good at what they do but they have fun doing it. I love being a Tyndale author. I'm also thankful for Lee Hough, who is equal parts agent and friend, for his steady help at every stage of the process.

Now for the disclaimers. (I'm a lawyer; it's in my blood.) The Virginia Beach jail is a well-run institution with deputies who care a lot about their jobs and the inmates. The deputies in this book bear no resemblance to the real-life deputies. On another front, I took the liberty of having one of my nefarious characters belong to the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club. In the real world, the Club is a distinguished and enjoyable group that would undoubtedly have the good sense to keep most of my characters from joining. Meanwhile, up the road at the United States Supreme Court, a case will likely be decided about the time my book comes out that might change the way most states execute death row inmates. My characters assumed the court overruled the challenge to the constitutionality of the three-drug cocktail used in lethal injections. If it goes the other way, don't blame my characters; they're just following orders. And speaking of drugs, the Avenger's anesthetic drug of choice, methohexital, works faster in the book than it ever would in real life. These things are called literary license, a fiction author's best friend.

This past year has been a year of change for the Singer clan, and my writing wouldn't be possible without the help and forbearance of a lot of people involved in those changes. We have moved to Virginia Beach, and I have rejoined my old law firm. My partners and friends at Willcox & Savage have been incredibly supportive of my writing endeavors while allowing me the flexibility to handle real cases as I write about fictional ones. In addition, I've had the invaluable support and prayers of two families--my church family at Trinity and my long-suffering immediate family and relatives. Thanks especially to Rhonda, Rosalyn, and Joshua for putting up with the idiosyncratic lifestyle of a husband/dad who loves to write stories, and for their help on so many aspects of the book.

I'll end with a word about the inspiration for this story. Some have accused me of writing what I know best--a story about multiple personality disorder from a guy who is part lawyer and part pastor. In truth, the idea comes from a trial that occurred nearly two thousand years ago and is recorded in the pages of the New Testament. When the apostle Paul was on trial for his life, he told King Agrippa about a heavenly vision that the apostle experienced on the road to Damascus. Paul's defense was interrupted by Festus, a governor who had already tried Paul. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" Festus shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." Paul's measured response: "I am not insane, most excellent Festus. What I am saying is true and reasonable." Acts 26:24-25.

This book also deals with life-changing visions and accusations of insanity. My hope is that readers might find a few words of reason and a few kernels of truth in these pages as well.

Praise for Randy Singer

"In this gripping, obsessively readable legal thriller, Singer proves himself to be the Christian John Grisham."

Publishers Weekly
on
False Witness

"
False Witness
is an engrossing and challenging read. . . . Part detective story, part legal thriller--I couldn't put it down!"

Shaunti Feldhahn, best-selling author, speaker, and nationally syndicated columnist

"Well-drawn characters and interesting dialogue combine to make this thriller one that is hard to put down."

Faithfulreader.com on
The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney

"[Singer] is every bit as enjoyable as John Grisham."

Publishers Weekly
on
Self Incrimination

"Singer . . . hits pay dirt again with this taut, intelligent thriller. . . . [
Dying Declaration
] is a groundbreaking book for the Christian market. . . . Singer is clearly an up-and-coming novelist to watch."

Publishers Weekly

"[Singer] delivers a fresh approach to the legal thriller, with subtle characterizations and nuanced presentations of ethical issues."

Booklist,
starred review, on
Dying Declaration

"Singer . . . gets better with each subsequent novel, and he excels in
Dying Declaration
."

Faithfulreader.com

"Singer delivers Grisham-like plotting buttressed by a worldview that clarifies the dilemmas that bombard us daily. Don't miss this book."

Hugh Hewitt, author, columnist, and radio host of the nationally syndicated
Hugh Hewitt Show
on
Dying Declaration

"[A] legal thriller that matches up easily with the best of Grisham."

Christian Fiction Review on
Irreparable Harm

"Realistic and riveting,
Directed Verdict
is a compelling story about the persecuted church and those who fight for global religious freedom."

Jay Sekulow, chief counsel, American Center for Law and Justice

"Randy Singer's novel of international intrigue, courtroom drama, and gripping suspense challenges readers to examine anew issues of faith and ethics.
Directed Verdict
is an apt story for times such as these."

Jerry W. Kilgore, former attorney general of Virginia