The Lightkeepers (25 page)

His collection of seal stones sits in the corner, a bucket of moonlike orbs. Without ceremony, Galen drops Miranda’s stone into the pile. Camouflaged, gray against gray, it looks as innocent as anything. He dusts the dried blood off his hands. The murder weapon will fit in nicely among his mementos, surrounded by sand dollars, oyster shells, and bird bones. It will remain here forever, in his keeping.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T
HANKS TO
S
COTT
and Milo, who are my home and heart. Thanks to my mother and father, who are nothing like the parents in any of my stories, because wonderful, loving families like mine just don’t make for good fiction. Thanks to Patsy, my dear friend and fairy godmother. Thanks to Laura Langlie, the best agent I could ever have asked for. Thanks to my editor, Dan Smetanka, the smartest person in the world. Thanks to all the brilliant and amazing folks at Counterpoint Press. Thanks to my splendid grandfather, my terrific and inimitable brother, and Bendix, my always friend. Thanks to Laurie, a light in dark places. Thanks to Gwynne Johnson, a lovely artist and fount of photographic insights. Thanks to Susan Casey, whose not-to-be-missed memoir,
The Devil’s Teeth
, allowed me to visit the Farallon Islands whenever I wanted. Thanks to my beloved Oklahoma family. Thanks to Keven and Steve, who are perfect in every way. Thanks to all the bright stars in my personal constellation. You know who you are.