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A Note to the Reader

A Note to the Reader

Perhaps I should start by saying that although the story of the volunteers who became infected with the Ebola virus while serving in Africa captured the attention of all of us during the time this story was being written, the manuscript was essentially complete before that scenario played out.

Next, I want to point out that there is no such drug as robinoxine or RP-78. On a happier note, there is no Bacillus decimus either. Both are products of this author’s imagination. It is true that all drug studies are done on volunteers, and it’s possible there could be one where convicts sentenced to life with no prospect of parole volunteer to receive drugs to treat a potentially fatal disease. However, I have no certain knowledge of such testing in Colombia or anywhere else.

Authors of fiction walk a fine line between accuracy and literary license, and this book is no exception. I appreciate the assistance of Agent Robert Hoback of the United States Secret Service in my quest for authenticity. Nevertheless, the characters and actions I have crafted that involve those brave men and women are purely fictional. Both the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Medical Center are fine teaching and treatment facilities, and I am honored to have been a faculty member at one and a Visiting Professor at the other. Be that as it may, the people and events portrayed here and their relationship to those medical centers are purely a work of fiction. The same is true of the doctors and facilities of the fictional Prestonwood Hospital.

As always, I count myself fortunate to have representation by a talented agent like Rachelle Gardner of Books and Such Literary. I’d like to express my appreciation to the Senior Acquisitions Editor at Abingdon Press, Ramona Richards, as well as to Editor Teri Wilhelms, for exercising their editorial skills on this manuscript. The Anderson Design Group came up with a dynamite cover. As always, Cat Hoort and her crew took the lead in making sure people know about the book. And, of course, without you, my reader, this novel would languish on bookshelves and storerooms without ever being read.

My wife, Kay, serves as my first reader and always makes a significant contribution to my work. In addition, and even more important, she continues to teach me how to smile and have fun once more. Thank you, dear.

My thanks to my family, for not only believing in me, but for expressing it so well and so often that I’ve never doubted their support.

I hope you enjoy this novel and any future ones God may grant me the ability and opportunity to write. Any praise for this or any of my work goes to Him.

Richard L. Mabry, MD

September 2014