There are those people in our lives who miraculously appear and affect us in ways for which we are ever grateful. They bestow upon us their knowledge and experience and send us on our way. One such man came into my life five years ago in the form of my literary agent. He nurtured and encouraged, criticized and comforted. He has now 'sent me on my way'--on to new representation. There has been, and will always be, a piece of him in every book I write. I owe my career to Franklin Heller. I will miss working with him very much.