I read the note.

"The sultan has had a shakeup in his staff. One general has lost his position and probably his head. Lucky for me, the business arrangements had been settled in advance, as this one perfect stone was destined to be yours."

The good and the evil. The love and the rage. Life was a study in contrasts. It reminded me of the wedding vows I don't like to sit through. The vows I avoid like the plague. "For richer or poorer, in sickness and health..." Perhaps we are not meant to obsess on the small decisions, the tiny steps we are always taking. Perhaps we are only supposed to walk on.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Annoyed that I hadn't planned better, I booked the only vacant hotel room in all Tucson, Arizona. A family celebration brought us to that beautiful city on the sold-out weekend of the International Gems & Minerals Show. Somewhere, thirty miles from Jonathan Kobritz's bar mitzvah festivities, my family gamely settled into our brand new "all-suite" shoebox. I can still recall the feeling of dismay at trying to squeeze into an overflowing "breakfast" room that first morning, as dozens of "all-suite" guests vied for not-entirely-fresh pastries. When, finally, the children had eaten and gone to play, I returned to our little table, cardboard teacup in hand, to spend a brief respite with my husband. I was not entirely cordial, it might be understated, when a tall, dark stranger with longish hair began to settle at our table.

I smile, now, at how close I came to missing one of the most mesmerizing personal stories I have ever heard, modestly told by this unexpectedly charming new aquaintance. To protect his privacy I will not mention here this gentleman's name. To prevent spoiling this book's tale I will not mention here details of his true-life adventures and daring youthful career. But acknowledge him I must. With a commemorative paper cup of hot tea, I would like to salute a passing stranger's wild and reckless past and his willingness to speak openly about it to one who-finally awake-warmed up quickly, full of questions.

As always, I want to thank Evan Marshall, wonderful friend and gifted literary agent, and also Lyssa Keusch, wonderful friend and brilliant editor. I must also thank sweet providence for bringing that particular fascinating stranger over to that particular faux-granite Formica table in that particular breakfast room. And I must thank my beloved Chris for making all things possible, including, as only one of a million examples, not allowing me to shoo that particular treasure away on that particular morning.

Other Madeline Bean Catering Mysteries by.

Jerrilyn Farmer.

IMMACULATE RECEPTION.

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL.

end.