A Good and Useful Hurt (25 page)

On July 7, 2011, I was driving home from work an hour early so I could join Amazon editor Terry and freelance editor David in a conference call so we could discuss the book or digital file that you just finished reading. I was a little wired—writing and editing is still nerve-wracking to me, and I have a constant fear of saying the wrong thing during a call or e-mail.

Because of this distraction, it took me longer than most to notice the police were blocking my usual route. I looped around a couple of side streets to avoid the blockage, got back on the main drag, and made my way home. I arrived about ten minutes early for the call, so I decided to check online to see what the hubbub was all about on Division Avenue.

I read, left the computer, retrieved and loaded a pistol, and set it on the kitchen counter. A conference call had just gotten a lot less important.

A man named Rodrick Dantzler would go on that day to perpetrate one of the worst crimes in Grand Rapids history, leaving eight people dead, including himself. Most troubling among the victims were the two young girls this book is dedicated to, Marissa Emkens and Kamrie Heeren Dantzler.

I spent the time after the call (it went well, I shouldn’t be so nervous) sitting with a police scanner and watching television. The two houses where Rodrick Dantzler had killed are both very close in proximity to my own home, and he was still on the loose. Listening to the police chase edge closer and closer to my house was terrifying, and it was very hard to explain to my daughter. In the end, he kicked in the door of an apartment building about a mile from my home, took hostages, and finally killed himself.

So what does that have to do with this book? Guys like the fictional Phil, and the unfortunately all too real Rodrick Dantzler, always seem to be remembered longer than their victims. Everyone knows who Jeffrey Dahmer was; few of us can recall anything about his victims, or even their names. I think the Debs of this world deserve better than the Phils.

Thanks and love to my wife and daughter for their continued support in all of my literary endeavors. My mother and father deserve an ovation as well for their nonstop cheerleading when it comes to my writing efforts.

Amazon as a publisher has far too many people to name, but it would be impossible not to thank my editor, Terry. Your continued support of my work means the world, and thank you so much for a second chance. To Sarah T., Jacque, Rory, Megan, the team, and everyone else at Amazon Publishing, I truly appreciate your constant hard work on behalf of your authors.

Hats off to David, who handled the editing on both this book and my previous novel. It’s difficult to describe just how you’re able to get inside my head and tell me what to do, but I’m glad you have the ability. Truly, I appreciate your tireless efforts on this work so much, and I hope you are no longer belching on boat rides.

Cheers to Jessica, who did this copy edit, and the one for
Nickel Plated
. You deal with my slop with what I hope is a smile. I totally owe you a cocktail for picking up after me.

At the time of this writing, I don’t know if Sarah Burningham from Little Bird Publicity was able to work with me on this project. Either way, Sarah, you’re a great friend, and your help with my work—and mental state—is appreciated beyond measure.

Thanks go to all of my first readers, Kevin, Greg, and of course, my dad. We had a different crew for this one, but I appreciated all of your help in making this book come to life in its infancy.

There are quite a few more people I’d like to thank, but I’ve gone on long enough. Thank you for giving me a chance, and I hope I get to tell you another story someday.

Megan Davis of Silver Gallery Photography

Aric Davis is married with one daughter and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he has worked for the past fifteen years as a body piercer. A punk rock aficionado, Davis does anything he can to increase awareness of a good band. He likes weather cold enough to need a sweatshirt—but not a coat—and friends who wear their hearts on their sleeves. In addition to reading and writing, he also enjoys roller coasters and hockey. His debut novel,
Nickel Plated
, was published by AmazonEncore in March 2011.