Remember Me, Irene

“I would have preferred to have been kinder to him for five more minutes while he was alive,” I said.

“Of course you would have. But then, my son was a teacher, and you’ve learned something from him, haven’t you? We all only have five minutes to be kind to each other. So go on down there and be good to that husband of yours.”

She squeezed my shoulder.

“Go on,” she said. “Five minutes. Think of some little something. It all adds up.”

I could figure that much out.

I’m good at math.

Acknowledgments

I owe thanks to many individuals for their help with this book. They deserve applause; if I’ve erred, save the boos and hisses for me.

I’m especially grateful to Laurence Whipple, a man with courage and heart, who is the Director of the Seattle Food Bank; my friend K. C. Pilon, who has worked extensively with the homeless; Steven Kingston, the original Rockford, who helped Rachel to be a better private investigator and shared many insights into his work; Susie Gibbs, for answering endless questions about alcoholism recovery programs. Emergency department physician James Gruber, M.D., and orthopedic surgeon Ed Dohring, M.D., each took time from exhausting schedules to help me with medical research. Jacquie Prebich, R.N., and Mark Prebich, Administrator of Ancillary Departments at South El Monte Hospital, helped with coronary care information. Michael Burke helped with banking and finance information, as did Thomas Burke.

Debbie Arrington, who has contributed so much to this series, did yeoman’s work with this book, especially on the topic of redevelopment investments. Andy Rose and other members of the staff of theLong Beach Press-Telegram were also generous with their help.

Safe Navigation, West Marine in Long Beach, Charles Link of Performance Tackle, and Ron and Darlene Jack assisted with nautical matters. Professor Emeritus Rodger Heglar, who taught anthropology at San Francisco State University, Joan Parker of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, and forensic anthropologist Dr. Judy Suchey of California State University, Fullerton, contributed to my understanding of what happens to bones left in the ocean.

Fictional Las Piernas has fictional oil islands; Long Beach, California’s THUMS islands are, in fact, found nowhere else in the world. I am indebted to Ed Fischer, Steve Marsh of THUMS, and Don Clarke, City Geologist for Long Beach, who spent lots of time talking to me about the real oil islands.

Rutha

I’m also grateful to Detective Bill Valles, Corporal Joseph Levy, and Officer Don Smith of the Long Beach Police Department, as well as De

Sharon Weissman and Tonya Pearsley provided extraordinary support, research, contacts with experts, and personal insights. Sharon even let me take her fax machine apart. Both read drafts and kept me from despairing during those days when I thought I’d never find time to get this one written. Sandra Cvar helped me find the time.

Special thanks to Michael Co

My family and friends are due many thanks, especially Tim, who had to read the manuscript two zillion times. Nancy Yost, superagent andCosmo model, and Laurie Bernstein, the world’s most patient editor, provided insightful comments and unfailing support. Jim Timmie, Charles Roberts, A