Keller looks at her husband again. “You’re sure about New York?”
“As sure as I am that you’re a badass.”
“I told you not to call me that.” But she can’t hold back another smile. She both hates and loves when he calls her Agent Badass.
Hates it because it reminds her of the case that nearly killed her and the twins; loves it because it’s Bob’s way of showing that—despite his vow, his fears—he won’t let their family be defined by the trauma. She also loves it because it reminds her of how lucky they are. That she and Bob have each other. That they’re blessed with the love of their lives, Michael Atticus Keller and Heather Attica Keller.
YOUTUBE EXCERPT
The Night Shift Travel Vlog
（10K views）
“Delivering Supplies via Amazon （River）”
EXT. DAYTIME—MAMUSA PORT
A blue ferryboat is docked on a mud bank. Three wooden planks jut out of the boat to land.
TRAVELER 1 （O.S.）
We boarded our ferry on the port outside of Iquitos. They let us store our scooter and supplies on the first deck, which had crates of fish on ice and live chickens. It’s gonna be an adventurous twenty-four hours for sure.
The camera turns off, then on. The camera’s weak light captures a crowded top deck lined with hammocks filled with other travelers. Someone is snoring loudly.
TRAVELER 1 （O.S.）
A travel tip if you’re going to venture on the Amazon River via ferry: bring earplugs. And bring some snacks. The meal service was canceled without any explanation tonight.
The camera flips off and on again. It’s morning. The scene is of the river: coffee-colored water merging into a nearly black section.
TRAVELER 1 （O.S.）
We’re nearly at our port. Someone said we know that because the water changed color. They served some type of chicken dish for breakfast—we just hope it wasn’t one of the fellas on the lower deck. We’ve drifted by a few villages and seen some amazing wildlife—parrots and a bunch of different types of birds. Monkeys. We even spotted a pink river dolphin. No piranhas like in the movies, though.
The camera turns black, then on again. A motor scooter drives precariously over a wooden plank to land. The traveler maneuvers up an embankment and gets off the bike.
The camera scans a narrow path, then lands on the motor scooter, which is overloaded with oversized bags of supplies.
TRAVELER 1 （O.S.）
It’s supposed to be three kilometers that way to the orphanage. These kids have had a rough time, so we’ve brought some medical supplies, some clothes, and, of course, some toys. It’s not much, but sometimes it helps just to show you care.
The traveler is back on the scooter. His travel companion sits on the back, the bike seeming like it could topple at any moment because it’s so loaded with supplies. The camera rotates so it captures both riders in a selfie.
TRAVELER 1
Until next time, fellow travelers, this is the Night Shift signing off. I’m Chris Ford.
TRAVELER 2
And I’m Ella Monroe.
TRAVELER 1
Do justice today.
The camera turns off, then back on, showing a sea of young kids chasing after the sound of a rattling motor scooter.
FADE TO BLACK
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my wife, Trace, the love of my life and my best friend since I was sixteen years old.
To my children, Jake, Emma, and Aiden, whose mischief over the years has provided fodder for my novels, and whose kindness, empathy, and accomplishments have made their father proud.
To my agent, Lisa Erbach Vance, the best representative an author could ever hope for, one who’s become a cherished friend along the way.
To my editor at St. Martin’s Minotaur Books, Joe Brosnan, whose vision, talent, and support are unparalleled.
To my other editors: my private editor, Ed Stackler, who helped guide the story and kept me on schedule; my copy editor at St. Martin’s, NaNá V. Stoelzle, who fixed all my mistakes; and my first reader （and daughter）， Em, who never pulled any punches.
To my marketing and publicity team, Martin Quinn, Stephen Erickson, and Kayla Janas, who expertly ensure the world knows about my books.
To my TV/film team, Joseph Veltre of the Gersh Agency and ACE Entertainment.
To my friends at Arnold & Porter for their long-standing friendship and support.
To Kimberley Howe and my friends at the International Thriller Writers for helping me and so many writers achieve their dreams.
To writer Barry Lancet for our longtime friendship and his assistance with fight scenes.
To the many professionals who assisted with my research: the FBI’s Public Affairs office for advice on Bureau culture and protocol; John Thieszen, M.D., and Marc Futernick, M.D., for medical guidance; Professor R. H. Walton for investigatory insights （and for her outstanding book Cold Case Homicides）; and former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul Fishman for his expertise on UFAP warrants and the Garden State. All errors are my own. As are the many liberties I took with the culture, legal world, and terrain of Union County, New Jersey.