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Author's Notes
This story actually picks up a few weeks following Junior Guppy, but precedes A Day At The Zoo and The Big Five. Basically this brings us almost full circle in the first year in the Ellison-Sandburg-Porter household. It includes their first vacation and delves into several issues touched upon in the previous stories. There are three "stories" contained within the novel and they are:
Cold Case Three for the Road In the Name of the Father
NOTES: I have 'fiddled' with timelines in order to create this story – and no, I don't mean Jim and Blair's timeline, but our real timeline *grin*. For instance, this story takes place in the year 2000 (Everything's Jake and We Gather Together took place in 1999, following TSbyBS) and I have our intrepid vacationers heading off to California and, in particular, Disneyland. In order for Jake to enjoy California Adventure, I moved up its opening.
This trilogy has taken me three years to complete and I have to thank two very big "Jake" fans, Terry Kitay and Susan 'Suki' Tavares. Without them, I sincerely doubt this would have been a glimmer in my eye. They are also responsible for the name of the Cascade Baseball Team (The Kits). We were discussing this huge opus a few years back at the Laguna Bash for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (when not drooling over Richard Burgi, who served as the host for the bash) and the subject of taking Jake to his first baseball game came up. My problem was that I couldn't think of the "right" sounding name for the team. I bow to the brilliance of Terry and Suki, who did, in fact, think up "The Kits". Terry also won story #1 – A Cold Case – two years ago at the Moonridge Online Auction. I should state that there have been a few changes since then. J
In addition, I have to thank some very special friends who are responsible for a certain "duck" that will show up in "Three for the Road". While staying with me a couple of years ago, we went to Downtown Disney and they found this particular "odd" duck and even figured out how it could be used in the story. ::waves at her buddies and a certain rabid bunny that sits on computer::
I also must thank the Great Gillian Middleton as it was her brilliant "Jamie" series that inspired me to write my Jake series in the first place. If you haven't read them – run, do not walk, to the 852 Prospect and check them out!
I especially have to thank an entire group of betas who, many moons ago, beta'd part 1 on Alyjude's Cellar. Input from Starwatcher, PatK, Sheila, DebraC, Sylvette and several others helped make "A Cold Case" much better.
Since then, the entire trilogy has been reworked and beta'd by Delilah with alpha help from DebraC. Without their feedback, catches and fixes – this would be junk. J
Note: What you're reading now is the online version of what was won at *last* year's Moonridge Auction by Tammy. She won the fully illustrated (by Lorraine) zine version of this trilogy, so I want to thank her for her contribution. And of course, how can I not thank Lorraine for the lovely and incredible artwork that has brought Jim, Blair and my Jake to life.
And finally, to those of you who have followed Jake and his life with Jim and Blair – who have embraced the precocious tyke, a very special thank you. He means a great deal to me because he is based on my wonderful nephew, Terry (who is now almost 30 and has just entered JAG). I thank you for taking Jake into your heart and loving him – ab-so-lute-leeeee!
Here's hoping you enjoy the novel.
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