On the Wrong Track Read online

  Agatha Christie and William Goldman—for inspiration.

  Ben Sevier, Wonder Editor—for patience, perception, and a free hand with the St. Martin’s bar tab.

  Elyse Cheney, Wonder Agent—for not pulling any punches.

  Annabelle Mortensen and Mike Wiltrout—for answering the Bat Phone on the first ring.

  Kyle Wyatt of the California State Railroad Museum, Charlie Vlk of Railroad Model Resources, and various and sundry railrans (especially Larry Hochhalter, Bob Pecotich, Brian Jennison, Jim Betz, Jim Hill, and Randal O’Toole)—for everything I got right about trains. (For everything I got wrong, there’s no one to “thank” but me.)

  Fisher L. Forrest—for everything I got right about guns. (For everything I got wrong, see above.)

  David Baldeosingh Rotstein, Tim Cox, Anita Karl, Cecily Hunt, and Steve “Eagle Eye” Boldt—for making me look good.

  John Harrington, Dan Kelley, Billie Bloebaum, Matt and Laura Nigro, Mark and Alyssa Nickell, Mom and Dad, and everyone who showed up—for making Hockapalooza ’06 rock!

  All the fabulous St. Martin’s and bookstore folks who’ve helped spread the word about Big Red and Old Red—for getting me started on the right track.

  Kate and Mojo—for keeping me grounded in the real world.

  Mar—for the whole schmeer.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  ON THE WRONG TRACK. Copyright © 2007 by Steve Hockensmith. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.minotaurbooks.com

  eISBN 9781429917087

  First eBook Edition : October 2011

  ISBN-10: 0-312-34781-2

  First Edition: March 2007