First Impressions

I first met Detective James Maugham on a balmy day in late February some 8 years ago. It wasn't my best moment for making a first impression. I'd been crying - a lot. Our apartment was a mess. My usual polite demeanor was gone; replaced with terror and impatience. Yet, the man who sat across from me in our tiny dining room remained calm and in charge. At the time, I remember thinking he wasn't listening to me that, in fact, he was dismissing me. Looking back with the luxury of hindsight and having recently had access to thousands of pages of reports, I know now that he was not only calm and in charge, but he was listening and, more importantly, he was helping me to focus on the mystery of Paul's disappearance. I only saw him that one day and our paths didn't cross again until we began attending events at the courthouse that related to the case. In "Walking Between The Raindrops," readers will get to know Detective Maugham; a man that I believe is a true hero.

I've never had the right words to express the depth of my gratitude to him. So many people worked together to bring Paul home, but Detective Maugham was the lead person. He ran the show. For a long time, I didn't understand the depth of his dedication to his work. Now that I've gotten to know him a little better, I am proud for the people of Williamson County to have such a man stand for justice on their behalf. Detective James Maugham isn't merely bigger than life. For many of the people he serves, he IS life.

Celebration

Paul and I met Lance at Hyde Park Bar & Grill recently to present him with a copy of "Walking Between The Raindrops." This is the same place we used to meet to help each other get through the awful first weeks. This time, however, it was a celebration of a great friendship, a friendship that helped to save Paul's life and bring justice to Lance's life.

The attack on Lance and the abduction of Paul touched many lives. Our lives were changed forever. Some lives merely changed course. It destroyed some lives while making other's stronger. A famous line says, "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I don't believe that is necessarily true. I believe that what we do with what 'doesn't kill us' comes down to choices.

Paul and Lance could have chosen to stay victims and hide after the crimes were committed against them. They didn't choose that path. They chose to be survivors and became stronger. I choose to celebrate them!