Last night, I decided to check on an old friend. I was reading his book - a mystery published in 1994. We met, probably, in 1994 at Left Coast Crime in Anaheim and for several years, Harris and I, and often Stu, had a great convention time together. He was our source for THE best autographing story ever.

He was, I think, the first author who ever gave me the great honor of reading a book in manuscript and he wanted to know what I thought. I once hosted a convention program with Harris and one other author - the very fine Neil Albert - and we had what I remember as a great conversation.

What I didn't expect was to learn that Harris died in 2006. Had it been that long since I'd checked on him? He lived in Brooklyn and had another job selling real estate, as I remember. I did not expect his obituary.

Dammit. Obviously we were not close, tight friends. But oh, we so liked each other. He was great company.

Ave atque vale, Harris Dulany.