Because You Loved Me. M. William Phelps
William Phelps
February 2007
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would not have written this book without Chris McGowan’s blessing and help. For everything he did, I am indebted to Chris and his willingness to share so much of his life and memories of Jeanne Dominico with me.
All of Jeanne’s friends, those whose names I changed and didn’t, your input was some of the most valuable I have ever had while writing a book. You changed the entire scope of this story and helped me fulfill a goal: to get to the true essence of who Jeanne Dominico was as a human being. You should be commended for your courage, candor and motivation to share with me those personal memories of Jeanne that meant the most to you.
Prosecutors Will Delker and Kirsten Wilson were extremely helpful with all my requests. I appreciate their professionalism. To everyone at the Hillsborough County Court in Nashua, I appreciate your help. Court clerk Mike Scanlon was extremely accommodating in helping me collect documents and photocopy letters and journal entries. He made sure I had everything I needed.
Michaela Hamilton, Kensington Publishing Corp.’s editor in chief, has taught me more about writing and publishing than anyone else in the business. I have been blessed with one of the most knowledgeable and professional book editors in publishing. Michaela has made my life as a full-time author a pleasure, as has her entire staff at Kensington.
Maureen Cuddy, my publicist at Kensington, has gone out of her way to do more for me than I could ever explain. She has been a wonder to work with throughout the years and I appreciate all she does to help support my career and get word out about my books.
Peter Miller, who would give me a tongue lashing if I didn’t refer to him as my manager (as opposed to agent), has changed the course of my career, and continues to. Peter, president of PMA Literary & Film Management in New York, is a friend, mentor, watchdog and administrator of my career. Thank you, Peter, for everything you do on my behalf. I would be lost without you and everyone else at PMA.
Fellow true crime author Gregg Olsen, my blogging partner at www.crimerant.com, mentor, best friend and confidant, has pulled me up when I’m down, slapped me around when I needed it and convinced me that what we do is worth the highs and lows that go along with it. Gregg has been a true teacher, the best I’ve ever had.
I dedicated this book to my friend David Perkins, who took his life during the period in which this book was written. Dave and I were brothers in spirit. There was no one like Dave, who could make me laugh, cry and, most important, feel like I mattered. My God, I miss Dave more as the days pass, but have to believe (and accept) he is in a better place.
Lastly, I want to say to my readers: thank you for all of the kind letters and e-mails. I have the greatest fans in the business. You have all stuck by me and continued to support my career and I am grateful for each one of you. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do what I love.
Eating apples together is always the first step.
—LeRoi Jones, Dutchman
Contents
PART I: CHRIS AND JEANNE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
PART II: BILLY AND NICOLE
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
PART III: JUSTICE FOR JEANNE
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 59
CHAPTER 60
CHAPTER 61
CHAPTER 62
CHAPTER 63
CHAPTER 64
CHAPTER 65
CHAPTER 66
CHAPTER 67
CHAPTER 68
CHAPTER 69
CHAPTER 70
CHAPTER 71
CHAPTER 72
CHAPTER 73
CHAPTER 74
CHAPTER 75
CHAPTER 76
CHAPTER 77
CHAPTER 78
CHAPTER 79
CHAPTER 80
CHAPTER 81
CHAPTER 82
CHAPTER 83
CHAPTER 84
CHAPTER 85
CHAPTER 86
CHAPTER 87
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER 1
The morning of August 6, 2003, began without complication for forty-three-year-old Chris McGowan. A pleasant, reserved, middle-class Irishman, enjoying what were the best days of his life, Chris opened his eyes at 6:00 A.M. to the sound of the alarm clock buzzing in his ear. After a few moments of silence, lying in bed staring at the ceiling, Chris slipped into the shower, shaved and, after putting on a pair of Dockers and a Polo shirt, bent down and gave his fiancée, Jeanne Dominico, a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll