Relentless Pursuit: A Novel (Secrets of Roux River Bayou)

RELENTLESS PURSUIT

Published by David C Cook

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Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook Distribution Canada

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David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

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All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.

Some Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc™. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 in chapter 21 is taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

LCCN 2012933224

ISBN 978-0-7814-0342-9

eISBN 978-1-4347-0528-0

© 2012 Kathy Herman

Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

The Team: Don Pape, Diane Noble, Amy Konyndyk, Caitlyn York, Karen Athen

Cover Design: DogEared Design, Kirk DouPonce

First Edition 2012

To Him who is both the Giver and the Gift

Contents

Acknowledgments

Cajun French Glossary

Prologue

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

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

A Note from the Author

Discussion Guide

Acknowledgments

The amazing bayou country of south Louisiana provides the backdrop for this trilogy and many of the images I describe in the stories. But Saint Catherine Parish, the town of Les Barbes, and the Roux River Bayou exist only in my imagination.

During the writing of this third book, I drew from several resource people, each of whom shared generously from his or her storehouse of knowledge and experience. I did my best to integrate the facts as I understood them. If accuracy was compromised in any way, it was unintentional and strictly of my own doing. I also made good use of numerous Internet sites relating to idiosyncrasies and customs of the Cajun culture and language.

I owe a special word of thanks to the Heritage Foundation’s James Jay Carafano, PhD, deputy director of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies and director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies. His many areas of expertise, including defense and homeland security, provided invaluable information for this work. I am grateful for the time he took out of his busy schedule to explain domestic terrorist scenarios in which Homeland Security would get involved and those that would involve only the FBI and/or state agencies. I knew a lot less than I thought I did, Jim. Thanks for your help!

I’m grateful to Retired Commander Carl H. Deeley of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the wealth of information and personal experience he’s shared over the past several books, enabling me to keep the fictional Saint Catherine Parish Sheriff’s Department running efficiently; and to Retired Lieutenant Gil Carrillo, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, for filling me in on the complicated but important relationship between law enforcement and the media. Thanks, Carl and Gil, for your willingness to share what you know. You made my job so much easier.

I want to thank my friend Paul David Houston, a former assistant district attorney, for researching and advising me regarding the execution of wills in the state of Louisiana; for explaining the intricacies of search warrants; and for advising me as to how certain crimes would be charged. Paul, as always, I appreciate your swift and concise answers. You’re a joy to work with!

Also, a special thank-you to my sister Caroline Berry for sharing her personal experience of releasing the cremated remains of a loved one. It’s a sensitive subject that probably makes some people uncomfortable, and I so appreciated your candor.

I’m immensely grateful to my faithful prayer warriors: my sister Pat Phillips; my dear friends Mark and Donna Skorheim and Susan Mouser; my online prayer team—Chuck Allenbrand, Pearl and Don Anderson, Judith Depontes, Jackie Jeffries, Susie Killough, Joanne Lambert, Adrienne McCabe, Deidre Pool, Kim Prothro, Kelly Smith, Leslie Strader, Carolyn Walker, Sondra Watson, and Judi Wieghat; my friends at LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas, and LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee; and my church family at Bethel Bible Church. I cannot possibly express to you how much I value your prayers.

To the retailers and suppliers who sell my books, the church and public libraries that make them available, and the many readers who have encouraged me with personal testimonies about how God has used my words to challenge and inspire you: He uses you to fuel the passion that keeps me creative.

To my agent, Joel Kneedler at Alive Communications. You’re such an encourager. Thanks for helping me move forward with the next two trilogies. I never have to wonder if you’re watching out for my best interests. Thanks for all you do.

To Cris Doornbos, Dan Rich, Don Pape, and the amazing staff at David C Cook for allowing me to partner with you in “transforming lives together.” I’m proud to be part of the Cook family and look forward to working with you in the years ahead.

To my editor, Diane Noble, for untold patience while waiting for this book to finally come together. We did it! Thanks for your amazing encouragement and for having the wisdom not to push me, but rather to hold me up. You’re the best!

And to my husband, Paul, my partner and soul mate, for your patient adaptation to my extended writing schedule on this book. Thank you for all the times you tiptoed past my door and gave me space to create the story you never doubted would end just as He intended.

And to the Prince of Peace, who offers us wings in the midst of woes: it is a joy to write stories that glorify Your Name.

Cajun French Glossary