False pretenses, p.1
False Pretenses, page 1
part #1 of Secrets of Roux River Bayou Series
What people are saying about …
FALSE PRETENSES
“Kathy Herman has cooked up a spicy Cajun mystery featuring a likable cast of small-town characters. This intriguing yarn is sure to satisfy the appetites of murder-mystery lovers.”
Creston Mapes, author of Nobody
“With its perfectly paced suspense, Cajun flair, and riveting look at the high price of deceit, Kathy Herman’s False Pretenses is a true page-turner. Highly recommended!”
Marlo Schalesky, author of the Christy Award–winning novel Beyond the Night
“Kathy Herman has raised her own bar for an action-packed novel with rich conflict and realistic romance. False Pretenses is deep and soul-searching with nonstop excitement. It will lead to nonstop reading.”
Hannah Alexander, author of A Killing Frost and the Hideaway series
“Mysteries abound in Kathy Herman’s latest foray into suspense. Though we know some of the characters well, new ones will intrigue readers. The story entwines the secrets of the past with the secrets of today. You’ll enjoy this trip to Cajun country. A solid read!”
Lyn Cote, author of Her Abundant Joy
“In False Pretenses, Kathy Herman has begun a wonderfully intriguing new series set in Louisiana’s bayou country—Secrets of Roux River Bayou. False Pretenses gets the series off to a fast-paced start filled with suspense, tension, and mystery that will grip readers from the first page.”
Marta Perry, author of Murder in Plain Sight
“Kathy Herman has written a powerful story of tension, mystery, and danger. Anonymous messages point to a secret from the past that can destroy the future. But there’s also a tender love story to challenge that secret.”
Lorena McCourtney, author of the Ivy Malone Mysteries and the Andi McConnell Mysteries
FALSE PRETENSES
Published by David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.
David C Cook Distribution Canada
55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5
David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England
David C Cook and the graphic circle C logo
are registered trademarks of Cook Communications Ministries.
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.
Unless otherwise noted, all 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. John 11:25–26 in chapter 36 is taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and is 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 2010942617
ISBN 978-0-7814-0340-5
eISBN 978-0-7814-0618-5
© 2011 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 Kiechlin, Sarah Schultz, Caitlyn York, Karen Athen
Cover Design: DogEared Design, Kirk DouPonce.
Cover Images: iStockphoto, #10860599 royalty-free; iStockphoto, #9791563 royalty-free; ShutterStock, #4247786 royalty-free; SuperStock, #1525R-116643 royalty-free; 123RF, #1952688 royalty-free; Veer, #PHP2971311 royalty-free.
First Edition 2011
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
AfterWords
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Acknowledgments
This is the first time in my writing career that I haven’t signed the first book of a new release to my mom. So I’d like to mention her here. My mother, Nora Phillips, closed her eyes and slipped into the arms of Jesus shortly after I started writing this book. Her sudden death was a shock to me but was no surprise to Him, who called her into His presence. I rejoice for Mom, yet I miss her so. She was a close friend and ardent cheerleader. There’s just something about a mother’s praise and encouragement that is different from anyone else’s. Trust me, if there’s a library in heaven, she’s already trying to get my books added. It’s hard letting go of her, but I take comfort in knowing that my loss is temporary. Our joy will be eternal.
The bayou country of southern Louisiana provides the backdrop for this new series and many of the images I describe in the story. But Saint Catherine Parish, the town of Les Barbes, and the Roux River Bayou exist only in my imagination.
During the writing of this first 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 related to the history of the Acadians as well as to idiosyncrasies and customs of the Cajun culture and language.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Retired Commander Carl H. Deeley of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for reading over selected scenes and answering my many questions relating to command posts, containments, and hate-crime investigations; and to Retired Lieutenant Gil Carrillo, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, for answering my questions about false confessions, bagging evidence, identifying shoes from casts taken at crime scenes, withholding evidence, and dealing with department leaks; and to my brother, Chuck Phillips, for helping me understand the differences in firearms. I love gleaning what I can from experienced individuals who “know their stuff.” You gentlemen made my job easy.
I want to thank my friend Paul David Houston, former assistant district attorney, for explaining the steps involved in legally changing a person’s name, for researching the statute of limitations on certain crimes in the state of Louisiana, and for helping me to create a believable crime scenario. As always, Paul, you’re an absolute joy to work with. Your thorough, concise, and speedy replies to my questions are so appreciated.
A special word of thanks to those whose prayers kept me going, especially through a difficult time of grief: my tenacious prayer warrior and sister, Pat Phillips; my ever-standing-in-the-gap friends Mark and Donna Skorheim and Susan Mouser; my online prayer team—Chuck Allenbrand, Pearl and Don Anderson, Judith Depontes, Jackie Jeffries, 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 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. He uses you to fuel the passion that keeps me writing.
To my novelist friends in ChiLibris, who allow me to tap into your collective wisdom and experience—what a compassionate, charitable, prayerful group you are! It’s an honor to be counted among you.
To my agent, Joel Kneedler, and the diligent staff at Alive Communications. Your standard of excellence challenges me to keep growing as a writer. I only hope that I represent you as well as you represent me.
To Cris Doornbos, Dan Rich, Don Pape, and the amazing staff at David C Cook Publishers for believing in me and investing in the words I write; thanks for all you do to support my writing ministry. I love being part of the Cook “family.”
; To my editor, Diane Noble, for your abundance of patience and grace when I needed more time (and then some) to finish this book. Your intuitive insights and suggestions added depth to the story. I am so blessed to get to work with you and actually look forward to the editing process!
And to my husband, Paul, the other half of my heart, who is the “guardian” of those long periods of absolute quiet wherein my stories are born, thanks for fielding the phone calls and interruptions and for tiptoeing around the house so that I can be creative. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
And most important, thank You, heavenly Father, for blessing the talent You have entrusted to me so that others might get a picture of Your goodness through the power of story. Let my words glorify Your name.
CAJUN FRENCH GLOSSARY
Ah, c’est bon—
What most people say about Cajun cuisine. It literally means, “Ah, it’s good.”
Andouille—
A coarse-grained smoked meat made using pork, pepper, onions, wine, and seasonings; spicy Cajun sausage.
Beignet—
A pastry made from deep-fried dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar—a kind of French doughnut.
Benoit—
The last name Zoe chose when she changed her name.
Boudin—
Sausage made from a pork rice dressing (much like dirty rice), which is stuffed into pork casings. Rice is always used in Cajun cuisine.
Bonjour—
Good day. Good morning. Good afternoon.
Broussard—
Zoe and Pierce’s last name.
Breaux’s—
Cajun restaurant that features live Cajun music.
Capon—
Coward.
Cher—
Dear.
Commes les vieux—
Like the old people.
Courtbouillon—
A rich, spicy tomato-based soup or stew made with fish fillets, onions, and sometimes mixed vegetables.
Couyon—
A stupid person.
Down the bayou—
Cajun way of saying south.
Etienne’s—
The Cajun restaurant where Zoe said she gained all of her experience.
Fournier—
Father Sam’s last name.
Freesôns—
Goose bumps.
Ils sont noirs—
They’re black.
Jourdain’s—
The name of the restaurant where Zoe said she worked in Morgan City.
Lagniappe—
A small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; a bonus; an unexpected or indirect benefit.
Le Grand Dérangement—
Great Expulsion of 1755–1763, mostly during the Seven Years’ War, British colonial officers and New England legislators and militia deported more than fourteen thousand Acadians from the maritime region in what could be called an ethnic cleansing ante litteram. Approximately one third perished. Many later settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns.
Les Cadiens—
Acadians; natives of Acadia.
Make a bahbin—
Pout.
Mal au couer—
Vomit. I got the mal au couer. I need to vomit.
Mamere—
Grandmother.
Mère—
Mother.
Mes Amis—
My friends.
Millet—
Jacob’s last name.
Monsieur Champoux—
Zoe’s first landlord.
Monsieur Hebert Lanoux—
Regular customer at Zoe B’s and first customer ever to come to her establishment.
Motier foux—
Half crazy.
Pain perdu—
French toast fried in butter and served with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.
Papere—
Grandfather.
Passing a mop—
Mopping.
Peekon—
Thorn.
Potaine—
Ruckus
Peeshwank—
A little person; runt.
Prejean—
The sheriff’s last name.
Propriétaire—
Owner.
P’tit boug—
Little boy.
Rahdoht—
Boring, never-ending conversation.
Rue Madeline—
Madeline Street.
Skinny mullet—
Skinny person.
Slow the TV—
Turn down the TV.
Surette—
Savannah’s last name (waitress at Zoe B’s).
Un jour a la frou—
One day at a time.
Up the bayou—
Cajun way of saying north.
PROLOGUE
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)
Shelby Sieger sat straight up in bed, clutching her pillow. Trembling. Had she called out again—or imagined it? She clamped her eyes shut and listened. Had she awakened anyone else at the Woodmore House?
An entire minute passed without a sound. She threw back the covers and slid her legs over the side of the bed, groping the nightstand until she found the thin metal chain on the lamp—and pulled it. Sixty watts instantly transformed the room. Why should a twenty-seven-year-old woman feel safer with the light on?
Her three packed suitcases were neatly lined up in front of the white marble fireplace. Maybe once she was away from here, the nightmares would cease. But leaving would be harder than she thought.
Shelby picked up the framed photo of the Woodmore staff taken last Christmas and slowly traced the faces with her finger. Six years was a long time. No one could dispute that Adele Woodmore treated her more like a blood relative than merely a trusted member of her household staff. But hadn’t she worked hard for her keep? Adele never ran out of things for her to do. The meager salary she earned in addition to room and board would never have been enough to realize her dream.
She sighed and put the photo back on the nightstand. And why shouldn’t her dream come true? Was she less deserving than everyone else?
Her father’s words still taunted her. You stupid, worthless little brat! If I thought someone else would take you, I’d park you on their doorstep. You’re nothin’. And you’ll never amount to nothin’.
Shelby blinked several times to clear her eyes. It wasn’t her fault that he was a mean drunk guilty of unspeakable acts or that her mother was a blubbering weakling with no backbone. But she wasn’t that helpless little girl anymore. Who could blame her for seizing the moment? She’d simply done what she needed to do. Adele had gotten over it; her life would go on as usual.
Shelby slid open the second drawer and took out her wallet to look at the new name on her driver’s license and social security card. She had waited an entire year to avoid suspicion. Then, two weeks ago, she gave Adele notice—and managed a sufficient show of emotion to convince her that the decision to leave Woodmore had been prompted by her mother’s failing health.
A howling wind caused branches of the longleaf pines to scrape the roof—and cold air to seep through the windows. She shivered and put her wallet back in the drawer, then crawled under the patchwork quilt, content to leave the light on. Soon she would be on her own, self-employed and accountable to no one. Hadn’t that always been her dream?
Shelby glanced at the clock. As long as she remained in this house, there was a chance something could go wrong. It would be a huge relief when she could stop worrying that Adele might uncover what the police never did. Six hours from now she would board a Greyhound bus for Lafayette and never look back. And no one would ever know what she’d done or where she’d gone.
