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Darkest Journey
Heather Graham
They say it's about the journey, not the destination…Charlene "Charlie" Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that's sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost!Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago…but might die, along with them, on the Journey.
They say it’s about the journey, not the destination...
Charlene “Charlie” Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that’s sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.
Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost!
Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago...but might die, along with them, on the Journey.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham (#u0994b767-8e00-551e-b919-76733dbfa56f)
“Graham is a master at world building and her latest is a thrilling, dark, and deadly tale of romantic suspense.”
—Booklist, starred review, on Haunted Destiny
“Intricate, fast-paced, and intense, this riveting thriller blends romance and suspense in perfect combination and keeps readers guessing and the tension taut until the very end.”
—Library Journal, starred review, on Flawless
“With an astonishing ease and facility, this talented and hard-working writer can cast her stories in any genre.”
—Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels
“A masterfully created psychological thriller...leaving readers shocked and enthralled.”
—RT Book Reviews on The Hexed
“Dark, dangerous and deadly! Graham has the uncanny ability to bring her books to life, using exceptionally vivid details to add depth to all the people and places.”
—RT Book Reviews on Waking the Dead, Top Pick
“Murder, intrigue...a fast-paced read. You may never know in advance what harrowing situations Graham will place her characters in, but...rest assured that the end result will be satisfying.”
—Suspense Magazine on Let the Dead Sleep
“Graham deftly weaves elements of mystery, the paranormal and romance into a tight plot that will keep the reader guessing at the true nature of the killer’s evil.”
—Publishers Weekly on The Unseen
“Suspenseful and dark.... The transitions between past and present flow seamlessly, and the main characters are interesting and their connection to one another is believable.”
—RT Book Reviews on The Unseen
Darkest Journey
Heather Graham
www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)
In memory of one of the finest friends I was ever privileged to know.
Greg Varricchio
Incredible musician, husband and father, Greg made hard times easier, brought laughter and smiles to so many so often, and lived every day with honor and an incredible ethic. The world is truly a poorer place without him.
CAST OF CHARACTERS (#u0994b767-8e00-551e-b919-76733dbfa56f)
The Main Players
Charlene “Charlie” Moreau, actress
Ethan Delaney, FBI agent, Krewe of Hunters
From the Movie Set
Brad Thornton, writer and director
Mike Thornton, cameraman
Luke Mayfield, sound
Barry Seymour, electric and lighting
Jennie McPherson, makeup artist
Grant Ferguson, actor/extra (responsible for budget and accounting)
George Gonzales, in charge of location, setting and props
Jimmy Smith, actor/extra
Blane Pica, actor
Harry Grayson, actor
Krewe of Hunters
Thor Erikson
Jude McCoy
The Civil War Dead
Anson McKee, Confederate cavalry captain
Ellsworth Derue, Union medical corps
Other Characters
Jonathan Moreau, Charlie’s father, historian and tour guide on the riverboat Journey
Emily Watson, café owner
Farrell Hickory, owner of Hickory Plantation and Civil War reenactor
Albion Corley, professor and Civil War reenactor
Nancy Camp, Charlie’s high school friend
Randall “Randy” Laurent, high school friend of Ethan’s, parish detective
Sherry Compton, high school friend
Terese, Ethan’s great-grandmother
Chance Morgan, photographer
On the Journey (Celtic American Lines Ship)
Timothy Banks, captain
Gerard “Gerry” Amerind, doctor
Haley Howell, nurse
Rebecca Jennings, nurse
Ricky Simpson, entertainment director
Contents
Cover (#u3845d692-e3b6-5a1d-9bf1-df9ba2bb1e69)
Back Cover Text (#u22481364-5a9d-56b7-855c-a883132d9992)
Praise (#u65e5fe65-f265-52fc-bee0-46cfd31fe347)
Title Page (#ubcb61b50-9015-52f5-ba4c-6ba446fa6d47)
Dedication (#ua4ac396c-1d6b-556b-92cd-2e4a0d278bdd)
CAST OF CHARACTERS (#u7488756c-1cea-5e14-83c3-405086aeaef5)
Prologue (#u021fc5da-5af5-55a4-90c0-19a59862c204)
Chapter 1 (#u2b1b566d-33ec-5572-945c-680b534db880)
Chapter 2 (#u453d24b7-e24f-5496-b7cf-96450ef7a7b9)
Chapter 3 (#ud610c66d-0da0-55b8-b3a0-4206960ebaab)
Chapter 4 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue (#u0994b767-8e00-551e-b919-76733dbfa56f)
West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
High School
“What are we doing?” Charlene—Charlie—Moreau demanded, surprised that both her escorts—senior girls high up in the hierarchy of one of their high school service clubs, the Cherubs—had suddenly taken hold of her arms. “Where are we going?”
She’d started out blindfolded in a car with five of her friends—all of them giggling girls ready to claim the prestige of being a Cherub. They’d been accepted into the club. They’d gone through ridiculous weeks of pledging—running, fetching, even doing homework for the “older sisters” in the club, and now it was their final night. Their great hazing. But the five of them had been split up about twenty minutes earlier; she’d been put in a car with Nancy Deauville and Sherry Compton, who’d gently led her out a little while later.
Now both girls were gripping her arms, nothing gentle about it.
Nancy Deauville laughed softly. “They say your mama’s family has the ‘sight.’ We’re just leaving you where you’ll have to ask some of your ghostly friends for help.”
“Come on! What are you going to do? Tie me up in the Grace Church graveyard?” Charlie asked, feeling her temper flare.
