Redemption Creek

Greg Harrison, the youngest and most successful Director of the Drug Enforcement Agency, is the most celebrated member of the administration and has been promised by the president the top position with the Homeland Security Agency. His sudden resignation stuns the Capitol. His announcement states that he only wishes to move his wife and daughter away from Washington and to the more normal way of life in his small home town of Everettville, Oklahoma, but no one--not his best friends, Sunday morning talk show hosts, nor the president--believes his explanation.Everettville has always been quiet, peaceful, and prosperous. Its only source of conflict through the years had been the same source that had brought it prosperity: the country's most productive lead and zinc mines at the nearby area known as Redemption Creek. In the '60's, the mines were closed and abandoned without environmental measures being taken. In the 80's, remediation of the toxic site was designated as the EPA's highest priority, but opposition by the mining companies had allowed conditions to become even worse. Local citizens and political leaders were divided on issues that could forever damn the town's future, while state and even federal officials appear unconcerned.Harrison finds upon his return that the area has fallen victim to an even greater threat. A cabal has established an illegal drug market there, trafficking in such large volumes that it appears immune to law enforcement. He learns that two murders occurred in downtown Everettville just the week before his return, however close family friends reveal little about the problems associated with Redemption Creek or the influx of drugs, as if the two destructive issues were not to be acknowledged.Shortly after his return, Harrison receives a call from a former high school girl friend, Alexis Cole. "Greg, I'm with the Redemption City School District now, and I was hoping you and I could get together and talk about problems that are affecting our kids.""Problems in Redemption City?""And Everettville. This entire area.""The Redemption Creek project?""Well, there's that, but I'm calling you about our drug problem." She paused, and his lack of response spurred her on. "It's an epidemic. A cliche, I know, but it's true. I'm sure you've read about last week's murders. Drug related. They had to be." She took a quick breath. "I'm scared, Greg. Everyone is. We've never seen anything like this." "Have you met with the county sheriff? The police chief?""We have. Several times. They says it's the illegal Mexicans, and that they can't do anything because the federal government has tied their hands. I thought, perhaps, with your position in the DEA ... well, that's why I'm calling you."That one telephone call results in Greg Harrison finding himself in a series of murders, illegal drug trafficking and government corruption. Worse, it leads to his 14-year old daughter being targeted for horrific torture by evil forces.