Visible Threat (26 page)

I’m going to be a cop again. I’m going to do police work,
sang in her thoughts. She locked the seat belt across her chest and started the car. A question popped in her mind and zinged her pumped-up nerves like tinfoil on silver fillings.

Why would anyone want to kill Mayor Teresa Burke?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A
FORMER
L
ONG
B
EACH,
California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for
Cop and Christ
and
Today’s Christian Woman
before tackling novels. She now lives in a small town in southern Oregon, where she enjoys exploring the forests, rivers, and lakes with her three Labrador retrievers
 
—Jake, Maggie, and Abbie.

Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.
Visible Threat
is the sequel to
Critical Pursuit
, featuring Brinna Caruso. Janice also authored the Pacific Coast Justice series, which includes
Accused
,
Abducted
, and
Avenged
.

Visit Janice’s website at
www.janicecantore.com
and connect with her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/JaniceCantore
.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. As
   Visible Threat
   begins, Brinna ignores direct orders and continues to pursue a suspected kidnapper. What do you think of her actions? Is she being reckless? Or does the end justify the means in this situation?
   
2. Magda Boteva feels trapped between wanting to do what is right and facing the wrath of her cousin Demitri. Are her fears justified? What does it take to finally prompt her into action? What would you do in her shoes?
   
3. Brinna soon learns what it feels like to be considered a hero, and she wonders if she can live up to a young girl’s expectations. How do you think she does as a mentor, someone to admire? Have you ever felt you were in a position to be a mentor to someone else? If so, how did the experience affect you?
   
4. In chapter 28, Brinna asks Jack what he would have done during the Henry Corliss chase, and he responds, “I would have prayed that someone else stopped him.” Have you ever faced a situation where you weren’t sure
   how to proceed? How can you know when to take action and when to step back and let God work?
   
5. What do you think of Jack’s statement “If he is a good God, why would he stop something in your life that will make you stronger, make you a better person?” Do all difficulties result in personal growth? What are some times in your life you can point to that support this idea? Can you think of any exceptions?
   
6. What makes Rick and Molly so willing to accept his diagnosis? Do you think it’s possible to be upbeat and positive in the face of a life-altering tragedy?
   
7. Rose Caruso opens her home to Ivana even before she has met the girl. How do Rose’s actions measure up to Jesus’ directives in Matthew 25:31-46? What tangible things can you do to help people in need?
   
8. In chapter 42, Jack contemplates Brinna’s desire for perfection
    
   —“perfect justice and a perfect world.” Is it naive to pursue perfection? What are the benefits of striving for excellence? What are the costs? What does Psalm 37 have to say about God’s justice?
   
9. Also in chapter 42, Jack thinks about and understands Brinna’s desire for justice but notes that he has “been grounded in the belief that God was real and directing his steps, guiding his life.” Why does Jack’s foundation make such a difference in his life? How is that reflected in this story? Where can you see a solid foundation and belief in a sovereign God playing a role in your life?
   
10. Jack tells Brinna in chapter 49, “Just because bad things happen doesn’t mean God isn’t good.” Can you think of a time in your life when something bad happened, and in the end God worked everything out for good?
    
11. Magda reveals startling secrets to her husband in chapter 50. Read Ephesians 5:25-28. In what ways does Anton act out these instructions? What other passages of Scripture illustrate his response?
    
12. At one point in the story, Simon admits he’s done wrong but claims that he’s not as bad a man as Demitri. Would you agree with him? Does his statement seem to suggest that there are degrees of sin? What’s wrong with that idea?
    
13. In chapter 61, Magda explains what being her sister’s keeper means to her. How would you define that term? What does it mean to you personally?
    
14. Were you surprised to learn that human trafficking is a growing problem worldwide and even in your own backyard? Check out the US State Department’s list of twenty things you can do to help combat human trafficking (
    http://www.state.gov/j/tip/id/help/
    ). Which of these tips can you put into practice in the next month?