A man. A tiger. A tornado. Jared Montaine owns a big cat rescue in Florida and faces financial pressures, getting over his ex-wife, and the challenge of suburbia creeping ever closer to his enclave for the animals. But when a tornado wrecks part of the refuge, Jared's worst fear comes to life: his Siberian tiger, Sultan, escapes. It's a big cat handler’s nightmare: a tiger on the loose, confused, lost -- and hungry. Jared races against the police, the media, and the hysterical public, all of whom are clamoring for the tiger's hide. He must re-capture Sultan before the cat is killed -- by traffic, by SWAT, or by a civilian who just wants to shoot a tiger. With fellow wildlife handlers at his side, Jared fights desperately to find and capture Sultan before the tiger injures or kills a human. Because that would lead to his worst nightmare -- having to kill the tiger he hand-raised from a cub. Jared’s commitment is tested -- to his animals, his refuge, and his belief that saving the life of even one tiger is worth losing everything.

The Tiger Whisperer

David watched Jared move graciously through the crowd, a hand on a shoulder here, a quick hug there. He was used to the attention, David could tell, and he realized this was like another post-game celebration. Jared made sure everyone else had a plate of food. Before he sat down, he brought David a plate of beans, bread, and corn on the cob.


David got quick introductions to Leon, Katherine, and Valerie as they all settled on the deck chairs.


Steve leaned forward, big belly nearly falling into his plate of burger and beans. “Aren’t the cops supposed to be coming to get you, Jared?”


“I guess, technically, they can come and get me anytime now.”


“They probably won’t arrest you now that all this is over,” Peter offered. “The threat is contained and it won’t do them any good to put you in jail.”


“Yeah, but at least with a few days in jail, Jared will get some sleep!” Valerie said. They all laughed and Valerie handed Jared her Coke.


Chapter 100