I have a question about James Lee Burke's character

[ChazInAz]

6. Racking my memory, here!

I've given away all but my latest Burke books, so I'm working on memory, here. If I recall correctly, these events happened "between novels", and not as part of the action. First, wife Bootsie died of lupus...natural causes for once. Dave's old family home burned due to a shoddy wiring job, prompting him to give the homestead to his brother Gentleman Jimmy to rebuild as he pleased. The proviso to that deal was that Batiste got the boat and bait shop business. Daughter Alafair was off in college at the time. Dave, needing a clean break, took Tripod to New Iberia, where he (Dave, not Tripod) joined the local sheriff's department, working with Helen Soileau. Shortly thereafter, he adopted Mr. Snuggs, the combative white cat.
I think that was the story line, and believe it took place around the time of "Purple Cane Road".
Hope that helps!