He was fast, with ropy muscles, and mean like an aggressive orangutan.
-- The Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: These are the words the narrator uses at the beginning of the narrative to describe Deese. The quote shows that Deese symbolizes an evil person. In addition, the comparison to an animal foreshadows that he is the prey that the title references.

But he paid regular.
-- Carolanne Pouter (chapter 1)

Importance: Pouter says this after saying that Deese did not use the word “black” (30) when he told her to stay away from the swamp. Her statement shows the power of money. Deese is a bad man and uses racist terms, but she is willing to overlook this because he pays her regularly.

A real college, not a four-day putting school.
-- Lucas Davenport (chapter 2)

Importance: Lucas says this to his friends who also work for law enforcement agencies as they play poker and he defends the members of the FBI. The quote shows that he has a sense...