Page 65 of Canyon of Deceit
I swallowed hard and carefully put my question together. “Mr. Falin, where are you taking me?”
“Does it matter?”
“I suppose not, sir. I’m curious.”
He chuckled and almost sounded nice. “I like you Alina, always have. Except I have a job to do. Let me say we’re going to a place where you’ve never been.”
“Will my daddy be there too?”
“Maybe.”
I hated the way he said “maybe.” Nothing good ever came from it.
THIRTY-EIGHT
BLANE
Thanks to FBI Agent Dave Tanner’s call for help, two helos landed with FBI agents, Rangers, and two paramedics. One aircraft was designated to carry the injured and the other to investigate the bombed cave, including the remains of Chandler’s body. Therese and I waited inside the medic helo, me flat on my back and she seated beside me.
The paramedics and pilots administered medical care and stabilized the wounded before carrying them to the helo. The man who’d carried my stretcher down the mountain and talked to me about fly-fishing had taken a bullet to his leg. The lead man didn’t make it, and his death rocked me with grief and regret. Paramedics had closed his eyes and covered his face.
The briefing would come once we landed in Hobbs. The lines around Therese’s eyes and her ashen face hinted at her ordeal. Although I shoved away the thought of either of those men abusing her, she shouldn’t bottle up the trauma.
I grasped her hand. “What happened when you left in search of the rescue team?”
Her shoulders lifted and fell. “Hard to sort out, but I will try. I hiked to the meeting spot, but I’d missed them. From the rail tracks,a helicopter had delivered the team, then left. I hiked toward a cave I remembered, and on the way found Alina’s clothes and a peregrine falcon feather...” She swiped beneath her eye. “I continued and Chandler and Falin stopped me. Chandler said he’d killed you.”
“I’m sorry. Are you able to go on?”
She told me about the conversation with Chandler and the hike to the cave where he and Falin held Alina.
“What about Alina?”
“Captive but not abused. Incredibly brave, and I think that’s why she’s still alive.” She covered her mouth and held back a sob. “That little girl has more courage than most adults. Rurik taught her well. I pray her immediate future holds more than the present.” She stiffened. “Falin is a strange and dangerous man.”
“God’s got Alina,” I said.
She swung her blue-green gaze my way. “What did you say?”
“I had an eventful day, spent a lot of time trying to move and add more kindling to the fire. Once night fell, I found the strength to send smoke signals for help. I was convinced death knocked on my door. The pain and infection had me in and out of consciousness, delirious.” I drew in a sharp breath. “God called out to me. To forgive myself. Whether I was afraid of dying and going to hell or finally realizing a need for salvation—I have no clue. But here I am alive and a believer.”
She leaned over me, her blonde hair tickling my whiskered chin, and kissed me. Long and hard. “I am so happy. With all that’s gone wrong, this is very right.”
“Thanks. I feel good about my decision. Sad it took a series of tragedies for God to grab my attention. I have lots to learn, and my reputation speaks for my stubbornness.” I attempted to laugh through the agony in my body. “Sergio and his family will have a celebration.”
“You’ve given me so much more anticipation in finding Alina alive,” she said.
“A future for us too?”
She blinked. “I think so.”
“When the dust settles and father and daughter are reunited, I’d like to have a fourth date. Start over on the right foot.”
“We’ll need to take a relationship slow.”
“I look forward to lots of conversation and just being with you.” I raised her hand to my lips and kissed it. “We are a good team.”
“We’ve both survived a sure death.”
