Page 74 of Canyon of Deceit
“Nothing would surprise me.”
He pulled a phone from inside his sports jacket. “I’ll request a bomb squad.”
—
Therese and I waited in the FBI’s SUV, bone-tired and filled with unanswered questions—our mode of operation. Darkness created a cover of mystery increasing my frustration. A bomb squad searched her house before they’d allow the FBI agents inside. We all waited for our turn. Law enforcement officials moved the crowd back and encouraged them to return to their homes, but news media and bomb techs arrived, creating more curiosity for the crowd who failed to leave. Exhaustion flowed through my body, but tomorrow I’d sleep. We’d both sleep.
“Let’s call Rurik,” Therese said. “Give him our new phone numbers. The FBI agents protecting him have no reason to refuse us. Why don’t you make the call?”
I agreed and she pressed in Rurik’s cell phone number. Placing the phone on speaker, I addressed the FBI agent with my credentials. Once verified we were put through to him.
“This is Blane and Therese. We’re back in Houston. We have new cell phones. I’m texting those numbers to you.”
“Thanks.” Rurik’s voice held more pain than the last time we spoke. “I’ve been watching the news about an exchange of gunfire at Therese’s home. What’s going on?”
The agents were listening, and I relayed enough that the media would confirm. I continued with the happenings over the past few days in our attempt to rescue Alina and omitted the contents in the cave. “We’re not giving up, Rurik. The Texas Rangers, FBI, and HPD have formed a task force to find Alina and end the crimes.”
“What about the trackers in her shoes and necklace?”
“Alina’s shoes were found in Dog Canyon, and Rangers found her necklace near Baytown. Major Montoya has it.”
“Major Montoya will keep the necklace safe? It’s special to Alina. And me.”
“He’s already assured us. He has daughters and understands those things.”
“Thank you. I never told anyone about the trackers, but Jurg is smart. Therese, you were with Alina.” His fragile voice echoed his angst. “How was she?”
Therese moistened her lips. “They had not harmed her. She wore new tennis shoes, jeans, and a T-shirt. Jurg Falin protected her from Chandler. Your daughter is the bravest little girl I’ve ever seen. She neither pouted nor whined, showing respect to her captors and complying with their requests. You have taught her well.”
Rurik broke into sobs. “Jurg was once my brother-in-law, a half brother to Alina’s mother. But he has my daughter, and we have no location.”
Therese’s eyes welled, and she mouthed for me to continue the conversation.
“Why didn’t you tell us about the family connection?” I said.
“I... I didn’t think it made a difference or was important.”
I wanted to ask Rurik why we wouldn’t think the family connection vital to the case, but I risked angering him. If he shut down, we might not get back in his good graces. “We could have used the information in our negotiations, and for sure we’ll use it in future dialogue.”
“How would Jurg’s relationship with my daughter affect her return? His priorities are the ROC’s intent to assassinate Edik Baranov, and Jurg will put his own life on the line to ensure their agenda. My daughter means nothing to him.”
“What have you not told us? We need all the details to return Alina to you safely.” I let silence set the stage. Was Rurik aware Falin and Daria had been having an affair?
Therese opened her mouth to speak, but I shook my head and took her hand, a little awkward with the cast.
“We aren’t talking about political opinions or a country’s sovereignty. We’re talking about my daughter’s life!” Rurik swore. “A face-to-face with no one else around.”
FORTY-THREE
THERESE
Nearing 10:00 p.m., the FBI bomb tech found explosives attached to the front and rear doors of my home and a secondary bomb inside the rear door. The killers planned my demise no matter where I entered. I understood the code of criminals to take down anyone representing law and order, and Blane fell into the category. But why me? Was it my testimony that identified them as kidnapping Alina and the laser chips? But that proved meaningless once Falin killed Chandler, and Falin blew up the cave.
The answer must originate with what Falin believed Rurik had told me or what I might have seen in the cave. Whatever the expectation, Falin viewed losing men, murder charges, and kidnapping worth the risk to seal his plans. I shuddered at the bloodshed of terrorist activity on US soil.
Blane’s soft snores caught my attention. He’d leaned back in the seat and finally found a reprieve from the intense pain—or his exhaustion outweighed the agony in his body. I’d wake him on the hour. I’d drifted off and on since we’d been escorted to the FBI vehicle, but I continued to jolt awake. My own bed sounded heavenly, but the closest I’d get would be tossing a few pieces of clothing atop it while packing my backpack for the extended-stay hotel.
In the shadows, Blane’s hand wrapped around mine, resting between us. Was I selfish to call our longing to pursue a relationship a blessing amid the violent crimes? His newfound faith testified to answered prayer—after Alina’s rescue, after the killers were stopped, after the answers to why I’d been targeted, then Blane. But I had to be sure his faith lasted in the days ahead. I needed to see his hope in Jesus, not just hear it. I must guard my heart above all things. And pray.
