Page 60 of Canyon of Deceit
“You have my terms. Take it or leave it.”
Falin eyed him. “I’ll find out about the holdup.”
“I’m going to scout the area. You’d better have good news when I get back.” Chandler stomped off.
Falin yanked his phone from his pocket. He shouted at someone in Russian. Laser technology was foreign to me, but I understood advanced weaponry. Doubtful Chandler kept Falin alive unless the ROC or Russian government had conducted business with him in the past, and it proved lucrative. Then again, someone else could easily replace Falin. I had no answers, only speculation.
A helicopter was en route into the canyon to pick up pieces for laser weaponry. How could the pilot conceal its arrival? Could the aircraft’s rotor blades be equipped with stealth technology? With Feds and park rangers on alert, any sound would draw their attention. Hope rippled through me like sunshine. Always hope.
Falin stepped into the cave. He picked up a bottle of water and uncapped it. He removed Alina’s gag, tilted the bottle, and she drank eagerly.
“Need to go?” he said, his voice softening.
“Yes, please.”
“Please, me too,” I said.
He frowned. “One at a time.” He sneered at me. “You can wait until Chandler returns.”
“Why?”
“As Chandler said, you’re a worthy opponent. You’d try to escape.”
“You’re holding the gun. Are you afraid if you shoot me and deny Chandler the privilege that he’d kill you?”
“Maybe.”
“You don’t look like a coward.”
Falin swore. “One of you at a time.”
We had a chance to escape.
Falin released the ropes binding Alina and led her outside. In a few minutes they returned. He secured the ropes around the little girl’s wrists and ankles, then untied only my ankles. He stepped back, his gun aimed at me.
“Stand up and walk to the entrance. Any move or word that bothers me, and I shoot. Trust me, I won’t kill you, but you’ll wish I had.”
As I stepped outside and around the wall of rock into the blinding sunlight, I blinked. “Which way?”
“To your right is a boulder. Behind it.”
I obeyed, hoping he’d give me privacy. Through my peripheral vision, I scanned the area for the best escape route across the canyon floor to the safety of rocks in the distance. We’d have to make good time, and I had no idea the moment Chandler might return. Or where he’d gone.
One way in and one way out.Think, Therese.
Falin untied my wrists. “Make it fast.”
I swung back to him, and he raised his gun. “I’ll hurry.”
“I have no patience, and time’s running out.”
I tended to business and joined him. “What did you mean that time’s running out?”
“We’re leaving this hole as soon as our transport arrives. Turn around so I can tie your hands.”
He planned to take me and Alina? Chandler wouldn’t allow it unless the ROC agreed to pay more money. I whirled and kickedFalin in the groin, sending him flat on his back. Grabbing his gun, I shoved the barrel into his face.
“Your turn.” I yanked the rope from his hands. He nailed me with his fist to my shoulder and used his right leg to send me sprawling. Pain ignited in my shoulder, but I kept my hold on the gun. If I fired, Chandler wouldn’t waste any time getting here.
