Page 67 of Canyon of Deceit
“I’m all right, sir. Tired and full of questions.”
“You and Rusty are two of a kind.”
In more ways than one, but I’d reserve the conversation for later. “Try convincing her to rest.”
“I doubt if any of us will until Alina Ivanov is returned, and we have those responsible in custody,” Sergio said.
“Chandler’s dead and Falin got away with Alina. The ROC can now activate laser weapons in their possession.” I spit out the words like spoiled food.
“Yep, Rusty, I got the news. The only good thing Falin accomplished was ridding the world of a ruthless killer.”
“Replaced by another.” Therese’s dry tone told me her emotions hadn’t changed since Dog Canyon.
“Therese and I haven’t heard any news. Has Rurik offered more information? Any updates on the ROC? Daria Ivanov’s murder? Edik Baranov? We’re ready.”
Sergio crossed his arms over his chest. “Park rangers found the bodies of two hikers in the western corridor of Dog Canyon, throats cut.”
Therese drew in a sob. “Chandler admitted to their murders. I feel sick about the many dead and wounded.”
“I feel the same,” I said. “No respect for human life continues to play out.”
She took a few moments to stabilize herself. “Prior to running into Chandler and Falin, I saw smoke in that direction. At the time, I wrestled with investigating it, but other issues held my attention.”
I drew in a ragged breath. “The rental Jeep? The keys are in my backpack at the bottom of a canyon. Chandler stole our handguns.”
“We got the Jeep. Lack of keys never stopped a good Ranger. Don’t think twice about phones or guns. They can be replaced.”
But not the lives of those who’d suffered and died.“You said last Friday that things had come to your attention.”
Sergio lifted his chin. “This investigation is like juggling chain saws.”
THIRTY-NINE
THERESE
My stomach had been threatening to unload for hours, and hearing Major Montoya refer to the investigation like juggling chain saws made me want to run to the ladies’ room. Not sure the acid rising in my throat came from the horrendous crimes or the ache from Falin’s kidney punch. Lack of food, my war-torn body, and attempting to replenish my body’s water supply made me envy an ostrich with its head in the sand.
I glanced at Blane. Part of my turmoil came in his declaration of faith. I didn’t want this to be a deathbed conversion.
“We want to hear everything you’ve learned,” I said to Major Montoya.
He held up a finger. “Some info is confidential.” He stepped closer. “Jurg Falin has a larger role in the ROC than we originally believed.”
“In Houston or deeper?” Blane said.
“Overall. One of the top kingpins. Ruthless. Highly intelligent. For him to negotiate the deal with Chandler says Falin was either ready to eliminate him or concerned the ROC might be cheated.”
“Or both,” I said.
Major Montoya nodded and turned away as though he wrestledwith info. “Intel shows he had an ongoing affair with Daria Ivanov in Russia and here once Rurik and Daria moved to Houston.”
I shuddered. “Used her to get to Rurik, then killed her?”
“Apparently. She must have outlived her value. Like Chandler. At this point we have no evidence of Rurik’s involvement in the ROC here or in Russia. What we do know is Rurik has ties to Falin—a warped friendship. We’re awaiting confirmation on what looks like Daria’s remains.”
“Not sure why Falin didn’t pull the trigger on me.” I shook my head. “When I feel better, I’ll try to make sense of it.”
Blane gasped and apologized. I despised the pain he endured. “Rurik is caught in the middle of two powerful men. One betrays him, kills his wife, and kidnaps his daughter. The other betrays Russia and is on the run.”
