Page 17 of Canyon of Deceit
“Finding the wife’s body would provide some validation to Rurik’s story. Nothing’s hit the radar about Russian activities other than the search for Baranov. I checked IAH and Hobby Airports, and no one under the name of Alina Ivanov has left the area. But her kidnappers wouldn’t use her name anyway, and they’d disguise her looks. The possibilities keep me rethinking facts and making suppositions on what could be happening.”
Sergio again typed into his laptop. “I’m checking security cameras at both airports for Alina and Jurg Falin. If he’s behind the crimes, he’s not sticking around.” He finished and studied me. “Do you think Ivanov contrived a story about a murdered wife, a kidnapped child, and refused to contact authorities or the Russian embassy due to a motive linked to Baranov?”
“It’s entered my headspace. I viewed the video with his little girl. Wouldn’t surprise me if someone used AI to frighten Rurik or to convince us of its validity for either abduction.” I drew in a breath. “Unless Rurik’s been trained, his emotional tells convinced me of his grief. I’ve been reading people a long time, and dread washed all over him. His wife was killed, and his daughter’s life is in danger because of what?”
Sergio tapped his fingers on the desk. “You suspect a bigger scheme than what you’ve been told?”
“I’m not checking it off my list. Rurik can shove reasons about being the loving parent all day long, but something’s missing. Makes me suspect he killed his wife and daughter, and this is his way ofburying his own mess. And he could be grieving his actions.” I shook my head.
Sergio leaned back in his chair. “If that’s the case, why not fly home to Mother Russia and avoid arrest here? The holes don’t line up with the pegs.”
“I’m right there with you, and it won’t leave me alone.”
“And you want to head out to the most treacherous mountain range in Texas?”
“Yes.”
“One positive is Palmer is the best survival expert out there. If anyone can track down the child, it’s her. She’s demonstrated a wild streak of her own.” He stared at me. “You have the skills to make this another positive. But it’s a huge risk.”
“Trouble can happen anywhere. We’re talking about an innocent child caught up in a situation out of her control. Are you giving me permission to trek out to secure the little girl’s release?”
Sergio exhaled his frustration either with me or with the status of the crimes. “I have a feeling this will come back to haunt me. I’ll arrange a flight for both of you tonight to Hobbs. You can stay at a hotel in New Mexico and start fresh in the morning. I’ll have a vehicle for you at the airport. In the meantime, I’ll do a little digging.”
“A four-wheel drive sounds good.”
He raised a brow. “No promises.” He glared at me. “If anything happens to you, my mother will disown me. She’d trade me for you any day.”
We laughed, and the tension between us disappeared. “And she’d feed me well.” I stared into his face. “Odd, but I believe I’m supposed to do this. Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me too soon. I’m heading to the FBI with Ivanov’s story. A crime’s been committed, and how it’s handled might have a negative impact on our relations with Russia. We’ll question Jurg Falin, see where he fits with this. If the FBI has intel that pulls you out of this mission, or they send their agents with you and Therese Palmer, trust me I’m behind them. In the meantime, I want around-the-clockupdates.” He lifted his chin. “Don’t make me contact my mother’s priest for a wake.”
Sergio’s favorite line when he suspected where my maverick streak might lead me. My biggest concern rested with what we might find. A child had been caught up in the ploy of ruthless men, and if anyone got out of the Guadalupe Mountains alive, that person must be Alina Ivanov.
EIGHT
THERESE
Rurik called me twice before I had the go-ahead from Blane that we’d leave tonight for the Guadalupe Mountains. Shortly after lunch, I met Blane at the Texas Ranger office on West Road in Houston. He introduced me to Major Sergio Montoya who shared his reservations about our mission. He cut our conversation short due to a meeting at the FBI field office about the case.
“Who else are you telling?” I said to Major Montoya. “Rurik expressed his desire for this to be kept confidential.”
“The FBI is fully equipped to keep the matter secret. They understand the life of a child is in jeopardy.”
“He specifically askednotto contact the FBI.” I hesitated. “But I trust your judgment. Do I need to alert Rurik?”
“What if he’s behind the crimes? Ms. Palmer, you and Blane map out all your plans, but don’t be surprised if the FBI insists on joining you or shuts this down. We might have jurisdiction in Texas, but international jurisdiction is another ball game. Oh, and don’t forget to stop in at the Pine Springs Visitor Center so they’re aware of your plans to enter Dog Canyon. I’ll alert them to your approximate arrival. They will verify your IDs.”
I shut down my thoughts to keep from telling him that once I was determined to do something, it took God to change it—not the Texas Rangers, FBI, or ROC.
“Another thing,” Major Montoya said. “Jurg Falin hasn’t shown up at the accounting office where he works for two days. Neither has he reported in. He has a condo, but the security cams indicate he hasn’t been there since the night Rurik Ivanov overheard the phone conversation. I’ve issued a BOLO.”
“Do you have a photo of him?” I said.
Blane shared his phone screen with me—bald, dark-blue eyes, thin lips, rectangular face.
“What about Nick Peterson?”
“He’ll be here around three thirty today.” Major Montoya nodded at Blane. “I’ll be back to listen in on the Peterson interview. Rusty, text me if anything comes up.”
