Page 38 of Canyon of Deceit
“I’m ready to hear your life story,” I said.
She shook her head. “Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.”
Therese’s silence told me she’d dipped to the worst possible scenario. Mine too. Neither humor nor logic covered how our mission impossible would stretch our skills... and possibly, Therese’s faith.
I wished I was armed with the ammo of faith instead of the sliver of doubt inching through me.
—
I woke in the stillness of early morning, but in the east varying shades of yellow, orange, and purple streaked across the sky. The desire to paint this magnificence filled me. Another time.
I recalled our time in Dog Canyon, and I explored past missions, some with devastating results. I’d call Sergio this morning and request the FBI team behind us to pick up their pace. The argument to stay ahead of the Feds for Alina’s sake made sense. But we were runningout of time, and the kidnappers might lose patience. They had their money, why not release her? Or dispose of her? I was ready to negotiate that child’s release, so why the holdup?
Would Rurik lie to Sergio and the Feds? Was he aware the FBI had placed a tracer on his phone? Unless Rurik had another phone he used to call the kidnappers, like the burner he purchased to contact Therese. The grieving husband and father possibly played a devious role between the kidnappers, the ROC, and those on the side of the law. His tellswereconvincing, and those emotions always yanked me back to where Rurik had fallen prey to ruthless men. I’d pursue the obscurity of Rurik’s role once Therese and I freed Alina.
How much did he know about Edik Baranov’s escape plans? How close were they as cousins?
Therese tossed off her covering. She had the early morning watch, and sleep crusted her eyes. That meant she’d fallen asleep during her watch, but we were both alive.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Maybe. My instincts tell me today will challenge us like nothing we’ve ever experienced.”
“We’ve faced problems in our line of work and succeeded. We will again.”
“Some worse than others,” she said.
“You sound pessimistic. When you taught the survival course, you claimed the problems of life make us stronger, better people. Have you changed your position?”
“No. My priority is Alina’s rescue. Nothing else matters. And while I’d gladly give my life for her or you, fear rises like the sun and binds me to take precautions.” She held up a gloved hand. “I’m sorry. Let me drink my coffee, and I’ll get my bearings.”
I reached into my backpack, pulled out two granola bars, and tossed one her way. “Should you check in with Rurik? I’ll do the same with Sergio.”
“Good idea.” She pulled her backpack into her lap and unzipped where she kept her satellite phone. She lifted it out as though the device was gold and patted in and around her as though missingsomething. “Where’s my gun?” She lifted her blanket and searched all around. “Where is it?” Her voice rose.
“How can I help?”
She rummaged through her camp gear. “Do you see my gun? It’s missing.”
I startled. She had organization down to a miniature tack box. “Where did you have it during your watch?”
“Beside me or in my hand. I... I did doze off.”
I lifted my blanket where I kept my SIG close. I expected my lifeline to be there. I searched around me, certain I’d unconsciously moved it.
Where was my firearm?
An alarm sounded in my brain and jolted every nerve on high alert. Were we surrounded? A bullet away from death? How could I be so stupid not to detect someone stealing my gun?
“Blane.” Therese’s whisper held an eerie chill. “I’m so sorry. This is my fault.”
She held a peregrine falcon feather.
NINETEEN
ALINA
I wakened from the shot the bad man had given me in a new place. I was covered by a thick blanket and in a cave. Blinking several times, my eyes cleared. Outside a ray of sunshine filtered in, showing lots of stuff inside, like people lived here. I made out canned food and cases of water stored on stone shelves. How did they get all the food and water here? One shelf had clothes on it, and another held different kinds of guns. Beside it sat boxes labeledammo. Had the two men stolen other kids and brought them here too? I couldn’t tell how many days had passed ’cause the medicine made me sleep, but if I added right, this was my third day away from home.
