Page 103 of Canyon of Deceit

“How does my answer equate to releasing Alina and stopping the bloodshed?”

“Answer my question first.”

“A US source, and I assume the same seller supplies other things you need too. I assume the seller is open to anyone who has the cash. From your concern, my guess it’s one of your major sources.” I paused for him to contemplate my words. “If I reveal the seller, it’s merely my word against a huge US company. They have attorneys on call to handle muddy issues like dealing with illegal weaponry. Or kill me and no one is the wiser.” I shrugged while my instincts shouted at me to get out of the restaurant. “You haven’t said how my awareness of your supplier affects Alina’s release.”

“You and I will make our own deal. She believes Rurik is dead, and if I take you to her, keep her pacified and your mouth shut.”

SIXTY

BLANE

Why had Therese left the apartment? Put herself in danger? Not even a note. I should have done the math while she poured on the Ms. Congeniality charm. Panic burst inside me... Had she been abducted?

I phoned the apartment’s business office and learned the building lacked a security cam. No surprise. The building teetered between condemned and strike a match. From the layout, she must have left through the front on foot. Unless someone picked her up.

What happened to the surveillance team assigned to keep an eye on us? Where were they at noon? Out to lunch? I stormed to the parking lot, recognized the car, and demanded the agents tell me where Therese had gone. No surprise they hadn’t seen her. I phoned Sergio, not that he had an explanation. His instructions to stay put while he located her sailed through one ear and out the other.

Inside the apartment, I noted her backpack, phone, and charging cord were missing. Abductors didn’t permit victims to gather their belongings. Where had she gone, and why?

If she showed up in a few minutes with the excuse of taking a walk... I might cuff her to the kitchen sink. Or kiss her, depending on my mood.

I grasped my phone and called one of the agents at Rurik’s house. The Russian professor with the questionable motives might have heard from Therese. They confirmed she’d called for Rurik, but the conversation lasted less than ten seconds.

“She asked him to call her on another phone,” an agent said. “We haven’t found it.”

The agent handed Rurik his phone, and I asked him my burning question.

“She doesn’t want me telling her plans,” Rurik said. “It is a private matter.”

“Look at all she’s sacrificed for you. Would you send her to her death?”

“Therese is a grown woman committed to rescuing my daughter.”

The between-the-lines conversation hit me hard. “You helped her arrange a meeting with Falin. I already did that and look where it got us.”

Rurik said something in Russian, which I assumed was cursing. “I arranged things at her request.” He spouted his efforts to stop her, claiming to warn her of the danger. “She wore me down.”

“Where’s the meeting?”

“My betrayal would seal her death.”

“Contact Falin on your burner and have him call me.”

The seconds of hesitation ticked by. “All right.”

I paced the small living area until my phone rang shrill.

“Gardner, this is Jurg Falin. What do you need this fine afternoon?”

“I believe you have a child and a woman with you. Both need to be released.”

He laughed. “I have Therese as security for Monday’s exchange. Then I’ll tell you where you can find them in one piece and breathing.”

“Bring her and Alina to the landing strip.”

“My way or no deal.” Falin’s enunciation of each word showed his intent. “You want me to show you where to find their dead bodies today or where to find them alive on Monday?”

“You can guess the answer.”