Page 107 of Canyon of Deceit

Years had passed since I’d allowed those words to flow through me, still every note and line were sealed to memory. Perhaps the music and lyrics were more for me than Alina.

I finished the song, and she hugged me. “Thank you. That was beautiful.” Alina’s tummy growled.

“You’re welcome. And someone’s hungry.”

“My uncle will knock on the door, and we’ll have breakfast soon.”

“Great. Today is my birthday, and I’m excited to spend it with you.”

Alina squealed. “Wish we could have a party.”

My party would be to see her set free.

A knock on the door sounded, and Jurg’s voice caused Alina to bound from the sofa to unlock the bolt from our side.

“Good morning.” He held a tray of scrambled eggs, toast, juice, milk, coffee, bacon, and fruit. “Are you hungry, my sweet girl?”

The way he saidmymade my stomach curdle.

“Yes, thank you.” Alina tossed a smile at me over her shoulder, her blue eyes sparkling. “Today is Therese’s birthday.”

He nodded at me. “Happy birthday. We’ll need to have a special dinner tonight with cake and ice cream for dessert. I want to celebrate as soon as possible.”

“Oh, me too,” Alina said.

The man was a jerk. A narcissist and a killer.

SIXTY-THREE

BLANE

Only one person had insight into Jurg Falin’s mode of operation—Rurik Ivanov. My drive to his home met with frustration woven with Houston bumper-to-bumper traffic, and road construction narrowed four lanes down to one. I sat in traffic and fretted, then prayed, palmed the steering wheel, and prayed again. Therese had recommended a radio station for a spiritual boost, and I tuned it in. I craved more of a high-voltage jolt. KSBJ lifted me with great music containing the faith-filled message I needed.

By the time I arrived at Rurik’s, my pulse had slowed, and my blood pressure no longer tipped the charts. I’d been given the skills to persuade Rurik to open up and an awareness he’d probably been trained by experts to hide emotions and truth.

Inside Rurik’s office, I closed the door, and we sat across from each other. Comfortable enough to relax but not so comfortable that I’d miss a cue. Nothing between us but a few feet of space to occupy our legs.

I carefully walked him through Therese’s abduction. The security cams at McDonald’s showed her entering the restaurant, Falin followed her inside, and the two left together about thirty minutes later—Therese wearing a baseball cap with the brim over her eyes. Nothing intimidating in his body language and no aversion in hers.

“I like you, Rurik, and I want to be on your side. But you’ve repeatedly omitted critical information costing the lives of others.”

“Therese told you she wasn’t in immediate danger, and she believed Alina to be all right.” His chin quivered.

Real or an act?

I disguised my temper. My love for Therese superseded good sense. “I need the truth, or I’ll have no choice but to request the FBI pull your protection detail.”

Rurik moistened his lips. “My daughter’s life is at stake.”

“And a woman I care about is in danger, not to mention others who could be hurt.” I kept my tone low and nonthreatening. “We both have emotions invested in a situation that to this point has been out of our control. To turn the tables, we need truth and logic.”

Rurik blew out his exasperation. “The history is complicated.”

“Life is complicated.” I caught his attention and held it. “I’m tired of lies and games. Understand I have reliable intel from contacts in Russia and the US that I’ve not revealed to you. If I hear anything contrary from my confirmed sources, I’m recommending your arrest for Daria’s murder and endangering a child. Your deceit has sent men to their deaths, possibly even your wife.”

Rurik agreed, with the stoic expression I’d seen on more than one occasion. Was I fighting a losing battle? “I’ve asked this in a previous conversation, but I don’t think you answered truthfully. Are you working undercover for the Russian government?”

“No, and I will be honest.” He arched his back. “I received espionage training prior to accepting my position at Leonard University. Jurg planned to work undercover and direct the ROC here, claimed he needed my help. My refusal was hard since he and I had been friends a long time—”