Page 116 of Canyon of Deceit

Edik and Rurik were cousins.

Daria and Jurg were involved in an affair while in Russia and in the US.

A woman’s body had been found in Daria’s car. Where was Daria?

A flight had been booked from Houston to Moscow on Tuesday for Isaak and Larisa Mishin. The scheduled flight left the day before the assassination. Jurg Falin had requested a private escort out of the country this evening. Unless the timeline was off on Baranov’s arrival.

How would I ever sort out the truth? But God had the answer, and He’d help me find Alina and Therese.

Another text rolled in.HPD found Rurik’s SUV abandoned on the west side of town. FBI just confirmed Edik Baranov and family arriving early afternoon. Has Falin contacted you where he plans to make the exchange and his destination? I have a plane on standby. Once you have confirmation, I’ll have backup in place.

I replied,Haven’t heard from Falin.

I’ll meet you at the ship channel. Tell no one.

SIXTY-NINE

THERESE

Alina and I quickly showered, dressed, and tossed out our clothes at Dr. Zhivago’s request, the name I’d given him for lack of another. I’d whispered to Alina if she recognized him, but she shook her head.

Male voices outside the bathroom door told me the cleanup crew had arrived. I didn’t understand their conversation, but when Alina squeezed my hand, I mouthed my concern about what they were saying.

“My uncle is not doing well,” she whispered. “The doctor can’t stabilize him.” She covered her mouth to avoid a gasp. “Running out of time.”

I hugged her at the thought of Jurg’s life draining from him. The child beside me was innocent of any crime, and I’d give my life for her... Just like my Kate. Memories of Kate’s final hours trickled through me. Would Alina’s fate be the same?

Your sister and parents’ deaths were not your fault.

I blinked. The voice hadn’t come from me.

Forgive yourself, Therese. I love you. The evil around you is not your fault.

A tear slipped down my cheek.God, I’m sorry. I needed someone to blame. Please take this burden from me. The weight is too heavy.

Alina studied me in childlike wonder. Should I tell her my spirit had been transformed?

“Our God has this,” I whispered. “He loves us, and we will face what happens with courage.”

She leaned into me and softly sobbed. “I’m afraid.”

“That’s fine. I am too.”

Within an hour, the Russian crew left, leaving me with a morbid vision of what they used to clean up blood. Seconds ticked by.

“You can unlock the bathroom door and come out,” the doctor said.

Alina and I left the bathroom. She gripped my hand harder, and her breathing came in short gasps. What should we expect now? Alina rushed to Jurg’s side. Not a trace of blood anywhere but his clothes and skin. Not even an antiseptic smell remained.

I captured the doctor’s gaze to discover our fate. Jurg was supposed to fly to Russia, but I doubted if he survived.

“I have a choice,” the doctor said. “The ones who cleaned didn’t mention you or Alina. How they avoided checking the bathroom is beyond me. No one gets in their way or they’re eliminated.”

Thank You, Lord.

“If you stay, you’re both dead. Someone will return to check the room.” He bent to Jurg and read his vitals. “He needs a hospital, but it’s not permitted.”

Silence dragged like a death sentence.