Page 124 of Canyon of Deceit

In the early hours of the morning, Blane and I sat at Rurik’s hospital bedside with Alina asleep in my lap. Rurik had undergone extensive surgery to remove the bullet in his chest and now recovered in ICU. Hospital regulations stated only two people in ICU, then Blane put on his hero cape and secured permission for us to stay together. I fought sleep with less and less willpower. Blane and I had fallen into a comfortable silence, as he jerked and nodded off too.

The truth had surfaced, and as I attempted to rise from a dream state, I put the facts in somewhat of a chronological order.

Daria Ivanov led the Houston ROC. From what she’d said at Rurik’s home, she must have targeted Jurg and Rurik while in Russia. She’d used both men to advance her agenda. Rurik had been easy prey while Jurg believed the ROC boss was in Russia. But he double-crossed that person by holding on to the laser chips. Jurg was expected to make a full recovery. Maybe then he’d provide the chips’ whereabouts. Seeing Daria arrested and escorted from Rurik’s home gave me satisfaction... Whether that was right or wrong.

Jurg had a ruthless streak except his mannerisms softened with Alina, proving that even killers had a tender spot deep inside. He faced serious charges, which might persuade him to give up enoughintel for a lesser charge. The way I viewed his circumstances, he had a death sentence either way.

Major Montoya slipped into the room. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“The FBI told me the whole story after interviewing Edik Baranov. Rurik had been in contact with him since before the defection, like he’d confessed to Blane. Rurik had been helping Edik by meeting with Jurg to find out more about the assassination attempt. The calls Rurik made to Moscow were to Edik, a plan to help him and his family escape. Looks like Rurik had no idea about Daria’s involvement or Jurg’s vengeance for Alina’s mother. At this point, the Baranovs have been whisked away to an FBI safe house. He told the FBI that Daria Ivanov controlled the Houston ROC, and he was prepared to reveal intel from the Russians, including a government military operation to use AI robotics and chemical warfare on its own people. The Baranovs would be granted asylum in Witness Protection.”

Rurik had been innocent of many wrongdoings, but he had concealed ROC details to save his daughter and told Jurg about the Rangers heading into Dog Canyon. Blane and Major Montoya doubted he’d be charged with criminal activity upon the testimony of Edik Baranov.

I jumped from one part of the last few weeks to another. Danger. Fear. Awareness. Thankfulness. Love for Blane, a gift I never expected to receive.

—

I jarred awake to the sound of Alina excitedly calling out to her daddy. I held her firmly, not really understanding if her voice meant good or otherwise. Sunlight filtered in through the window to spotlight Rurik’s face and opened eyes.

“Be careful, sweetie,” I said. “Your daddy is very sick, and you don’t want to hurt him.”

“Can I hold his hand?”

Rurik slowly lifted his hand and she feather-touched it. “I’ve never... seen anything more beautiful than my Alina.”

She leaned in closer. “I love you, Daddy.”

His face contorted in obvious pain.

“I’ll get the nurse,” Blane said. “She can give you something for the pain.”

Rurik swallowed hard and gave a slight nod. “The button.”

Blane pressed it. “You had us scared.”

Good opener to ease the tension between them.

“Scared all of us,” I said.

Alina kissed his hand. “Uncle Jurg said you and Daria were dead, but I believed you wouldn’t leave me. Are you feeling better?”

“Better having you with me.”

“Does your chest hurt?”

“A little. I’m sorry you saw all that violence.”

She tilted her head. “I’ve seen lots of bad things. Mr. Blane thinks I might need to talk to a special doctor who will help me put the stuff in the right place.”

Rurik closed his eyes. “Yes. He’s right.”

The nurse entered the room and added meds to his IV. “This will make you sleep.”

Rurik turned to Blane and me. “Thank you isn’t enough. You saved my daughter, my cousin and his family, and you stopped Daria. I want to talk to the FBI, to show I’m loyal to the US.”

“Major Montoya told us how you’ve been helping your cousin,” Blane said.

“Good. Very good. Therese, I’m drifting to sleep, but first, can you care for Alina until I’m out of here and figure out what your government intends to do with us?”