Page 33 of Canyon of Deceit

THIRTY-TWO

The meds dripping into my body numbed the pain and allowed me a couple hours of sleep.

I woke with the stirring of men and readied myself for the three-hour ride to meet the helo.

I counted six armed, buffed agents. The cavalry had arrived.

The same helo from the previous day would bring four Rangers to assist the FBI team, and then transport me to the hospital in Hobbs.

I despised not working alongside the others. Another time. Another mission. Therese had shown me the power of trust, and I clung to it with both hands like the rope she’d used to pull me up from the rock ledge.

Dave knelt beside me. “We’re about to head down to meet the helo. I’ve given you meds to relax you, but—”

“The jarring will be painful.”

Dave exhaled. “Excruciating if one of the men slip.”

“Thanks,” I said. “Your team saved my life. I’ll never forget it.”

He smiled and checked the straps on the stretcher. “You’re welcome, but you were the one who had the foresight to signal for help. By this afternoon, you’ll be in a clean bed with medical personnel taking care of you.”

“I’d stay right here if it meant finding Therese and the little girl quicker.”

He patted my right shoulder. “I’m on your side, buddy. You called out Therese’s name in your sleep. God too. We’re on the same team.”

“I’m new to faith,” I said.

“My dad showed me how to live a godly life.” He held his breath. “My wife died in a car accident four months ago. It’s just me and our six-month-old daughter. Life’s hard, but He’s always there.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” What if I lost Therese?

“Yeah. Me too. You’ll get through this, just don’t let go.”

More confirmation of God’s presence. “You’ll get word to me when Therese and Alina are safe?”

“Count on it.”

Two men lifted me from the ground onto the stretcher. Despite their attempt to be gentle, my body protested every move. If the men balancing me tumbled downhill, I’d bounce like a burrito. Later I’d laugh about the idea, but not now.

“Hey, man, we’ve got you,” the agent said on my right. “I’d planned to take my father-in-law fly-fishing this morning. Another day... then I can tell him all about carrying you down off this mountain.”

“Listen up,” Dave said to the men. “Keep your eyes peeled for Chandler and Falin. We’re perfect targets out in the open. As soon as we load Blane into the helo and replenish our water, we’ll split up to find Alina Ivanov and Therese Palmer.”

The slow hike down brought good and dread at the same time. We men were so fickle, especially those of us who wanted to look like heroes when we’re crumbling on the inside. One minute I held my breath and in the next, I blew out the agony.

The fisherman on my right must have sensed my pain tolerance waning, and he started telling me his fishing stories. I listened hard. Nothing to do but swallow my moans and close my eyes.

I claimed I had my mental footing, then fell, battering and bruising my body. But in the struggle, I learned the value of trusting God. How strange I’d changed my way of viewing life in a matter of a fall that nearly killed me.

Someday I’d return here and paint the magnificence of these stone citadels.