Page 36 of Canyon of Deceit

THIRTY-FIVE

BLANE

I drifted in and out of consciousness, partly from the meds and partly from my body’s condition. Time existed in another dimension, foreign... In my weakened and angst-filled condition, the whirl of rotor blades sounded, sparking optimism and the rhythm of a flowing stream. I must be delirious.

“Right on time,” Dave said.

I wanted to jump off the stretcher and two-step to that aircraft of mercy. Yes, fever would make a man think of weird things.

The hard, level ground produced fewer jolts, and the helo awaiting us in the distance renewed my longing to live.

I opened my eyes to the landscape. On either side of me, men carried assault rifles, their attention focused on anything moving.

I’d done my share of the same, and I fought being on the victim’s side. If only they’d give me a gun so—

Another set of whirling blades descended over us, a private helicopter, an Airbus, sometimes used as an air ambulance. Good. Help came in pairs. While in the air, the Airbus’s door opened, and a chain gun emerged. Behind the weapon, a sniper opened fire on us.

The lead man of the FBI SAR fell.

I raised my head enough to see a man bleeding out from the back of his skull. Dave rushed to his aid while the rest of the team bent low. The four remaining men aimed at the armed helo.

“Help me get the injured to the helo,” Dave shouted.

Rangers inside the rescue helo poured out and pumped fire into the Airbus. I craved a gun, mentally etching Chandler’s name on one bullet and Falin’s on another.

Rangers rushed to assist the agents. The agent fell who held up the left side of my stretcher. A Ranger grabbed it, a man I recognized. My head fought to stay coherent while everyone else ran to safety. I struggled to unfasten the bindings. Not another man would be hurt due to my actions.

Agents and Rangers pulled back, leaving the rescue helo empty.

An explosion roared behind us, destroying the rescue helo in a mass of flames and flying metal debris.

The blast sent us to the ground. Through the fiery haze, the Airbus landed on a narrow slice of the canyon floor.

In the distance, Jurg Falin pushed Therese and Alina toward the aircraft.

Three shooters poured from the attack helo and sprayed us with bullets.

—

THERESE

Falin tossed me into the back of the tanklike helo with Alina.

I held the little girl next to me, shielding her from the violence exploding around us.

I never imagined Falin would pull the trigger on Chandler.

The monster lay dead, but what about the man who’d killed him?

What new monster held me hostage? I’d forgotten Falin had most likely undergone espionage training in Russia.

If Blane had been given the opportunity, he’d have read Falin’s tells.

I closed my eyes and prayed for Blane and the others.

Without water, food, and medical care, he’d die.

Without rescue, Alina and I confronted death.

Without law enforcement’s assistance, Edik Baranov and his family faced assassination.

With the potential of laser weaponry that Falin had confiscated, more would die.

God is sovereign.

Falin’s men loaded the weapons and ammo from the cave. They spoke in Russian. Alina lifted her head, obviously listening. She’d translate if needed, especially if they were talking about their plans for us.

Alina stiffened, and her eyes widened. She clung to me. What had they said?

“Don’t be afraid,” I whispered.

Her eyes moistened. “Not good. There isn’t room here for everyone.”

I squeezed her shoulder. We were meaningless to Falin unless he had a purpose in taking Alina. He’d gotten his supplies, meaning I was extra baggage.

I am going to die.

“Be brave. If we are separated, stay strong.”

“I will.” Alina nodded. “I promise.”

The men approached the helicopter door. My pulse sped, and I failed to cease the trembling in my body.

“Palmer, get up,” Falin said.

I pried Alina’s hands from me. She grieved in silence and uttered not a word. Such a brave girl.

“Get out,” Falin said.

At least he planned to shoot me outside so Alina wouldn’t view one more death. I struggled to my feet and walked to the opening.

“To show I’m not a ruthless killer, you will live, providing you find a way out of here with the dead and wounded.” He tossed me my backpack.

“Please don’t hurt her.”

“Maybe.”

I hated his pet word or rather his ominous tone when he spoke it.

He shoved me out of the aircraft, and I stumbled and fell face-first, compounding the ache and nausea from the bruising to my kidneys. I stood on shaky feet and limped toward the burning helicopter and the men beyond. I’d tend to their injuries. Search for anything salvageable and figure this out.

The armed Airbus filled with men quietly whispered its ascent into the sky.

A thunder-like roar sounded in the distance. Falin must have detonated the cave containing Chandler’s body.