Page 37 of Canyon of Deceit

THIRTY-SIX

BLANE

Everywhere I looked, men lay sprawled out on the ground. Bloody masses. Dark groans met my ears. I rolled off the stretcher and wrapped my hand around a wounded man’s rifle—the pain in my head and arm were constant reminders of those who’d sacrificed to rescue me.

Through the blinding smoke, I squinted at the Airbus.

The sound dissipated over the clear sky.

I pulled out the IV in my left arm and held it against me to stop the bleeding.

Rolling near a Ranger who failed to move, I stared again into the smoke.

Glancing to see who remained standing, I fought the rage igniting inside me.

“Who’s okay?” I said.

“I’m hit. Not bad,” a man said. “This is Agent Tanner.”

Dave. “How bad? This is Blane.”

“Shoulder. Through and through. I called for backup when the second helo opened fire.”

“I’ll crawl to you,” I said.

“I’m here with him,” another man said. “Call out if you can hear me.”

Four other men responded they were injured but nothing serious. The ones who didn’t respond had my concern.

“Men,” Dave said. “Help is on its way. Those shooters spoke Russian. Had to be the ROC. Look around you to see if it’s possible to help another man.”

A fierce surge of fury coursed through my veins. Why God? Why?

—

THERESE

Relief and confusion assaulted me in Falin’s release. Why? Who was he? I shook my head. Agony from the men around me scraped against my ears. Would any of them hear laughter again or feel joy?

“Therese?”

I inhaled sharply. Held it and refused to exhale until I made certain the voice came from the bravest Texas Ranger known to man.

I swung in every direction until I saw a familiar figure kneeling beside another man.

Blane was alive! I rushed to see the man behind the voice.

I hurried to Blane who’d forever be my hero and knelt beside him.

He’d used a piece of the shirt from his splint to bandage a man’s shoulder wound. Around me lay others, some not moving.

“Are you shot?” My eyes roved his body for signs of a new wound.

“No. Not sure how I missed a bullet.” He nodded at the man between us. “This is FBI Agent Dave Tanner, a paramedic who saved my life.”

Nothing else needed to be said. A debt owed and a debt of gratitude. “Agent Tanner, are there specific instructions before I tend these men?”

“Just do what you can for them. Help is on its way. While wondering if I’d live, I figured it was time to retire from the FBI. My little girl deserves a daddy who isn’t risking his life at every turn.” He frowned at me. “You have a nasty black eye.”

I attempted a smile. “It will heal.”

“What about Alina?” Blane said.

Burning anger chased the relief. “Jurg Falin nabbed her with a box of something from the cave. He killed Chandler. Any evidence was destroyed in the explosion.” I stood. “These men need me until help arrives.”

“Take my backpack.” Agent Tanner drew in a sharp breath. “First aid supplies inside. I think one man is gone.” He nodded at a man who had received a shot to his head.

Would the bloodshed ever end?

I grabbed Agent Tanner’s backpack. Where did I start? I’d disinfect and apply bandages to these men’s injuries until paramedics arrived.

In the distance, another whirl of helicopter blades lifted my spirits. With Falin and the ROC gone, the helicopter had a place to land.