Page 43 of Canyon of Deceit

FORTY-TWO

BLANE

I’d experienced two other times in my life when I sensed caring and compassion in the way a woman spoke my name, Wendy and my mother.

It struck me that my maturity and newfound faith caused the lyrical sound from Therese to imply more—a hint of love and thankfulness.

God had been in control of my firearm, not me. He’d saved her, not me.

Sobering and real.

Police officers and Rangers worked the crowd, some quickly managing the gathering people and others hurrying to our aid. Two ambulances entered the scene with paramedics racing up the driveway, gear in tow.

“Are you okay?” I said to Therese.

“Yes. Shaking a bit though. Blane, I shot and killed a man. I mean, he would have killed me, but I feel awful.”

“I understand. It never gets any easier.” I moved aside to let the paramedics give the wounded Ranger attention and to check on Therese. She assured them she wasn’t hurt and joined me.

Leaning against the Ranger’s bullet-ridden car, I gave her a slight smile. “God controlled that shot, not me.”

She took my hand. “We need the same control to save my driver. Shot three times. So much blood.”

“I’m sorry you’ve witnessed all this violence.”

“There’s a reason we’ve endured it, even if we never learn why.” She glanced at the street and stiffened. “Do those people think this is a show?”

“They’re curious. If the victims were friends or family, their reactions might be different.”

Exhaustion plowed into her delicate features. “True. They have no idea what has happened over the past few days.”

We walked to the rear of her house. “I need to phone Sergio.”

“Should I step away?”

“Not at all.” I called Sergio and gave him the details.

“Can’t even get you two home in one piece. Hold on, Rusty, got a call from the FBI coming in.”

I waited and stared at the aftermath of innocent people gawking at the bloodbath.

Curiosity had a way of shoving people into the way of trained professionals, and I understood Therese’s indignation.

I was right there with her—and not the first time.

Did they have any idea how quickly someone’s life could be snuffed out?

I wanted them to voluntarily go back to their homes.

Love on their families and be thankful no one else was hurt.

Sergio clicked back on the line. “Two FBI agents will escort you and Therese to an extended-stay hotel. They are assigned protective detail. Therese is not to enter her house without the FBI clearing it first. One more thing, the guests at the Russian dinner party cleared.”

“Got it.” I secured her attention. “She’s standing beside me. Her safety is a priority.” I repeated what Sergio ordered and she nodded. “Anything else you can tell me?”

“Not yet. Have the shooters been identified?” Sergio said.

“I’ll confirm names and text you.”

Therese raised a finger before I ended the call. “Falin couldn’t have ordered the hit. He had the opportunity to kill me in Dog Canyon and spared me.”

“I heard what she said,” Sergio said. “His boss must have sent the shooters, which means we could also be dealing with rivalry within the ROC. Get back to me with any IDs.”

I pocketed my phone and approached the paramedics loading one shooter’s body onto a gurney, the man I’d shot. “I’m a Texas Ranger.” I displayed my ID. “I want to check the deceased men for identification.”

A female paramedic pointed to the crowd. “A police officer asked for their wallets.”

A fraud. “That’s tampering with evidence. Illegal.”

“Which is why he didn’t get them. I asked him to wait while I verified his ID with another officer. Odd, he didn’t stick around.”

I didn’t find it odd, rather a smart tactic. “Can you identify him?”

“Yes, sir.”

I requested a Ranger handle the report while I accessed the bodies. I pulled wallets from each man’s pocket and examined their IDs. Both Russian.

I texted Sergio the two men’s info and the incident with the paramedic. He immediately responded.

No surprise the ROC have their men out. The two deceased are on our watch lists. Both suspected ROC members and wanted for questioning.

I assume a task force has been initiated with the FBI, Rangers, and HPD?

Yes. The same day you and Therese landed at Hobbs.

I shared the texts with Therese. We kept our silence... too consumed with the tragedies and few answers.

Two men walked up the driveway and handed me their creds—both FBI. I validated each one. “The rest of our team is on its way. We’re to clear this home before the owner enters,” one man said and directed his attention to Therese. “Are you Therese Palmer?”

“Yes, sir. My ID is in the car parked in the driveway.”

The second agent offered to retrieve it and thanked us for our patience.

“We’ve been briefed on the crime activity here,” the first agent said and stuck out his hand.

“Agent Blackburn. Sorry this happened to you. We’re dealing with a determined bunch, and it looks like the two of you have contracts on your lives.

” His relational demeanor told me he was a good, seasoned man.

A lot had to be said for the wisdom of salt and pepper.

“I have no idea who or what is inside,” Therese said.

“Do you suspect a bomb?”

“Nothing would surprise me.”

He pulled a phone from inside his sports jacket. “I’ll request a bomb squad.”

—

Therese and I waited in the FBI’s SUV, bone-tired and filled with unanswered questions—our mode of operation.

Darkness created a cover of mystery increasing my frustration.

A bomb squad searched her house before they’d allow the FBI agents inside.

We all waited for our turn. Law enforcement officials moved the crowd back and encouraged them to return to their homes, but news media and bomb techs arrived, creating more curiosity for the crowd who failed to leave.

Exhaustion flowed through my body, but tomorrow I’d sleep. We’d both sleep.

“Let’s call Rurik,” Therese said. “Give him our new phone numbers. The FBI agents protecting him have no reason to refuse us. Why don’t you make the call?”

I agreed and she pressed in Rurik’s cell phone number. Placing the phone on speaker, I addressed the FBI agent with my credentials. Once verified we were put through to him.

“This is Blane and Therese. We’re back in Houston. We have new cell phones. I’m texting those numbers to you.”

“Thanks.” Rurik’s voice held more pain than the last time we spoke. “I’ve been watching the news about an exchange of gunfire at Therese’s home. What’s going on?”

The agents were listening, and I relayed enough that the media would confirm.

I continued with the happenings over the past few days in our attempt to rescue Alina and omitted the contents in the cave.

“We’re not giving up, Rurik. The Texas Rangers, FBI, and HPD have formed a task force to find Alina and end the crimes. ”

“What about the trackers in her shoes and necklace?”

“Alina’s shoes were found in Dog Canyon, and Rangers found her necklace near Baytown. Major Montoya has it.”

“Major Montoya will keep the necklace safe? It’s special to Alina. And me.”

“He’s already assured us. He has daughters and understands those things.”

“Thank you. I never told anyone about the trackers, but Jurg is smart. Therese, you were with Alina.” His fragile voice echoed his angst. “How was she?”

Therese moistened her lips. “They had not harmed her. She wore new tennis shoes, jeans, and a T-shirt. Jurg Falin protected her from Chandler. Your daughter is the bravest little girl I’ve ever seen.

She neither pouted nor whined, showing respect to her captors and complying with their requests. You have taught her well.”

Rurik broke into sobs. “Jurg was once my brother-in-law, a half brother to Alina’s mother. But he has my daughter, and we have no location.”

Therese’s eyes welled, and she mouthed for me to continue the conversation.

“Why didn’t you tell us about the family connection?” I said.

“I... I didn’t think it made a difference or was important.”

I wanted to ask Rurik why we wouldn’t think the family connection vital to the case, but I risked angering him. If he shut down, we might not get back in his good graces. “We could have used the information in our negotiations, and for sure we’ll use it in future dialogue.”

“How would Jurg’s relationship with my daughter affect her return? His priorities are the ROC’s intent to assassinate Edik Baranov, and Jurg will put his own life on the line to ensure their agenda. My daughter means nothing to him.”

“What have you not told us? We need all the details to return Alina to you safely.” I let silence set the stage. Was Rurik aware Falin and Daria had been having an affair?

Therese opened her mouth to speak, but I shook my head and took her hand, a little awkward with the cast.

“We aren’t talking about political opinions or a country’s sovereignty. We’re talking about my daughter’s life!” Rurik swore. “A face-to-face with no one else around.”