Page 46 of Canyon of Deceit

FORTY-FIVE

Right on time, a Ranger delivered the gray rental car, the color a blend of black and white, life and death. I had my new SIG, and Therese had a firearm in her handbag. The agents at Rurik’s home might confiscate them, but I wanted a weapon within easy reach going and coming.

Therese drove the thirty minutes to our destination, obviously absorbed in her thoughts. My headache roared like a lion, and I needed to clear it before talking to Rurik. “Do you want to head back to the hotel?” I said. “This has potential to be dangerous.”

She shook her head and offered a smile. Wasn’t a real one, but I wouldn’t comment. “I think facing a firefight might be safer than your driving.” She slid me a sideways glare.

“Not true, but I don’t want you hurt.”

“Every hour that passes means one more hour Falin has Alina,” she said. “Questions pelt me like someone throwing stones. How do you read people with accuracy?”

“Like I said before, it takes practice. Listen to what they don’t say, do say, choice of words, their body language, and follow your gut.”

“Sounds difficult.”

“The key word is caring. Whoever you’re talking to must be persuaded into believing you care what happens to them.

Pure empathy. And we can’t be fake. In this instance, we’re unsure about Rurik’s stand.

We don’t want anyone to die or be treated like manure.

But let the courts deliberate Rurik’s fate, not me or you taking things into our hands. ”

“I’ll be scribbling notes,” she said. “I spent time last night reading online articles about body language. I’ll be an expert in about ten years.”

“You’ll be fine.” My arm and head did their twinge of pain thing, and I sucked in a breath.

“Take three ibuprofens.” She held up a bottle of water from the console. “The meds are in your pocket.”

At the next stoplight, I obeyed. The last thing I needed was my bruised brain distracting me from the job ahead. “Rurik could have been using the burner phone to negotiate his daughter’s release.”

“That’s what I’m thinking too... Do the agents know he has a burner?”

“Good question. Doubt he’d offer the info.”

“That’s where I’d fail as a negotiator. I’d want to punch him.”

I placed my hand on her arm. “His truth or lies hit the bottom rung of our mission. If you see or hear something that shocks you, ignore it. Relay sympathy and concern. Put yourself in his shoes and pretend Alina is your daughter. How desperate would you be? Would you do anything illegal to save her? Are you ready to give up your own life for your child? Push aside all the frustration with Rurik. Our job is to rescue Alina.”

She swiped a tear rolling down her cheek. “I have no problem putting myself in his shoes. I won’t disappoint you.”

“You are one courageous woman, and your faith—our faith—tells us God won’t abandon us. My mother told me those same things, but I never believed them. Seems like the advice from my mother and grandmother finally took root. I’m too mule stubborn. But we’re a team, partner.”