Page 47 of Canyon of Deceit

FORTY-SIX

THERESE

Blane phoned the agents at Rurik’s home of our arrival soon, and I drove into an open garage.

The moment we were inside, the door closed.

Neatly arranged shelving and modest gardening tools were displayed in precise organization.

Sort of creepy. An FBI agent entered the garage from the house and introduced himself—he stood over six and a half feet tall.

“Sir, we have a new development,” the agent said. “We found a burner phone that Rurik has been using to converse only with Jurg Falin. Since confiscating it, no calls have come in. We have orders for Rurik to take any incoming calls.”

Lies and more lies. I exchanged furious glances with Blane.

“We deal with it as negotiators,” he said.

The agent escorted us through the kitchen and down a hall to Rurik’s office where we met his partner, who sported dark, curly hair and a mustache.

The office had a traditional style and was again neat and clean.

The blinds and drapes were closed. Would the faint light filtering in be enough for Blane to read him?

The agent flipped on a lamp, and the two left us alone.

Rurik’s gray pallor indicated a man who’d given up. Had he put on this facade for us? I wished my fears about his deceit were unfounded.

Blane and I sat across from Rurik in brown leather chairs with a small round table between us. A cup of coffee perched on a saucer, the cream forming a skin-like layer on top.

“Rurik, I have no idea what you’re going through.” Blane’s tone resembled my dad’s when he wanted me to feel important. I treasured those memories in a special place in my heart.

“I’m grateful you and Therese risked your lives to find Alina.” Rurik scrubbed his hand over his face, as though he physically wiped away his emotions.

“We’ve all walked through danger in this search,” Blane said. “Unresolved issues and continuous threats have taken their toll on you since we last met. You asked us to meet you in person, and we left FBI protection to accomplish this.”

“The FBI agents here discovered a burner phone, not the one I used to call Therese.” Rurik avoided looking at me. “I’ve been in contact with Jurg since the first video showing Daria’s execution. He... he was the one who made all the calls. I’ve never doubted he killed her.”

I fought the urge to punch him, scream. But common sense told me to calm down, relax.

But his unreliable character set my face aflame.

Why hadn’t he shared about the phones from the start?

The Rangers or FBI could have monitored and traced the calls.

I bit my tongue and listened like Blane had instructed.

“Why did you keep this secret?” Blane said. “Help me understand why you put Alina’s life in jeopardy. Are you aware Therese and I were nearly killed?”

Rurik’s lips trembled. “Jurg told me if I relinquished the phone, he’d kill Alina.”

“Have you spoken to her?”

Rurik shook his head.

“What was his reason?”

“Jurg wanted me to keep him informed of what law enforcement were doing in connection to Alina’s disappearance and Daria’s death.”

“I assume you did as he asked?”

Rurik nodded. “I passed on everything.”

“Such as?”

“I overheard the agents talking late one night when they thought I was sleeping.” He stared at the ground. “I... I told Jurg about the helicopter bringing agents and Rangers into Dog Canyon.”

I gripped my fist. He’d initiated the death and wounding of good men!

Lord, help me not to strangle him. “Do you want pics of what those good men looked like after Falin’s men sprayed them with bullets?

Your eight-year-old daughter saw the blood, the wounded.

One man died. They were trying to rescue Alina. Is that the behavior of a good father?”

Blane rested his hand on my arm, and I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” I said. “Your actions are difficult for me to understand.”

Rurik’s faced darkened. “It’s difficult for me too.”

“You begged Therese to find and return Alina, then you set her up to be killed with the rest of us.” Blane lowered his voice. “Murder in the name of love? How can we ever trust you?”

“I fail to trust myself,” he said through tear-filled eyes. “And Jurg still has Alina.”

“What was Jurg’s response to the info you gave him?” Blane said.

“The ROC needed a missing chip for their weapons, and they weren’t concerned about Alina.”

My anger rose again. “Who is the target for those weapons? It only takes three bullets to bring down a man, his wife, and child.”

Rurik glared at me. “Edik is an enemy of Russia. Once the Baranovs are eliminated, then he’ll return Alina.”

“So all the cost and planning to purchase the chips needed to ensure those weapons were operable involved one family?” Blane said. “What else does Falin want you to do?”

Rurik stared at Blane. “Do what you want. Nothing matters but her.”

“Rurik, I’d feel the same way,” Blane said. “What is your next assignment?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Therese and I have plenty of time. What’s going on?” Blane waited while silence exploded in the room.

“I’m sorry I withheld the truth.” He moistened his lips. “My excuse is I love my daughter. She’s all I have left.”

“The tragedies you’ve experienced would send most men over the edge. We want to help, we really do. Please, tell us what we need to do our job.”

“Five years ago, Jurg invited me to join the ROC. I didn’t know he was already deeply involved.

” Rurik huffed. “I refused due to my objection of violent takeovers or anything resembling it. Neither would I endanger the lives of my wife and daughter. He said he respected my position as a friend, but I’d go down with the Americans.

I didn’t tell Daria. Her emotions have always been fragile.

Over the years, he repeated the same invitation.

Each time I worked hard to convince him otherwise.

.. He promised a lot of money and prestige when my family returned to Russia.

I always declined. He asked me again about six months ago. My answer was the same.”

“Did you think he’d respect your family connection and resign from the organization?”

“An illusion on my part. In my first wife’s honor, I didn’t tell anyone.

That’s why I told you he was a friend from Russia, which was the truth.

He’d been more than a friend to me, even if we disagreed about politics.

” Rurik shrugged. “Had he sent the prowler that night to... to persuade me? Later I asked and he denied it. He also said his sister loved Russia, and if I ever loved her, I would agree to his demands.”

“Were you trained in espionage in Russia?”

Not even a twitch on Rurik’s face. “I refuse to answer.”

“You just did,” Blane said. “I want to hear the rest of your story.”

“I overheard more from Jurg the night of the dinner than I originally claimed.”

Silence. I wanted him to get on with it while impatience surged through my veins. Rurik should be thrilled I wasn’t the one questioning him.

“I’ll compose myself.” Rurik lifted his chin. “I will tell you everything. Your government might have already discovered this, but that doesn’t matter. I need to be honest with you and Therese.”

My head pounded. How could one man not see the evil going on around him?

Rurik cleared his throat. “I value the United States, the culture, and its people. Not perfect, if any place on earth held such a distinction, but it’s a welcome change from the oppressive Russian regime.

Beyond any country, my number one priority has always been my family.

With Daria’s death and Alina caught in the middle of politics and power, I admit I’m a fool, and I am prepared to face the punishment your government issues. ”

Had Rurik set up more innocent people to die?

“This is the rest of the conversation I overheard. Edik Baranov is on a cargo ship scheduled to enter the Houston Ship Channel in fifteen days.” He held his breath.

“Edik is my cousin. At one time, the three of us were close. Edik chose the army. I chose education, and Jurg chose accounting. We were young, idealistic. Ready to take on the world. Jurg opposed Edik’s uncle, who is Russia’s prime minister, who encouraged him to move up the ranks of the army.

Jurg claimed Edik lacked the ability to lead, but I think he was envious.

“Jurg broke away from the three of us. I maintained contact with both men. The assassination is critical, but it masked securing a laser chip needed for a recent arms purchase to advance the ROC in Houston. Jurg wanted both missions to occur at the same time.”

“Sounds like Jurg is motivated by rivalry and greed,” Blane said.

Rurik nodded. “Assassinating Edik was Jurg’s opportunity to make a name for himself and the Houston ROC. The killing would occur when Edik and his family left the ship. Jurg believed Russia would call them heroes for devising and implementing the plan.”

I calculated seven days remained until Baranov and his family entered the ship channel. How had all this chaos happened in just over one week?

Blane snatched his phone. “I need to alert Major Montoya.” He stepped into the hallway.

I wanted to give Rurik a generous piece of my worst thoughts, but once I got started, I might murder him.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

I waited in silence.

Blane returned. “I spoke to Major Montoya and told the agents they should talk to their superiors about an update.”

Rurik sighed. “I offer full cooperation. My fear is by informing you, my daughter will pay the supreme price.”

“What’s changed?” I said, breaking my silence.

“My deceit has cost lives and Alina is still missing.” He rushed to his feet and paced.

Blane pointed to the chair. “Rurik, sit down and finish.”

Blane maintained control while my fingernails dug into my palms.

Rurik seated himself. “I assure both of you, from this moment on, I will be honest.”

“I’m counting on your word being your integrity,” Blane said.

I wanted to scream that Rurik had no concept of the truth.

“You can. I promise.” Rurik squared off with Blane. “Promise me you won’t give up on finding Alina.”

“You have my word.”

“What is your next assignment?” Blane repeated an earlier question.

“Falin hasn’t said.”

I refused to hold back my ire any longer. “You lied about your use of firearms.”

“Yes. But I’m finished with the ROC.” He captured my attention.

“Dear lady, through all of this you’ve never let me down.

Only you and Blane are trustworthy. I beg of you.

.. if anything happens to me, please take my Alina.

There’s no one in Russia who would care for her properly.

I’ve drawn up my will and given it to the agents here to ensure an American attorney delivers it to the Russian embassy. It’s a legal document.”

My eyes widened. “You’d like me to take Alina in the event of your death?”

He shook his head. “I want you to adopt her as your daughter, love and cherish her as I have. Be her mother. My attorney will be in contact. No matter what happens, I’m on a hit list.”

A chill raced from my head to my toes. What dare I say?

My own mother ignored me after Kate’s death.

.. and I’d suffered ever since. I didn’t have a good role model, but if God ordained it, I’d find a way to embrace motherhood.

“All right. I already love Alina. If anything happens to you, I will raise her as my own.”

Blane gave my hand a gentle squeeze. He supported me like no one had ever done. Still, doubt of my ability to be a mother wrapped me tightly.

Another question burned in me. “What does Falin believe we know?”

“Your presence in Dog Canyon confused him, and he hasn’t learned how you found him and Chandler. I didn’t tell him about the trackers in Alina’s shoes or the necklace.”

“Does he think we have inside information from one of his cohorts?”

“Right. He asked me if I’d given you Chandler’s location.

Giving him a name tempted me, but if that person had an alibi, Alina’s life would mean nothing.

Jurg doesn’t take any risks. If he believes you have something valuable, he’ll want what you learned and who told you.

And he has the means to extract it. You need protection twenty-four seven. They are professional killers.”

“Then why try to kill me?” I said.

“The order didn’t come from Jurg.”

“Then who?” I kept my tone low.

“I don’t know.”